Welcome to Episode #8 of Planet People! In this episode, we interview killer whale expert Nicole Schriber, who studies these amazing whales as a marine biology student at UC San Diego. She also works as a naturalist specializing in orca research and educating wildlife enthusiasts who join the “Gone Whale Watching” boat tours in San Diego. The recent sightings of orcas off of Southern California prompted a personal investigation for Nicole. As she observed this specific pod of whales, known as the Eastern Tropical Pacific Killer Whales (ETP), she was able to collect data for her photo identification book while leading these tours. Her research contributes to an overall understanding of ETPs and beyond the data collection, her experience provided amazing stories for our audience to learn from. This interview is immensely exciting as she is at the forefront of research due to the orcas’ elusiveness in Southern California waters!

In addition to her marine biology experience in California, Nicole also spends time in Alaska during the summer leading glacier tours out of Hubbard Bay. While aboard these tours she sometimes observes orcas, further fueling her passion for whale watching and educating the world around her! She captured many of these sightings from Alaska to SoCal with her camera gear, which she provides details on during this episode.

Nicole shares her passion for these amazing animals through close-up encounters. She has had several encounters with individual orcas in the ETP pod and learned about their different personalities—she even had the chance to name a female orca! Along with stories, she provides us with fun facts about these fascinating sea creatures and what it takes to survive in a matriarchal animal world. From fun facts to truly riveting stories, Nicole’s episode won’t be one you want to miss!

Featured Guests:

Nicole Schriber @nicole.orcinologist

https://www.instagram.com/nicole.orcinologist?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Organization Handles and Information:

Nicole’s ETP Photo Guide: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ebcMKY7y_qk7nJ6kwbkgtWnkLIGTEsvpRNq01cWBD7M/mobilepresent?slide=id.g2a93adb05a9_0_34

Gone Whale Watching Tours

https://www.gonewhalewatching.com/

The North Gulf Oceanic Society

https://www.whalesalaska.org/

Happy Whale

https://happywhale.com/home

IG: @happywhale_official

Allen Marine Tours

https://allenmarinetours.com/

Intertidal Kendy @intertidalkendy

https://www.instagram.com/intertidalkendy?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Thank you for tuning into Planet People!

Welcome to Episode #7 of Planet People! In this episode, we continue our conversation from Ep. 6 with Amber Becerra, founder of Sol Sanctuary, Wildlife Protection Alliance, and former CEO of Marine Mammal Care Center. In this episode, we learn more about Amber’s eco-lodge and what it means to operate one through a sustainable approach to living among nature.

By defining an eco-lodge and coexisting amongst nature, you will understand how to differentiate between real and fake greenwashing tactics. Through this conversation, you will discover that greenwashing is rooted in colonialist methods that promote unsustainable development, which erases indigenous communities and local wildlife. By incorporating local knowledge in her best practices, Amber is an exemplary model of how one can learn to live the way the locals have for generations.

Beyond sustainable and communal living, Amber embodies the spirit of a planet person as she seeks to protect different Costa Rican wildlife, like Howler Monkeys, as she builds with the trees at Sol Sanctuary rather than clear-cutting them, thereby creating habitat connectivity. We get an inside look at how Amber works with local indigenous groups to protect these animals by building natural bridges for the Howler Monkeys to safely cross their tree canopy without being electrocuted by power lines. With so much clear-cutting happening regionally in Playa Grande, this conversation is more pressing than ever to understand solutions to best practices for protecting nature.

Amber is also the dedicated leader of the Wildlife Protection Alliance, with the slogan #RespectTheWildlife, which is at the heart of what we stand for at Planet People.

From best living practices at Sol Sanctuary to uncovering greenwashing tactics and protecting wildlife through her rehab center, Amber’s story is one you won’t want to miss! Her experience starting an eco-lodge and protecting Costa Rican wildlife is what this planet needs now more than ever.

Featured Guests:

Amber Becerra, founder of Wildlife Protection Alliance and former CEO of Marine Mammal Care Center

Organization Handles and Information:

To learn more about Wildlife Protection Alliance and Amber's retreat center, Sol Sanctuary, you can check out their websites & social media. Wildlife Protection Alliance (@respectthewildlife) at https://www.respectthewildlife.org/ and Sol Sanctuary (@sol_sanctuary) https://www.solsanctuary.org/

Amber’s book, Coastal California: The Wild Life. The organizations highlighted in this book are:

San Diego Humane Society-Project Wildlife @sdhumansociety

Marine Mammal Care Center @marinemammalcarecenter

Cougar Conservancy @couagarconservancy

Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO @samofund)

International Bird Rescue @intbirdrescue

Point Blue @pointblue_conservationscience

Project Blue @go.projectblue

Shark Allies @sharkallies

Sea Otter Savvy @seaottersavvy

Thank you for tuning into Planet People!

Welcome to Episode #6 of Planet People! In this episode, we introduce Amber Becerra, founder of Wildlife Protection Alliance and former CEO of Marine Mammal Care Center. We take you behind the scenes with Amber to learn more about her advocacy work and the challenges she faces as a conservationist. From rebuilding the Marine Mammal Care Center and raising millions of dollars to aid marine mammals’ welfare to pushing for stronger protections for these animals worldwide, her journey has been both inspiring and enlightening. Amber, the dedicated leader of the Wildlife Protection Alliance, with the slogan #RespectTheWildlife, is at the heart of what we stand for at Planet People. Her experience raising awareness for coastal wildlife in California, and now globally, is what this planet needs now more than ever.

Featured Guests:

Amber Becerra, founder of Wildlife Protection Alliance and former CEO of Marine Mammal Care Center

Organization Handles and Information:

To learn more about Wildlife Protection Alliance and Amber's retreat center, Sol Sanctuary, you can check out their websites & social media. Wildlife Protection Alliance (@respectthewildlife) at https://www.respectthewildlife.org/ and Sol Sanctuary (@sol_sanctuary) https://www.solsanctuary.org/

To learn more about AZA-Accredited zoos & aquariums (@zoos_aquariums), you can check out details on their website. https://www.aza.org

To learn more about and support the Marine Mammal Care Center (@marinemammalcarecenter) in LA. https://marinemammalcare.org

Amber’s book, Coastal California: The Wild Life. The organizations highlighted in this book are San Diego Humane Society-Project Wildlife (@sdhumansociety), Marine Mammal Care Center (@marinemammalcarecenter), Cougar Conservancy (@couagarconservancy), Santa Monica Mountains Fund (SAMO @samofund), International Bird Rescue (@intbirdrescue), Point Blue (@pointblue_conservationscience), Project Blue (@go.projectblue), Shark Allies (@sharkallies), Sea Otter Savvy (@seaottersavvy)

Thank you for tuning into Planet People! Be sure to check back in for Pt. 2 of our interview with Amber Becerra.

Welcome to Episode #5 of Planet People! In this episode, we take you behind the scenes with the Sierra Club Seal Society to learn more about their advocacy work and the challenges they faced in safeguarding marine life in beautiful La Jolla, California. Robyn Davidoff and Carol Toye, the dedicated leaders of the Seal Society, share their experience raising awareness for marine mammals in La Jolla. From advocating for the welfare of the California harbor seal and sea lion to pushing for stronger protections for these animals, their journey has been both inspiring and enlightening.

Featured Guests:

Robyn Davidoff, Chairperson, Sierra Club Seal Society Chapter

Carol Toye, Chairperson, Sierra Club Seal Society Chapter

Organizations mentioned in this episode:

Sierra Club Seal Society Chapter: @sdsealsociety

To preserve the La Jolla Harbor Seal and Sea Lion Rookeries for ecological, educational, scientific, historic, and scenic opportunities.

To create and administer a volunteer docent program that provides environmental education for the public and promotes safe viewing of our local harbor seal and sea lion colonies.

Wildlife Protection Alliance: @respectthewildlife

The mission of Respect Wildlife is to reduce disruptive human encounters with coastal marine wildlife.

Wildlife Need Their Space

Respect Means…If an animal starts to stare, fidget, or flee, calmly back away and give them more space.

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration): @NOAA

NOAA’s mission to better understand our natural world and help protect its precious resources extends beyond national borders to monitor global weather and climate and work with partners worldwide.

Viewing Guidelines: NOAA Viewing Guidelines

Welcome to Episode #4 of Planet People! In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of rays, shedding light on their importance in marine ecosystems and their challenges in today's changing environment. Additionally, we explore the concept of queer ecology and its significance in the broader context of environmentalism and conservation. We touch on how queer ecology can inspire humans not to limit or put themselves into boxes. Our guests for today are Nicole and Angel Morris, a remarkable power couple passionate about environmental conservation and nature exploration. Nicole is an esteemed environmental educator, while Angel is a talented documentary filmmaker and nature enthusiast. Together, they bring a unique perspective to our discussion.

In the second half of the episode, we discuss the fantastic documentary, “Diving For Rays,” produced and edited by Angel Morris and their Co-Director/Producer Nova West. You can find it on the WaterBear Network.

Featured Guests:

Nicole Morris: Environmental Educator @coliejean

Angel Morris: Documentary Filmmaker and Nature Enthusiast @angelmorris.edit

In this episode, we also highlight organizations that advocate for ray protection and offer opportunities for listeners to get involved in supporting these efforts:

Manta Trust: focuses on research and conservation efforts to understand manta rays better and safeguard their habitats. Their work includes education, research, and advocacy to ensure these gentle giants continue to grace our oceans for future generations.

Ray of Hope Expeditions: partners with researchers, conservationists, and local communities to conduct field research and support conservation initiatives for rays and other vulnerable marine species.

Defenders of Wildlife: an important organization that provides avenues for advocacy and policy work to protect marine species, including rays.

Two resources mentioned to get involved in research and filmmaking:

Field School: an organization that focuses on in-person field work for scientists in the making.

Jackson Wild Summit: an organization that focuses on developing young filmmakers and storytellers in nature, science and climate.

By supporting these organizations, whether through donations, volunteer work, or spreading awareness, we can all play a part in ensuring the survival of these magnificent creatures.

Thank you for joining us on this insightful episode of Planet People! We hope you enjoy the discussion and feel inspired to take action to protect our natural world.

Join us on this exciting episode as we dive into the incredible world of shark expert Randy Thomas. Randy, the founder of the non-profit organization "The Adventures of 5k," is a passionate advocate for wildlife conservation and an exceptional wildlife photographer. Through his captivating imagery and educational outreach efforts, Randy uses his platform to shed light on the importance of protecting marine life and its fragile ecosystem.

But it doesn't end there! Randy's mission extends beyond awareness. He actively encourages action and invites listeners to join him in the fight to protect marine life. Randy inspires and educates a global community through his social media platform and engaging YouTube channel, showing us how we can all play a role in preserving our oceans.

Tune in to this episode of "Safe Guarding the Seas" to be inspired by Randy's remarkable work, learn about the endangered sharks he champions, and discover how you can make a difference in the world of marine conservation. Get ready to be captivated by Randy's passion for wildlife and embark on an adventure that will leave you motivated to take action!

Featured Guest:

Randy Thomas @theadventuresof5k

https://www.instagram.com/theadventuresof5k/

As mentioned in the episode, here are a few organizations to donate to and spread awareness:

Shark Savers (https://www.sharksavers.org/)
Shark Trust (https://www.sharktrust.org/)
Save Our Seas Foundation (https://saveourseas.com/)
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (https://seashepherd.org/)
Sharkwater Extinction (https://www.sharkwater.com/)

Documentaries:

"Sharkwater" (2006)
"Racing Extinction" (2015)

Shows:

- "Shark Academy" (Discovery +)

Join us as we dive into the world of coastal conservation with Cristina Santa Maria! Cristina is the conservation manager with the San Diego Audubon Chapter and she works to protect the endangered California least tern. Tune in to learn more about this conservation problem and how Cristina is working to create a solution.