5. Seal Society Stewards: The Sierra Club Seal Society & Protecting Seals and Sea Lions in San Diego w/ Robyn Davidoff and Carol Toye
Release Date: 03/06/2024
23. An Ocean-Positive Future: Combating Deep-Sea Mining & Protecting Marine Ecosystems w/ Carissa Cabrera
Planet People Podcast
Carissa Cabrera, CEO of FutureSwell and marine biologist, joins us to discuss her multifaceted approach to ocean conservation through media, education, and community building. Based in Hawaiʻi, Carissa integrates Indigenous management with modern conservation practices while serving as a National Geographic educator and content creator. We explore the challenges facing marine ecosystems, including the ongoing threat of deep-sea mining, where regulatory decisions continue to be delayed until 2025. As both a scientist and entrepreneur, Carissa shares insights on building a conservation media...
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22. Lizard Land: Legendary Reptiles of the Coachella Valley w/ Colin Barrows
Planet People Podcast
In this episode of Planet People, we are joined by Colin Barrows, a Coachella Valley naturalist, desert advocate, and Secretary of CactusToCloud Institute. Colin has extensive knowledge in desert ecology, particularly in reptiles and rare desert plants, and he shares many fascinating facts about lizard adaptations. We also uncover the secret life of lizards and what it takes for these creatures to survive in the rugged landscape of the low deserts of the Coachella Valley. CONNECT: Follow Colin Barrows on Follow for all the updates! RAY OF HOPE: In a time when...
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21. Hidden Desert Treasure: Protecting Public Lands & Chuckwalla National Monument Update
Planet People Podcast
Several conservation, veteran, and recreation organizations have filed motions to intervene in a lawsuit defending the Chuckwalla National Monument designation. The monument, established in January 2025 on desert lands in California's Riverside and Imperial Counties, is being challenged by an Idaho-based motorized recreation group and a Michigan miner. The intervening organizations, including CactusToCloud Institute, spent years collaborating with Tribes, veterans, and community members to identify the area's unique tribal resources and values worthy of protection. Chuckwalla National Monument...
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20. Desert Defenders: Designating Chuckwalla National Monument w/ Sendy Barrows
Planet People Podcast
In this episode of Planet People, co-hosts Natalie Jane Cibel and Coral Beth Carson sat down with Sendy Barrows, co-founder of the CactusToCloud Institute, to discuss the successful campaign that led to the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument in January 2025. Barrows shares the behind-the-scenes story of how this conservation victory required years of dedicated advocacy work, bringing together diverse stakeholders in a comprehensive coalition-building effort. The new designation near Joshua Tree National Park protects wildlife and preserves Indigenous spiritual and cultural...
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19. What Does Conservation Mean To You? All Creatures x Planet People
Planet People Podcast
Join us as Planet People co-hosts Natalie Jane Cibel and Coral Beth Carson jump into an engaging roundtable discussion with Chris and Angie from All Creatures Podcast. In this dynamic conversation, we dive deep into what conservation truly means to each of us, explore our thoughts on the future of our climate, and discuss the powerful impact of David Attenborough’s latest documentary on oceans. This collaborative episode brings together passionate voices from both podcasts to share perspectives on environmental stewardship, marine conservation, and the urgent climate challenges facing our...
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18. From Sea to Shining Desert: A Field Biologist’s Fight Against Desert Tortoise Extinction w/ Natalie Cibel
Planet People Podcast
Join us for a casual and fun discussion with Natalie Jane Cibel, a conservation biologist and founder of Planet People, who has dedicated her career to studying and protecting one of the Mojave Desert’s most iconic species: the desert tortoise. In this episode, Natalie takes us behind the scenes to see what it’s really like to be a wildlife biologist working in the harsh but beautiful California desert, and shares incredible insights about the remarkable adaptations of these ancient reptiles. Natalie Jane is also the founder of Cibel Consulting and Communication Services. Her work focuses...
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Season 2 Teaser: Desert Conservation In Southern California & Beyond To The Greater Southwest
Planet People Podcast
The desert is alive, and Season 2 of Planet People is here to prove it. Join founder and conservation biologist Natalie Jane Cibel, alongside newly joined co-host Coral Beth Carson, as we venture deeper into the Mojave Desert of Southern California and beyond, uncovering the hidden stories of life that thrive in one of Earth's most challenging environments. Our mission remains clear: to protect and celebrate the overlooked creatures that call these ancient landscapes home. From the elusive desert tortoise navigating climate change to the remarkable adaptations of sidewinder rattlesnakes and...
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17. Season 2: Sneak Peeks & Update
Planet People Podcast
Episode Summary Hey Planet People, Natalie and Coral popping in with a mid-season 2 update! We are excited to be halfway through filming season 2 of our desert conservation series with a release date in mind for the near future. Right now, we are on a pause for the month of June as we dive deep into post-production processes. What does that look like? In the meantime, please listen to our Season 1 about Southern California Ocean Conservation & our Bonus Episodes with Alex Wild and Brooke Mitchell, and follow our social media on Instagram and TikTok. We also encourage you to stay informed...
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16. Protecting Patagonia w/ Rewildology
Planet People Podcast
Listen to Brooke Mitchell’s podcast Rewildology here: "Where the Wild Calls" is produced in partnership with Conservación Patagónica and the Route of Parks initiative. A portion of proceeds supports on-the-ground conservation efforts throughout Chilean Patagonia. Episode Summary Join host Brooke Mitchell on an epic 1,700-mile journey through Chile's spectacular a groundbreaking conservation corridor stretching from the puma territories of Torres del Paine to the ancient Alerce forests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park. From tracking elusive pumas in Torres del Paine to...
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15. The Wild World of Birds: A Naturalist Walk at San Elijo Lagoon w/ Alex Wild (Part 2)
Planet People Podcast
Listen to this episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video version on our YouTube channel to see the birds we identify during our walk! Episode Overview This episode continues our conversation with park ranger Alex Wild, featuring a guided nature walk around . Alex identifies various birds and plants while discussing his role as a park ranger and sharing stories about inspiring environmental elders. This episode follows our previous discussion with Alex about recent attacks on National Parks and federal worker cuts that affected him personally. We had a special guest join us,...
info_outlineWelcome 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