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,...
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14. Protecting National Parks and Keeping Nature Wild w/ Alex Wild
Planet People Podcast
Happy Earth Day! 🌎💚 In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Alex Wild, a park ranger and naturalist who recently made headlines after being caught in the crossfire of controversial executive orders affecting National Parks. We filmed this episode live from the San Elijo Lagoon with Alex’s pet tortoise and now education ambassador, Franklin. Alex shares his journey as a steward of public lands, about the recent DOGE job cuts, his opinion on the recent executive orders, and his natural, spiritual connection to the landscape. Learn about how Alex embodies what it means to be a...
info_outlineListen to Brooke Mitchell’s podcast Rewildology here:
"Where the Wild Calls: A Journey Through Patagonia's Route of Parks"
"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 Route of Parks, 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 witnessing the recovery of ancient temperate rainforests in Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, this series captures the ecological diversity, conservation innovations, and human stories that make Chile's Route of Parks a global model for large-scale conservation.
Featured Destinations Discussed
This landmark series takes you deep into one of our planet's most ambitious conservation projects, where wildlands protection meets community development to create a model for the future of conservation worldwide.
Each episode brings you face-to-face with the remarkable wildlife, landscapes, and people that make Patagonia one of Earth's last great wild places.
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Torres del Paine National Park: Track elusive pumas alongside conservation scientists working to reduce human-wildlife conflict
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Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park: Explore ancient temperate rainforests and the legacy of Douglas Tompkins' visionary conservation work
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Kawésqar National Park: Discover marine conservation initiatives protecting the pristine fjords and channels of Chilean Patagonia
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Patagonia National Park: Witness grassland restoration and wildlife recovery in this former ranch turned conservation showcase
Special Guests and Stories
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Conservation Pioneers: Exclusive interviews with the visionaries behind Chile's Route of Parks
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Indigenous Guardians: Learn how native communities are reclaiming their role as stewards of ancestral lands
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Scientific Discoveries: Join researchers documenting rare species and ecosystem recovery
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Local Champions: Meet the guides, rangers, and community members on the frontlines of protection
Episode Resources
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Field Trip - podcast
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Project Patagonia - Listen, experience, and protect in April 2026 at Torres Del Paine
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Donate to protect pumas with Project Panthera and Brooke Mitchell
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“Walking with Pumas” Rupestre - famous puma
How to engage
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Listen: Available on all major podcast platforms
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Follow: @rewildology and @planet.people.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content
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Support: Each episode connects you with specific conservation initiatives making a difference in Patagonia
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Visit: Plan your journey along the Route of Parks with our companion travel guide