20. Desert Defenders: Designating Chuckwalla National Monument w/ Sendy Barrows
Release Date: 08/27/2025
32. Land of Flowing Water: Indigenous Knowledge & The Theft of Owens Valley w/ Seth Bizardi Tsosie
Planet People Podcast
Join us as we explore the Eastern Sierra Nevada with Seth Bizardi Tsosie, a Native American monitor from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, whose ancestral knowledge reveals the profound relationship between indigenous peoples and the land of flowing water. Seth shares what it means to grow up with generations of traditional ecological wisdom about this remarkable region, as well as the devastating story of how the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power systematically exploited and diverted the Owens Valley’s lifeblood. As we approach Thanksgiving, this essential conversation challenges...
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31. Antarctica’s Frozen Secrets: Adélie Penguins and the Driest Desert on Earth w/ Dr. Steve Emslie
Planet People Podcast
Join us as we journey to the frozen continent of Antarctica with Dr. Steve Emslie, a leading Antarctic ecologist whose groundbreaking research on Adélie penguins has revealed fascinating insights into one of Earth’s most extreme environments. From the remarkable adaptations of these charismatic seabirds to the surprising revelation that Antarctica is technically a desert, Dr. Emslie shares his discoveries from decades of fieldwork in the coldest, windiest, and driest place on our planet. This eye-opening conversation explores the delicate balance of polar ecosystems and why understanding...
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30. Meditation & Bird Walks: San Diego Climate Week Event Recap
Planet People Podcast
This episode takes you behind the scenes of our San Diego Climate Week event, where we combined mindfulness meditation with birdwatching to forge a deeper connection with the natural world and raise awareness about one of climate change’s most vulnerable victims—our birds. Hosts Natalie and Coral share why they chose to lead a meditative bird walk during Climate Week, highlighting the critical relationship between climate change and declining bird populations. As habitats shift, migration patterns are disrupted, and food sources vanish, birds are serving as early warning indicators of our...
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29. Halloween Folklore: The Spooky Spoken History of Ravens, Coyotes, Tarantulas, and Owls
Planet People Podcast
It’s Halloween on Planet People Podcast, and this episode dives into the eerie intersection of nature and folklore. Hosts Natalie and Coral are joined by their teammate Hugh Carr to explore the misunderstood realities of four creatures that have long haunted human imagination—the raven, coyote, tarantula, and owl. Hugh unpacks the mythological roots of ravens and coyotes as tricksters and spirit messengers. Additionally, he presents a fascinating theory regarding what may have contributed to ravens’ dark portrayal throughout history and today… Natalie sheds light on the tarantula’s...
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28. Zombie Wasps, Tarantulas Hawks, Army Ants, Oh My! An Eerie Look Into the World of Desert Insects w/ Scott Heacox
Planet People Podcast
Join us in continuing this Spooky Season as we sit down with Scott Heacox to explore the truly exciting world of parasitic insects in the Coachella Valley. From wasps that turn their hosts into living nurseries to fungi that create zombie ants, Scott reveals the fascinating and sometimes horrifying survival strategies of desert insects. This spine-tingling conversation uncovers the complex relationships between parasites and their hosts, demonstrating that the scariest stories aren’t found in horror movies—they’re happening right now in the desert ecosystem around us. RAY OF HOPE:...
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27. Ravenous Ravens: Time To Talk Trash At The Living Desert Zoo w/ Katie Shaw
Planet People Podcast
Join us as we sit down with Katie Shaw, a social scientist with The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert, to explore the fascinating intersection of human behavior and wildlife conservation. Kate shares insights into their innovative “Time to Talk Trash” conservation program, which targets the root cause of rising raven populations that threaten endangered desert tortoises. This eye-opening conversation reveals how changing human behavior around waste management can have profound impacts on desert ecosystems, demonstrating that sometimes the most effective wildlife conservation happens by...
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26. Gamifying Conservation: Outsmarting Ravens to Save the Desert Tortoise w/ Tim Shields
Planet People Podcast
Get ready for our most innovative episode yet! In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge world of conservation technology (CTs) with Tim Shields from Ornilogic, who is revolutionizing desert tortoise protection through creative technological solutions. Tim shares mind-blowing conservation tools, including laser guns to deter raven presence and ingenious fake tortoise babies filled with grape juice designed to discourage ravens from eating real tortoise youngsters. This fascinating conversation explores how CTs are transforming wildlife protection by gamifying conservation efforts and making...
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25. Western Snake Wrangler: Saving Rattlesnakes & Shifting Perspectives in the Mojave Desert w/ Danielle Wall
Planet People Podcast
Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Danielle Wall, recorded live at a studio in Joshua Tree, California! In this exclusive episode, Danielle shares wild stories from her years as a snake wrangler out West, fascinating fun facts about rattlesnake behavior, and essential rescue advice that could save both human and snake lives. The interview becomes even more exciting when Danielle brings out a baby rattlesnake, providing us with a rare up-close look at these remarkable desert predators. From dramatic rescue calls to the intricate world of snake biology, this episode will completely...
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24. Joshua Tree or Asparagus? A Breakdown of the Joshua Tree Conservation Act
Planet People Podcast
In this important episode, hosts Coral and Natalie discuss the history of Joshua tree conservation in Southern California and examine the groundbreaking Joshua Tree Conservation Act. They explore what it takes to protect these iconic desert trees under their own dedicated legislation, analyzing the current threats Joshua trees face from rapid solar development and the escalating impacts of climate change. This comprehensive conversation covers the legislative journey, conservation challenges, and the critical importance of specialized protection for one of the Mojave Desert’s most beloved...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 values tied to the land. Listeners will gain insight into the complex process of environmental advocacy and the persistence required to achieve lasting conservation outcomes.
CONNECT:
- Follow Sendy Barrows on Instagram
- Follow @planet.people.pod for all the updates!
RAY OF HOPE:
In a time when climate change can feel overwhelming, the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument stands as a powerful ray of hope, demonstrating that grassroots community action can create meaningful climate solutions. By protecting these 624,000 acres of irreplaceable desert ecosystem, we’re actively fighting climate change through land conservation.
Chuckwalla National Monument represents hope because it shows us a pathway forward: local action creating lasting change, communities taking climate action into their own hands, and conservation efforts that will benefit generations to come.
ANXIETY TO ACTION:
In an era of climate anxiety, Chuckwalla reminds us that we have the power to be part of the solution, one protected landscape at a time. Interact with the Cactus to Cloud social media, follow, like, comment, and share. Follow them here.
Advocate for the places you love! Write official comment letters, call your reps, and let them know we need to keep these environmental policies in place.
RESOURCES:
- Learn more about Chuckwalla National Monument here.
- Acquire a California naturalist certification here.
VOLUNTEER AND DONATE:
Interested in helping with these conservation efforts? Subscribe to updates from Cactus to Cloud to learn how you can get involved. You can also support them by donating to this cause!
RELEVANT CONTENT:
Listen to our previous episode with All Creatures Podcast here