Nature All Around Me

John recently published A California Love Story: A collection of letters written between 1925 and 1927. The book colorfully illustrates the heavenly courtship of John's grandparents Ray and Dora Wilcox after Ray was forced westward to find work. When John Thill traveled to Kansas and Oklahoma to research the couple’s origins, he found their cross-country postcards and extensive letters collaborating on their future together in California the most charming and entertaining example of how they revived each other through their mutual promises. Their letters offer a poignant testament to long-distance love and a heartfelt glimpse into the lives of these two unique individuals. Along Ray's journey, he met and became friends with the Kelly Family, who donated the land to the Agua Hediona Lagoon Foundation. Join us to listen to excerpts from A California Love Story and hear stories from John Thill.  Contact The Show Podcast Website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Website: https://www.aguahedionda.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AguaHediondaLagoonFoundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aguahediondalagoonfoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aguahedionda/ Producers:  Samantha Richter, Lisa Rodman, Emily Bonds, Kellie Davis, Chris Swann, John Sanders, Samual Davis Music: Frogs by the Water Hole by Chris Swann/Swann Concepts Pub Studio: Imagine Podcasting, Carlsbad California 

Springtime means planning and planting your pollinator gardens. Learn all about the "Native Milkweeds of San Diego County" with Ken Abernathy of Caterpillar Chow. Caterpillar Chow works with nonprofits and other agencies to put milkweed habitat back into the wild as well as our urban sprawl. They want to help make sure the decline of the monarch is halted and permanently prevented by harnessing the power of people who care to help put policies in place that protect our natural ecology.   Contact The Show Podcast Website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Website: https://www.aguahedionda.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AguaHediondaLagoonFoundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aguahediondalagoonfoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aguahedionda/ Producers:  Samantha Richter, Lisa Rodman, Emily Bonds, Kellie Davis, Chris Swann, John Sanders, Samual Davis Music: Frogs by the Water Hole by Chris Swann/Swann Concepts Pub Studio: Imagine Podcasting, Carlsbad California 

Sara Huber is a Water Resource Control Engineer with the State Water Resource Control Board. Sara is part of an all-hazard emergency management team based out of the California Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters in Sacramento and most recently supported emergency response and recovery operations for the January 2024 winter storms, tropical storm Hilary and the January-February 2024 winter storms. Before joining state service in 2019, Sara was an environmental consultant based out of Carlsbad, where she performed watershed assessments and helped clients comply with environmental regulations. Sara is a California Registered Engineer with a Bachelor's of Science in Civil Engineering and a Masters Degree in international water law and policy. Sara is an AHLF Life Member and enjoys promoting science, technology, engineering, and math as her schedule allows.    Contact The Show Podcast Website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Website: https://www.aguahedionda.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AguaHediondaLagoonFoundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aguahediondalagoonfoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aguahedionda/ Producers:  Samantha Richter, Lisa Rodman, Emily Bonds, Kellie Davis, Chris Swann, John Sanders, Samual Davis Music: Frogs by the Water Hole by Chris Swann/Swann Concepts Pub Studio: Imagine Podcasting, Carlsbad California 

Introducing our new Director of Trails and Conservation Larissa Hepburn! Larissa is a southern California native who developed a passion for recreational trails and nature after spending a summer working in the wilderness of Yosemite National Park on a backcountry trail crew. She spent the next 14 years leading and mentoring youth corps in various National and State parks in California managing a variety of projects. Larissa is grateful her path has led her to the Foundation to combine her passions with managing trails that lead to the sea. She is excited to serve the community through education and outreach performing trail restoration and conservation projects. As famous world-renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau once said, “People protect what they love.” Larissa hopes to provide quality outdoor recreational access while protecting our natural resources. She is excited to watch the community fall in love with the lagoon and create meaningful connections to nature. Contact The Show Podcast Website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Website: https://www.aguahedionda.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AguaHediondaLagoonFoundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aguahediondalagoonfoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aguahedionda/ Producers:  Samantha Richter, Lisa Rodman, Emily Bonds, Kellie Davis, Chris Swann, John Sanders, Samual Davis Music: Frogs by the Water Hole by Chris Swann/Swann Concepts Pub Studio: Imagine Podcasting, Carlsbad California 

Join AHLF's own Samantha Passovoy to learn all about the most commonly seen reptiles and amphibians found in the Carlsbad area, including in and around the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. In her previous career as a zookeeper and wildlife educator, she has trained animals for movies and television, visited schools and libraries with live animals to do educational presentations, worked as a wildlife care specialist and behaviorist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and served as an adjunct professor focusing on wildlife education.  Currently, she is the Director of the Discovery Center here at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, in addition to acting as the Outreach Coordinator for the San Diego Herpetological Society.  She hopes to inspire her community to care for all the plants and animals surrounding them.   Contact The Show Podcast Website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Website: https://www.aguahedionda.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AguaHediondaLagoonFoundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aguahediondalagoonfoundation/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aguahedionda/ Producers:  Samantha Richter, Lisa Rodman, Emily Bonds, Kellie Davis, Chris Swann, John Sanders, Samual Davis Music: Frogs by the Water Hole by Chris Swann/Swann Concepts Pub Studio: Imagine Podcasting, Carlsbad California

Sara was born and raised in southern California. Her love of natural resources was instilled at a young age while growing up horseback riding, camping, and spending time outdoors. Her passion for the environment and nature led to her earning a degree in Environmental Studies. She found an interest in outdoor education while working as an interpreter for California State Parks, where she led interpretive programs about ocean ecosystems, native plants and animals, Native American history, and geology. The knowledge she has gained over the years brought her to AHLF in 2022, where she is so excited to teach children all about southern California’s incredible biodiversity and be a part of such a great team. During her free time, Sara enjoys rock climbing, hiking, camping, and spending time with her two dogs.  Contact The Show Podcast website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation’s website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/ Produced by ImaginePodcasting.com dba Heard Not Seen Media. Inc.

Audrey Holloway is an Environmental Stewardship Teacher here at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, where she teaches in our all-outdoor preschool as well as teaching our school programs. Audrey also works in shark conservation with Shark Stewards. We are excited for you to listen and learn about shark conservation and the ways you can help!  Contact The Show Podcast website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation’s website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/ Produced by ImaginePodcasting.com dba Heard Not Seen Media. Inc.

Today we welcome Dr. Linda Hammond. Visit Thermo Fisher here. Linda is a Board Member here at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, elected in 2021. She has worked in Carlsbad at Thermo Fisher Scientific since 2014. Linda has a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, and a B.S in Chemistry from San Diego State University (SDSU). At Thermo Fisher, Linda works as a Technical Writer. In addition, she leads community outreach/STEM education programming at the Thermo Fisher Carlsbad site. Linda is passionate about STEM education and the environment. Currently, Linda serves on our Tip Top Run Committee, Education Committee, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee here at the Foundation.   Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science with a mission to enable its customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. Their global team of more than 100,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience, and pharmaceutical services through their industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon, and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com  Contact The Show Podcast website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation’s website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/

Today we welcome Renee Junge. Renee is a Carlsbad resident and joined the AHLF board in 2021. Renee serves as the Vice President, Corporate Brand Strategy and Communication at The Bumble Bee Seafood Company, a role she has held since 2019. With a love for the planet and as a believer in businesses that operate as a force for good in the world, Renee has spent her career at organizations that share her values including Jamba Juice, Sambazon, The Coca-Cola Company, and now The Bumble Bee Seafood Company. In her current role, Renee has been instrumental in driving forward Bumble Bee’s “Seafood Future” commitments to sustainability and social responsibility. Contact Renee Junge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-junge-463150a3/ Contact The Show Podcast website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation’s website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/ Produced by ImaginePodcasting.com dba Heard Not Seen Media. Inc.

Contact The Show Podcast website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation’s website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 This Giving Season, The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation (AHLF), has a lot to be thankful for. We are thankful for the 90 donors that helped us reach 110% of our Giving Tuesday Goal by November 30th. We are thankful for the 20 families who allowed us to be their children’s environmental learning outlet during our Discovery Fall Camp. We are thankful to the 87 Oceanside Turkey Trot participants who chose the AHLF as their charity of choice, garnering $5 of each registration. We are thankful for the 250 community members who shopped with us at our Holiday Sip N’ Shop, supporting small women-owned businesses, where 10% of the proceeds went back to the AHLF totaling $1250. We are thankful for you. Contact The Show Podcast website: Nature All Around Me The Foundation’s website: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation or call 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/ Produced by ImaginePodcasting.com dba Heard Not Seen Media. Inc.

Today, we welcome Joe Cooper of Under-SEE and we are excited to learn more about Under-SEE, uROV’s, MPA’s, and marine education. Joe Cooper is the owner of Under-See, an on-and-below water services provider for coastal conservation agencies. Over the Summer of 2021, Under-See provided Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation with underwater remote-operated vehicles (UROVs) and expertise for their Explore the Coast day camp for under-served youth. With degrees from SDSU in both biology and recreation systems management, combined with decades of working and playing on the Southern California coast, Joe formed Under-See to help bring the underwater world above the surface for all to appreciate. To date, Under-See has provided hundreds of kids and adults exposure to underwater habitats while also collecting data used by government agencies and scientists to help inform marine protected area managers.   Contact Joe YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Uwg1-teFpRiMbmo8u7PiA  Email: boatsd@gmail.com Website: https://under-see.com  Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast https://www.natureallaroundme.org/ Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation https://www.aguahedionda.org/ 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/ Produced by ImaginePodcasting.com dba Heard Not Seen Media. Inc.

This is Emily Bonds and today, I welcome my sister Leanna Bonds who’s the Development Manager at The Ecology School located in Saco, Maine.  Contact Leanna Bonds leanna@theecologyschool.org  https://theecologyschool.org/  Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast https://www.natureallaroundme.org/ Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation https://www.aguahedionda.org/ 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/ Produced by ImaginePodcasting.com dba Heard Not Seen Media. Inc.

We welcome Josh Cantor today and are excited to learn a little bit about the history, current offerings, and all the recreational opportunities you can find at the lagoon, which goes hand in hand with our environmental education.  Josh was recognized as our honoree during our 2019 Gala (Bond ~ The Lagoon that Loved Me) for his contributions to the Foundation. Josh is the owner of California Watersports, which is the recreational arm of the lagoon. His facility offers private beachfront rental space, kayaks, paddleboards, and a few motorized boat options for visitors to enjoy on the lagoon. California Watersports is our venue sponsor for the yearly Lagoona Kahuna Team Challenge, which allows corporate businesses to get out and clean the lagoon on kayaks and paddleboards as well as compete in team-building games. Contact Josh California Watersports https://carlsbadlagoon.com/  Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast https://www.natureallaroundme.org/ Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation https://www.aguahedionda.org/ 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/

Today we are unveiling our Raptors that arrived several weeks ago. The Raptors came to us through Raptor Institute who was on Episode 2. I highly recommend you listening to it for a rich background. We are excited for you to listen and learn about the 4 Raptors that now call Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Discovery Center HOME. Find out more here at the Raptor Ridge. Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast https://www.natureallaroundme.org/ Raptor Ridge https://www.aguahedionda.org/the-raptor-institute  Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation https://www.aguahedionda.org/ 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/

We welcome Dr. Tom Deméré, the Director of the Department of Paleo Services and curator of Paleontology at the SD Natural History Museum, the NAT. Dr. Deméré has worked as a professional paleontologist since 1974 and has been with the San Diego Natural History Museum since 1979. Since 1994, Tom has served as curator of paleontology and director of PaleoServices at the Museum. Dr. Deméré is the author of numerous scientific and popular articles dealing with the paleontological history of southern California and the evolutionary history of marine mammals.  As director of PaleoServices, Tom has conducted and overseen numerous paleontological resource projects ranging from initial resource assessments, through impact evaluation, to actual impact mitigation. The majority of his work has been with residential and commercial developments within San Diego County, which we will hear a little bit about today’s developments in Carlsbad and what has been found.  Contact the NAT SD Natural History Museum https://www.sdnhm.org/  Tom at the museum https://www.sdnhm.org/science/consulting-services/paleo-services/about-us/staff/  Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast https://www.natureallaroundme.org/ Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation https://www.aguahedionda.org/ 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil https://pixabay.com/users/geovanebruny-19309525/

Dr. Sailesh Rao is the founder and  Executive Director of Climate Healers. Dr. Rao is a Human, Earth, and Animal Liberation (HEAL) activist.  Dr. Rao talks about Climate Healers, how he started the organization, his moment of clarity, his philosophy on our Ponzi scheme society which creates a lack for so many, what we can do as individuals to help heal the planet while saving ourselves and ALL who live here. Ultimately, it comes down to transforming ourselves to transform the world….are you ready? Links mentioned in the episode Zinn Education Project ClimateRealityProject.org HumaneEducation.org Cowspiracy.com JaneUnchained.com Video: Countdown to Year Zero Trailer Video: Sailesh Rao- Carbon Yoga - The Vegan Metamorphosis Contact Dr. Sailesh Rao ClimateHealers.org HELP US SPREAD THE WORD We’d love it if you’d please share this episode with a friend from our Podcast Page here. And let other people know about this episode, kindly leave us a rating, and subscribe! Molly Basler For LA City Council District 5  Creating Positive Change! www.Mollyla2022.com  Podsafe Music by Cash_up, You Deserve More Than That

Today we will be doing a Bird Walk at the beautiful Discovery Center with Mr. Rick Grove. You might remember Rick from Episode 10. He and COO Samantha Richter talked about the many birds you see and hear on these bird walks.  For a refresher about Mr. Grove; he currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services for the Carlsbad Unified School District. He is on the board of directors of Carlsbad Hi Noon Rotary. Rick is also a wedding Officiant. Where does his love for our feathered friends come from? His Biology degree from Occidental College is where his first interest in birds came from and it has grown into quite a robust hobby. We thank Rick for his contributions to the center and are delighted that the walks have started up again.  Sit back and enjoy the sounds of the birds and Rick as he takes a group of birders on this exploration of the Discovery Center trail. You will also enjoy the narration of Mr. John Biethan producer of our podcasts. Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil

Ashley Mazanec is the Founding Director of the EcoArts Foundation here in North County. By celebrating imaginative eco-themed content, the EcoArts Arts Foundation aims to provoke audiences -- policymakers, scientists, artists, and citizens -- to create vibrant, thriving ecosystems. EcoArts engages a diverse community from elementary school students to international eco artists via events, programs, and educational media. About Ashley:  Ashley is an environmental policy and nonprofit professional, eco-art educator, and musician committed to optimizing human and environmental health. She founded EcoArts Foundation in 2016 She was a sustainability advisor to the city of Del Mar and the assistant Executive Director of the San Diego Energy District.  Visit EcoArtsFoundation.org for more information. Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation 760-804-1969 Podsafe Music by Geovane Bruno, Tremembé/Brasil

Learn about the blooming and buzzing upgrades that are happening at the Discovery Center, or DC for short.  The DC provides an extraordinary collection of hands-on nature activities that allow visitors to “taste nature” experiencing both the lagoon and the ecological reserve that resides in Carlsbad. Located on the Eastern end of the lagoon, the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation (AHLF) and operates this amazing teaching hub to inform the public about how each and every individual can interact with this beautiful estuary serving all of North County; open seven days a week.   Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation 760-804-1969

Shazeebo is a high-quality shade sail company, located in San Marcos Ca. founded by Patrick Howe. More than a company though, Shazeebo prides itself in quality, communication, education, community, and giving back. Shazeebo has upgraded the Discovery Center’s outdoor spaces to their impeccable shade sails, which allows us to carry out our mission of inspiring people through education and outreach to preserve the lagoon as a healthy and accessible watershed.  Contact The Show Nature All Around Me podcast Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation 760-804-1969