On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we are joined by Elyssa Kerr, Executive Director of Beavers Northwest. Together, we dive into the the world of beavers. We discuss the history of the American Beaver and hear all about why this critter is a vital part of a healthy and functioning ecosystem. We also explore the conflict humans and beavers face and discuss ways we can collaboratively work with nature's ecosystem engineer to support a healthy ecosystem and support infrastructure and ...
May 22, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 4
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by TCD's Board of Supervisors TJ Johnson, Betsie De Wreede, Doug Rushton, Marianne Tompkins, and David Iyall. During this episode, we get to know each of our board members and hear more about TCD's organizational goals. We discuss the responsibilities of board supervisors and learn more about our upcoming election. Tune in to hear about TCD's organizational priorities and how to get involved in our Board elections! A mail-in electio...
Mar 15, 2025•57 min•Season 4Ep. 3
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Senior WSU Extension Coordinator & Educator, Erica Guttman. During this episode we dive even deeper into the world of hedgerows, exploring hedgerow design and planting plans. We discuss how to examine your landscape and choose the best plants for your space. We also talk about sourcing plants for your hedgerow and share lots of resources available to our listeners! Tune in to hear more about our ongoing partnership and learn ...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 4Ep. 2
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we are joined by Xerces Society's Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist and Freshwater Mussel Lead, Emilie Blevins and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife's Native Freshwater Fish and Freshwater Shellfish Specialist, Marie Winkowski to discuss the secret strength of freshwater mussels. Together, we discuss our local freshwater mussel's life cycle and habitat. We also explore the ecological and cultural significance and discuss ...
Jan 06, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 1
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we are joined by TCD's Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Emily Landrus and Natural Resource Specialist, Aimee Richardson to discuss our farm equipment rental program. Together, we discuss all the details about the low-cost farm equipment and hand tools we rent as a resource to our local community. We also dive into the types of equipment we have available, what community members use them for, and we give you all the tips and tricks you need to b...
Dec 03, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 9
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by our local Master Gardener, Cor Carlton, WSU Master Gardener and Master Recycler Composter Program Manager. Together, we talk about the two programs she manages and discuss how to get involved. She shares fall gardening tips and we share information about our annual plant sales. Resources: WSU Thurston County Extension Website WSU Thurston County Extension Gardening/Composting/Recycling Resources Webpage Have a Gardening or Waste ...
Oct 02, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 8
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters sit down with TCD's Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Kendall Carman to better understand the way we support community members in the Thurston County. Together, we break down what terms like technical assistance and cost-share mean. We also discuss what these processes look like and share resources and ways to get involved. Resources: Kendal Carman, kcarman@thurstoncd.com TCD Resource Library Recorded Webinars Natural Resource Conservation Servi...
Sep 03, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 7
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we sit down with Thurston Conservation District's Stewardship Forester, Alex Chacon to discuss how TCD is now offering more support for forest landowners in our community. We dive into what "healthy forests" can look like and we discuss the importance of planning for your forest land. We also explore the topic of climate assisted migration and talk about what this management technique can look like in our region. Tune in to learn more! Resources: ...
Jul 01, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 6
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we sit down with Thurston Conservation District's Habitat Restoration Specialist, Joey Burgess to discuss the role of riparian buffers on our landscape. We discuss the benefits of adding plants along streams and river and outline two TCD programs that offer financial support for landowners to implement conservation projects on their property. Tune in to learn more about riparian buffers, CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program), and the new...
May 06, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 5
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters we sit down with Thurston Conservation District's Community Agricultural Coordinator, Tina Wagner to discuss urban agriculture in our local community. Together, we dive into challenges facing our food system like access to healthy food and the land needed to grow the produce we all love. We showcase two new projects that will support our local food system and our urban farmers. Tune in to hear more about the NEW Farm my Yard program and hear how w...
Apr 02, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 4
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Senior WSU Extension Coordinator & Educator, Erica Guttman and Native Plant Salvage's Learning & Outreach Coordinator, Cameron Dunn. During our time together we dive into the wonderful world of hedgerows! We discuss the benefits of adding hedgerows to your landscape and walk through the amazing hedgerow toolkit Erica and Cameron have recently developed. We chat about our ongoing partnership and discuss upcoming ways to le...
Mar 01, 2024•58 min•Season 3Ep. 3
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Davy Clark, Nisqually River Education Project Program Director and Tristan Olson, Nisqually River Council Program Coordinator. Together we jump in and explore the Nisqually River Watershed. We discuss how each of their partnered organizations are working towards creating a healthier watershed, that restores ecosystems functions, promotes sustainable resource use, and creates ongoing educational opportunities. Davy and Tristan als...
Feb 06, 2024•51 min•Season 3Ep. 2
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by TCD's Executive Director, Sarah Moorehead. Sarah is back on the podcast to discuss what TCD has been up to over the last two years and what we can expect to see in TCD's future. We discuss our upcoming move, big organizational goals, funding priorities, and exciting new projects. Sarah lets our listeners in on big updates and even participates in a fun rapid fire question session. Resources: Learn more about our two day upcoming ...
Jan 02, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 1
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Patrick Shults, WSU Extension Forester and resident agroforestry expert! Together, we discuss the growing popularity of agroforestry, a practice blending agriculture and forestry practices. We dive into the types of emerging agroforestry practices and discuss what benefits were seeing for not only our environment, but for our local farmers too. Resources: Patrick Shults, WSU Extension Forester, patrick.shults@wsu.edu Check out ag...
Dec 01, 2023•35 min
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Lindsey Swardz, owner of Four Ginger Farm, and Marguerite Abplanalp, Thurston Conservation District's Agricultural Program Manager. Together, we discuss how the changing weather can negatively impact an agricultural landscape. We also talk about cost-effective ways farmers and home gardeners can prepare their landscape for the winter rain. Lindsey breaks down the projects she and TCD have implemented on her property and shares ho...
Nov 04, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 10
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we are joined by Shina Wysocki, owner of Chelsea Farms and Chelsea Oyster Bar, and Stephanie Bishop Thurston Conservation District's South Sound GREEN Program Manager. Together, we dive into the effects of ocean acidification on our local shellfish population. We also discuss the importance of our local shellfish farms for both our economy and the health of our environment. Both Stephanie and Shina share ways local community members can support s...
Oct 04, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 9
This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined by Dr. Pamela Braff, Director of Climate Programs at the City of Olympia, Linsey Fields, Climate and Sustainability Coordinator at the City of Lacey, and Alyssa Jones Wood Sustainability Coordinator at the City of Tumwater. Together, we go over climate change basics and highlight why climate change is a topic of discussion in our growing community. We talk about Thurston County's Climate Mitigation Plan and how multiple jurisdictions, partners, a...
Aug 04, 2023•54 min•Season 2Ep. 8
This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined by Jae Townsend, TCD's Education & Outreach Assistant, and Jennifer Coe, Department of Natural Resource's Western Washington Community Resilience Coordinator. We delve into why wildfire is something communities on the west side of the State should be preparing for. We also talk about DNR's Wildfire Ready Neighbors program and the impact it's making in our local community. Jae and Jennifer break down simple actionable steps listeners can take ...
Jun 27, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 7
This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined by TCD staff, Nora Carman-White, Karin Strelioff, and Marguerite Abplanalp. Together, we sit down to answer our listener's questions! We break down a few of the best ways to create healthy salmon habitat on streamside property, how to successfully make compost, and when it's the right decision to get your soil tested. We also discuss the answers to a few of our most frequently asked questions like, " How does TCD's financial assistance program wo...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 6
This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined by Becca Anderson, Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Small Farms & Urban Ag Specialist. Together, we discuss how urban agriculture differs from "big ag" and how folks in our community are coming up with innovative ways to grow food on small tracks of land. Becca also talks more about NRCS and what type of technical and financial assistance they are able to offer producers, big and small! We also talk about how NRCS is prioritizi...
May 04, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 5
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we chat with TJ Jenkins, Thurston Conservation District's (TCD) Habitat Restoration Field Crew Lead. Together, we discuss the exciting and impactful projects our habitat restoration field crew has been working on. TJ gives us the rundown on TCD's field crew and Veteran Conservation Corps internship programs and shares how folks can learn more and get involved with hands-on habitat restoration work. During this episode, TJ expresses his passion fo...
Apr 19, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 4
On this month's episode of Conservation Starters, we chat with Paul D'Agnolo from the Office of Farmland Preservation at the WA State Conservation Commission and our own Nora Carman-White. They provide context and information about the state of farmland loss in Washington, why saving farmland from development is essential, and some of the tools for doing that preservation that support farmers, families, and communities. We specifically explore programs that support farmland preservation at the s...
Mar 21, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 3
On this episode of Conservation Starters, we're joined by Ecostudies Institute Director of Science, Sarah Hamman and WSU Thurston County Extension Director, Stephen Bramwell. Together, we discuss the ecological and cultural importance of our South Sound Prairies. We delve into a recent study Sarah, Stephen, and their teams produced that looked at the ecological and economic benefits of grazing prairie land in Southwest Washington. Sarah and Stephen share how their impactful results are being use...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 2
On this episode of Conservation Starters, we're joined by WSU Extension Forester, Patrick Shultz. Together, we discuss the new threat the emerald ash borer, an invasive wood boring beetle brings to Western Washington. We talk about the importance of our native and ornamental ash trees. Patrick also breaks down practical ways Thurston County residents can help slow the spread of this invasive beetle. Listen in to learn more about the emerald ash borer, why there's a growing concern, and how you c...
Dec 23, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This month on Conservation Starters, Nora Carman-White, Communication & Education Manager at TCD takes the reigns as host to interview your usual Conservation Starters host, Kiana Sinner. Together, we discuss the importance of connecting with our community and the strategies we use to reach out. We talk about our educational workshops, Native Plant Festival & Sale, and volunteer program. We delve into a few things we're especially passionate about and share our individual commitment to s...
Dec 01, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 10
This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined for a second time by TCD's Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Adam Peterson. During this episode, we delve into the topic of soil health. Adam breaks down why soil health is so important and teaches us how we can make sure we're protecting the soil in our backyard! We also discuss the District's soil testing program and even analyze a soil test for Conservation Starters host, Kiana. Tune in to this episode to learn more about how you can get a s...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This month on Conservation Starters, we're joined by Washington State Orca Recovery Coordinator, Tara Galuska. During this episode, we learn more about our local Southern Resident orca pods, why they are endangered, and why it's important that we protect them. Tara shares the threats that Southern Resident orcas face and what we can do in our daily lives to make a difference for this vital species! We also talk about our upcoming Orca Recovery Day volunteer event, happening on October 15th at Sq...
Oct 03, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This month, on Conservation Starters, were joined by TCD's Conservation Program Manager Karin Strelioff, Engineering Geologist and Hydrogeologist Wendy Gerstel, and ISA Certified Arborist Ray Gleason. This second part episode takes a deep dive into our local shorelines. Wendy, a local geologist teaches us about the glacial formation of our Puget Sound beaches and delves into how water management plays a role in changes along our shorelines. We talk about the importance of vegetation along our sh...
Sep 06, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This month, on Conservation Starters, were joined by TCD's Conservation Program Manager, Karin Strelioff, and Patrick Townsend, a Puget Sound shoreline landowner. During this episode, we learn about the Shore Friendly Program and how partners from around Puget Sound are working together to assist shoreline property owners to protect their property and the vital habitat that surrounds it. We discuss bulkheads, the benefits of natural shoreline, and learn about how a shoreline is always changing. ...
Aug 08, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This month, on Conservation Starters, were joined by Stephanie Bishop and Sam Nadell, TCD's youth education staff. During this episode, we learn about the history of our k-12 program South Sound GREEN and how it has evolved and grown over the last 30 years to meet the growing need for hands-on science education in Thurston County. We also discuss the challenges our staff faced and the solutions they found to continue providing education to students during the pandemic. Tune in to this conversati...
Jul 07, 2022•44 min•Ep. 6
