Season 3, Episode 2
Connections and Crossings: Wildlife in the Modern World, with Beth Pratt and Ben Goldfarb
From P-22 – dubbed the “Brad Pitt of mountain lions” – navigating LA freeways to steelhead battling urban barriers, the latest Fish Water People podcast episode dives into an urgent question: how can we help wildlife move through a world designed primarily with human movement in mind? Join us as we connect with Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate, author, and California Director for the National Wildlife Federation, who reveals why data alone is not enough to motivate environmental action. She discusses how compelling personal stories transformed public perception of urban animals and drove the construction of the world’s largest wildlife crossing, the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Los Angeles County.
Ben Goldfarb, journalist, author, and Beaver Believer, also joins the conversation and reveals how innovative crossings – from overpasses to culverts – give animals new paths to survival. Together, these conservation leaders are painting a realistic picture of how cities and wildlife can coexist, one crossing at a time.
This episode was recorded prior to the catastrophic fires in LA. Our hearts are with all those affected, and we are devastated for the communities that have been so quickly and shockingly displaced by these fire events. For those seeking assistance or looking for ways to help, please explore the below resources. and
Resources for those affected: List HERE
Ways to help: Suggestions from the LA Times and KQED
Share Your Voice
Water touches all of us in both practical and magical ways. What’s your relationship with water? What makes California’s rivers and waterways special to you? Let us know!
To have your voice featured on an upcoming episode of the show, record a voice memo and email it to podcast@caltrout.org.
Get excited for more to come on Season 3!
Stay tuned as the Fish Water People podcast continues with more conversations with people from around the state and beyond.
Is there someone you’d love to hear Curtis talk with this season or a topic you want to hear us explore? Email info @ caltrout.org to let us know!
The Fish Water People podcast is brought to you by California Trout and Bridget Shaw and Drew Alvarez at Pusher Inc. with music from Wilco. Thanks for listening & subscribing!
