What does a renowned natural and cultural resource interpreter have in common with the Director of California Department of Fish and Wildlife? Dive into the most recent (and final!) episode of season 3 of the Fish Water People podcast to find out!
First, we sit down with Griff Griffith, a natural and cultural resource interpreter, in other words a man who can do it all. He is a content creator for Redwoods Rising, host of the Jumpstart Nature podcast, and much more. He shares his infectious enthusiasm for forest restoration and the emerging "restoration economy" transforming the North Coast. Griff takes us inside the massive Redwoods Rising partnership working to heal previously clear-cut, overplanted forests and create the diverse, resilient ecosystems that once defined the region. His advice for a strong, sustainable America? Fresh water, good soil, clean air, lots of fish, biodiversity, and cool forests.
Next, we are joined by Chuck Bonham, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, for a wide-ranging conversation about leading the agency tasked with protecting every living thing in the Golden State. Chuck reflects on 14 years of transformative work - from the historic Klamath dam removal to wolf and beaver reintroduction. We explore balancing conservation with community needs and why both guests believe California can be a model for stewarding natural resources for the next 1,000 years.
Griff and Chuck represent two different pieces of the conservation ecosystem, revealing what's possible when we use human innovation as a force for good – and we each have a part to play. Hear more from these inspirational leaders about the hard work contributing to a sustainable future for all Californians.
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.
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!
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Peter Moyle is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Associate Director of the Center for Watershed Sciences, at UC Davis. He is author or co-author of more than 240 publications, including the definitive Inland Fishes of California (2002). He is co-author of the 2017 book, Floodplains: Processes and Management for Ecosystem Services. His research interests include conservation of aquatic species, habitats, and ecosystems, including salmon; ecology of fishes of the San Francisco Estuary; ecology of California stream fishes; impact of introduced aquatic organisms; and use of floodplains by fish.
Robert Lusardi is the California Trout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher focused on establishing the basis for long-term science specific to California Trout’s wild and coldwater fish initiatives. His work bridges the widening gap between academic science and applied conservation policy, ensuring that rapidly developing science informs conservation projects throughout California. Dr. Lusardi resides at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences and works closely with Dr. Peter Moyle on numerous projects to help inform California Trout conservation policy. His recent research interests include Coho salmon on the Shasta River, the ecology of volcanic spring-fed rivers, inland trout conservation and management, and policy implications of trap and haul programs for anadromous fishes in California.

Patrick Samuel is the Conservation Program Coordinator for California Trout, a position he has held for almost two years, where he coordinates special research projects for California Trout, including the State of the Salmonids report. Prior to joining CalTrout, he worked with the Fisheries Leadership & Sustainability Forum, a non-profit that supports the eight federal regional fishery management councils around the country. Patrick got his start in fisheries as an undergraduate intern with NOAA Fisheries Protected Resources Division in Sacramento, and in his first field job as a crew member of the California Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Wild and Heritage Trout Program.