Conservation Starters – Details, episodes & analysis

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 agricultural lands. Tune in to learn more about Beaver Northwest's important work in our community!

Resources:

• Beavers Northwest (beaversnw.org)
• The Beaver Institute
• Eager (Book)
• Beaver Con (Convention)
• iNaturalist

This podcast is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

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 election for Position 2 on TCD's Board of Supervisors will be held March 18, 2025. Registered voters who live within the Conservation District boundaries are encouraged to vote in the 2025 election. Get your ballot in person March 12-18 during weekdays between 8am and 4:30pm from elections staff at the Thurston Conservation District offices (582 Tilley Ct SE, Suite 152, Tumwater, WA 98501)

Resources:

• Learn more about TCD's Board Members here.
• Learn more about TCD election here.
• 2025 Appointed Board Member opening.

Other election and appointment resources:

• WSCC Appointed Board Member Application Form
• Election and Appointment WAC
• CD Supervisor Appointment Guide
• Conservation District Elections Accountability and Transparency Information
• WA State Conservation Commission (WSCC) Guide to Conservation District Elections
• Conservation District Elections FAQs from WSCC
• TCD’s Election FAQ page

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 learn more about this exciting work. Tune in to hear more of this inspiring conversation!

Resources:

• Upcoming Events
• Hedgerow Toolkit
  • How-to Handbook
  • Videos
  • Toolkit Resources
• Hedgerow Webinar Recording
• Native Plant Salvage

 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 also share ways community members of all ages can get involved in creating a healthy Nisqually River Watershed.  

Resources:

• Contact Info - info@nisquallyriver.org or 360-438-8715
• Social Media - @nisquallyriver
• https://nisquallyriver.org/
• Nisqually River Watershed Stewardship Plan
• Citizens Advisory Committee
• Nisqually River Council Meetings
• Nisqually Stream Stewards
• Nisqually River Education Program

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 Growers Conference
Become a TCD Board of Supervisor Member

 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 agroforestry resources here.
• Check out Patrick's podcast Forest Overstory here.
• Sign up to receive TCD's newsletter here.

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 how these have benefited her operation!


Resources:
Visit www.thurstoncd.com to reach out to our staff to learn about ways you can improve your wintertime agricultural operation.
Learn more about the Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) here.

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 shellfish farmers and help improve our region's water quality.

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, and community members came together to create a comprehensive plan. Pamela, Linsey, and Alyssa also discuss how this plan is beginning to be implemented and give tips on how listeners can be more climate-resilient in their day-to-day lives.

Resources:
Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan
Annual Climate Mitigation Collaborative Retreat Summary
Climate Action Venn Diagram
Learn more about becoming a Climate Advisory Workgroup Member (Coming soon)
Energize Olympia
Olympia Climate Program
City of Lacey Sustainability & Resiliency Efforts
City of Tumwater Sustainability Efforts
Thurston County Climate Change Efforts

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 to protect their homes from the threat of wildfire and discuss how working together as neighbors can have a lasting impact on the Thurston County community. Tune in to learn more!

Resources:

• Jae Townsend, jtownsend@thurstoncd.com
• Jennifer Coe, Jennifer.Coe@dnr.wa.gov
• Wildfire Ready Neighbors (WFRN)
• WFRN Home Assessment Sign-up
• Firewise
• DNR Community Wildfire Resilience Resource Library
• OSU Fire-resistant plant guide