Plateau on the Radio: Episode 17 Science Communication on the Radio with Melissa Sevigny

Listen to Episode 17 HERE...

This week on part 3 of our 5 part Science Communication series we focus in on the airwaves and look into science communication over the radio.

My wonderful guest Melissa Sevigny (Science and Technology Reporter at KNAU Public Radio Station in Flagstaff, AZ) talks about creating a story, about the joys of science reporting and about many of her wonderful segments that you can hear anytime in the KNAU archives. Also we talked about her two books, Mythical River and Under Desert Skies. Many thanks to Melissa for her perspective on science communication and for all her amazing work she does in reporting news and research for the southern Plateau region.

Also we take a trip through science shows in radio history, including the very first science show called Radio Talks that aired in the 1920's as well as the first dramatized science show called Adventures in Research that aired in the 30's. And if you would like to check out some of the modern shows I mentioned in the program, here are some links...

Earth Notes

Canyon Commentaries with Scott Thybony

Wild About Utah

Science Moab

Mesa Verde Voices

Heritage Voices

Plateau on the Radio: Episode 16 Science Communication in Literature with Craig Childs

Listen to Episode 16 HERE...

Happy windy Spring to you all. It has been a lovely week here on the Plateau and I was very fortunate to interview an amazing and kind man who has authored some of of the best books around. Craig Childs (House of Rain, Stone Desert, Apocalyptic Planet) came through Flagstaff and sat down to talk with me about many interesting and beautiful things, including his new and spectacular book titled Atlas of a Lost World - Travels in Ice Age America.

Also in this Episode that is part 2 of our 5 part series (whew!) all about Science Communication, words from Ed Abbey, E.O. Wilson, as well as a fast journey through the ages focused in on the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin.

Thank you so much Craig Childs for doing this, and thank you for your wonderful words and writings.

Plateau on the Radio: Episode 15 Science Communication in a Newspaper with Emery Cowan

Listen to Episode 15 HERE...

This is the first part in a five part series that seeks different perspectives in the art of Science Communication. We will focus in on the often overlooked part of science that is one of its most important aspects; getting science out there to the people. We will highlight science communication through a daily newspaper, through literature, radio, the lens of a camera and in front of the classroom. Kicking things off is today's interview with Emery Cowan, Environmental, Health and Science Reporter of the Arizona Daily Sun Newspaper in Flagstaff. We discuss Emery's work, the process behind writing an article, and her great perspectives on how to go about doing good communication efforts for environmental and science news.

And check out some of Emery Cowan's recent articles that we discussed below:

A Tinder Fire Resident Who Stayed

Blowin' in the Wind: Arizona Dust is Creating Problems for Rocky Mountain Snowpack

Researchers find Grand Canyon's Underground Water Takes Surprising Paths

Plateau on the Radio: Episode 14 The Geology of the Grand Canyon

Listen to Episode 14 HERE...

No guest this week friends, instead we turn the radio show into a classroom and join a lecture given by legendary regional geologist Wayne Ranney as he discusses how the Grand Canyon was formed and the endless debate over how old the Grand Canyon actually is. This was from a recording on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at the Shrine of the Ages courtesy of the Grand Canyon Association.

There are some great visuals in his presentation too, so if you would like to watch it instead of listening you can head over to the video on the Grand Canyon Associations Youtube Channel.

Plateau on the Radio: Episode 13 Drought and Water Conservation

Listen to Episode 13 HERE...

Waterline Road on the San Francisco
Peaks (Photo by Cory Mottice)

This time around we are focusing on drought and water conservation and have on a great guest named Erin Young who is the City of Flagstaffs Water Resources Manager and we discuss the future of water security in Flagstaff, the history of the water supply here and conservation measures that are in place, as well as things everyone can do to conserve our precious water. Also a report about dust on snow, the US Drought Index Monitor, and the plight of the ancient Hohokam Nation who experienced one of the worse droughts in history here in the southwest.

For more information on the events being held through the Flagstaff Water Services Department head over to their website and check out the calendar. They also have a really nice history section that lays out the interesting ways Flagstaff has been utilizing water since the very beginning. Also if your interested in doing you part to conserve water, take advantage of the great rebate programs mentioned in the show that the City of Flagstaff offers its residents.

For more information on Red Gap Ranch, have a look at this .pdf file for some history.

Lake Mary is one of the main water sources of the city of Flagstaff (Photo by Chris Gering)

Plateau on the Radio: Episode 12 Citizen Science and Advocacy

Listen to Episode 12 HERE...

This weeks episode is all about the importance of Citizen Science and Science Advocacy. We highlight citizen science opportunities for our listeners to join in, talk about the upcoming March for Science Flagstaff event put on by CEBA with organizers Jackie Parker and Pete Motyka, as well as the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Projects Wild & Scenic Film Festival, and have a conversation with Mexican Wolf Advocates Jean and Peter Ossorio from New Mexico. Also an audio postcard from Citizen Scientist extraordinaire Ashley Doyle

And for more information on Mexican Wolves head over to the great website https://mexicanwolves.org, and check out some articles by my great guests including Pupdate by Jean Ossario that highlights news about the pups down in the Recovery Area.

To locate some Citizen Science Projects that were mentioned on the show look into SciStarter as well as Scientific American and The Citizen Scientist Grid.

Plateau on the Radio: Episode 11 Water is Life

Listen to the weeks show HERE...


Tune in for another installment of This is the Colorado Plateau  as we focus on water and drought across our region. Our three wonderful guests, Adrienne Soder and Mary Samar (Graduate Students at Northern Arizona University) and Dr. Denielle Perry, Assistant Professor with the School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, and they are organizing and participating in the upcoming Student Water Symposium at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. We talk about their important research and about the importance of water policy in the West. Also a view of the drought from the Four Corners from Luke Runyon, a segment on mega-droughts, as well as water conservation tips from our very own Plateau reporter Ashley Doyle. Music from regional reggae rockers Innastate with Water is Life, and so much more!

The Colorado River, life-blood of the West