Given its 840 miles of beautiful coastline, California's relationship with the Pacific Ocean is deep and abiding. And if you ask SeaWorld San Diego's Jody Westberg, getting up close and personal with California's sea-dwelling inhabitants is a great way to understand and appreciate the connection between land and sea. In this episode of the California Now Podcast, Westberg—who has helped rescue thousands of wild marine animals over the years—talks with host Soterios Johnson about conservation efforts along the coast.
Johnson also chats with Lauren Bergloff, a tour guide at the oceanfront Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes. Terranea offers a wide variety of nature experiences along the shore, and Bergloff describes the joys of tidepooling, kayaking, or simply walking on a trail that hugs the coast.
The episode concludes with an interview with Allison Soergel, a conservation expert with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who shares insights about this venerable institution’s ongoing research into marine life and habitats along the Central Coast. Soergel also underscores why Aquarium staffers are so eager to have conversations about conservation with visitors.
Guests
Jody Westberg, Stranded Animal Coordinator at SeaWorld San Diego
Lauren Bergloff, Tour Guide and Sustainability Leader at Terranea Resort
Allison Soergel, Manager of Conservation Interpretation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Resources
SeaWorld San Diego's Jody Westberg points listeners to some of her favorite animal encounters—and encourages listeners to visit the sea otters when they come to the park.
SeaWorld San Diego
San Diego
La Jolla
La Jolla Cove
SeaWorld Rescue & Rehabilitation Teams
Channel Islands National Park
Manta Roller Coaster
SeaWorldAnimal Interactions and Tours
Penguin Encounter
Sloth Encounter
SeaWorld San Diego Mobile App
Terranea Resort Tour Guide and Sustainability Leader Lauren Bergloff says visitors are likely to catch glimpses of whales, sea lions, and seals during hikes and kayak trips at the property.
Terranea Resort
Discover Los Angeles
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
Point Vicente
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve
The Spa at Terranea
Solviva
Bashi
Catalina Kitchen
mar'sel
Nelson's
Monterey Bay Aquarium Manager of Conservation Interpretation Allison Soergel recommends close encounters with the sea-dwelling residents of the aquarium..
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Kelp Forest
Open Sea
Seafood Watch Program
See Monterey
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Sea Otter Surrogacy Program
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
About the Host
Soterios Johnson, formerly the local host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on radio station WNYC, moved from New York City to Davis in 2016. By combining his journalistic instincts with his personal curiosity, Johnson will use the California Now Podcast platform to develop a deeper understanding of his adopted home.
