Send us a text

From climbing rocks in the Mojave Desert to studying salamanders 300 feet up in redwood canopies, Jim Campbell-Spickler's journey as a wildlife biologist reads like an adventure novel come to life. 

After moving from Barstow to Humboldt in 1994 to pursue his wildlife degree, he found himself captivated by the rainforest environment that contrasted sharply with his desert upbringing. "In the first 45 days I lived here, I experienced more rain than I had in my entire life," he laughs. Yet this dramatic environmental shift sparked a lifelong passion for Humboldt's ecosystems.

His research on the wandering salamander - a tiny amphibian that lives high in redwood canopies without needing standing water to reproduce - established him as a canopy ecology specialist. This expertise led him to measure Hyperion, the world's tallest tree at over 380 feet, and to document wildlife worldwide as a scientific consultant for BBC and National Geographic productions. His climbing skills opened doors to remote locations few people ever access.

Perhaps most fascinating is his work with raptors, particularly bald eagles. "We take the young eaglets down when they're six to eight weeks old, put bands on their legs, collect samples, and get them back in the nest before mom or dad returns," he explains. Some species prove more challenging than others - peregrine falcons are known to "stoop" researchers, dive-bombing them when least expected.

Today, Campbell-Spickler serves as Director of Sequoia Park Zoo, where the innovative Skywalk attraction has transformed visitor numbers from 40,000 to 180,000 annually. This ADA-accessible walkway, suspended 100 feet above the ground among redwood canopies, offers experiences found nowhere else. "During windy days, some tree tops will arc in a three-meter radius," he shares, highlighting the dynamic nature of this unique installation.

Ready for an extraordinary adventure? Visit redwoodzoo.org to discover upcoming events, meet new animals including a young bear and spider monkeys, and experience the magic of Humboldt's redwoods from a whole new perspective.

Support the show

About 100% Humboldt with Scott Hammond

Humboldt County CA USA is the home of some of the most iconoclastic, genuine, and interesting folks in the world.

We are getting curious about the movers, shakers, and difference makers in Humboldt County CA-Home of the giant redwoods, 6 Rivers, and the vast Pacific Ocean.

We will discover what makes people live/evolve in the beautiful, diverse, isolated, and ever-changing North Coast of California 100%!

Listen in and learn what it is to be 100% Humboldt!

Find us on You Tube, Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok!