Earthwatch Podcast

In episode 1, host Dianna Bell introduced the iconic Whooping Crane—the tallest bird in North America that spends its winter months in the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. In late August, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in coastal Texas, ravaging the cranes' delicate habitat. What will await these birds as they begin to arrive in Aransas in the coming weeks? In episode 2, you'll hear from the Earthwatch scientists and volunteers who are conducting critical research within this ecosystem—research that could help Whooping Cranes to weather the impacts of the storm.

Whooping Cranes used to be widespread throughout North America, with estimates of their populations reaching as high as 10,000. But by 1941, just 15 individuals remained. What happened to these cranes? From habitat loss to hunting, Dr. Elizabeth Smith from the International Crane Foundation explains why they fell to such low numbers and what has been done to save them since. (The music in this episode is "Partly Sage" by Blue Dot Sessions, provided under the Attribution-Noncommercial License.)

From Earthwatch, the environmental nonprofit connecting citizens with scientists, comes the Earthwatch Podcast. This season, we delve into the human conflict in conservation. From the coastal marshes of Texas to the seagrass meadows of Southeast Alaska and beyond, follow us as we explore the conservation efforts underway to protect endangered species and ecosystems. (The music in this trailer is "Partly Sage" by Blue Dot Sessions, provided under the creative commons Attribution-Noncommercial License.)