DOC Sounds of Science Podcast
A behind the scenes look at how the Department of Conservation cares for New Zealand’s unique native species and natural environment.
Episodes
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Episode 12: Marine Magic
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Anton van Helden is a marine scientist by day moonlighting as a magician by night (although one could make the point that magic never sleeps). In this episode you’ll hear talk of strandings, toxoplasmosis, pub magic and climate; as well as working with Iwi on recovery of bones. Abracadabra, are you listening closely?
CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised that the following episode contains specific discussion of dissection (we kept it reasonably high level) which some listeners may find graphic. This is 8.03 – 11.22. And at 23.25 we talk about taonga and why dissections are important for Iwi.
Friday Aug 21, 2020
Episode 11: Best bits so far
Friday Aug 21, 2020
Friday Aug 21, 2020
This is a supercut of all our favourite moments from the past ten episodes, as guided by Erica Wilkinson. Lichens, bats, kākāpō sperm helmets (we couldn’t make this up) GPS, poo patches and more.
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Episode 10: Time to talk climate
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Thursday Jul 23, 2020
Jenny Christie is used to seeing eyebrows go up when she tells people what her job is. Perhaps a few years ago, this could be chalked up as scepticism, but nowadays it’s more likely to mean, ‘wow, big job’. Jenny’s job is climate change. She approaches this from an adaptation point of view, which means working on what we can be doing to manage and reduce the impacts of climate change on our native species and ecosystems. In this episode, Jenny talks about adaptation work underway, what she says to naysayers, and some of the impacts on native species we’re seeing right now.
Friday May 22, 2020
Episode 9: Non-vascular plants
Friday May 22, 2020
Friday May 22, 2020
Kelly Frogley is an expert when it comes to non-vascular plants. In this episode, Kelly explains what exactly they are, and shares some stories about unexpected discoveries and making the most of non-optimum spaces for optimum plant identification. She also talks about green-blindness and the importance of looking down. And up. And around – well, you get it.
www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Episode 8: The Batman
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Thursday Mar 12, 2020
Colin O’Donnell knows everything there is to know about pekapeka/bats, and he’s accumulated some wild stories along the way. In the name of science, Colin has encountered popping bats, game-changing technology, tiger prints (!) and gelatinous excretions – which is exactly as gross as it sounds. Most importantly, in this episode we talk about the impact of predators on Aotearoa’s only endemic land mammal; highlighting the reason for us to work towards a Predator Free New Zealand.
www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Friday Jan 31, 2020
Episode 7: History with Herb
Friday Jan 31, 2020
Friday Jan 31, 2020
Conservation enthusiast and DOC legend Herb talks to Nic about his experience as a science communicator, navigating the bush before sat nav, being trolled by kea, and species protection on offshore islands. Plus he treats us to some of his famous bird calls.
If there were such thing as conservation bingo, (sidebar: should we make that?) Herb would be a square all of his own, given how many times his name is mentioned in conservation conversation. “Ask Herb”, “See what Herb thinks” or “Herb might know” are popular refrains around here. Cheers to this stalwart of species survival.
www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Thursday Dec 05, 2019
Episode #6: Our invertebrates
Thursday Dec 05, 2019
Thursday Dec 05, 2019
Insect expert Eric Edwards talks to us about ecosystems, climate change and cataloguing critters. He also shares his adventures catching true bugs in Micronesia and navigating poo patches (!) in the Subantarctic Islands.
www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Wednesday Oct 30, 2019
Episode #5: We love bittern!
Wednesday Oct 30, 2019
Wednesday Oct 30, 2019
Emma Williams knows a LOT about bittern. This is impressive because they’re very difficult to find. She calls them the ‘ninjas of the wetlands’. In this episode, Nic and Emma talk about tracking bittern and embarrassing yourself in Mitre 10.
www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Thursday Sep 26, 2019
Episode #4: Conservation tech
Thursday Sep 26, 2019
Thursday Sep 26, 2019
DOC's Technical Advisor Stuart Cockburn talks to us about his scientific innovations, which are world-firsts, and have been critical in protecting native species.
Stu’s responsible for kākāpō snarks, track counters, sea bird soundscapes, grasshopper detectors and much, much more. He also one got into a one-way fight with a Great Spotted Kiwi (the bird started it), and is directly responsible for Nic getting questioned by airport security. All in a day’s work for Stu.
www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Tuesday May 07, 2019
Episode #3: Our lizards
Tuesday May 07, 2019
Tuesday May 07, 2019
Lizard expert Lynn Adams shares tales from the world of reptile conservation – including two near misses for the “curly wurly” tailed Chesterfield skink.
Lynn and Nic also discuss the main threats to lizards - mice, hedgehogs, habitat loss and climate change. They finish up on a positive note, with what we can do to help protect our native reptiles.
Find out more:
Learn about New Zealand’s lizard species
How to identify lizards
Report your alpine lizard sightings
www.doc.govt.nz/podcast
Every episode is a new adventure
The Department of Conservation is charged with caring for Aotearoa New Zealand's natural and historic heritage. This means species, places and ecosystems: all things nature. Every episode, a new expert sits down with our host Erica Wilkinson and we go behind-the-scenes on their work. We've been regaled with so many good work stories. Catching mohua in socks, getting chased by sharks, building a helmet to capture kākāpō sperm (yes, really) our experts have done it all and have the yarns to prove it. This show is produced and directed by Jayne Ramage, edited by Lucy Holyoake, with graphics by Belle Gwilliam.