Happy New Year! In this first episode of 2026, we spoke with Dr. Sarah Whipple, a Climate Adaptation Service Scientist and biologist with the Climate Adaptation Technical Services (CATS) initiative of the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center. Dr. Whipple, who has expertise in pollinator biology, inventory and monitoring, discussed the importance of pollinators and explained the impact of a shifting landscape and climate on species that are important for agriculture, food security and resilience. Listen to learn more about Sarah and her research!

Relevant links: CASC Climate Adaptation Technical Services

The buzz around biodiversity decline: Detecting pollinator shifts using a systematic review

Leveraging virtual datasets to investigate the interplay of pollinators, protected areas, and SDG 15

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DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

Happy Holidays! In this episode we talked to Max Wade, the owner of Galloping Goat Grazing, and Michael "Scial" Scialdone, Bosque Project Manager with the Pueblo of Sandia Environment Department. Max and Scial explained how utilizing goats for targeted grazing allows problematic vegetation to be removed, and can help reduce the risk of devastating wildfires in our wildland/urban interfaces.

Relevant links: Check out Galloping Goat Grazing and the services offered by Max Wade and his herd here: https://www.gallopinggoatgrazing.com/

Read more in High Country News about Scial and Max's work to reduce wildfire risk in New Mexico: https://www.hcn.org/articles/south-wildfire-pueblos-in-new-mexico-turn-to-goats-for-fire-management/

If you’re enjoying this podcast, please consider rating us and/or leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, or Podchaser. Thanks!

Follow us on Twitter @RainShinePod

Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes (http://eepurl.com/hRuJ5H)

Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us!

Come Rain or Shine affiliate links:

DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

EcoImpact Solutions: https://www.ecoimpactsolutions.org/

Dr. Charlie Clements leads the Great Basin Rangeland Research Unit of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service, where he conducts research on the restoration of ecologically threatened rangelands. He and his team aim to conserve and enhance sustainable agricultural production, natural resources and communities. He also explores science-based solutions to reduce the spread of harmful invasive species in the region, especially cheatgrass (also called brome.)

Relevant links: Check out this video produced by the USDA-ARS, where Charlie talks more about stopping the spread of cheatgrass, and why it’s important.

Cheating Cheatgrass video

If you’re enjoying this podcast, please consider rating us and/or leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, or Podchaser. Thanks!

Follow us on Twitter @RainShinePod

Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes (http://eepurl.com/hRuJ5H)

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Come Rain or Shine affiliate links:

DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

EcoImpact Solutions: https://www.ecoimpactsolutions.org/