Host Dr. Jake Owens, L.A. Zoo’s Director of Conservation, Introduces a Range of Diverse Voices from Experts in their Field to Proud Angelenos
The Los Angeles Zoo, Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, and the Gottlieb Native Garden have launched a podcast called BiodiverCity, which focuses on urban ecology and conservation in Los Angeles. Discussion highlights include:
- L.A.’s famous mountain lion P-22.
- Efforts to save the endangered western monarch butterfly and southern mountain yellow-legged frog.
- Building native plant habitats.
- A rare bird’s journey to L.A. smuggled in a sock.
L.A. Zoo’s Director of Conservation Dr. Jake Owens interviews experts from the Zoo and beyond to discover how Angelenos and wildlife are thriving together, and help listeners deepen the connections between plants and wildlife and their daily lives. Bonus episodes include a discussion with a renowned foley artist on the recreation of nature sounds in movies, a Watts hip hop performer and entrepreneur’s message of conservation to his community, and other unique and diverse voices.
“The Los Angeles Zoo is thrilled to partner with GLAZA and the Gottlieb Native Garden on this podcast to explore topics that engage and educate listeners on the connection among nature, biodiversity, and humans through conversations with experts and area residents,” states L.A. Zoo’s Director of Conservation Dr. Jake Owens. “We hope that listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse species of native plants and wildlife in our backyards, parks, and surrounding mountains,” he goes on to say.
BiodiverCity is a collaboration between the Gottlieb Native Garden, Los Angeles Zoo, and the Zoo’s nonprofit partner, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, and is the vision of Gottlieb Native Garden creator Susan Gottlieb.
“Partnering with the L.A. Zoo on this podcast seemed like the perfect way to continue our education efforts on important environmental issues and how they affect habitats and wildlife both large and small,” says Gottlieb. She goes on to say that she “hopes the podcast will inspire listeners to see Los Angeles in a new way—as a place full of nature and hope.”
All six episodes, along with bonus episodes, of BiodiverCity are available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Executive producers of BiodiverCity include L.A. Zoo CEO and Director Denise Verret, GLAZA President Tom Jacobson, and Gottlieb Native Garden’s Susan Gottlieb and Diane Shader Smith.