Come Rain or Shine

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? In this episode of Come Rain or Shine, we interviewed Zander Evans and Cody Dems, respectively the executive director and Southwest program manager, of the Forest Stewards Guild. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Guild supports ecologically, economically, and socially responsible forestry through active stewardship, outreach, and education. Evans and Dems talk about how they got interested in forestry, the collaborative nature of their work, and the importance of working in and across communities to create change on the ground. They highlight various efforts in forest resilience, fire management, and climate adaptation and discuss the Guild’s collaborative projects with the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (SW CASC), the Joint Fire Science Program, the 2-3-2 Partnership, and more. Learn more about the Forest Stewards Guild , the related SW CASC project , and the 2-3-2 Partnership . --- 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 ! USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ gov/hubs/southwest

Water is one of the most important resources in the Southwest. What can we learn from a climate adaptation professional who has spent decades in this line of work? In this episode of Come Rain or Shine , we interviewed Kathy Jacobs, Professor Emeritus in Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Jacobs was also the founder and director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University, under the Arizona Institute for Resilience. Jacobs recently retired from her multi-decade career focused on water resources and climate adaptation and assessment. She reflects on highlights and insights from her roles at the local, state, and national levels. Jacobs also teases some upcoming efforts and ongoing projects, proving that this work is never truly over for those passionate about finding practical solutions in a changing climate. Learn more about Jacobs’ work with the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS) and the Arizona Tri-University Recharge and Water Reliability Project . --- 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 ! USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ gov/hubs/southwest

Rock glaciers, ice worms and wolverines, oh my! In this episode of Come Rain or Shine , we interviewed Dr. Scott Hotaling, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Watershed Sciences and the Extension Climate Resiliency Specialist at Utah State University (USU). Hotaling leads the USU Climate Change in Mountains Lab, where he explores how mountain ecosystems in the western U.S. and elsewhere are impacted by a shifting climate. Hotaling studies mountain water resources and biodiversity, with an emphasis on rock glaciers – large masses of debris-covered ice that flow downhill. Dr. Hotaling discussed his diverse work, which includes mentoring students through unique climate adaptation intern and fellowship programs, and translating complex science for the public through creative communication tools. He runs the Mountain Futures YouTube Channel with his team at USU. The channel explores mountain research topics in the western United States and provides a behind-the-scenes perspective into day-to-day life as a mountain scientist. Learn more about Dr. Hotaling and his research on the USU Climate Change in Mountains Lab website . --- 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 ! USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

What are "May Gray" and "June Gloom"? How does the southwestern U.S. monsoon season impact low-level clouds on the California coastline? In this episode, we talked with Dr. Rachel Clemesha, a Project Scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California - San Diego, to help answer those questions. Dr. Clemesha's research focuses on the climate of coastal California and western North America. She examines climate extremes, marine layer clouds and fog, relationships between regional weather phenomena and large-scale climate variability, and explores the consequent impacts on public and ecosystem health. Dr. Clemesha spoke with us about atmospheric rivers and how they influence wildfire risk, climate modeling for the North American monsoon, and her collaborative projects with a range of land managers and partners. --- 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 ! USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

In this episode, we spoke with Roy Petrakis, a Geographer with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Geographic Science Center. Roy’s expertise includes using remote sensing and GIS to understand how landscapes in the southwest are changing over time, including shifts in wildfire behavior, vegetation dynamics, and water availability. His research addresses wildfire and fuel treatments, climate variability, watershed management, and more. He talked with us about the long-standing partnership between the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the USGS, where collaborative research supports land management decisions and riparian restoration efforts. From tracking invasive species like tamarisk to studying wildfire impacts and drought stress, Roy highlights how science and Indigenous knowledge come together to build more resilient ecosystems and support communities. --- 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 ! USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Camille Stevens-Rumann, interim director of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute at Colorado State University and associate professor in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship. Dr. Stevens-Rumann’s research focuses broadly on disturbance ecology, including post-fire forest recovery. She examines how ecosystems respond to disturbances like wildfire, to help improve restoration and management strategies. She shares how fire regimes in the western U.S. are changing, what drives extreme wildfire events, and how the presence of a specific type of tree can help mitigate fire risk. --- 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 ! USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

A snow drought happening across the western U.S. is creating dramatic shifts. In this episode, we spoke with Dr. McKenzie Skiles, Director of the Snow Hydrology Resarch-to-Operations Laboratory (Snow HydRO Lab) and associate professor at the School of Environment, Society & Sustainability at the University of Utah. Dr. Skiles specializes in snow monitoring, modeling and remote sensing, and investigates the impacts of mineral dust and other light-absorbing particles on snow. She explained why changing snowfall and snowmelt patterns have implications for recreation and water security in the west. To learn more about Dr. Skiles and her research, visit the Snow HydRO Lab webpage here. 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: USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

In this episode we spoke with Dr. Flavie Audoin, an Assistant Professor in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona and Assistant Rangeland Management Specialist for the UA Cooperative Extension. Dr. Audoin’s research examines solutions for livestock producers who are seeking to raise animals and manage rangelands in a sustainable way. She talked with us about how targeted grazing can help minimize invasive plants and reduce wildfire risk, and shared the potential benefits and drawbacks of new virtual fence technology. 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: USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

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

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) Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us ! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: USGS Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, three fourths of the world's flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world's food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce. We interviewed Melanie Kirby and Davon Collins to learn more about the beekeping program at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM. Relevant Links: IAIA’s Beekeeping Journey 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

This month we are celebrating major milestones and want to share those with you. The Climate Hub network just celebrated its 10 year anniversary. As part of that anniversary our partners recorded short stories about some of their favorite projects. We have compiled a selection of those for this episode to kick off the new year. Relevant links: USDA Climate Hubs: Stories from Our First 10 Years USDA Climate Hubs: Celebrating 10 Years! 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

Dr. Elise Gornish discusses her research on restoration and weed management strategies to minimize the effects of changing climatic conditions - especially warming temperatures and decreasing precipitation. Her work focuses on designing realistic restoration strategies and solutions that are both financially and logistically feasible. Relevant links: The Gornish Lab 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

This is the last episode in our reforestation pipeline series. The success of a reforestation effort largely depends on proper post-planting care and monitoring. We spoke with Dr. Camille Stevens-Rumann, who studies wildfire and post-fire recovery, to learn more about what needs to happen after a tree is planted in a reforestation effort. Relevant links: Marshall, L.A., Fornwalt, P.J., Stevens-Rumann, C.S., Rodman, K.C., Rhoades, C.C., Zimlinghaus, K., Chapman, T.B. and Schloegel, C.A., 2023. Seedling and growing environment measurements from a tree planting unit in the 2016 Cold Springs Fire, Colorado, USA . 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

In this episode we continue our discussion of the reforestation pipeline. Last month, we discussed how reforestation efforts are critical after high severity wildfires, like the ones we have been witnessing across the Southwest. Now we sit down with two researchers who specialize in modeling to learn more about the science of choosing the right spot on the landscape for the best chances of planted seedling survival. 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

This bonus episode is a re-release of our July 2023 episode highlighting t he John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora, New Mexico, which aims to advance the understanding of restoration activities on forested areas in New Mexico. The Center also provides science-based solutions for private, tribal, state, and federal forest managers, who face the threat of catastrophic fires and the inability of forest ecosystems to naturally regenerate after fires. Related Links: John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center at Mora 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! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

Dr. Joshua Sloan and Rachael Foe discuss the process of conifer seed selection and harvest for reforestation efforts in the Southwest, from selecting the parent trees and scouting for good cone crops to climbing the trees and collecting cones. Did you know some forest stands only produce a viable seed crop once every decade? Learn how you could help scout for cones through a new app from the New Mexico Reforestation Center. Relevant links: Related podcast episode: After-Fire Reforestation: The John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center Cone Collector and Observations App and other resources Seedlot Selection Tool Info about the New Mexico Reforestation Center 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

Nature-based solutions - what are they exactly? Is there a standard definition? And even though the term is new to us, are the practices themselves actually something new? In this episode we speak with Dr. Laura Norman, a Research Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, to answer these questions and more. Relevant links: IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions Opportunities to Accelerate Nature-Based Solutions (2022) Nature-Based Solutions Resource Guide 2.0 (2023) The Science That Transformed A Dry Streambed Into An Oasis 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/

According to 2022 statistics published by the US EPA, enteric fermentation (a digestive pathway that produces gasses in the gut) by cattle accounted for around 3% of total US greenhouse gas emissions when converted to carbon dioxide equivalents. We spoke with Dr. Glenn Duff, from New Mexico State University to learn more about the research he and his team are conducting to measure gas fluxes and emissions from cattle in pursuit of improving efficiency and lowering emissions from this sector. Relevant Links: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Explorer from the US EPA Clayton Livestock Research Center, New Mexico State University Sustainable Southwest Beef Project 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 X @RainShinePod Never miss an episode! Sign up to get an email alert whenever a new episode publishes! Have a suggestion for a future episode? Please tell us! Come Rain or Shine affiliate links: DOI Southwest CASC: https://www.swcasc.arizona.edu/ USDA Southwest Climate Hub: https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/southwest Sustainable Southwest Beef Project (NIFA Grant #2019-69012-29853): https://southwestbeef.org/