Category Archives: Interviews

An interview with Overlook Steward Jackie Steuer

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Filed under Interviews, Stewardship

Jackie Steuer has been serving Sonoma Overlook Trail as a Stewards and much more for about 25 years, since its conception. Enjoy this chat between Jackie and Overlook Chair Jess about Jackie’s continuing experience with the Overlook and her background in environmental science, which includes years of service at Yosemite National Park.

Sonoma Overlook Trail
Welcome, Jackie!  I appreciate your taking the time today to share your history with the Overlook Trail.

The oldest picture I’ve seen of you was taken on the Overlook kiosk groundbreaking day.  Your daughter was there!

SOT Kiosk Groundbreaking

Jackie
Yes, she was!  Thank you for having me.

Sonoma Overlook Trail
Please spell her name for me.

Jackie
So it’s two words: Qing Chen. It means “early morning.” The Q is pronounced “ch”, so it sounds like Ching Chen.

Sonoma Overlook Trail
The other interesting thing I noticed is your Facebook profile, which talks about the fact that you worked at Yosemite, that you went to Berkeley, and you earned your degree in environmental biology.

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Snake Chat: A Conversation with Local Reptile Educator Galen Freed-Wilhem

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Filed under Interviews, Reptiles, Snakes

TRANSCRIPT:

[Sonoma Overlook Trail]
Welcome to the Sonoma Overlook Trail podcast. I’m Jess from the Overlook Trail Stewards.

In honor of the Chinese New Year of the Wood Snake, my guest today is Galen Freed-Wilhelm, a local snake handler and reptile educator. In addition to his love for reptiles, he has a deep passion for environmental causes and actually received the Youth Environmental Award from Sonoma County Conservation Council.

Among other endeavors, Galen volunteers at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Kenwood, California, where he leads nature walks, works on the trails, and relocates rattlesnakes from the campground there.

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