Albino Redwoods: Ghosts of the Forest Audio

Park rangers in the Santa Cruz Mountains are protecting a decades-old secret: albino redwood trees. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about these so-called "ghost trees."

Astronauts Speak: Gene Cernan

In this audio resource from NOVA, astronaut Gene Cernan recounts his harrowing experience during America's first attempt to do work in outer space.

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Drive by Extinction

The Bay checkerspot butterfly is now categorized as a federally threatened species whose decline has been called “drive-by extinction.” In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn what biologists are doing to prevent this butterfly from going extinct.

Exoplanets

Do other planets like Earth exist outside of our solar system? In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about extra-solar planet research.

The Hayward Fault: A Tectonic Timebomb

Earthquakes are part of the geologic fabric of California. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, find out why one East Bay fault line has geologists particularly worried.

Journey to the Farallones

The Farallon Islands aren’t just a unique habitat, they’re also a bellwether for climate change. In this video from QUEST produced by KQED, find out how unexpected, recent climate change is affecting life on and around the Farallon Islands.

Mercury in the Bay Part 2

In this audio piece from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about mercury, an extremely toxic pollutant. Examine the multibillion-dollar plan to clean up the mercury in San Francisco Bay.

Methane - The Other Greenhouse Gas

Although there are natural sources of methane, most of the methane that is contributing to global warming is produced through human activities, such as landfill use and raising cattle.

New Life For Embryonic Stem Cell Research

California’s landmark stem cell research program made headlines nationally, but what’s the latest story behind the science? In this audio podcast from QUEST produced by KQED, find out about the potential for medical breakthroughs in the future.

Saving Coho Salmon

Marine biologists say the future looks grim for Coho salmon. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, find out how they’re looking for ways to stop the fish from being sucked into what they call “the vortex of extinction."

Sea of Plastic

Where do our used plastic cups, packaging and other plastic products go? In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn why some cities and counties are so concerned that they've passed ordinances to try to limit plastic consumption.

Sewage Happens

Sewage spills happen all the time. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about why much of the blame lies beneath our feet.

Sewage Spills Increasing

How much sewage makes its way into our water? In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about the factors that are adding up to a potential disaster of septic proportions.

Stem Cells and Horses

In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, explore how researchers are treating horses so that humans may one day have another option for repairing torn ligaments.

Stormwatchers Predict Flooding

During a storm, dam operators have to make tough decisions. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, explore the impact of those decisions for the state of California.

Sudden Oak Death

California’s plant biologists are looking at ways to stop the spread of a disease that is killing trees vital to the ecology. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about what researchers are doing to inoculate individual trees from sudden oak death.

Super Laser

It's one of the most expensive high-tech projects the United States has ever attempted. In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn about how this super laser may answer the world's clean energy needs.

Urban Heat Island

Do you live in an urban heat island? In this audio report from QUEST produced by KQED, learn how trees are cooling down urban areas.