Ep. 359 - Removing Monocultures & Bolstering Biodiversity
In Defense of Plants Podcast
In Defense of Plants
4.8 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 6 March 2022
⏱️ 54 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
For geologist turned botanist Paul Heiple, sitting back and letting an invasive plant outcompete the plants that support native ecology was not an option. Join us as we discuss what he has learned from years of grassroots efforts to remove yellow star-thistle (Centaurea solstitialis), an invasive member of the aster family from the Mediterranean Basin. Paul's efforts are a wonderful example of how good things can come of hard work and dedication. This episode was produced in part by Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey, Amanda, Tommy, Marcel, C Leigh, Karma, Shelby, Christopher, Alvin, Arek, Chellie, Dani, Paul, Dani, Tara, Elly, Colleen, Natalie, Nathan, Ario, Laura, Cari, Margaret, Mary, Connor, Nathan, Jan, Jerome, Brian, Azomonas, Ellie, University Greens, Joseph, Melody, Patricia, Matthew, Garrett, John, Ashley, Cathrine, Melvin, OrangeJulian, Porter, Jules, Griff, Joan, Megan, Marabeth, Les, Ali, Southside Plants, Keiko, Robert, Bryce, Wilma, Amanda, Helen, Mikey, Michelle, German, Joerg, Cathy, Tate, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Lynn, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Brett, Jocelyn, Ethan, Sheryl, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Chris, Alana, Rachel, Joanna, Lori, Paul, Griff, Matthew, Bobby, Vaibhav, Steven, Joseph, Brandon, Liam, Hall, Jared, Brandon, Christina, Carly, Kazys, Stephen, Katherine, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, Manny, doeg, Daniel, Tim, Philip, Tim, Lisa, Brodie, Bendix, Irene, holly, Sara, and Margie.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Hello everyone and welcome to the In Defense of Plants Podcast, the official podcast of Indefensiveplants.com. |
| 0:05.7 | What's up? This is your host, Matt. Welcome to the show. How's everyone doing this week? |
| 0:09.7 | I'm doing great because I have someone on that is truly passionate about plants, protecting biodiversity, |
| 0:15.5 | and trying to understand the ways we can do it better. Joining us is Paul Heipel. Paul is a geologist turned botanist and has poured all of his energy over the last few decades |
| 0:26.0 | into trying to protect native biodiversity, especially in California. |
| 0:31.2 | And today he's here to talk to us about literal grassroots efforts to protect a handful |
| 0:36.9 | of different areas from invasive species like the |
| 0:39.6 | Yellow Star Thistle. What's important to understand is that Paul is a perfect example of why we need |
| 0:45.5 | to talk about successes in conservation and really anything for that matter, because successes |
| 0:50.1 | let us know that good things are possible, but I'll let him tell you because his passion is |
| 0:55.9 | contagious. So let's just jump right into it. Without further ado, here's my conversation with Paul |
| 1:01.5 | Heipel. it is so exciting to have you on the podcast. |
| 1:20.8 | I really can't wait to pick your brain on all the wonderful things you've done over the |
| 1:24.2 | years. |
| 1:24.5 | But first, how about you start off by introducing yourself? |
| 1:26.9 | Tell the audience a little bit about who you are and what it is you do. |
| 1:30.8 | Okay. I am a geologist by training. I was a petroleum geologist for a number of years in Denver, |
| 1:39.2 | Colorado. Wow. |
| 1:40.1 | And after that, I always have had an interest in plants, bugs, everything. |
| 1:48.5 | Natural history is my thing. |
| 1:50.0 | Awesome. |
| 1:51.0 | And it was in a field trip to Arizona that we went down to look at copper pits. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from In Defense of Plants, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of In Defense of Plants and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.