The Music of Nature: Stories, Sound, and a Climate California Screening
What if the natural world has been singing to us all along - and we just needed to learn to listen?
Join NorCal Public Media at the Rohnert Park Cotati Library for a special screening of the Emmy-winning PBS series Climate California. We’ll show Episode 2, a journey through sound, ecology, and the surprising ways music connects us to wildlife and place.
Series trailer: https://www.pbs.org/video/trailer-climate-california-hhjmxq/
In the episode, we:
• Track newts and tule elk across California
• Learn how AI helps protect whales from ship strikes
• Explore how music and language evolved
• Hear how soundscape ecologists and composers translate nature into story
After the screening, composer Miguel Brierley will offer a live musical demonstration, showing how the score of the show was created, as well as live music performances by several of the guests in the series.
Then we’ll gather for a panel conversation with scientists, musicians, advocates, and the filmmakers about how sound can help us rethink conservation and climate storytelling.
Panelists & Guests
Doug Jayne - KRCB Radio Host
A beloved KRCB radio host, Doug will be moderating the event! Doug's show often has artist interviews from local, national and international musicians and bands.
Jack Hines - Soundscape Ecologist & Host of Ear to the Wild
A specialist in soundscape ecology and GIS mapping, Jack uses audio and data to reveal hidden wildlife patterns. He hosts Ear to the Wild, exploring how sound helps us understand ecological change, and is a touring musician.
Miguel Brierley - Composer, Climate California
Composer for Climate California, specializing in blending classical, electronic, and natural sound textures. Miguel will demonstrate how he created musical themes from field recordings of animals.
John Reid - Writer and Ecologist
Co-author of Ever Green and longtime advocate for protecting intact forests. John’s work focuses on using economics as a tool to to preserve thriving ecosystems.
Giancarlo Rulli - Marine Mammal Center
Associate Director of Public Relations at the Marine Mammal Center. Giancarlo helps lead outreach around whale rescue, ocean health, and has worked with Whale Safe, which uses real-time data to reduce ship strikes on endangered whales.
Dave Kearney-Brown - California Doughnut Economics Coalition; Musician
Organizer and advocate promoting Doughnut Economics in California to help redesign economies around ecological boundaries and human wellbeing. Also a rock musician exploring the intersection of music and climate justice.
Pete Kronowitt - Singer/Songwriter; Music Declares Emergency
A board member of Music Declares Emergency and a founder of a group to help guide artists called Fact the Music Collective, Pete works with musicians like Billie Eilish and AJR to promote climate action. Pete performs globally and uses music as a tool for civic storytelling.
Hannah Lee — Co-Director and Producer, Climate California
Documentary producer with a passion for environmental storytelling and climate education through a wide range of mediums.
Charles Loi — Host/Director, Climate California
Series host and storyteller whose goal is to harness stories to solve complex problems.