Tuned in to the Land

At the Rangeland Trust, conserving California’s working landscapes means more than protecting open space—it also means preserving the stories of the people who steward them. Ranching families carry generations of knowledge, resilience, and tradition, and if those stories aren’t shared, they risk being lost.

In this episode, we highlight Roots and Resilience: California Ranchers in Their Own Words, a book that brings together the voices of ranching families from across the state through stories, poems, and essays. Host and CEO of the Rangeland Trust, Michael Delbar, is joined by Dr. Susan Marshall, Emeritus Professor at Cal Poly Humboldt and the editor who brought this project to life, to discuss her inspiration, the editing journey, and what she hopes people will gain from reading the book.

As a bonus, we also hear from contributor and Rangeland Trust Legacy Council Chair, Jessica Schley. Jessica reflects on her family’s ranching history and how the loss of their family’s property inspires her work today and fuels her support of the Rangeland Trust. As a special treat, she reads an excerpt from her piece in the book—bringing her words and perspective to life in a way only she can.