The Littoral Zone

Season 1

1. Jellyfish

   Episode 4

   Show notes

   Older than trees, Jellyfish of the Pacific have been floating our shores since the beginning of time. Offering more than 200o (discovered) species, tune in with Mari Ana Trench to get a little education on how these beautiful floaters live.

   Nov 17, 2025 5 min

2. Coyotes (and Friends)

   Episode 3

   Show notes

   The coyotes are coming, and they're bringing friends. Tune in to KMUN in Astoria, Oregon on Fridays at 12:01 before Science Fridays for some fun ecology lessons.

   Nov 22, 2025 5 min

3. The Wrack

   Episode 2

   Show notes

   No pristine white beach here in the Pacific Northwest! We've got a whole colony of activity feeding off all that bull kelp and drift wood. Tune in to KMUN in Astoria for more episodes of The Littoral Zone Fridays at noon, just before Science Fridays.

   Nov 22, 2025 5 min

4. Pyrosomes - Secret Code Name: Sea Pickles

   Episode 5

   Show notes

   What are these things showing up all over the beach lately? The stealth submarines are filled with individual zooids, tune in to The Littoral Zone on KMUN Fridays at 12:01 find out more!

   Dec 13, 2025 5 min

5. Call Me by My Name; The Gull

   Episode 6

   Show notes

   Our highly misunderstood shorebird, the Gull. That's right folks, drop the 'Sea' 'cause these birds can't be caged by your random titles! Tune in to KMUN in Astoria, Oregon on Fridays at 12:01 to learn more about these iconic thieves.

   Dec 20, 2025 5 min

6. The Mermaid's Purse: The egg case of a Skate

   Episode 7

   Show notes

   Something new is washing up on our shores of late, and you might be lucky to find one! Tune into KMUN at 91.9 FM Astoria this Friday for your 5 minute dose of NW Coastal Ecology.

   Dec 27, 2025 5 min

7. Cetaceans (Whales)

   Episode 8

   Show notes

   It's whale watching season on the North Pacific coast, strap on some knowledge and grab your binoculars!

   Jan 10, 2026 5 min

8. Dungeness Crab

   Episode 9

   Show notes

   Not just a tasty meal, Dungeness Crab is an important component of a our well-regulated fishingindustry. Tune into KMUN at 91.9 FM in Astoria to learn about Pacific NW ecology.

   Jan 17, 2026 5 min

9. Sea Stars (A.K.A. Starfish)

   Episode 11

   Show notes

   Did you think human digestion was complicated? Tune in to KMUN 91.9 FM in Astoria, Oregon to learn about the unique digestive practices of those cute little Starfish!

   Jan 31, 2026 5 min

10. The Pelican Brief

    Episode 1

    Show notes

    Dive bombing? Check. Bratty babies? Check. Cooperative flying pattern? Check.

    Come learn about the beautiful Brown Pelicans that grace our amazing coast. Listen in on KMUN radio in Astoria, Oregon on 91.9 FM.

    Jan 31, 2026 5 min

11. Giant Pacific Octopus

    Episode 12

    Show notes

    5 minutes of informative fun about these highly intelligent sea creatures that are masters of disguise. Tune into the Littoral Zone on Astoria's KMUN Community radio @ 91.9 FM Fridays at 12:01Pm

    Feb 7, 2026 5 min

12. Steller Sea Lions

    Episode 10

    Show notes

    They're large, they're loud, and they are an important addition to our Pacific Northwest shores!. Tune in to hear some fun facts about our Pacific Northwest Steller Sea lions.

    Feb 7, 2026 5 min

13. Owls

    Episode 13

    Show notes

    Did you think you need a chiropractor? Try being an owl! With fixed eyes, that neck rotation takes on a whole new level of necessity...Tune in to KMUN 91.9 FM in Astoria Oregon Fridays at 12:01 PM to get your 5 minutes of Pacific Northwest ecology!

    Feb 14, 2026 5 min

14. Grebes a.k.a. 'The Fonz of Waterbirds'

    Episode 14

    Show notes

    Beautiful and silent as they dive seamlessly into the water to hunt for prey,,,take away the water, not so much! Tune into KMUN 91.9 in Astoria, Oregon on Fridays at 12:01 PM for your 5 minute dose of Pacific Northwest ecology.

    Feb 21, 2026 5 min

15. Bats!

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    Save the Tequila! Without their specialized pollination for the agave plant, no tequila for you! Learn this an much more in this 5 minute ecology lesson from Mari Ana Trench.

    Feb 28, 2026 5 min

16. Geronimo Beavers

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    Sometimes, when someone thinks you're stinking up the neighborhood, they go to extreme measures!

    Mar 7, 2026 5 min

17. Velella Velella By the Wind Sailors

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    Every year, these tenacious sea sailors wash up on our Pacific Northwest shores to panic beach goers.., listen in to learn more about our own 'prophylactics of the sea'-Velella Velella!

    Mar 14, 2026 5 min

1. Whale Watching in Spring-Humpbacks

   Show notes

   They're baaackkk! And they're bringing their newborn calves with them. Tune in to KMUN in Astoria at 91.9 FM for your 5 minute dose of Pacific Northwest Ecology Fridays at 12:01Pm.

   Mar 21, 2026 5 min

Season 1

1. Tufted Puffins

   Episode 19

   Show notes

   That beak's doing a lot more than catching eyes! Tune into KMUN 91.9 FM Astoria on Friday's at 12:01 PM to soak up 5 minutes of Pacific NW ecology!

   Apr 4, 2026 5 min

2. Raccoons A.K.A. Trash Pandas

   Episode 20

   Show notes

   There's a lot of brain power out there tearing up your trash! Listen in for 5 minutes of coastal ecology with The Littoral Zone from KMUN 91.9 FM in Astoria, Oregon

   Apr 18, 2026 5 min