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Exploring "Observational Ecology" with Alán Ruiz Berman

vaquita in water hero
Paula Olson/NOAA
The vaquita is a critically endangered porpoise that lives in the northern part of the Sea of Cortez. It is considered the smallest and most endangered cetacean in the world.

Cover image: The vaquita is a critically endangered porpoise that lives in the northern part of the Sea of Cortez. It is considered the smallest and most endangered cetacean in the world. Credit: Paula Olson, NOAA.

Exploring "Observational Ecology" with Alán Ruiz Berman

Featured on the July 17th, 2025 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • Meet some of the cast and crew from Spotlight Community Theater. It’s a place where people of all ages can learn about the performing arts, with no experience required. The group is presenting a new murder mystery called “How I Would Have Done It!” from July 24th to the 26th.

  • There’s something very powerful about a single voice sharing a true story. It gives a chance for the storyteller to let their personality shine, and forge new connections with anyone who takes the time to listen. In support of this important community tradition, Arizona Spotlight features a different storyteller on the third Thursday of every month. Our storyteller for this month is Alán Ruiz Berman. He is an artist, scientist and fan of the outdoors, who encourages everyone to pay more attention to their surrounding environment.

  • And, following a tragic illness that resulted in multiple amputations, find out how a local middle-school teacher and mother of two rebuilt her life. With support from her family, co-workers and students, she is now returning to doing the things she loves.

Arizona Spotlight
Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Friday at 8:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.

Webpage by Zoe Juliano.

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Mark McLemore is the host of Arizona Spotlight on NPR 89.1, a weekly radio show with a very wide beat.