14. Interpreting the Wild with Dave Martin

(Recorded March 2025) What does it mean to interpret a wild space—and why does it matter? In this episode, we speak with Dave Martin, a Los Angeles-based artist, filmmaker, and educator whose work explores how we interpret place, image, and meaning. Dave is currently the artist-in-residence at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve, home to the Elize Clifford Interpretive Center in Lancaster, California. As both the resident artist at the Preserve and co-founder of Artist In Residence (A.I.R.) in the Antelope Valley, Dave shares how art, storytelling, and signage can deepen our connection to the natural world. From the exhibits inside the Interpretive Center to the open desert trails, Dave explains how creative interpretation fosters curiosity, care, and a sense of stewardship for these wild spaces. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about the artist’s role as interpreter—and how that lens can shape the way we understand and protect the land around us.