Under the Canopy – Détails, épisodes et analyse

A single “kind” release can rewrite a whole ecosystem. We open with hard‑won lessons from a deep bush chaga trip—gear that saved the day, how to improvise repairs miles from a road, and the thrill of spotting brook trout in a stream you could step over—then pivot to what really threatens our waters: invasive species carried by trade and well‑intentioned pet owners.

Katie Church, Aquatic Invasive Plant Coordinator at the Invasive Species Centre, joins us to break down the European water chestnut story in clear, practical terms. You’ll learn how to identify those floating rosettes, why the barbed seeds are a hazard, and how manual removal by canoe works when communities act early. We also dig into reporting tools like EDDMapS, Ontario’s Invasive Species Act, and the outreach power behind the Don’t Let It Loose campaign.

From there, we tackle the pet pipeline. Goldfish don’t stay small in stormwater ponds; they grow large, stir up sediment, block sunlight, reduce oxygen, and set the stage for algae blooms. Red‑eared sliders compete with native turtles already under pressure. Marbled crayfish can clone themselves, meaning one escape can spark a population. We share smart, humane alternatives—rehoming through retailers, aquarist groups, sanctuaries, and schools—so you never face a release decision at the water’s edge.

If you care about healthy lakes, clean shorelines, native fish, and vibrant wetlands, this conversation gives you the field knowledge and the civic tools to make a difference today. Learn the signs, report what you see, and help stop the next introduction before it starts. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves the outdoors, and leave a quick review to help more stewards find these resources.

A cold morning, a quiet road, and a plan that starts before the first bootprint—this is how we turn a chaga hunt into a smooth, sustainable system. We map our routes with Starlink-preloaded Google Maps, carry a Garmin as backup, and treat radio specs with skepticism, because terrain always has the last word. When we grid-walk skidder trails, stop for 360 scans, and use binoculars to avoid false marches, we find more chaga with less wandering and far fewer near-misses at dusk.

We dig into the details that make or break a remote harvest: smart footwear that prevents blisters and plantar flare-ups, energy management that favours stepping around obstacles late in the day, and a drying setup that starts the moment we get back to camp. Chaga is heavy after rain, so airflow and racks matter; losing 40 to 55 percent of weight through curing is normal, and preventing mold is nonnegotiable. We cut clean with a hatchet, use climbing spurs when needed, and always leave live tissue on the tree to keep growth going. The result is a steady supply now and a healthier stand next year.

Local knowledge proves priceless. A midweek dump run connects us with neighbours who point out fresh logging cuts, and those roads open up new access to promising birch stands. We trade notes on graders, trenching, snow buntings skimming the hood, and the way cold snaps lock the ground, letting ATVs push deeper with less damage. We also share a listener’s story of switching from coffee to green tea with chaga and seeing blood pressure normalize—a reminder of why people care about this fungus—along with the caveat to consult a physician about personal health choices.

By the time we’re back in the sauna and the generator hums down, the racks are filling, next year’s GPS pins are logged, and we’ve kept our promise to the forest: take only what we need, harvest with care, and return with better eyes each season. If you love foraging, backcountry systems, or the calm confidence that comes from a good plan, hit follow, share this episode with a friend who needs safer field tactics, and leave a quick review so others can find the show.

A torrential downpour transforms into a months-long nightmare when Garrett's Calgary townhouse floods during roof repairs, leaving him battling property managers, mold remediation, and "livable" conditions in a half-wrecked home. But this construction worker's story runs deeper than personal housing woes – it offers a fascinating window into Alberta's explosive building boom.

From his vantage point on construction sites across Calgary and Edmonton, Garrett reveals the scale of development reshaping the province. Hundreds of homes, multi-story apartment complexes, and commercial spaces are sprouting across the landscape, transforming the "Blue Sky City" that paradoxically experienced a "Vancouver summer" of near-constant rainfall this year.

The conversation ventures into the engineering marvels hidden within modern buildings as Garrett explains the complex mechanics of "transfer slabs" – specialized structures designed to distribute weight and accommodate seismic activity between commercial and residential sections. With 18,000 "hairpins" connecting top and bottom mats in a single building, these unseen elements exemplify the overengineering principle Garrett describes: "We build stuff in Canada to 100 times its capacity."

Looking northward, Garrett shares his applications for mining projects in Ontario's "Ring of Fire" and potential gold operations in Canada's territories, where soaring prices are making previously unprofitable deposits economically viable. The unpredictable nature of his profession means opportunity could call at any moment, sending him to a remote diamond mine in Nunavut with little notice.

Join us for this revealing glimpse into the construction frontlines, where personal resilience meets professional expertise, and where Canada's future is being built one transfer slab at a time.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, I am joined by Bev Delenardo, a Master Gardener from Bobcaygeon, Ontario.

On this week’s show, we’re going to learn all about preserving high-acid vs. low-acid recipes, accounting for altitude, and how to tell if something has spoiled.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, Jerry is joined by Sean Kuzenko from Buckingham Meats.

On this week’s show, we’re going to learn all about how to safely handle and process game meat, what happens to animals that are not recovered quickly, and best practices for home butchering. 

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, Jerry is joined by Bruce Ranta of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

On this week’s show, we’re going to learn all about forest practices, Ontario’s elk introduction, and the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease.

Today, on Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, Jerry is joined by Ted Chudleigh of Chudleigh’s Apple Farms.

On this week’s show, we’re going to learn all about the history of one of Canada’s oldest apple operations, how to avoid common apple tree diseases, and how to get the most from your apple trees.

So join me today for another great episode and hopefully, we can inspire a few more people to live their lives Under The Canopy…

Today on Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, Jerry is joined by Bev Delenardo, a Master Gardener from Bobcaygeon, Ontario.

On this week’s show, we’re going to learn all about fall and winter garden maintenance, why store-bought vegetables rarely sprout, and some tips for keeping your eggs fresh longer.

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, we're looking at soap making in our second edition of Harvest Time!

Join me today as I give you a brief history of soap making, some key ingredients for homemade soap, and everything you need for getting started in making soap for yourself!

This week on Outdoor Journal Radio's Under the Canopy podcast, I am joined by my son, Garrett Ouellette.

On this week’s show, we’re going to learn all about BC’s fire evacuations, chainsaw maintenance, how to properly age your firewood, and how to select the best wood for your next fire.