Explore every episode of the podcast Backyard Ecology
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldenrod Geek-out! What You Need to Know About This Ecological Powerhouse! | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:58:00 | |
Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about how goldenrods (Solidago sp.) are keystone species and all the ecological roles that they play. We also touch on some of the evolving discussions and potential unintended consequences related to the native plant movement.
3 things you'll learn from this episode
Today's guest Sam Hoadley is the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center where he evaluates native plant species, old and new cultivars, and hybrids in the Trial Garden.
Resources:
Thank you! We want to say a big "Thank you!" to all our financial supporters who help us provide free educational content about the plants, pollinators, and wildlife that can be found in our yards and communities.
Join our financial supporters in helping us produce free content for everyone. It doesn't take much if we all work together. If everyone who hears this contributed just $2-3 / month (or the cost of one bottle of soda / month), we would be able to produce a whole year's worth of videos, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, and other free content. Ways to contribute include:
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| Simple Ways to Help Eastern Bluebirds | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:36:56 | |
Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss simple ways that anyone can help eastern bluebirds. Our discussion is based off her recently published research looking at the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. You can find our discussion of her research and its results in episode 115.
3 things you'll learn from this episode
Today's guest Ashley Kennedy is an entomologist who recently published her research on what eastern bluebird nestlings eat.
Resources:
* affiliate link – We receive a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.
Thank you! We want to say a big "Thank you!" to all our financial supporters who help us provide free educational content about the plants, pollinators, and wildlife that can be found in our yards and communities.
Join our financial supporters in helping us produce free content for everyone. It doesn't take much if we all work together. If everyone who hears this contributed just $2-3 / month (or the cost of one bottle of soda / month), we would be able to produce a whole year's worth of videos, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, and other free content. Ways to contribute include:
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| New Research Reveals Diet of Baby Eastern Bluebirds | 07 May 2026 | 00:29:29 | |
Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss the results of her research on the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. Ashley used GoPro cameras located on active bluebird nestboxes to take pictures of what eastern bluebirds were bringing back to the nest to feed their young. Over the course of several seasons, she obtained over 8,000 pictures which clearly showed food being brought back to the nest.
3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Today's guest Ashley Kennedy is an entomologist who recently published her research on what eastern bluebird nestlings eat.
Resources:
Thank you! We want to say a big "Thank you!" to all our financial supporters who help us provide free educational content about the plants, pollinators, and wildlife that can be found in our yards and communities.
Join our financial supporters in helping us produce free content for everyone. It doesn't take much if we all work together. If everyone who hears this contributed just $2-3 / month (or the cost of one bottle of soda / month), we would be able to produce a whole year's worth of videos, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, and other free content. Ways to contribute include:
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| More than just a forest: Our surprisingly diverse eastern ecosystems | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:21:52 | |
Summary The general impression that many people have is that prior to European settlement the whole eastern U.S. was one giant old growth forest. But that wasn't the case. Using an interdisciplinary approach, researchers over the last several decades have discovered that the eastern U.S. was instead interspersed with a surprising number of diverse ecosystems – only one of which was old growth forest.
3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Additional Resources:
* affiliate link – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology content. We appreciate your support.
Backyard Ecology™ resources:
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| How to Be Successful with Your Habitat Goals | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:10:25 | |
Summary When it comes to creating habitat, having a written set of goals can be extremely helpful in moving a task from the "I'll get to it someday" category to the "I'm actually going to get this done" category. But all too often, those goals end up being forgotten or abandoned, which can leave us feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and defeated. In this episode, I share how Anthony and I have experienced those same feelings because we've made the same goal-setting mistakes that everyone else makes. Then I'll show you how I've overcome those mistakes and am now able to create realistic habitat goals that are much more likely to be successful and help me achieve our habitat dreams. I also tell you about a special event which will be starting on January 12, 2026. 3 things you'll learn from this episode
Backyard Ecology™ resources
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Short's aster: A beautiful late season extravaganza for pollinators | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:07:24 | |
Summary Late blooming native plants are crucial sources of pollen and nectar for pollinators. One of my favorite species that blooms in October, and often into early November, is Short's aster (Symphyotrichum shortii). 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Resources mentioned:
* affiliate link – We get paid a small commission for purchases made through this link, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through affiliate links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support. Other Backyard Ecology™ resources:
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| The Science Behind "Leave the Leaves" | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:47:52 | |
Summary "Leave the leaves" has become an increasingly common mantra each fall. However, until recently little to no scientific research had been done to quantify impacts of leaving your leaves in a typical suburban yard. We discuss the results of that research and actionable steps that you can take in your own yard. Today's guest Dr. Max Ferlauto is the State Entomologist for the Maryland Natural Heritage Program. He recently conducted research to quantify the impact of leaving our leaves in our yards. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Bonus content Resources Max mentioned:
Other Backyard Ecology™ resources: Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Black-eyed Susan: A must-have for the pollinator garden | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:09:04 | |
Summary Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a beautiful native plant that can be found throughout most of the eastern U.S. and makes a great addition to pollinator and native plant gardens. It can grow in a variety of sunny to mostly sunny conditions and will provide instant gratification in the form of bright yellow flowers the first year. Those flowers will benefit a wide variety of butterflies, bees, flower flies, and seed-eating insects. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Other Backyard Ecology™ resources: Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| A Bad Naturalist's Journey to Restore a Mountaintop Meadow | 11 Sep 2025 | 01:22:44 | |
Summary Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges she faced, lessons she's learned, and exciting discoveries she's made along the way. Whether you're managing a small backyard or large acreage, Paula's story provides valuable insights and motivation for fostering pollinator and wildlife habitat. Today's guest Paula Whyman is an avid nature enthusiast and the author of the book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Resources Paula mentioned:
* affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support. Other Backyard Ecology™ resources Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to Eastern U.S. Gardens | 28 Aug 2025 | 00:13:24 | |
Summary Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native plants for attracting hummingbirds to gardens in the eastern U.S. 3 things you'll learn from this episode
Other Backyard Ecology™ resources
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Gardening for Moths: Why It's Important for Backyard Conservation | 07 Aug 2025 | 01:11:36 | |
Summary In this episode, we focus on the fascinating world of moths and why gardening for moths is so im-portant for any backyard ecologist. We also talk about specific native plants grow to attract moths, simple ways to observe moths, practical tips for photographing moths at night, and much more. From pollination by fuzzy moth eyeballs to carnivorous moth caterpillars, this episode is full of sto-ries and information you won't want to miss.
Jim McCormac is an author, photographer, and conservationist. He worked for the Ohio Depart-ment of Natural Resources for 31 years as a botanist, and later specializing in wildlife diversity pro-jects for the Division of Wildlife. Jim has authored or co-authored several books including Garden-ing for Moths: A Regional Guide.
* affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.
Other Backyard Ecology resources
Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| 9 Native Blueberries You Can Grow in the Home Landscape | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:14:29 | |
Summary Our native Vacciniums, what we commonly call the blueberries, are keystone plants which support tons of pollinators and wildlife. They also produce yummy berries which we can eat. In this episode, we talk about 9 species that are native to at least some part of the eastern U.S., and are relatively easy to find for sale at native plant nurseries. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Other Backyard Ecology™ resources Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Choose the Best Native Milkweed for Your Eastern U.S. Garden | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:19:34 | |
Summary Milkweeds are a common component of butterfly and pollinator gardens. Not only are they important for monarch caterpillars, but they are also used by a wide variety of pollinators. There are lots of different species of milkweed that are native to the eastern U.S. and have the potential to work really well in home gardens. In this episode we discuss 10 species that are native to most of the eastern U.S. and responsible ways to obtain those species. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Other Backyard Ecology™ resources:
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Laurel Wilt: How Tiny Beetles Can Kill Huge Trees | 12 Jun 2025 | 01:17:55 | |
Summary In this episode, we dive deep into Laurel Wilt Disease which is a vascular wilt disease affecting trees in the Lauraceae family, such as sassafras, spicebush, and redbay. We discuss its history, how it spreads, ecological and cultural impacts of the disease, current management options, and challenges associated with managing the disease. We also explore potential future research directions and highlight the important role that each of us can play in monitoring for the disease and slowing its spread. Today's guest Dr. Albert, Bud, Mayfield is a Research Entomologist with the Southern Research Station of the USDA Forest Service. He has been studying and working with Laurel Wilt Disease since the mid-2000s. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Bonus content:
Other Backyard Ecology resources:
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Virginia strawberry: A Beautiful, Tasty, and Underutilized Native Groundcover | 29 May 2025 | 00:06:07 | |
Summary The Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is our most widespread native wild strawberry in the eastern U.S. It supports a wide range of pollinators and wildlife. It can also make an amazing groundcover in a native plant garden. However, this is not the wild strawberry that most people find growing in their yards and garden beds. 3 things you'll learn from this episode
Other helpful Backyard Ecology™ resources: Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
If you would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we invite you to join the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Because while there's lots of great "big picture" information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. There are far fewer opportunities to say, "This is what I want to do. This is what I'm struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?" That's part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/ | |||
| Ironweed's Beauty and Ecological Value in Your Garden: Mt. Cuba's Vernonia Trial | 15 May 2025 | 00:57:06 | |
Summary Each fall, the beautiful, rich, purple blooms of ironweeds (Vernonia spp.) grace fields and open areas throughout much of the eastern U.S. They are an ecological powerhouse for pollinators and wildlife, including a specialist bee. Ironweeds can make amazing additions to our native plant gardens where they serve as biodiversity magnets. In this episode, we discuss Mt. Cuba Center's Vernonia Report which includes information about how multiple ironweed species performed in the garden trials, the importance of garden soils and conditions to plant growth and health, how plant health can impact pollinator use, and potential management techniques.
Today's guest Sam Hoadley is the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center where he evaluates native plant species, old and new cultivars, and hybrids in the Trial Garden.
Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Eastern Carpenter Bees: How to Peacefully Co-exist and Why They Are Important | 01 May 2025 | 00:15:14 | |
Summary While carpenter bees get a bad rap, they are also important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their bad reputation can also sometimes be overblown. So, let's talk a little bit about carpenter bees, why they are important, and how to discourage them from nesting in places where you don't want them.
3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Other helpful Backyard Ecology™ resources: Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
If you would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we invite you to join the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Because while there's lots of great "big picture" information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. There are far fewer opportunities to say, "This is what I want to do. This is what I'm struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?" That's part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/ | |||
| Doug Tallamy's Habitat Restoration Story and How You Can Help Save Nature | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:49:08 | |
Summary Dr. Doug Tallamy shares the story of how he and his wife transformed their newly built home located on a former hayfield into a thriving forest ecosystem. We talk about how they got started, their struggles along the way, the habitat wins they've celebrated, and what his next steps are for his property. He also shares what he's most excited about, his thoughts on creating habitat that you can maintain as you get older, information about his newest book, and much more. Today's guest Dr. Doug Tallamy has been an entomologist at the University of Delaware for 44 years and is the author of such well-known books as Bringing Nature Home, Nature's Best Hope, and The Nature of Oaks. His newest book is How Can I Help?: Saving Nature with Your Yard. He is also the co-founder of Homegrown National Parks.
* affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
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| Darkness Matters: Light Pollution's Threats and Simple Ways to Help | 03 Apr 2025 | 00:10:42 | |
Summary Darkness is a vital, and often overlooked, component of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, we're losing it to light pollution. Decreasing the light pollution around your home will not only benefit the environment but will also benefit you because you'll be able to see better without all the excess glare and will save money because you aren't paying to light up the sky. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
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| BirdCast: Revealing the Mysteries of Bird Migration | 20 Mar 2025 | 01:14:25 | |
Summary Today's guest 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Resources Andrew mentioned: Other Backyard Ecology resources: Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| How to Do Spring Garden Cleanup for Pollinators and Wildlife | 06 Mar 2025 | 00:10:46 | |
Summary As gardeners, it's common to get the gardening itch in late winter and early spring. The temptation to finish cleaning up our gardens during this time is a natural temptation. However, when doing your spring garden cleanup, it's important to remember why you didn't do those activities in the fall. Remembering that can help you choose what to do and when so that you can best support the pollinators and wildlife that visit your property. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Other Backyard Ecology resources:
Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Get customized help There are lots of great "big picture" information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. But, there are far fewer opportunities to say, "This is what I want to do. This is what I'm struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?" That's part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. If you live in the eastern U.S. and would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we invite you to join the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/ | |||
| Exploring the Fascinating World of Ground Nesting Bees | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:46:48 | |
Summary Ground nesting bees represent a significant portion of our native bee population, yet they often go unnoticed due to their solitary nature and unique nesting habits. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ground nesting bees and how we can get involved in their study and conservation. Today's guest Dr. Jordan Kueneman is a research associate in the Danforth lab of Entomology at Cornell University. He is also the creator of the Ground Nesting Bee project on iNaturalist where he is collecting observations of ground-nesting bee aggregations. 3 things you'll learn from this episode:
Bonus content: Resources Jordan mentioned: Other Backyard Ecology resources: Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| How to Attract More Birds to Your Yard | 06 Feb 2025 | 00:08:25 | |
Summary When someone decides they want to attract birds to their yard, often the first thing they do is put up a birdfeeder (or two). It's what we did when I was a kid, and it's what countless other people I know have done. There's nothing wrong with putting out a birdfeeder. They're a great way to bring the birds to locations where it's easy for us to watch them. But, if you want to attract more birds (and better care for the ones you are already attracting), then you need to take more of an ecosystem approach. As an added bonus, you'll also attract and provide for other wildlife and pollinators – something bird feeders alone will never accomplish. 3 things you'll learn from this episode
Other Backyard Ecology resources Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Get help If you would like personalized help creating your own pollinator and wildlife habitat, then we encourage you to check out the Backyard Ecology™ Community. Because there's lots of great "big picture" information available about creating pollinator gardens or larger habitats for pollinators and wildlife. But, what's lacking are opportunities to say, "This is what I want to do. This is what I'm struggling with. How do I make it work on my property?" That's part of what the Backyard Ecology™ Community offers its members every day. Learn more: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/ | |||
| From Suburban Yard to Wildlife Haven: Amanda's Story | 23 Jan 2025 | 00:43:13 | |
Summary Amanda shares the journey she and her husband have taken to transform their small, suburban yard into a vibrant habitat for birds and pollinators. We discuss the various projects they've undertaken, the challenges of DIY landscaping, the importance of community support, and the positive reactions from neighbors and family. Their story shows how creating wildlife habitat can benefit both the environment and the property owners' well-being. Amanda encourages others to start small, focus on native plants, and seek community support to achieve similar successes. Today's guest Amanda is a mom, medical writer, former biomedical researcher, and nature enthusiast who lives in middle Tennessee on a small, suburban lot. I met Amanda about a year ago when she joined a small group coaching program we were offering in the Backyard Ecology™ Community. She dove right in and continued as community member after the coaching program was done. 3 things you'll learn from this episode
Bonus content Resources Amanda mentioned Other Backyard Ecology resources Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| We're back! | 09 Jan 2025 | 00:03:26 | |
Summary Going forward, in addition to the traditional audio version of the podcast episodes, there will also be a video version available for the episodes with guests. The video version will be available on the Backyard Ecology™ YouTube channel.
Links and Resources
Thank You Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from. | |||
| Top 10 Backyard Ecology Podcast Episodes: October 1, 2022 – October 1, 2023 | 28 Dec 2023 | 00:13:07 | |
I can't believe that 2023 is almost over! This year has flown by! For the past several weeks, I've been doing top 10 roundups of the different types of Backyard Ecology content. We've talked about the videos, the blog articles, and the nature trivia style shorts. So, let's wrap it up with a rundown of the top 10 podcast episodes of the year. 🦋 9b) Everything You Want to Know About Nesting Birds with NestWatch 🦋 9a) Birding Tools and Technology to Help You Be a Better Birder 🦋 8) Exploring Urban Ecology: Understanding and Appreciating Nature Where We Live 🦋 7) Why Are Invasive Species Something You Should Care About? 🦋 6) Moths: Unsung Heroes of Pollination and Beyond 🦋 5) Gardening with Sedges - Mt. Cuba Center Carex Trial 🦋 4) How Can Your State's Native Plant Society Help You? 🦋 3) Learning to See and Identify Plants with Alan Weakley 🦋 2) Ecology Based Landscaping with Larry Weaner 🦋 1) Growing Native Plants, Insect-Plant Interactions, Playing in the Pond, and Much More with Dr. Randi Eckel 🦋 Bonus: Gardening with Native Plants Other Episode Relevant Links: 🦋 Garden Revolution https://amzn.to/3Ckbp6F * Amazon links are affiliate links. We get a small commission from Amazon if you use them, but this comes at no cost to you. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology
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| Top 10 Backyard Ecology "Shorts" | 21 Dec 2023 | 00:04:42 | |
Did you know that in addition to the regular Backyard Ecology videos that Anthony creates, he also produces a series of nature-trivia style short videos? Most of these videos are literally only a few seconds long so are perfect "bite-sized" samples if you're just getting started or are looking for something to watch for a few seconds on your phone. So, let's quickly run through the top 10 Backyard Ecology shorts based on number of views as of Thanksgiving 2023. Since the videos are so short, I'm just going to list the titles and let your curiosity decide whether to follow the link and explore further. 🦋 10) Caterpillar's Poop Stick Defense! https://youtube.com/shorts/R_mMaD2TadU Bonus Other Episode-Related Links 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology
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| Top 10 Backyard Ecology Blog Articles: October 2022 - October 2023 | 14 Dec 2023 | 00:10:44 | |
I always like to do roundups of the top 10 blog articles and top 10 podcast episodes at the end of every year because I know how easy it is to miss stuff. Sometimes we have the best intentions to go back and read or listening to something, but other things come up and then we forget. So, it can be helpful to have a reminder at the end of the year for some of those articles that we might have missed. Top 10 Backyard Ecology Blog Articles Bonus: Most downloaded Backyard Ecology blog article of all time 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology
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| Top 10 Backyard Ecology Videos | 07 Dec 2023 | 00:08:38 | |
Did you know that we have a Backyard Ecology YouTube channel? If you're like many of the blog readers and podcast listeners who responded to our 2023 end-of-year survey, then answer is "probably not." If you are one of our frequent viewers, thank you for coming on this journey with us. We enjoy reading all your comments on the videos. If you haven't discovered the Backyard Ecology YouTube channel, then I encourage you to check it out. To get you started, here are the top 10 Backyard Ecology videos based on the number of views as of Thanksgiving 2023. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/top-10-videos/ 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Episode related links: 🦋 YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/backyardecology Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology
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| Tips and Tricks for Growing Prairie Plants in Your Native Plant Garden | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:54:05 | |
Did you know that for many of our most commonly grown native wildflowers and grasses, 2/3 or more of the plant is underground in the form of roots? Or that you can reduce weeding requirements in your native plant garden by understanding the root systems of different plants that you are growing? Or that there is now a resource that can help you avoid mistaking a native plant in your garden as a weed and accidentally pulling it? Today, we are talking to Hilary Cox and Neil Diboll. They are the authors of the newly published book, The Gardener's Guide to Prairie Plants. Neil is also the president and consulting ecologist of Prairie Nursery, located in Wisconsin. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/growing-prairie-plants 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Episode related links: 🦋 Hilary's email: crumpetlee@gmail.com Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net
🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology | |||
| Resharing Your Favorites: Winter Hummingbirds | 16 Nov 2023 | 00:59:25 | |
Did you know that some hummingbirds will overwinter in the eastern U.S.? These aren't our normal ruby throated hummingbirds that visit our feeders and yards all summer long. These are often western species of hummingbirds, like the rufus hummingbird. Winter hummingbirds aren't common, and they become less common the further you are from the southern coastal plains; however, they aren't unique either. I can tell you from personal experience that it is SOOOO much fun to host one if you're lucky enough to have one show up on your property. I originally recorded this conversation with Brainard Palmer-Ball in the fall of 2021. Brainard is a retired zoologist from the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves and is the person who banded my winter hummingbird when it showed up over a decade ago. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/reshare-winter-hummingbirds Until next week I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your yard and community. 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Episode related links: 🦋 Operation Ruby Throat: http://www.rubythroat.org/ Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology | |||
| Fall Cleanup in the Pollinator and Wildlife Garden: A Comprehensive Guide to What You Need to Know and Do | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:14:59 | |
When gardening with native plants for pollinators and wildlife, much of the traditional fall cleanup for gardens is not only unnecessary but could be detrimental. And if you don't have to do all that fall cleanup, you'll have more time to kick back and enjoy the everchanging natural wonders around you. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/fall-cleanup/ Until next week I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your yard and community. 🌻 🌻 🌻 If you're listening to this in November 2023, please help us by taking our end-of-the-year survey. The survey's results will help guide our plans for Backyard Ecology content and programs in 2024. This is your chance to tell us what topics you would like to hear more about and share any feedback you have with us. The link for the survey is: 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Episode related links: 🦋 Why WEED is a Huge Problem for Native Plants! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXTeYtN0Z_Q Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology | |||
| Resharing Your Favorites: Gardening with Native Plants | 05 Oct 2023 | 01:03:07 | |
Did you know that common milkweed isn't native to Georgia? Or that there are many native plants which can be grown in large pots on a patio or balcony? Or that some simple "cues to care" can significantly change how a native plant garden is perceived by others? I originally recorded this conversation with Jennifer Ceska in the spring of 2022. A year and a half later it is, by far, my most downloaded episode to date. We had an amazing conversation that covered a wide range of topics related to gardening with native plants. So, I thought I would reshare it with the transcript so that those who missed it the first time or who prefer to read the transcripts can enjoy it too. Jennifer is a Conservation Coordinator with the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia, Athens. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/reshare-gardening-with-native-plants Until next week I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your yard and community. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Anthony and I have been exploring new ways to better serve you. Our group coaching programs have evolved out of our desire to help you and other members of our Backyard Ecology audience in a deeper, more personal way. These are offered on a seasonal basis and are designed to address some of our most asked questions in a way that allows you to ask questions and get personalized feedback for your unique situation. If you want to learn more about our group coaching programs, go to https://www.backyardecology.net/group-coaching/. And, if you're listening to this episode shortly after it goes live and want help designing your pollinator and wildlife garden, then you're in luck. Our next group coaching program, Design Your Pollinator and Wildlife Oasis: Garden-sized Plots, starts in just a few days. But don't wait, registration closes on October 9, 2023, and we don't plan to offer this specific group coaching program again until at least the summer of 2024. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Episode Links: 🦋 Jennifer's email: jceska@uga.edu 🦋 Best Milkweed for Georgia Gardens brochure: https://botgarden.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/milkweedinformation.pdf 🦋 State Botanical Garden of Georgia: https://botgarden.uga.edu/ 🦋 Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance: https://botgarden.uga.edu/conservation-science/georgia-plant-conservation-alliance/ 🦋 Georgia Native Plant Initiative: https://botgarden.uga.edu/conservation-science/georgia-native-plant-initiative/ 🦋 Connect to Protect: https://botgarden.uga.edu/conservation-science/connect-to-protect/ 🦋 Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year Program: https://botgarden.uga.edu/conservation-science/pollinator-plant-program/ 🦋 Georgia Grasslands Initiative iNaturalist project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/georgia-grasslands-initiative-ggi
Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ 🦋 Backyard Ecology Community: https://www.backyardecology.net/community/ 🦋 Group coaching: https://www.backyardecology.net/group-coaching/
Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net 🦋 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/backyardecology 🦋 Blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/blog/
Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology 🦋 Make a one-time donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=K7F3HJLJT9F8N
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| The Secret to Building a Thriving Backyard Ecosystem: Embracing "It Depends" | 20 Sep 2023 | 00:09:19 | |
"It depends" is often the most accurate and expert answer that you can give to questions related to biology and ecology. Granted, it can be a frustrating answer because we all love simple, straightforward answers. But once you understand the true meaning of "it depends," it becomes a very liberating answer, especially when it comes to creating pollinator and wildlife habitat. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/it-depends Until next week I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your yard and community. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Are you looking for a supportive place where you can ask questions, celebrate your accomplishments, gain encouragement when you're feeling discouraged, and have fun geeking out about nature? Then we encourage you to check out the Backyard Ecology Community. The Backyard Ecology Community is a membership community for people in the eastern U.S. who love nature and want to transform their yards and communities into ecosystems that support pollinators and wildlife. Learn more at: www.backyardecology.net/community. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. 🌻 🌻 🌻 Become a Backyard Ecologist: 🦋 The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Backyard Ecology content: 🦋 Website: https://backyardecology.net Support Backyard Ecology: 🦋 Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology
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| Building Thriving Ecosystems and Exploring Nature in Your Backyard with Backyard Ecology | 12 Sep 2023 | 00:10:36 | |
Over the last 6-8 months, we've been working hard to make Backyard Ecology even better and to implement new ways to help people on an even deeper level. I am so excited because I can finally share some of what we've been working on! The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/building-thriving-ecosystems-and-exploring-nature-in-your-backyard/ Links to become a Backyard Ecologist:
General Backyard Ecology links:
We want to meet you where you are at in your ecological journey and be there for you as your needs change. That's why we offer multiple ways to join us and become a Backyard Ecologist. To see all the ways that you can connect with us and become a Backyard Ecologist, visit www.backyardecology.net/join.
Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel.
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| The American Goldfinch: A Comprehensive Guide | 25 Aug 2023 | 00:18:38 | |
American goldfinches are beautiful and fascinating songbirds that can be found over most of the continent. Their late nesting season and almost exclusively seed-based diet, even as nestlings, make them unique among our songbirds. They are also easy to attract to our properties. I talk about all those things and much more in this episode. The full transcript, including additional pictures, can be found on the episode's webpage: https://www.backyardecology.net/american-goldfinch/ Incorporating native plants into your landscape is a great way to improve the habitat in your yard for butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds, and just about every other type of animal that visits your property. If you want to learn more about gardening with native plants, then I'd like to give you a free copy of our e-book, An Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants: Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions. Just go to https://www.backyardecology.net/ecoregions/ to request your copy. Until next week I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your yard and community. Episode Links
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| Exploring Urban Ecology: Understanding and Appreciating Nature Where We Live | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:55:25 | |
Did you know that urban ecology doesn't just apply to big cities and towns? Even if you live in a fairly rural area, if there is a lot of interaction between where you live and a nearby town or city then you may fall into the broad category of urban ecology. That means urban ecology is likely to apply to most of us. Today we're talking with Dr. Sarah Gagné. Sarah is the author of the newly published book, Nature at Your Door, Connecting with the Wild and Green in the Urban and Suburban Landscape. She is also an Associate Professor of Landscape Ecology at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. The full transcript of this episode can be found at: https://www.backyardecology.net/exploring-urban-ecology/ Sara's links:
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* * * Get a free copy of our e-book, An Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants: Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions. Just go to www.backyardecology.net/ecoregions to request your copy. * * * Thank you to our supporters on Patreon who go above and beyond each month to financially contribute towards making the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel possible. Thank you also to everyone who has made one-time donations to support the Backyard Ecology blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. | |||
| What Happens When a Tree Gets Blown Over? Discovering New Habitats Created by Fallen Trees | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:12:29 | |
As sad as the loss of a tree can be, there's also an excitement because fallen trees provide many different types of valuable and often overlooked habitats. I talk about some of those habitats in this episode. The full transcript, including additional pictures, can be found on the episode's webpage: https://www.backyardecology.net/what-happens-when-a-tree-gets-blown-over-discovering-new-habitats-created-by-fallen-trees/ Incorporating native plants into your landscape is a great way to improve the habitat in your yard for butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds, and just about every other type of animal that visits your property. If you want to learn more about gardening with native plants, then I'd like to give you a free copy of our e-book, An Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants: Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions. Just go to https://www.backyardecology.net/ecoregions/ to request your copy. Links
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| Moths: Unsung Heroes of Pollination and Beyond | 13 Jul 2023 | 01:02:42 | |
Did you know that there are approximately 10 times more moth species worldwide than there are butterfly species? Or that without moths we would have fewer songbirds, less genetic diversity in many of our native plants, and lower harvests of many popular fruits? Or that creating better moth habitats around our homes also benefits our health and wellbeing? Dr. Elena Tartaglia shares her love of moths, some of the key roles they play in the ecosystem, how helping moths also helps us, and much more. Elena is a co-founder of National Moth Week and a Research Associate at Rutgers University. The full transcript of this episode can be found on the episode's webpage: https://www.backyardecology.net/moths-unsung-heroes-of-pollination-and-beyond/ Get a free copy of our e-book, An Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants: Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions, when you subscribe to our email. Subscribe at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. National Moth Week links:
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| Sometimes Life Happens | 29 Jun 2023 | 00:07:44 | |
I share a story of how Anthony and I had a "life happens" moment on our property over the weekend. My hope is that our story of how "life happened" to us this week can give you a little bit of encouragement, or at least, help you feel not quite so alone the next time life throws a wrench in your plans. The full transcript, including pictures, can be found on the episode's webpage: https://www.backyardecology.net/sometimes-life-happens/ Get a free copy of our e-book, An Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants: Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions, when you subscribe to our email. Subscribe at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. Links
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| Learning to See and Identify Plants with Alan Weakley | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:55:13 | |
If you've ever found a plant that you didn't recognize and wanted to know what it was, then this episode is for you. We talk with Dr. Alan Weakley about learning to observe plants, how to identify plants, why that's important, and some exciting new tools that are available to help us better recognize and appreciate the diversity of plants around us. Alan is the director of the University of North Carolina's Herbarium, which is located at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. He is also the author of the Flora of the Southeastern US and the newly released FloraQuest app. The full transcript of this episode can be found on the episode's webpage: https://www.backyardecology.net/learning-to-see-and-identify-plants-with-alan-weakley/ Get a free copy of our e-book, An Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants: Hardiness Zones and Ecoregions, when you subscribe to our email. Subscribe at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. Episode links:
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| 5 Tips for Attracting Butterflies to Your Yard | 01 Jun 2023 | 00:11:29 | |
I offer five tips to help you attract butterflies to your property. Depending on your property and situation, you may not be able to do all of them. That's ok. If you have a small property, look around you. See what's lacking in your area and try to fill in the gaps. The important thing is to be aware and to do what you can. The full transcript can be found on the episode's webpage: https://www.backyardecology.net/5-tips-for-attracting-butterflies/ We have lots of exciting opportunities planned with Backyard Ecology over the next several months. If you want to keep up with everything going on in the Backyard Ecology world, then please subscribe to our emails. You can do so at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. And when you sign up for our emails, you'll be sent a link to download a free, e-book that explains why our familiar garden zones, aren't important when it comes to gardening with native plants. That's just our way of saying thank you for your interest in Backyard Ecology. Links
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| Gardening with Sedges - Mt. Cuba Center Carex Trial | 18 May 2023 | 00:59:06 | |
Did you know there is a group of native plants which can be highly adaptable, can serve multiple functions in our gardens, and perhaps even be a backbone component to our home landscapes, but which has historically been overlooked for those purposes? This group of native plants is the sedges, or more specifically, members of the genus Carex. In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk with Sam Hoadley about sedges and their use in the home garden and landscape. Sam is the Manager of Horticultural Research at Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware. Recently, Mt. Cuba Center released their Carex trial report. This report evaluated 70 species and cultivars of Carex over 4 years for garden and landscape use in the Mid-Atlantic Region. During our conversation, Sam and I talk about how Mt. Cuba Center's trials are conducted, the importance of sedges / Carex species, how they can be used in the garden or home landscape, and many other topics. Sedges may not produce the colorful, flashy flowers that we often think about and are drawn to when we are picking native plants to use in our home landscapes or pollinator and wildlife gardens, but they are definitely worth considering. Not only do they have their own innate beauty, but they can also serve so many different functions in the garden and landscape – including filling in so called "problem areas" or serving as a potential lawn alternative. We have lots of exciting opportunities planned with Backyard Ecology over the next several months. If you want to keep up with everything going on in the Backyard Ecology world, then please subscribe to our emails. You can do so at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. And when you sign up for our emails, you'll be sent a link to download a free, e-book that explains why our familiar garden zones, aren't important when it comes to gardening with native plants. That's just our way of saying thank you for your interest in Backyard Ecology. Episode Resources:Sam's email: shoadley@mtcubacenter.org Website: https://backyardecology.net Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) | |||
| How Can Your State's Native Plant Society Help You? | 13 Apr 2023 | 01:05:54 | |
Do you want to start growing native plants in your yard, but don't know where to find them? Or maybe you aren't even sure what a native plant is for your area. Or maybe you are in a situation where you can't plant anything right now, but you still want to learn about native plants and enjoy them in the wild. Your state's native plant society may be able to help you in all of these situations. In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we're joined by multiple guests representing native plant societies in different parts of the eastern U.S. Our guests are Randi Eckel from the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, Jeff Nelson from the Kentucky Native Plant Society, and Ellen Honeycutt from the Georgia Native Plant Society. We start our conversation with what seems like a very basic question, "What is a native plant?" As you'll hear, the answers were all similar in their broad sense, but some of the details were a little different. Which of course, led to a conversation about those slight variations in the definitions and why they are important to be aware of when you are talking about native plants. We then dove into talking about native plant societies and what they do. Every native plant society is going to be different and do different things, but they all share a love of native plants, conservation, and education. They also tend to be very accessible and include members of all experience levels – from the person just getting started on their native plant journey all the way to professional botanists with decades of experience. Native plant societies also tend to have lots of educational resources available online for anyone interested in native plants. I highly encourage you to check out your state's native plant society. Links to the Georgia Native Plant Society, Kentucky Native Plant Society, and Native Plant Society of New Jersey are below. I also included a link from the American Horticultural Society's website which lists information for each state's native plant society. On a side note, if you want to keep up with everything going on in the Backyard Ecology world, then please subscribe to our emails. You can do so at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. And when you sign up for our emails, you'll receive a link to download a free e-book that explains why our familiar garden zones don't mean anything when it comes to gardening with native plants. That's just our way of saying thank you for your interest in Backyard Ecology. Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community. Georgia Native Plant Society:Website: https://gnps.org/ Website: https://www.knps.org/ Website: https://www.npsnj.org https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/native-plant-societies/ Backyard Ecology:Growing Native Plants, Insect-Plant Interactions, Playing in the Pond, and Much More with Dr. Randi Eckel: https://www.backyardecology.net/growing-native-plants-insect-plant-interactions-playing-in-the-pond-and-much-more-with-dr-randi-eckel/ Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) | |||
| Birding Tools and Technology to Help You Be a Better Birder | 31 Mar 2023 | 01:09:36 | |
Birding is a fun activity with many different ways you can do it. You can bird by ear and identify birds by their songs. You can look at the birds and identify them that way. You can watch the birds out your window or as you spend time in your yard. Or you can go on trips where birding can be either a side activity or the main purpose of the trip. It really is an activity that pretty much anyone can do in pretty much any location. In this episode, I am joined by James Wheat. James is the President of the Kentucky Ornithological Society. You may also remember him from our conversation a few months ago about the Christmas Bird Count. Once again James shares a wealth of information along with his passion for helping others get involved in birding. Our conversation focuses on birding tools and technology that can be helpful for birders with any experience level. We start our conversation by talking about binoculars, what the numbers mean, and tips about what to look for when purchasing binoculars. Our conversation then moves to a discussion of free birding apps that James really enjoys using. The first birding app that we discuss is Merlin which is in some ways a digital field guide, but can also do so much more. This app can help you identify a bird whether you see it or hear it, and you can access tons of detailed information about that bird. The second app that we talk about is eBird which also has a desktop version. eBird helps you keep track of the birds that you've seen in different locations, let's you see what birds other people have seen in a given location, and is used by scientists to study birds. We wrap up our conversation by talking about the Birding Hotspots website which provides logistical information about parking, trail surfaces, bathrooms, etc. associated with the eBird hotspots. Links to all the resources we talked about can be found on the webpage for this episode. Also, Anthony and I are working on a project that we're very excited about. We're hoping to make an announcement about it very soon, possibly within the next couple of weeks. If you want to be among the first to hear about it, and perhaps participate in our beta trial, then be sure to subscribe to our Backyard Ecology emails. You can do so at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. That'll keep you up to date with everything going on in the Backyard Ecology world. And when you sign up for our emails, you'll also be able to download a free, e-book that explains why our familiar garden zones, don't mean anything when it comes to gardening with native plants. That's just our way of saying thank you for your interest in Backyard Ecology. Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community. Links for James:James' email: james.a.wheat@gmail.com 6 Steps to Choosing a Pair of Binoculars You'll Love: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/six-steps-to-choosing-a-pair-of-binoculars-youll-love/ Website: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org Website: https://ebird.org/home Birding Hotspots: https://birdinghotspots.org Website: https://backyardecology.net American goldfinch | |||
| Everything You Want to Know About Nesting Birds with NestWatch | 16 Mar 2023 | 01:05:53 | |
Do you enjoy having birds nest on your property? Would you like to learn more about what to look for in a nest box to make it the best it can be for your birds? Are you interested in finding out how you can safely monitor your nesting birds and help scientists study nesting birds? In this episode, I am joined by Holly Grant. Holly is the Project Assistant for NestWatch which is a community science program based out of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. We discuss a wide range of topics related to nesting birds including:
Oh! And if you like to put out hanging baskets, but the wrens or other birds always decide that's where they want to nest, then you definitely want to listen to this episode. Towards the end of our conversation, Holly shares a great tip which will allow you to continue watering your plant without disturbing the nest! Also, Anthony and I are working on a project that we're very excited about. We're hoping to make an announcement about it in the next couple of months. If you want to be among the first to hear about it, then be sure to subscribe to our Backyard Ecology emails. You can do so at www.backyardecology.net/subscribe. That'll keep you up to date with everything going on in the Backyard Ecology world And when you sign up for our emails, you'll be able to download a free, e-book that explains why our familiar garden zones don't mean anything when it comes to gardening with native plants. That's just our way of saying thank you for your interest in Backyard Ecology. Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community. NestWatch links:
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| Why Are Invasive Species Something You Should Care About? | 02 Mar 2023 | 00:55:33 | |
Do you struggle with invasive species on your property? Or, have you ever wondered, what's the big deal with invasive species? Why are they so bad? Or maybe you just wondered how our invasive species got here. After all, if they are so awful, then why would anyone bring them here? If so, then you aren't alone. Invasive species are something that most of us struggle with. In this episode, I'm joined by my husband, Anthony Trimboli. Many of you may know Anthony from the Backyard Ecology videos he produces every week or from previous podcasts episodes which he has been on. In addition to creating Backyard Ecology content, he also does habitat consulting and works in our native plant nursery. Anthony and I talked about a wide range of topics related to invasive species beginning with a discussion about what exactly is an invasive species and whether those species are inherently "bad." We also talked about why it matters if a species is invasive, some of the negative impacts invasive species can have, and whether any of the short-term uses that pollinators and wildlife may gain from invasive species makes up for their negative impacts. Much of our conversation focused on invasive plants, because we both agreed that invasive plants are probably the type of invasive organism which individual property owners have the greatest ability to do something about. This part of our conversation included topics such as how to know whether a species is invasive and how to control those species on your property, as well as a discussion about whether native plants can be invasive. We wrapped up our discussion by talking about how invasive species got here. Spoiler alert: No one did the evil "bwahaha" laugh and thought to themselves, "Let me introduce this horribly invasive species so it can wreak havoc and destroy the ecosystem." The story of invasive species is one of unintended consequences. If you haven't checked out the Backyard Ecology YouTube channel, then I encourage you to do so. Anthony adds new content every week. There's a link to the channel in the show notes, as well as a separate link for the channel's invasive species playlist. Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community. Links to Relevant Resources:
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| Battery Powered Lawn Care Equipment and Ecological Lawn Care | 16 Feb 2023 | 00:52:42 | |
Lawn care probably isn't the first thing you think of when you think about backyard ecology. Honestly, it isn't for me either. But it is something that most of us have to deal with in one way or another whether we do it ourselves or hire someone to do it for us. And I don't know about you, but lawn equipment in general, much less battery powered lawn equipment, is not my area of expertise. That's why when I heard about a landscaping company which specializes in low impact lawn care and has transitioned to all battery powered equipment, I became intrigued. Anthony and I have some battery powered lawn care equipment, but we've always shied away from battery powered lawn mowers. We just didn't think battery powered lawn mowers could handle our uneven, rough, hilly yard. But if this company was using all battery powered equipment on a commercial scale, then maybe we needed to rethink our assumptions for our own yard. Maybe you're in a similar boat and are trying to decide if battery powered is the way to go for your next piece of lawn equipment. Or maybe you'd like to be able to hire someone who approaches lawn care from a more ecological perspective but don't know how to find that person or the questions to ask. If so, then this episode is for you. In this episode, we are talking to Richard McCoy. Richard is the owner and operator of McCoy Horticultural Services. In the last couple of years, his business has transitioned from traditional gas powered lawn care equipment to battery powered equipment. His company also specializes in organic and low impact lawn care. Our conversation covered a number of topics related to battery powered lawn care equipment, vetting a land care contractor, and low impact lawn care. I appreciate Richard sharing his expertise and experiences with us. [2:58] Richard's story about how he got to where he is now If you are looking for some simple, quick and easy ways to make your yard more attractive to pollinators and wildlife, you may want to check out my newest book, Attract Pollinators and Wildlife to Your Yard: 15 Free and Easy Ways. You can learn more about the book and place your order at https://shannontrimboli.com/product/attract-pollinators-and-wildlife-to-your-yard-15-free-and-easy-ways/ . Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community. Richard's Information:
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| Growing Native Plants, Insect-Plant Interactions, Playing in the Pond, and Much More with Dr. Randi Eckel | 02 Feb 2023 | 01:06:04 | |
You know how sometimes you'll meet someone and things just "click?" You quickly discover that you have lots of shared interests and experiences and your conversation just flows as it goes down one path and then the next. Well, that's exactly what happened in this episode as I talked with Dr. Randi Eckel. Randi is the owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm which is a mail-order native plant nursery. She is a life-long naturalist, lover of nature, entomologist, and confirmed plant and ecology nerd. Randi is also the president of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. Growing native plants and interactions between plants and insects were two of the major themes of our conversation, but our conversation also went down many other twisty, curvy paths. This was one of those conversations that could so easily have occurred sitting on the front porch or around a campfire. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it. [2:47] Randi's story of how she got to where she is now and discussion of career paths If you find value in the Backyard Ecology content, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation. You can find out how at https://www.backyardecology.net/support /. Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to explore the nature in your own yard and community. Randi's Information:
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| Should you mow your meadow or pollinator planting? | 19 Jan 2023 | 00:18:23 | |
Have you planted a meadow or pollinator planting on your property? Or, do you know someone or some place in your community that has one? If it's on your property then part of the recommended management for it may have been to mow it periodically. Or if it's not on your property then you may have driven by it only to see it being mowed or find that it had recently been mowed. If you're initial reaction was something along the lines of "Wh…What?!" "Wait!" "Stop!" "No" "Why?" or included feelings of confusion, sadness, anger, or frustration, then you aren't alone. In this episode of the Backyard Ecology podcast, we talk about why people mow meadows and larger pollinator plantings. We also talk about whether it is really necessary. The answers to both of those questions are rooted in the grassland and prairie ecosystems that meadows and larger pollinator plantings are often trying to replicate. Topics discussed in this episode include:
I hope you've found this episode helpful and that it has encouraged you to think about things. If you're listening to this in January 2023, please don't forget to take our survey. Until next time, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your yard and community. Related episodes:
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