Explore every episode of the podcast Nature's Archive
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #132: Rails in the Reeds: Life in the Shadows, with Dr. Auriel Fournier | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:51:22 | |
Today the podcast is going off the rails. That’s right, we’re discussing rails - you know, those absurdly sneaky, pancake-thin wetland birds you’re ten times more likely to hear shouting from the cattails than actually see. LINKS Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #131: Storms from the Sun: Understanding Space Weather and Auroras with Dr. Ryan French | 30 Jul 2026 | 01:03:05 | |
Nature is a very broad term, and as we often discuss on this show, everything is connected. Geology impacts soil, which dictates what plants can grow. But if we pull back even further, the ultimate engine driving our planet's systems is the Sun. So when I think of Nature’s Archive—and that big concept of "Nature"—I love bringing these grand, foundational subjects into our scope. Today is one such instance. Our guest is Dr. Ryan French, a solar astrophysicist and author who specializes in studying solar flares. Solar activity affects life on Earth in surprising ways—from creating spectacular auroras (the northern and southern lights) to disrupting GPS systems and power grids. And most fascinating for naturalists: these solar storms can even disrupt bird navigation and alter the foraging habits of bees. Dr. French walks us through why solar flares occur, an even more impactful phenomenon called a coronal mass ejection, why these events follow an 11-year cycle, the current state of space weather forecasting, and how you can see and photograph beautiful auroral displays yourself. Dr. French has an extremely fun and informative social media presence, so be sure to check out ryanjfrench.com for resources and links. This was a super fun discussion—one I’ve wanted to have pretty much since I started Nature’s Archive. Links Compilation from Solar Flares and Eruptions from Dr. French's YouTube Channel Check our Ryan's Books, including Space Hazards and The Little Book of Eclipses NOAA's Space Weather Site, including predictions and real-time observations Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #130: Burning Questions: Understanding Fire Management with Lenya Quinn-Davidson | 30 Jun 2026 | 01:15:45 | |
From the archive... As you know, heat is a key driver to wildfires. In fact, it is one of the three key ingredients, along with fuel and oxygen. Global oxygen levels, at least within our lifetimes, aren’t going to change much. But heat and fuel can and will change. Obviously, heat is increasing, so one variable is driving more fire potential. And in many areas, fuel is also increasing. Whether it be from invasive species like cheat grass in the high deserts, or excessive understory growth due to both invasive species and decades of fire suppression. Sometimes fuel is indirectly created by heat, which causes die-off of many trees and shrubs. And more complex still is the die-off caused by pine beetles, which are actually native. But they can turn destructive when excessive heat weakens tree defenses, and due to the forest service treating so many forests as dense monoculture crops. I’d like to share this interview with Lenya Quinn-Davidson, discussing fire management. This interview was recorded 2 years ago, but is more relevant than ever. Case in point, we’re barely into the traditional fire season and 2026 has already had record breaking wildfires in Nebraska, and Oklahoma and Kansas had a nearly 300,000 acre wildfire in February, along with a 35000 acre fire in Florida. Wildfire is complex, often misunderstood, and turned into political fodder. So please take a few minutes and enjoy this episode from the archive. Also check out our Episode 109 - Cultural Fire with Margo Robbins, for more great fire information. Thanks to Kat Hill for editing help in this episode. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #129: Wide-Angle Listening: How Nature’s Soundtrack Completes Your Connection to the Wild | 27 May 2026 | 00:17:33 | |
Have you ever noticed how certain sounds, voices, or songs can instantaneously transport you to another world? Whether it’s a track from high school or the specific creak of a childhood porch, audio has a unique "backdoor" into our deepest memories and emotions. In this episode, we explore how to tap into that same principle to radically deepen our connection to nature. While we are biologically biased to navigate the world through a visual "spotlight," we often miss the 360-degree sanctuary that sound provides. By shifting our focus from looking to listening, we move beyond simple identification and start experiencing nature as a floodlight—an immersive, restorative flood of information that lowers our stress and pulls us directly into the present moment. To explore this invisible landscape, I’m joined by my friend Sue Pelmulder, a birder and audio engineer who learned how to combine these skills and reveal a new connection to nature. Together, we set out on a 5:00 AM "field trip" for the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance’s annual Birdathon. Using high-end recording gear, including an 18-inch parabolic dish that acts as a "zoom lens for the ears," we captured the hidden details of the California's Diablo Range. From the haunting, prehistoric calls of the Pied-billed Grebe to the singular "water glump" of a diving Western Grebe, this episode is an immersive look at how listening can reveal a world that our eyes alone would have entirely overlooked. Ultimately, this journey isn't just about professional gear or rare species; it’s about the "treasure hunt" and connection to nature available right outside your front door. We discuss how you can get to know your individual neighborhood birds, and why tools like Merlin are leveling the playing field for new observers. Whether you are an experienced birder or someone looking for a "universal reset button" for a tired mind, this conversation with Sue Pelmulder will challenge you to close your eyes, open your ears, and discover nature in a new way. Birds Appearing in this episode: California Quail, White-throated Swift, Pied-billed Grebe, House Wren, Great-horned Owl, Western Grebe, Violet-Green Swallow, and more! Sue's Recording Gear Telinga Modular Parabolic Collector Warm Audio WA-84 mono microphone with omnidirectional capsule Recording on a Zoom H6 Handy Recorder at 48KHz linear PCM Sony MDR-7506 headphones Other Recording Gear (lower budget) You can purchase "shotgun" microphones that provide some directionality (not as good as a parabola), but they are much more portable and much cheaper. Michael uses a Rode VideoMic Pro. Usually, the longer the shotgun mic, the more directional it is. Zoom also makes smaller and less expensive recorders than the H6 Sue uses. Michael uses an H4N, but Zoom makes other less expensive recorders. Just make sure the connector types match your microphone. For an ultra-portable (and inexpensive!) solution, Michael uses his smartphone and connects the Rode VideoMic Pro using a cable that converts the 1/8" output to a USB-C. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #128: iNaturalist: How Your Photos Save Species: Scott Loarie on iNaturalist and Community Science | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:57:13 | |
Long time listeners know that I’m a huge fan of iNaturalist. Their app literally changed my life by dramatically improving my relationship with, and knowledge of nature. And iNaturalist is much more than just a nature identification app. When you use iNaturalist, yes, you get a helping hand in identifying plants, animals and fungi. But you’re also contributing to perhaps the largest community science dataset on Earth, which starts to get to the heart of iNaturalist’s mission. After our Jumpstart Nature episode on iNaturalist, I received many questions about how iNaturalist works - just how does it know how to ID so many organisms? How are sensitive species, such as rare plants that are subject to poaching, protected? And with the increased concern about the environmental impact of certain types of AI, how does iNaturalist’s AI, called Computer Vision, compare? So who better to answer those questions than Scott Loarie. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the Jumpstart Nature Podcast! Episode #5 profiles three creative and inspirational uses of iNaturalist! Be sure to check out the iNaturalist blog and newsletter as well! LINKS California Academy of Sciences iNaturalist, their blog, and their newsletter Jumpstart Nature Episode 5 profiles inspiring uses of iNaturalist Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #127: Salt Lakes - An Unnatural History with Caroline Tracey | 17 Mar 2026 | 00:54:09 | |
What comes to your mind when you hear “Salt Lake”? If you’re like many people, perhaps you think of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Or perhaps the Dead Sea or the Caspian Sea. But there are over 100 perennial salt lakes around the globe, and hundreds of seasonal ones. Each of these lakes have amazing histories and support unique ecosystems, making them a precious resource for biodiversity. My guest today is Caroline Tracey, author of the new book “Salt Lakes - An Unnatural History”. Caroline’s book weaves a fascinating ecological story with her own personal narrative, unveiling one of Earth’s most overlooked ecosystems. Today we discuss a few of these amazing stories, and look at the unique life that these lakes support. We also reveal the threats these salt lakes face, and how diminishing water levels not only put many species in peril, but threaten the health of people in nearby communities. But there are success stories, in flight or emerging, for many of these imperiled lakes. You can find Caroline on her website, cetracey.com, on instagram @ce_tracey, and read more of her writing on her substack. LINKS Salt Lakes - An Unnatural History - publisher | bookshop.org | amazon Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #126: New Hope for Sunflower Sea Stars | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:48:11 | |
Some of the most consistent feedback I get about the podcast is the message of hope that rings through. Today’s episode takes the message of hope up a level by revisiting the folks at the Sunflower Star Lab. Sunflower sea stars are amazing creatures - not your typical sea star. They can reach over three feet, live for decades, they are highly mobile, and function as keystone species in kelp forest systems. Just a little over a decade ago, there were 6 billion of these animals along the pacific coast of North America. Then, they vanished. And the consequences to kelp systems has been dire. But thanks to innovative work at the Sunflower Star Lab, and the numerous partners that they’ve cultivated, things are looking up - and much more quickly than I ever imagined. So last December I made the short trip down to Moss Landing, California, and today I’m sharing my conversation with Reuven Bank and Andrew Kim from the Sunflower Star Lab. They’re here to tell us the full story of the Seastar and why things have taken this turn for the better. You might remember them from episode 104 - even if you listened to that one, I promise you today’s episode is well worth a listen. Check out the Sunflower Star Lab at sunflowerstarlab.org and on Facebook and Instagram. Links Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #125: The Plankton of the Land: The Alien World of Aphids with Natalie Hernandez | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:59:51 | |
Imagine a creature that is born already pregnant with its own grandchildren. No mating, no waiting—just a continuous, telescopic unfolding of life. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but it’s likely happening on the underside of a leaf in your backyard. Today, we’re looking past the 'pest' label to discover the mind-bending biology of the aphid. LINKS Aphids on the World's Plants - excellent online resource for identifying aphids Thanks to Brook Neely for editing this episode. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #124: The Moving Target of Climate: The Future of Stewardship with Dr. Zac Cannizzo | 08 Jan 2026 | 00:53:05 | |
Land stewards face a constant, high-stakes puzzle: Do you protect a single at-risk species, or do you optimize for total biodiversity? Do you fight to hold back the tide of natural succession, or do you step back and let nature take the lead? Stewardship has always been about trade-offs, but climate change has shifted the very ground we stand on. It’s no longer just about maintaining what we have; it’s about navigating a target that is constantly moving. We are moving past the era of 'restoring the past' and entering an era of 'designing for the future.' In some cases, it may mean accepting that ecosystems we hold dear may permanently change —but it also means we have the tools to ensure they don't lose their soul, their function, or their life-sustaining power. Joining us today is Dr. Zac Cannizzo, a specialist in climate-informed conservation across both marine and terrestrial systems. Zac is here to pull back the curtain on how we manage hope in a warming world. He’ll explain why these shifts are so hard for us to accept, and more importantly, he’ll walk us through the practical framework he uses to help ecosystems thrive, even when the climate says they shouldn't. From the bleaching heat of coral reefs to the migrating treelines of Alaska, Zac shows us that while we can’t stop the wind from changing, we can certainly change how we set the sails. Links McHenry County Conservation District Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Climate Vulnerability Assessments Press release about the threatened fish translocation Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #123: A Look at Biodiversity | 11 Dec 2025 | 00:59:37 | |
2025 has been an exciting and diverse year for Jumpstart Nature and Nature's Archive, and to celebrate, we're bringing you a special compilation centered on the critical theme of biodiversity. Today, we look back at two of our most fascinating episodes from the year, featuring species and habitats that are essential—yet often overlooked—components of the global ecosystem. From the subtle, but powerful, impact of a parasitic plant that acts as a keystone species in its habitat to the amazing, unseen diversity thriving in dynamic marine environments, prepare to explore the complex web of life. To round things out, we offer a preview from an upcoming episode focused on the fascinating world of aphids. Often dismissed as simple garden pests, these tiny insects are sometimes called the "plankton of the land" due to their sheer numbers and critical role in the food chain. Join us as we re-listen to the stories of life’s intricate connections and get a tantalizing glimpse into the world of aphids, all through the lens of biodiversity. And thanks so much for being part of our community, and a listener to our podcast! We're excited to share more with you in 2026, covering topics from climate-informed conservation, to exciting discoveries on the road to recovering the sunflower sea star, to incredible aphids (yes, you read that right!), and the ecology of salt lakes. A big thank you to Amelia Heintz-Botz for helping to put today's episode together! Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #122: Leave the Leaves: Hidden Layers of Benefit with David Mizejewski | 11 Nov 2025 | 00:58:52 | |
If you’ve been following Nature’s Archive for a while, you might be familiar with the idea of “leave the leaves”. It represents one simple act of omission - not raking, blowing, or mulching leaf fall - that is resoundingly positive for the environment. But even if you think you know why leaving the leaves is helpful, I invite you to listen to today’s guest, National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski. If you are unfamiliar with David - let me just tell you his skill and enthusiasm for nature interpretation is second to none. Today, David walks us through all the ways leaves help the environment - and how bagging them up and sending them to a landfill makes a bad situation much worse. We also discuss useful tips for keeping leaves even if you have an HOA or difficult neighbors who might think you are neglecting your space. So if you still have leaves in your yard, please listen and take NWF’s pledge to leave the leaves, and reap the rewards for years to come. Be sure to follow David on instagram, and get David's Book "Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife". People and Organizations NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat NWF’s Pledge to Leave the Leaves Books and Other Things Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife - by David Mizejewski Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| Critical Mast: Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Masting with Dr. Walt Koenig | 23 Oct 2025 | 01:16:29 | |
As a nature lover, I’m often asked about my favorite plants, animals, and insects. And I always struggle to answer those questions, because I have so many favorites, and they are context dependent. But when it comes to birds, woodpeckers often come to mind first. They’re often colorful, charismatic, and have such an amazing set of adaptations that let them drill into trees, excavate insects from bark, and some even fly catch on the wing. One of the most interesting woodpecker species is the Acorn Woodpecker, found in much of the west and southwest. They live in large groups, are loud, have a clown face, and can store thousands of acorns in specially drilled holes that are just acorn sizes. Today’s guest is Dr. Walt Koenig, who has spent several decades studying these birds, in affiliation with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and UC Berkeley. Today we’ll learn about their behaviors, why you don’t find acorn woodpeckers in the east, despite a nice variety of oak trees, and get this - acorns aren’t even their preferred food! Dr. Koenig has studied their breeding behaviors and group compositions, which is perhaps the most fascinating part of the interview, and I can’t do it justice in a short intro - so you’ll just have to listen. And if one studies acorn woodpeckers, it follows that one studies acorns, too. So we also discuss the phenomenon of masting - that is, when oak trees produce bumper crops of acorns, in synchrony across wide geographic ranges! In fact, this past year was a mast year for some oak species in California. So if you are interested in what causes masting, you might want to jump to the last 23 minutes or so of the interview. This re-release of our popular interview with Dr. Koenig is part of a playful exercise in community podcasting, with 6 different shows each producing their own stories about or inspired by the mystery of masting, and releasing them at (approximately) the same time. For other masting stories, check out:
We’ll populate this Spotify playlist with all our stories as they come out! Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #121: Metamorphosis: The Actor Who Became a Butterfly Scientist - Liam O'Brien | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:49:56 | |
Nearly every great story involves a transformation. In the butterfly world, we call it metamorphosis—the mysterious process where a caterpillar seemingly dissolves itself and is miraculously rebuilt into a creature that takes to the sky. And thanks to Amelia Heintz-Botz for editing help with this episode! Butterflies of the Bay Area and (Slightly) Beyond - Liam's beautiful new book ADDITIONAL LINKS Books Dangerous World of Butterflies by Peter Laufer Kaufman Field Guide To Butterflies Of North America Related Podcast Episode #46: Paul Johnson - Finding and Counting Butterflies Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #120: Just Listen: Amy Martin on the Unheard World Around Us | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:48:46 | |
It was a surprisingly warm late February day. Needing to recharge, I drove to a park near Lincoln, Nebraska. When I arrived, I saw something new on the far side of the reservoir: what looked like massive white and gray boulders, lined up along the length of the dam. Then, in one astonishing moment, all of these boulders lifted out of the water, taking flight simultaneously by the thousands. My mind couldn't make sense of what I was seeing, and then the sound hit me. It was thousands of snow geese, a deafening cacophony of honking and wing flapping that washed over me, cleansing my stress and reinvigorating my spirit. Fast forward 20 years to today. Anytime I see snow geese take flight, I instinctively replay this experience, renewing me yet again. And I have so many of these lived experiences. It’s the magic of sound. Today's guest, Amy Martin, is the creator of the incredible Threshold podcast. The current season, Hark!, is an immersive experience all about listening to the natural world. As the podcast website says, "In this season of Threshold, we investigate what it means to listen to the nonhuman voices on our planet—and the cost if we don't." Today, we'll dive into some of the highlights of the Hark season - ranging from dolphins to tree hopper insects. And we’ll explore how listening is a deeply personal and distinct experience for everyone. I’m incredibly excited to share this episode with you today. You can find the Peabody award winning Threshold podcast on any podcasting app or at thresholdpodcast.org. You can also follow @thresholdpodcast on instagram, Facebook, YouTube - and Amy on her Substack called Letters to Earthlings. FULL SHOW NOTES (with pictures!) Links Find Threshold Podcast at thresholdpodcast.org and follow @thresholdpodcast on instagram Letters to Earthlings - Amy's Substack newsletter Rex Cocroft - the Treehopper acoustics researcher Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #119: Are Worms the Solution to Toxic Algal Blooms? Sam Baker from WriggleBrew. | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:58:48 | |
Today's episode is one of the more encouraging and hopeful conversations I've had the pleasure of recording. My guest is Sam Baker, co-founder of WriggleBrew, a company on a mission to combat one of the most insidious environmental issues we face today: toxic algal blooms. These blooms occur globally, devastating everything from our local inland lakes to the vast expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, and even here in the San Francisco Bay, right in my own backyard. They create vast "dead zones" that choke out life, and their leading cause is something you might not expect: synthetic fertilizers. In this episode, Sam and I get into the details of why synthetic fertilizers leave a trail of destruction, and why they've become so deeply ingrained in large-scale farming. We'll explore how Wriggle Brew has developed a game-changing solution by figuring out how to scale up worm casting production into a stable liquid form—a critical breakthrough for sustainable agriculture. And we don't stop there. Did you know that some insect larvae can break down plastics? Sam shares how he and his team are working to replicate that process in bioreactors. It's an inspiring look at how nature and innovation can come together to solve some of our biggest problems. This is a truly fascinating and hopeful discussion, and I can't wait for you to hear it. You can find WriggleBrew and learn more about their work at wrigglebrew.com, and at wrigglebrew on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. FULL SHOW NOTES (with photos!) Related Episodes Gabe Brown: https://naturesarchive.com/2023/06/19/regenerative/ Elaine Ingham: https://naturesarchive.com/2022/02/07/soil/ LINKS The Soil Triangle (texture) Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #118: Does Science Communication Have Room for Emotion and Complexity? – Jocelyn Bosley's Approach | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:59:32 | |
From the intricate dance of an ecosystem to the ripple effects of a warming planet, nature's stories are rarely simple. But in a world that craves quick, easy answers, how do we get people to lean in and listen to the full story? And how do we do that without glossing over the complexity and nuance of the situation? Today, we're getting a masterclass in just that with Jocelyn Bosley, a science communicator and Research Impact Coordinator at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She'll walk us through how to move beyond simple explanations and get people excited about the deeper stories in the natural world. We’ll dig into specific examples, like how a warming Indian Ocean can affect asthma rates in the Caribbean, and we'll even challenge the idea that scientists must be objective and emotionless. This is an episode for anyone who wants to share their passion for nature and science—with anyone. LINKS Born On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant, by Daniel Tammet Consilience, by E.O. Wilson Consilience Journal - science poetry Entangled: a collaboration across time and space - Jocelyn's poetry appears in this book Galactic Polymath SciJourneys Rose Bear Don’t Walk, Ethnobotanist Strange Days on Planet Earth - Learn more about the Indian Ocean story, or watch on YouTube Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #117: Angry Activist, Rural Landowner: Finding Common Ground for Nature | 16 Jul 2025 | 00:48:39 | |
Have you ever found it tough to talk about big issues, especially when people already have strong ideas? In the world of nature and climate, we often see communication that feels more like telling people what to do, or how to think. It's easy for us all to dig in our heels, even if we're wrong, and shut down new ideas. Today, we're exploring a different path. -- Griff: I was very radical and had really bad ecological depression because was from the Bay Area and watched all my favorite places get destroyed. -- Links Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Bringing Nature Home – by Doug Tallamy Nature’s Best Hope – by Doug Tallamy, Dr. Tallamy’s 2020 release Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #116: Iconic Joshua Trees with Barret Baumgart | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:43:39 | |
The Joshua Tree is perhaps only rivaled by the saguaro cactus as the icon of the desert southwest. Featured on U2’s classic album cover, and now the backdrop of countless instagram glamor shots, its unique, almost alien look is unmistakable. LINKS Barret's Website, including speaking engagements Buy YUCK - The Birth & Death of the Weird & Wondrous Joshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia from bookshop.org Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #115: Pollinator Friendly Yards with Leslie Inman | 27 May 2025 | 00:43:15 | |
We love native plants and habit-friendly yards at Nature's Archive, and I have a few exciting updates from my yard: spoiler: native plants are working! And stay tuned for a re-air of a classic episode with Leslie Inman from Pollinator Friendly Yards. There are plenty of useful insights for both habitat-friendly yard practices, and community building. Afterall, we need everyone to not only take action, but spread the word. And we have new episodes around the corner, too. It's been incredibly busy these last couple of months, so thanks for your patience as we work to keep all of the proverbial plates spinning! I started Nature’s Archive podcast in an effort to understand the stories of people making a difference for the environment. I needed to be inspired, wanted to learn how they did it, and share that inspiration and knowledge with anyone willing to listen. Today’s episode is a “back to my roots” episode. My guest is Leslie Inman, the founder of the wildly popular Pollinator Friendly Yards group on Facebook. With 184,000 members, it is perhaps the top spot for people to discuss sustainable personal landscaping. And even if you are not on Facebook, it’s pretty likely you’ve seen her images and infographics. Leslie’s story is an amazing example of how a little curiosity can be converted into a hugely impactful movement. Today, we discuss not only how the group formed, but the lessons that she has learned along the way. This includes how to “reach” people who may be skeptical about inviting insects to their yards, how to make it easy to get started, and more. Leslie also has two books - Your Yard is Nature and The Butterfly Egg and the Little Tree.
Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #114: Mistletoes Are Keystone Species - Dr. David Watson | 08 May 2025 | 00:59:55 | |
Today’s episode is about one of the coolest plants that I can think of - both figuratively and literally! Find Dr. David Watson on Bluesky. FULL SHOW NOTES including photos! Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #113: How Do Thunderstorms Form? | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:24:41 | |
Have you ever wondered why some rainshowers turn into thunderstorms? Just what happens in the atmosphere to create these dynamic, exciting, and sometimes damaging storms?
Example Forecast Discussion available on your National Weather Service website. Soil Moisture and Convection: https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/apme/49/4/2009jamc2146.1.xml Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #112: Incredible Deep Sea and Tropical Marine Habitats - Dr. Judith Gobin | 25 Mar 2025 | 01:06:17 | |
When we think about habitats, it’s easy to picture the rich diversity on land—vast prairies, scorching deserts, lush forests, and intricate wetlands. But what if I told you the ocean is just as diverse, filled with ecosystems as unique and vital as any on land? The only difference? We can’t see them as easily—but that doesn’t make them any less important. Today’s guest is Dr. Judith Gobin, joining us all the way from Trinidad and Tobago. Judith is a recently retired professor of Marine Biology from the University of the West Indies. And she’s here to tell us about tropical marine habitats, such as mangroves, sea grass, and coral reefs. She has a particular interest in deep sea habitats, such as cold methane seeps and even whale falls. It’s a bit morbid, but weighing up to 300,000 pounds, in the case of a blue whale, a dead whale literally creates its own habitat. To my surprise, I learned that the ocean floor more than 200 kilometers away from national coast lines is basically a free-for-all for exploration and resource extraction. Judi tells us about a new treaty that aims to better control these operations, which can disproportionately harm island nations such as Trinidad and Tobago. It’s a deep dive into ocean science, conservation, and awe-inspiring ecosystems. Links Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty Deep Sea Videos mentioned by Dr. Gobin Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #111: Earthquakes: Myths, Surprises, and Hidden Dangers with Dr. Wendy Bohon | 04 Mar 2025 | 01:17:16 | |
Today’s guest is the brilliant Dr. Wendy Bohon, an earthquake geologist who has a passion for making the complexities of our planet accessible and engaging. Dr. Bohon is known for her dynamic science communication - in fact, you may have seen her viral videos through her Dr Wendy Rocks channels on YouTube and other social media. Today, Dr. Bohon delves into the fascinating world of geology and earthquakes, exploring their impact on our environment and society. In this episode, you'll discover how earthquakes occur, how earthquake geologists figure out how often faults rupture through fascinating paleoseismology, and what terms like magnitude and epicenter really mean, and how they can mislead us, too! And did you know that the Richter Scale is actually no longer used? In fact, it began phasing out of use in the 1980s! What’s replaced it? Check in around 49 minutes to hear the story. In fact, it turns out that earthquake magnitude is a pretty poor way of understanding earthquake impacts. Dr. Bohon has some excellent metaphors to help us visualize what really happens to a fault during an earthquake rupture. Dr. Bohon also tackles common myths about earthquakes, from breaking down the misconception of earthquake weather to clarifying the real risks of seismic events. For example, did you know that in some respects, people in the eastern United States face greater potential impacts from earthquakes? We discuss how you can prepare. And can people cause earthquakes? The answer is a resounding yes. But can we use that power to release pressures in fault systems and avoid “the big one?” - well, you’ll have to listen to find out. Today's episode was one of the most fun ones that I've done in a long time. You can find Dr. Wendy Bohon at wendybohon.com, and DrWendyRocks on YouTube, Instagram, and BlueSky, and DrWendyRocksIt on TikTok. I promise you - her content is great, so check her out. LINKS Earthquakes in All The States - Dr. Bohon's YouTube series LESSONS FROM COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS WITH RASPBERRY SHAKES My Shake App - free earthquake warning app Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country - a great FREE resource for anyone with earthquake hazards (i.e. nearly everyone) Raspberry Shake - make your own at-home seismometer! Richter's Scale, by Dr. Susan Hough The Big Ones, by Dr. Lucy Jones Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #110: Why We Need Apex Predators - Coexistence with Dr. Jonny Hanson | 11 Feb 2025 | 01:12:15 | |
Dr. Jonny Hanson is an environmental social scientist, conservationist, and former community farmer. He's also the author of Living with Lynx, Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves, and Bears. Not only that, but you’ll get to hear how Jonny actually bred mosquitos for money, and how that influenced him. And if you stick around to the end, you’ll also get to hear about his experience with concentrated bobcat urine. Links: Dr. Hanson's New Book - Living With Lynx Coexisting with Carnivores - Dr. Hanson's TEDx Talk Trailer for Dr. Hanson's Snow Leopard documentary Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #109: Cultural Fire with Margo Robbins | 03 Feb 2025 | 00:51:32 | |
Today’s episode is very timely. Our guest is Margo Robbins, cofounder and Executive Director of the Cultural Fire Management Council. Margo advocates for the return of cultural burning practices as a way to strengthen community, support biodiversity, and mitigate out of control fires that plague so many areas. But before I get further into the details of today's episode, I want to note that it was recorded just a few days prior to the tragic and devastating wildfires that affected the Los Angeles area in January. We’ve had numerous interviews on Nature’s Archive with wildfire and prescribed burning experts, so if you’ve heard any of those, you know that fire frequency, intensity, and management practices vary dramatically depending on what habitats and climates we’re talking about. Los Angeles is predominantly shrubland and chaparral, which has been invaded by numerous invasive grass species, further enhancing fire risk. Today’s episode focuses largely on the forested lands of Northern California, specifically, Yurok tribal lands. So while the topics discussed here may apply to other habitats, the specifics will vary. Despite all of the past episodes relating to wildfire, we’ve had a notable gap - that is, no one has been able to speak to traditional indigenous use of fire. That is, until today. So today you’ll hear why cultural fire is so important across so many dimensions of life. You’ll hear how cultural fire can be safely practiced, and how it has strengthened the Yurok community. If the idea of purposeful fire being beneficial to the land is new to you, I invite you to check out episode #89 with Lenya Quinn-Davidson - it’s one of our most popular and provides good baseline information for today’s episode. In fact, we have several other episodes that discuss wildfire, prescribed burning, and more - all are listed below. I was incredibly grateful for Margo spending the time with us today. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Links Indigenous Peoples Burning Network (IPBN) Tending the Wild by M. Kat Anderson Related Nature's Archive Episodes #89: Burning Questions: Understanding Fire Management with Lenya Quinn-Davidson #82: Amanda Monthei – Life with Fire #24: Justin Angle – On The Fireline -Wildfires in the Western USA ENCORE: Rick Halsey – Wildfire Ecology in the Chaparral and the American West Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #108: Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Masting with Dr. Walt Koenig | 13 Jan 2025 | 01:15:16 | |
As a nature lover, I’m often asked about my favorite plants, animals, and insects. And I always struggle to answer those questions, because I have so many favorites, and they are context dependent. But when it comes to birds, woodpeckers often come to mind first. They’re often colorful, charismatic, and have such an amazing set of adaptations that let them drill into trees, excavate insects from bark, and some even fly catch on the wing. One of the most interesting woodpecker species is the Acorn Woodpecker, found in much of the west and southwest. They live in large groups, are loud, have a clown face, and can store thousands of acorns in specially drilled holes that are just acorn sizes. Dr. Koenig has studied their breeding behaviors and group compositions, which is perhaps the most fascinating part of the interview, and I can’t do it justice in a short intro - so you’ll just have to listen. And if one studies acorn woodpeckers, it follows that one studies acorns, too. So we also discuss the phenomenon of masting - that is, when oak trees produce bumper crops of acorns, in synchrony across wide geographic ranges! In fact, this past year was a mast year for some oak species in California. So if you are interested in what causes masting, you might want to jump to the last 23 minutes or so of the interview. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| Alison Pollack - Finding and Photographing Slime Molds | 31 Dec 2024 | 01:04:40 | |
Slime molds (Myxomycetes) are beautiful, weird, and amazing organisms. Often mistaken for fungi, they are actually single celled, yet they grow and efficiently move in search of food, can start and stop their life cycle based on environmental conditions, and even change colors several times during their brief life cycle. They can be beautifully colored, frequently iridescent, and can be ornately shaped. And better still, they can be found in much of the world - maybe even in your yard. My guest today, Alison Pollack, is a renowned slime mold photographer and unabashed enthusiast of slime molds and their habitats. If you follow nature photographers on Instagram, perhaps you count yourself as one of her nearly 60,000 followers. Today, Alison tells us what exactly a slime mold is - and no, it is not a mold or fungi. She tells us about their fascinating lifecycle, where they grow, and how to find them. Alison then tells us about her astonishing macro photography of slime molds - both in the field and in her home studio. She walks through her process, technique, and equipment she uses to create her acclaimed photos. If you do nothing else, follow her on Instagram @marin_mushrooms, or check the photos below to get a hint of the beauty of the slime molds, and Alison's artistic skill in capturing them. You can also find Alison on Facebook at AlisonKPollack, and on iNaturalist at alison_pollack. From Macro to Micro: The Art of Fungi Photography with Alison Pollack Damon Tighe - was on Episode 36 talking Fungi Nikon Small World Master of Microscopy Slime Mold Identification and Appreciation - Facebook Group
Laowa ultra macro lens - there are models for each major camera manufacturer. Myxomycetes - A Handbook of Slime Molds by Steven Stephenson Olympus Tough TG-6 - this seems to be the most recommended pocket camera by naturalists of many types Where the Slime Mould Creeps by Sarah Lloyd Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #107: The Best of Nature's Archive 2024 | 16 Dec 2024 | 00:47:18 | |
I spent several hours assembling the highlights of the 24 episodes we produced in 2024, all packaged in this nice short recap. It was a lot of work, so I hope you like it! Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #106: Why Ants Might Be the Most Interesting Creatures on Earth with Chloe Jelley | 25 Nov 2024 | 01:04:47 | |
I love discovering overlooked plants and animals that play outsized roles in the environment. I’m also fascinated by complex systems, especially when they’re easy to observe. And nothing ticks all three of those boxes better than ants. One estimate says that for every human on earth, there may be as many as 2.5 million ants. And these ants form complex societies with unique roles. They communicate in mysteriously complex ways, and can range in size from almost microscopic to an inch and a half long. Ants can build colonies in acorns, hollow twigs, leaf baskets, massive tree branches, and of course, in the ground. The largest super colonies stretch for hundreds of miles - and by the way, you can find such super colonies in California and in southern Europe. They can farm fungi, and ranch aphids. My guest today helped unveil all of this and more. Chloe Jelly is a graduate researcher at Cornell University in the Moreau lab. She particularly enjoys outreach, which made her an ideal guest for today’s episode. People sometimes say that viruses and microbes rule the world, but after today’s discussion, you’ll see that ants aren’t very far behind. Find Chloe on her website, at the Moreau Lab, and on BlueSky. Chloe Jelley's papers (Google Scholar) In the Shadow of Man by Jane Goodall Moreau Lab at Cornell Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #105: From Fear to Fascination: Kevin Wiener on His Journey at All Bugs Go to Kevin | 04 Nov 2024 | 01:03:08 | |
Do you love spiders and insects? Or perhaps you are more apprehensive of them - or even suffer from arachnophobia. In either case, today’s discussion is for you. Join me for an enlightening journey into the world of insects and arachnids with Kevin Wiener. Kevin is an environmental educator and founder of the thriving 'All Bugs Go To Kevin' community. In this episode, Kevin shares his inspiring path from pest control to becoming a passionate advocate for arthropods. Explore the crucial roles insects play in our ecosystem, debunk common myths about animals like the Brown Recluse spider, and learn about sustainable pest control methods - including what you can do in your own home. Kevin also discusses his experiences with arthropod pets, the importance of community support in overcoming fears, and the joys of integrating photography into environmental education and personal discovery. Whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast or just curious, this episode offers fascinating insights and practical tips for fostering a balanced ecosystem in your own backyard. Don't miss this chance to transform fear into fascination and discover the often overlooked beauty of bugs. You can find Kevin at allbugsgotokevin.com, and of course, if you’re on Facebook, consider joining the All Bugs Go to Kevin group. It’s one of the bright spots of social media. All Bugs Go To Kevin - Facebook Group Brown Recluse Spider by Richard Vetter Travis McEnery’s Brown Recluse Documentary Spiders of North America by Sarah Rose Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #104: Wasting Away: The Battle to Save Sunflower Sea Stars and Kelp Forests with the Sunflower Star Lab | 21 Oct 2024 | 01:15:34 | |
Today we’re discussing perhaps the most important 24 armed creature you quite possibly have never heard of before. Each arm has eyes, or more accurately, eyespots on the ends, and they have thousands of tube feet that they closely coordinate to move. It’s a keystone species which used to have populations around 6 billion. And in a matter of a couple of years, about 5 billion of those vanished, melting away, literally turning to goo. Or at least that’s how SCUBA divers and biologists described it. It almost sounds like an alien science fiction story, but I assure you, it’s real. Maybe you’ve figured out what I’m talking about. And if you listened to my kelp forest interview with Tristin McHugh, we briefly mentioned this creature. It’s the Sunflower Sea Star, an amazing creature whose disappearance has caused havoc in marine systems. I traveled 45 minutes from my house to meet with Reuven Bank and Andrew Kim from the inspiring and innovative Sunflower Star Laboratory in Moss Landing, California - right in the middle of the coast of the world famous Monterey Bay. It’s a small bustling town full of marine research institutes, fishers, and ecotourism. This episode has two parts rolled into one - it’s a sit-down interview, right on the Moss Landing Harbour. And then we go on a mini-field trip - a tour to learn how the Sunflower Star Lab is an important driver in recovering this incredible species. As you’ll hear in the recording, we had a lot of…ambiance, from sea lions to raucous gulls patrolling the harbor, and the hums of pumps and water you’d expect in an aquaculture facility. Yes, that’s my way of saying this was a bit of a challenging episode to record and edit. But despite a few rough spots, I think it turned out quite well. Reuven is chairman of the board for the Sunflower Star Lab. He’s also an interpretive diving ranger for the National Park Service, though his work at the lab is independent from that. And Andrew is the lead aquaculture research technician at Moss Landing Marine Labs, a member of the Sunflower Star Lab board, offering his expertise on aquaculture to the lab. Oh, and we also had a brief discussion with Vincent Christian while he was working in the lab. As you’ll here, Vincent is the reason why the lab even exists. Check the Sunflower Star Lab at sunflowerstarlab.org and on Facebook and Instagram. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| Saving a Valley: How Coyote Valley Inspires Conservation | 07 Oct 2024 | 00:33:22 | |
Have you ever thought about how or why natural areas, like state or county parks, open space, or wildlife refuges were set aside and saved? Sometimes it seems amazingly unlikely that these places exist. And it’s too easy to assume that there is no land left to set aside. But today we’re telling the story of Coyote Valley, a land adjacent to the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley. I don’t want to spoil the story, but I will tell you it is inspiring and shows just what can happen with the right combination of ingredients. And it turns out those ingredients probably exist wherever you live, too. This episode was actually aired on our Jumpstart Nature podcast last month. The Jumpstart Nature podcast is a little different than Nature’s Archive. It’s an immersive narrative style, hosted by Griff Griffith. Our goal with Jumpstart Nature is to not only inspire existing nature lovers, but to reach beyond the choir, so to speak. Here are the show notes from Jumpstart Nature: On a 1983 morning, Steve Jobs scouted Coyote Valley for Apple’s new headquarters. Despite his plans, Coyote Valley remains one of the most important undeveloped landscapes near Silicon Valley. This episode tells the story of its conservation through unexpected alliances, resilience, and the invaluable ecosystem services it provides. From critical wildlife connectivity to indigenous cultural significance, discover how perseverance and community action can protect cherished landscapes. Join host Griff Griffith and our guests, Andrea Mackenzie, Amah Mutsun Chairman Valentin Lopez, Megan Fluke, Nick Perry, and Dr. Stuart Weiss as they provide unique and inspiring perspectives as they explore how to protect and steward unique lands like Coyote Valley, whether near Silicon Valley or your own backyard. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #103: Exploring Wildlife Forensics with Ashley Bray | 23 Sep 2024 | 01:03:27 | |
I’ve been looking forward to today’s episode for a really long time - and for two great reasons. One, it’s about wildlife forensics, which is an immense field that requires knowledge of everything from wildlife behavior and morphology, to DNA, to crime scene investigation, to policy and the law. I’ve always been a bit of a generalist who likes to deep dive into topics on occasion…so this is a field true to my heart. And the second reason I’ve been looking forward to it is the guest - forensic wildlife biologist Ashley Bray. As you’ll hear, Ashley - in addition to being a forensic wildlife biologist - is also a podcaster. And her podcast is a slant on human/wildlife conflict - with - as you might expect from a forensic biologist - with a true crime twist. Oh - it’s called Get Out Alive - be sure to check it out. Today we take a broad look at what forensic wildlife biology entails, and the surprising connections it reveals, such as the connection between wildlife crimes and drug and human trafficking - and organized crime in general. Ashley has a few nice case examples that we review. And hold tight - you’re going to learn about a super cute animal called a vaquita. So, get ready for a wide ranging discussion with forensic wildlife biologist Ashley Bray. And you can find Ashley on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! CITES Treaty information Sea of Shadows documentary Sea Shepherd Conservation Society University of Florida's Wildlife Forensics Program Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| BONUS: Top 10 Favorite Species with Griff Griffith, Michelle Fullner, and Michael Hawk | 10 Sep 2024 | 01:09:38 | |
What do parasitic plants, 600 year old oak trees, salmon, and hoverflies have in common? Well, they are some of Griff's, Michelle Fullner’s and my favorite wild organisms! Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #102: Sophie Osborn - From the Brink: Reintroducing Endangered Birds | 02 Sep 2024 | 01:11:23 | |
Have you ever wondered what it takes to bring a species back from the brink of extinction? Today, we’re diving into the front lines of one of the most challenging and inspiring conservation efforts of our time, with Sophie Osborn as our guide. This episode unravels the incredible stories of the Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Crow, and California Condor—three iconic birds with a common thread of survival against the odds. We’ll explore the daunting threats these birds have faced, and surprisingly, how those same dangers continue to impact us all. Take lead ammunition, for instance—it’s a well-known hazard to wildlife like the Condor. But did you know that the tiny fragments left behind in game can be ingested by people, leading to serious health risks? You’ll find a striking X-ray image in our show notes that drives this point home. But this isn’t just a tale of challenges—it’s also a story of hope. Sophie shares the hard-won successes and the relentless dedication of biologists who are making a difference. Sophie discussed all of this and much more in her new book, ‘Feather Trails’. It’s a beautifully crafted narrative that blends humor and suspense, along with Sophie’s personal journey alongside these remarkable species. Trust me, it’s well worth the read. Be sure to check out Sophie’s work at wordsforbirds.net, and her Substack blog, ‘Words for Birds.’ Sophie's Substack Blog: Words for Birds Sophie's website: wordsforbirds.net Note: links to books are affiliate links to Bookshop.org. You can support independent bookstores AND Jumpstart Nature by purchasing through our affiliate links or our bookshop store. Condors with Tiana Williams-Claussen (Golden State Naturalist Crossover!) Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #101: Connecting Climate, Carbon, Tree Leaf Phenology and Genetics with Dr. Hanna Makowski | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:59:32 | |
Have you ever wondered how biologists figure out how plants respond to drought, heat, cold, and other environmental factors? One way is to study phenology. That’s a fancy word that accounts for seasonal and cyclical growth patterns of plants and animals. Researchers can look at various attributes, like when a plant flowers, leafs out, drops leaves, and more, and then see how that correlates to environmental factors, weather, climate, and genetics. Today, our guest is Dr. Hanna Makowski, and she tells us all about her research at Black Rock Forest in New York - and why she’s had to become proficient with a shotgun! Dr. Makowski shares her work on understanding the variations in leaf-out and leaf-drop phases among trees, the genetic and environmental factors driving these changes, and the broader implications for biodiversity and climate change adaptation. Black Rock Forest is a special place for this kind of research, because it is at a transition zone where southern species and northern species meet. I know that I want to visit if I ever find myself in that part of New York. Dr. Makowski’s findings could be helpful for tree conservation efforts and predicting forest resilience in the face of global climate shifts. You can find Dr. Makowski on her website at www.hannamakowski.com, on twitter @hannamakowski, and on LinkedIn. Hillary Cooper - Dr. Makowski referenced Hillary Cooper’s study on Fremont Cottonwood phenology Sarah Fitzpatrick of Michigan State The Yard of the Future Podcast Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #100: The Biggest Nature Lesson I've Learned from 100 Nature's Archive Episodes | 05 Aug 2024 | 00:21:26 | |
Nature's Archive has published 100 episodes now. Well, actually over 100, because I normally don't count solo episodes. Wildfire with Lenya Quinn-Davidson Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #99: Into the Wild: Snow Leopards and Wildlife Photography with Jake Davis | 15 Jul 2024 | 00:53:41 | |
Have you ever watched Planet Earth and wondered how they get that amazing footage of elusive and wild animals? Get ready to learn about that and much more. Wildlife photographer Jake Davis shares his incredible journey from a 10-year-old with a disposable camera to capturing stunning footage for Planet Earth. Jake dives into the challenges and triumphs of filming elusive snow leopards in the Gobi Desert, including the technical intricacies of setting up camera traps. He also recounts dramatic encounters with Alaskan brown bears and the unique experience of placing a GoPro in a wolf den. Throughout, Jake emphasizes the importance of persistence, deep observation, the need to thoroughly understand wildlife behavior, and he even shares his connection between nature and mental health. You can find Jake on instagram @revealedinnature, or on his website jakedavis.tv. FULL SHOW NOTES America’s National Parks on Disney Plus Cognisys (camera traps) Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| Joro Spiders: Should You Be Concerned? And more Astounding Spiders with Dr. Sarah Rose | 24 Jun 2024 | 01:23:10 | |
Have you seen all of the scary headlines about massive venomous Joro spiders invading the eastern USA? Well, as you might imagine, these headlines are designed to drive clicks so that individuals and media can monetize their content. Today we’re going to discuss an animal that can make wind sails, cast nets, produce its own antifreeze, and is an A-list impersonator. Well, it’s not one animal, but a category of animals – spiders! And my guest today, Dr. Sarah Rose, is here to tell us all about it. Dr. Rose is the author of a spectacular new field guide, Spiders of North America from Princeton University Press, is chair of the American Arachnological Society’s Common Names Committee, and has a PhD in Restoration Ecology from The Ohio State University. We discuss Sarah’s journey to spiders, including her research into how spiders function as indicator species for habitats and ecosystems. Sarah tells us about the varied lifestyles of spiders, ranging from orb web weavers to sensing web weavers to ambush hunters, and more. We talk about different types of webs, spider guilds, profile some particularly interesting species such as the trash-line orb weaver, bolus spiders, and ant mimicking spiders, and much more. And be sure to check Sarah’s YouTube for lots of fun spider videos. Check the full show notes (link below) for some amazing spider photographs. Books Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #98: Ocean’s Green Giants: The Vital Role of Kelp with Tristin Anoush McHugh | 10 Jun 2024 | 01:02:15 | |
The ocean’s surface is a bit like the cover of a book. We have a title - the ocean - which gives us a hint about what it is. And we probably have some preconceived ideas about it based on the cover graphics or author. But we can’t see inside to truly understand the stories it wants to tell. One of those stories is about a forest - yes, an underwater forest that serves multiple critical purposes for life on earth. I’m talking about kelp forests, which generates oxygen, stores carbon, balances chemical cycles critical to life, and supports amazing biodiverse habitats. But kelp are in trouble. In fact, 96% of the kelp forests in today’s guest’s region have disappeared in just a few years, and the reasons are multiple and solutions unclear. And that guest is Tristin Anoush McHugh, the Kelp Project Director for The Nature Conservancy in California. I knew I had to meet Tristin after seeing a wonderful short film called Forests Above and Forests Below, which was written and narrated by Tristin. It’s a powerful 6 minute film - check the show notes for a link. And Tristin didn’t disappoint! Today Tristin helps us understand what kelp are and why they are in trouble. We discuss the complex relationships they have with sea otters, purple urchins, and sunflower sea stars. We also discuss the dramatic impacts of sea star wasting disease, as well as how warming oceans might be disrupting kelps ability to reproduce. I found the conversation to be incredibly enlightening, and extremely important. Oceans are disproportionately important to our climate and life in general, yet we all too often keep that book closed and on the shelf. Friday Harbor Labs, Jason Hodin - an article about his research on sea star wasting disease Reef Check is looking for diving volunteers The Bay Foundation - restoring Santa Monica Bay Kelp Forest Alliance Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #97: How to Love a Forest with Ethan Tapper | 20 May 2024 | 01:09:21 | |
Forestry is incredibly interesting and important, and it really speaks to me personally, because it’s one of these fields that is inherently interdisciplinary. You have to understand how things relate and connect to create a healthy, sustainable system. But traditionally, forestry was all about resource extraction, which often is done at the expense of long term sustainability. And my guest today, Ethan Tapper, is just the person to help us understand how forestry is changing. Ethan is a professional forester, and has incredibly unique personal experiences, which have helped him gain a compelling perspective on what makes for a “healthy” forest, and the trade-offs involved in getting there. Ethan personally manages a tract of forest called Bear Island in Vermont, and has had to deal with expanses of invasive species, disease, mismanagement, and much more to turn the tides and make the forest healthier. Today, we discuss exactly how Ethan defines what a healthy forest is, the trade-offs he considers when facing challenges such as invasive species and disease, the use of herbicides and forest thinning, and much more. And by the way, Ethan has packaged his personal journey into a book, due out in September 2024 called How to Love a Forest. And you can find him on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Also find Ethan at ethantapper.com, and his new consultancy, Bear Island Forestry. Previous Podcast Episodes Mentioned Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #96: From Rattles to Kings: Unraveling the Secrets of Snakes With Dr. Emily Taylor | 06 May 2024 | 01:05:36 | |
Snakes are the perfect topic for Nature’s Archive. They are often over-generalized to fit a worst-case stereotype, but they are critically important to our food webs and ecosystems. And like so much of what we discuss, once you start learning just a bit about them, you see how amazing and diverse they are. You can check emilytaylorscience.com for events she is attending and much more. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #95: The Rare 2024 Cicada Double Emergence with Dr. Chris Simon | 22 Apr 2024 | 01:06:44 | |
2024 is going to be another year of the cicada, with the emergence of two periodical cicada groups, or broods (Brood XIII and Brood XIX), at the same time, roughly in late April to early May. University of Connecticut Cicada Website that includes the recordings heard in today's episode. Cicada Mania has more information on cicadas! Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #94: Secrets of the Octopus with Sy Montgomery and Warren Carlyle | 08 Apr 2024 | 00:59:37 | |
When it comes to understanding nature, it often seems like the ocean surface - that undulating reflective layer of water - is more like an impenetrable curtain than just a layer of water. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #93: Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant - Carnivore Ecology, Wild Life, and Environmental Justice | 25 Mar 2024 | 00:40:41 | |
My guest today is Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. Dr. Wynn-Grant is the co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, is a wildlife ecologist and affiliated researcher at the UC Santa Barbara Bren School of Environmental and Science Management. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #92: Secrets of Beautifully Fuzzy Velvet Ants with Dr. Joseph Wilson (and a bit about native bees, too!) | 11 Mar 2024 | 01:08:42 | |
Have you ever seen a fuzzy looking ant? Maybe it looked like a little pipe cleaner with fuzzy red or yellow hair? Note: books are affiliate links to Bookshop.org. Support independent bookstores AND Jumpstart Nature by purchasing through these links or our bookshop store. Just Bugs Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #91: Examining Tree Physiology with Dr. Lucy Kerhoulas: Insights into Drought Adaptation and the Carbon Smoking Gun | 26 Feb 2024 | 01:00:25 | |
In nature, tree physiology is like the engine that keeps forests running smoothly, similar to how human physiology keeps our bodies going. Just as we study how our bodies' metabolism, respiratory systems, and other systems work to keep us healthy, biologists can look at tree physiology to understand how trees grow, use energy, and cope with challenges in their environment. Thanks to Kat Hill for editing help in today's episode. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #90: From Invasive Species to Allergenic Pollen with Allasandra Valdez (The Happy Botanist Podcast) and Dr. Daniel Katz | 12 Feb 2024 | 01:06:38 | |
You’re in for a treat today - it’s like two episodes in one. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #89: Burning Questions: Understanding Fire Management with Lenya Quinn-Davidson | 29 Jan 2024 | 01:13:37 | |
Many of you might recall the dramatic 2020 fire season in the western USA. In California alone, close to 4 million acres burned. Cities were clouded with smoke and unhealthy air for many weeks. I had ash fall at my home in San Jose, CA on several occasions. Thanks to Kat Hill for editing help in this episode. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||
| #88: BLM Unveiled: A Journey with Josh Jackson into our Forgotten Lands | 15 Jan 2024 | 01:04:15 | |
I bet you’ve heard of the National Park Service. Or the US Forest Service which manages all of our National Forests. Support Us On Patreon! Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need. | |||