Spring Cleaning for a Wildlife-Friendly Yard
The Backyard Naturalists
Spring is here, and it’s time to give your backyard a refresh—nature-friendly style! In this award-winning episode of The Backyard Naturalists, our expert hosts, certified Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors, share essential tips for making your outdoor space a haven for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. From scrubbing bird feeders and freshening up birdhouses to planting native species and maintaining wildlife-friendly landscapes, this episode is packed with practical advice. Learn why timing is everything when it comes to yard work, how to support nesting birds...
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After the Storm: Hurricane Helene’s Impact on NC’s Waters
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode of the award winning Backyard Naturalists podcast, we dive into the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina’s aquatic ecosystems. Our special guest, Corey Oakley from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, shares firsthand insights into the devastation caused by historic flooding and landslides in the Appalachian region. With some areas receiving over 30 inches of rain in just 48 hours, the storm drastically altered river landscapes, eroded stream banks, and even wiped out a major trout hatchery—resulting in the loss of 600,000...
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Nature Fact or Fiction? Test Your Wild Knowledge!
The Backyard Naturalists
Get ready for a wild ride through the world of nature myths! In this fun and engaging episode of The Backyard Naturalists, an award-winning podcast loved in over 115 countries, hosts Debbie and Laurie put their knowledge to the test with a true/false quiz led by Chris. From the surprising way squirrels help reforest the planet to whether earthworms can really regenerate when cut in half, the hosts tackle common nature beliefs—some true, some totally false! Along the way, they share personal anecdotes, fun facts, and even a few debates over tricky questions. Plus, the...
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From Alpacas to Agritourism: The Magic of Apple Hill Farm
The Backyard Naturalists
Get ready for a heartwarming and inspiring episode of The Backyard Naturalists! This week, our award-winning podcast welcomes Lee Rankin, owner of Apple Hill Farm in North Carolina, to share her incredible journey from alpaca admirer to agritourism entrepreneur. Located near Boone, Apple Hill Farm is home to a variety of animals, including llamas, donkeys, goats, and more—welcoming over 10,000 visitors each year. Lee dives into the magic of agritourism, the sustainable practices that keep the farm thriving, and the unique benefits of alpaca fiber. She also shares how Apple Hill...
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Healing Wildlife: The Mission of NC Wildlife Rehab with Ruby Davis
The Backyard Naturalists
Step into the wild with this award-winning episode of The Backyard Naturalists! This week, hosts Debbie and Laurie welcome Ruby Davis, a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist, to discuss the inspiring work of NC Wildlife Rehab. After going dormant for five years, this nonprofit is back in action thanks to Ruby and veterinarian Dr. Laura Latham, providing vital care to North Carolina’s native wildlife—including bats, turtles, mammals, and reptiles. From advanced medical treatments to mentorship programs for fellow rehabilitators, NC Wildlife Rehab is making a difference,...
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Growing a Greener Future: How Trees Charlotte is Shaping the Urban Canopy
The Backyard Naturalists
Charlotte is on a mission to stay green, and this week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re digging into how Trees Charlotte is making it happen! As an award-winning podcast hosted by certified nature lovers—including Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors—we’re thrilled to welcome Heather Brent, an urban forest educator, to talk all things trees. Trees Charlotte has planted and given away over 60,000 trees since 2012, working toward an ambitious goal of 50% tree canopy coverage by 2050. In this episode, Heather shares how the organization engages the community, selects...
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The Dirty Truth About Toilet Paper: Sustainability, Forests, and Your Choices
The Backyard Naturalists
Flush out the facts on toilet paper sustainability in this eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists! As an award-winning podcast hosted by certified nature enthusiasts—including Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors—we're diving into the environmental impact of one of life's everyday essentials. Join us as we break down the latest findings from the Natural Resources Defense Council’s The Issue with Tissue report, which grades popular toilet paper brands based on their environmental impact. We’ll explore the critical role of Canada’s boreal forests, why recycled...
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Birds, Binoculars, and Big Data: Get Ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count!
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, an award-winning podcast heard in 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the Carolinas. Hosted by Debbie and Laurie, passionate nature advocates with credentials like Master Naturalist and Wildlife Ambassador, this multi-award winning show dives into everything connected with the natural world! In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most exciting global citizen science projects: the . Discover how over 642,000 participants from 210 countries helped identify 7,920 bird species in the 2024 count—out of nearly 11,000 worldwide!...
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Forest Bathing: Nature’s Prescription for Mind, Body, and Soul
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest therapy guide, author, and naturalist, to explore the art and science of forest bathing. Originating in Japan as "shinrin-yoku," forest bathing is the practice of immersing oneself in nature to reap significant physical and mental health benefits. Melanie explains how this practice, introduced in the 1980s, has been proven to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, improve sleep, and reduce stress. She shares how Washington, D.C.—with its abundant parks and...
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A Different Buzz on Honeybees
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie and Laurie welcome Dr. Carrie DeJaco, an ecological consultant and native plant expert, to explore the fascinating—and sometimes surprising—role of honeybees in pollination. Dr. DeJaco shares that honeybees, while vital for commercial agriculture, are not native to the Americas and are classified as livestock by the USDA. Their presence often overshadows the crucial role of native pollinators, which are more effective at pollinating many crops. With over 500 native bee species in North Carolina alone, the importance of...
info_outlineThe Backyard Naturalists are absolutely thrilled to feature Dr. Carrie, DeJaco, Ph.D. on this episode to have a conversation about invasive plants. Dr. DeJaco is an Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina. She also holds a B. A. and Masters Degree in Biology from the University of Louisville. Carrie loves using Pfeiffer's extensive Misenheimer campus as an outdoor classroom in which her students can conduct projects with invasive species, succession, and landscape reconciliation. We start the conversation at the very beginning with the simple question, “what is an invasive plant” and during the discussion, we review items such as:
- The Top 10 List of invasive plants in the Greater Charlotte, NC region
- Which invasive plant can you get rid of to help control mosquitoes in your yard
- Once you’ve rid your yard of invasive ground cover, what’s a good, drought tolerant replacement
During this episode, Debbie mentions a document published by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County which reviews invasive exotic plants in the area and how it serves as a guide to their identification and removal. The publication can be accessed here.
Carrie's website provides a comprehensive list and detailed information on native and invasive plants for your yard and garden.
We encourage you to regularly visit Dr. DeJaco’s Facebook page, For the Birds and the Bees and connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.
Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.
Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.
Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].