Build It and They Will Come: Certify Your Wildlife Habitat!
The Backyard Naturalists
We’re going back to our roots—literally! In one of our most popular topics to date, The Backyard Naturalists are revisiting how YOU can turn your outdoor space into a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation’s newly streamlined program. 🐝🌼🐸 Whether you have a sprawling backyard, a small garden, or even a balcony, this episode is packed with practical advice, updated guidelines, and sustainable ideas to help you provide essential resources for local wildlife—all while earning an official certification you can proudly display! 🌿 Spoiler Alert:...
info_outline
Recycle Right: A Conversation with Mecklenburg County Solid Waste
The Backyard Naturalists
What really happens to your recyclables after they leave the curb? This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we sit down with Jeff Smithberger, Director of Mecklenburg County’s Solid Waste Management Program, for an eye-opening look into the world of local recycling. Serving over 1.1 million residents across Charlotte and surrounding communities, Mecklenburg County’s waste management operation is a complex, high-impact effort that affects every household. From curbside do’s and don’ts to hidden costs of contamination, Jeff helps us understand what it means to Recycle Right—and why...
info_outline
Earth Day 2025: Our Power, Our Planet
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we're honoring Earth Day 2025 with a powerful and inspiring episode centered around this year’s global theme: “Our Power, Our Planet.” 🌍💚 Join us as we explore how small, everyday choices can make a big impact. From rethinking your grocery list to planting native species and reducing plastic use, this episode is packed with practical ways you can turn your backyard—and your habits—into a force for environmental good. We also take a look back at the history of Earth Day and dive deep into the empowering idea of the **“Power of...
info_outline
Eco-Friendly Fixes for Springtime Yard Woes
The Backyard Naturalists
Spring has sprung, and so have weeds, pests, and garden invaders! In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie and Laurie dig into eco-friendly solutions for common yard and garden challenges. From natural weed control methods like solarization and manual removal to chemical-free pest management with neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and even beer traps (yes, really!)—this episode is packed with practical, planet-friendly tips. Learn how to attract beneficial insects, identify pesky plant invaders, and protect your spring blooms without harming the environment or...
info_outline
Native Plants vs. Cultivars—What’s the Buzz?
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, the award-winning podcast about anything and everything connected with nature, hosts Debbie and Laurie welcome Dr. Carrie DeJaco—botanist, native plant advocate, and all-around plant powerhouse! Heard in 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the Carolinas, The Backyard Naturalists is proudly hosted by credentialed nature enthusiasts, including a Master Naturalist and Wildlife Ambassador, who bring both heart and expertise to every episode. In this engaging and informative conversation, Dr. DeJaco dives into the key differences between...
info_outline
Battling Aquatic Invaders – How You Can Help
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. Aquatic invasive species are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious threats to ecosystems, economies, and even public safety! In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, our award-winning hosts welcome Khristopher Stahr and Jenna Paugels from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to dive into the hidden dangers lurking beneath the water’s surface. From zebra mussels clogging waterways to invasive carp disrupting food chains, Christopher and Jenna break down the...
info_outline
Saving the Monarchs – What You Can Do to Help
The Backyard Naturalists
Monarch butterflies are in serious trouble, and this week’s episode of The Backyard Naturalists dives into why. Our award-winning hosts, certified Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors, break down the alarming 96% decline in western monarch populations and what’s causing it—from habitat loss to pesticide use and climate change. But it’s not all bad news! Debbie and Laurie share simple yet impactful ways you can help, like planting native milkweed, skipping pesticides, and creating pollinator-friendly spaces. Plus, they highlight organizations leading conservation...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
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].