Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Which is Better for the Planet?
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this festive episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, hosts Laurie and Debbie explore the lively debate between real and artificial Christmas trees. With environmental impact, sustainability, and holiday traditions on the table, they discuss the pros and cons of each option. The hosts dive into the origins and ecological footprint of artificial trees, highlighting that while they’re made from plastic and steel and mostly produced overseas, using them for five or more...
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Amazing Animal Adaptations with Stan Tekiela
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie are joined by renowned nature photographer, author, and wildlife expert Stan Tekiela to explore the incredible world of animal adaptations. From polar bears' heat-absorbing fur and bats’ echolocation abilities to the hibernation habits of bears and chipmunks, Stan shares fascinating insights into how animals survive and thrive in diverse environments. Listeners will hear about remarkable examples of adaptation,...
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Turning Your Backyard into a Food Forest with Dr. Jason Crean
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, we dive into the world of food forests with Dr. Jason Crean, a biologist and animal nutrition expert. After moving to Florida, Dr. Crean transformed his suburban yard into a thriving “food oasis” to provide diverse, nutritious diets for his animals, including toucans and fruit doves, while reducing grocery costs. Dr. Crean shares how he optimized every bit of space, from raised beds to marginal areas, and...
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Life on the Last Frontier - Laurie's Alaskan Homestead Childhood
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this captivating follow-up episode, Laurie takes listeners back to her childhood years growing up on a remote homestead in Alaska. From age 6 to 18, she experienced life off the grid, where survival skills, hard work, and a deep respect for nature were essential. Laurie shares what it was like to endure frigid temperatures down to -50°F, live in a converted school bus before her family built a house, and be surrounded by breathtaking, yet rugged wilderness. Listeners will...
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Plant ID Made Easy: Exploring the Best Apps for Nature Lovers
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Laurie and Debbie dig into the world of plant identification apps! They review several popular options, including Picture This, Plant Snap, Leaf Snap, Flora Incognita, Plant Net, iNaturalist, and Garden Answers. Each app has unique features, from instant ID and care info to community science-based databases. Whether you're a beginner or a plant pro, they cover the pros and cons—like accuracy, database scope, and ease of use—so...
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Fun and Festive Fall Flowers
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we dive into the joys of fall gardening! With cooler temperatures and colorful leaves setting the stage, now is the perfect time to plant native perennials that will thrive through the season and beyond. Learn about the best fall planting practices, including checking for pesticide-free plants and finding region-specific perennial favorites like Heuchera, Echinacea, Black-eyed Susans, and more. Our hosts, Debbie and Laurie, also...
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Leave the Leaves: A Simple Way to Support Wildlife with David Mizejewski
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we welcome David Mizejewski from the National Wildlife Federation to discuss the "Leave the Leaves" campaign for October. David shares the surprising ecological benefits of keeping fallen leaves on your property rather than removing them. From creating essential habitats for fireflies, bumblebees, and butterflies to reducing methane emissions and improving soil health, leaving leaves is an easy way to support wildlife and the environment. ...
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How Leaves Change Their Colors
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. As fall has officially arrived in the Carolinas, The Backyard Naturalists take a closer look at one of the season's most magical transformations: the changing colors of leaves. In this episode, we revisit some fun facts from grade school science class, exploring how chlorophyll plays a dominant role in leaf color and how it eventually breaks down to reveal the stunning reds, yellows, oranges, and purples of autumn. We also discuss the fascinating factors behind different hues,...
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Kicking Off Our FOURTH Season of all Things Connected with Nature ! ! !
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to Season 4 of The Backyard Naturalists! In this special premiere, hosts Debbie and Laurie reflect on an incredible journey that’s grown beyond their wildest expectations — now with over 72,000 listeners across 125 countries! From bird-feeding tips and the benefits of planting trees to unique nature trivia and guest experts sharing their passion for the environment, the past three seasons have been packed with "whoa moments." Join us as we take a fun trip down memory lane, reliving favorite episodes, fascinating discoveries, and behind-the-scenes stories that make The...
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Benefits of Trees
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we dive into the many reasons why trees are invaluable to our health, environment, and economy. A recent study conducted by the University of Louisville shows that planting trees can significantly reduce heart disease markers, improve sleep quality, and encourage outdoor activities. Trees also offer environmental benefits like reducing flooding, improving air quality, and supporting the food chain for wildlife. Economically, they boost...
info_outlineWelcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the captivating podcast that delves into the wonders of nature! Broadcasting across 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the picturesque Carolinas, our show has garnered acclaim, including the prestigious Best of the Weeklies award from the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly.
In this episode, we’re joined by the remarkable Lenny Lampel, a seasoned natural resources supervisor at Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec. Lenny wears another hat too: he’s a Central Carolina’s Master Naturalist. His and Debbie’s paths intertwined years ago when they were part of the inaugural graduating class.
Cicadas, those enigmatic insects, take center stage today. Their appearance is anything but ordinary—large, chunky, and with a distinct short body. But it’s their song that truly captivates. Imagine describing a cicada to someone who’s never encountered one—their buzzing, their rhythmic chorus. These creatures span the globe, their presence felt in every corner.
What ignites the collective fascination with cicadas? Lenny’s take is simple: “It’s fascinating.” Even the periodical cicadas, part of the magical genus known as “Magic Cicada”, evoke wonder. Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or a casual observer, cicadas demand attention.
And here’s the twist: 2024 is a special year. We’re witnessing the simultaneous emergence of two distinct broods of periodical cicadas. These remarkable insects are exclusive to the eastern and central United States, nowhere else on Earth. Researchers are on the edge of their seats, eager to witness the unfolding drama.
So, dear listeners, whether you’re sipping coffee in Charlotte, hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, or strolling along the Carolina coast, join us as we explore the secret lives of cicadas. It’s a symphony of wings, a tale of survival, and a reminder that nature’s wonders are always in concert.
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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].
While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning.