Build It and They Will Come: Certify Your Wildlife Habitat!
Release Date: 05/03/2025
Catching Up – Monarchs, Lanternflies, and Zombie Deer? Oh My!
The Backyard Naturalists
It’s time to catch up with The Backyard Naturalists, your weekly dose of everything wild and wonderful in the natural world! This week, Debbie and Laurie are taking a look back—and a hopeful step forward—as they revisit three important topics that continue to affect our backyards and beyond: the Spotted Lanternfly, Chronic Wasting Disease (aka “Zombie Deer Disease”), and the Monarch Butterfly population. From celebrating 94,000+ listens (can you believe it?!) to sharing laughs about bell ringing at the Matthews Community Farmers Market, this episode is full of gratitude, good vibes,...
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🎧 Frogs, Toads & Backyard Choruses
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a fun and fascinating leap into the world of frogs and toads—those small but mighty voices you hear rising from ponds, ditches, and backyards as spring turns into summer. You’ll learn how to spot (and hear!) some of North Carolina’s most common amphibians, including the American Bullfrog, Southern Leopard Frog, Spring Peeper, American Toad, and the charmingly named Eastern Spadefoot Toad. The hosts break down what makes frogs different from toads, share the importance of ephemeral ponds for breeding, and encourage...
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🐍 Snakes, Safety, and a Python Named Norm
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re welcoming a cold-blooded guest — and we mean that in the best way possible. Reptile educator Jay Bell joins Debbie and Laurie in the studio, bringing along his unforgettable companion: Norm, a Burmese python who stretches over 6 feet long (and still growing!). Together, they unpack a fascinating (and often misunderstood) corner of the natural world: snakes. Whether you're a snake lover or snake skeptic, this episode has something for you: 🐍 Snake bite safety 101 – What to do and what NOT to do if you're ever bitten by a venomous snake ...
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Saturday Mornings at the Market: A Visit to Matthews Farmers Market
The Backyard Naturalists
In this vibrant episode, hosts Debbie and Laurie take us on-location to one of North Carolina’s most cherished local gems: the Matthews Farmers Market. With the sun just rising and vendors setting up, they capture the buzz and beauty of the market firsthand — and share conversations with the passionate people who make it all happen. You’ll hear from: 🎙️ Jessica Thomas, Market Manager, who shares the market’s 34-year journey and recent growth to over 58 local vendors. 🥕 Farmers from Wild Hope Farm, Heaven’s Dew Farm, and others, diving into organic, sustainable, and...
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Tiny Habitats for your Backyard
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our or our . We would really like to hear from you. Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the , and . Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at . A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte. Thanks for listening to The Backyard...
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🐦 Backyard Dreams, Blunders & Big Ideas
The Backyard Naturalists
This week, things get personal (and a little playful!) as Debbie, Laurie, and Chris go round-robin style in a fun backyard-themed Q&A game! 🎙️🌿 They dish on their dream features (hello, pond and bat house!), favorite parts of their yards (shade gardens, native plants, and more), and even the gardening goofs they’ve made along the way. 🙈 From invasive monkey grass to erosion woes, they don’t hold back—because every backyard habitat has a story! You’ll get practical tips on how to start small with bird feeders, water sources, and native plants, plus big-picture ideas to...
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🦋 Host Plants: Rolling Out the Red Carpet for Butterflies
The Backyard Naturalists
Want to welcome butterflies to your yard and help them thrive? This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie dig into the magical role of host plants—the essential “nurseries” for butterflies and other pollinators. 🌿🦋🐛 While nectar plants might get all the glory, host plants are where the real action happens: eggs are laid, caterpillars feed, and life cycles begin. This episode is your go-to guide for making your yard more butterfly-friendly—from milkweed to magnolia. With personal stories, practical tips, and plenty of plant inspiration, this episode is a...
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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:...
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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...
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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_outlineWe’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: It’s easier than you think!
🌳 In this episode, you’ll discover:
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✅ The 4 essentials every certified habitat must provide: food, water, cover, and places to raise young
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✅ Why native plants (at least 70%!) are now required—and why pollinators LOVE them
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✅ Easy wins in your yard that might already qualify
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✅ How to take action with sustainability: composting, conserving water, and reducing pollution
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✅ The feel-good perks of certification—including your official NWF sign and bragging rights!
For just $25, you’ll get a personalized certificate, NWF membership, and the opportunity to join a growing movement—nearly 300,000 habitats strong nationwide! 🦋
🎧 Listen, like, and subscribe to The Backyard Naturalists on:
🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎶 Spotify
📱 Or wherever you hear podcasts!
🌻 Ready to take the challenge? Certify your own wildlife habitat and tell us all about it—we’d love to feature your story!