đşđŚđđˇď¸ Updates on Various: Revisiting Red Wolves, Chronic Wasting Disease, Spotted Lanternflies, and Joro Spiders
Release Date: 10/18/2025
Feathers, Flurries, and the Biggest Animals on Earth
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris talk birds, snow, and some seriously giant wildlife. After sharing observations from the Great Backyard Bird Count and recent winter weather in the Carolinas, the conversation turns to a big topic, literally. From blue whales and African elephants to ostriches, whale sharks, ravens, and giant owls, the team explores some of the largest creatures on Earth with plenty of laughs and wow-worthy facts along the way. Itâs a lighthearted, fascinating episode that blends birdwatching, backyard nature, and wildlife trivia...
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How Well Do You Know Nature? (Encore Episode)
The Backyard Naturalists
Think you know your nature facts? Think again! In this encore episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie revisit one of their most entertaining and eye-opening showsâa fast-paced true/false nature quiz led by Chris thatâs packed with surprising science and plenty of laughs. From the important role squirrels play in reforesting our forests to the age-old question about whether earthworms really can regenerate after being cut in half, this episode separates backyard biology fact from fiction. Along the way, the hosts share personal stories, friendly debates, and...
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Take a Walk on the Wild Side: The Healing Power of Forest Bathing
The Backyard Naturalists
In this encore episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie revisit their inspiring conversation with certified forest therapy guide and author Melanie Choukas-Bradley to explore the healing power of forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku. Originating in Japan in the 1980s, this mindful practice invites us to slow down, unplug, and fully immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, scents, and textures of the natural world. Melanie shares the fascinating science behind forest bathingâincluding research showing it can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost immune...
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Beyond the Slither: The Many Ways Snakes Get Around
The Backyard Naturalists
What does it really mean when we say a snake âslithersâ? In this fascinating (and often hilarious!) episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome back their most frequent guestâsnake enthusiast Jay Bellâto explore the science behind snake locomotion. As it turns out, âslitheringâ barely scratches the surface. From serpentine and concertina movement to the gravity-defying climb of a Reticulated Python and the straight-line glide of a Gaboon Viper, snakes have evolved remarkably efficient ways to move through forests, deserts, trees, and even loose sand. Youâll...
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The Great Backyard Bird Count 2026
The Backyard Naturalists
Every February, bird lovers around the world step outside, look up, and become citizen scientists, and in this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie invite you to join the fun! Weâre diving into the latest results from the Great Backyard Bird Count, a worldwide citizen-science event that started in 1998 and has grown into a truly global celebration of birds, data, and discovery. From over 838,000 participants to sightings spanning 8,078 bird species, the 2025 results prove just how powerful everyday nature lovers can be. Youâll hear highlights from...
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Cold Weather in the Backyard: Helping Birds and Wildlife Through Winter
The Backyard Naturalists
Winter weather in the Carolinas doesnât come around often, but when it does, it gets everyone talking, including the birds. In this episode, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris share firsthand stories from a week of ice, cold, and wildly overhyped forecasts, then turn their attention to what really matters: how winter weather impacts the wildlife right outside your door. From birds flocking to feeders ahead of a storm to the surprising importance of fresh water, even in freezing temperatures, this conversation is packed with practical, backyard-ready insights. Youâll learn what birds are looking for...
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Conservation, Zoos, and Changing the World
The Backyard Naturalists
Zoos have come a long wayâand in this episode of The Backyard Naturalists Podcast, Debbie and Laurie kick off their first recording of 2026 by exploring just how different modern zoos are from those many of us remember as kids. From concrete enclosures to expansive, naturalistic habitats, todayâs zoos play a vital role not only in animal care, but in global conservation. Joining the conversation is Drew Cronin, Director of Conservation Education and Science at the North Carolina Zoo, who offers an eye-opening look at how zoos now serve as powerful hubs for research, education, and...
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When Alaska Was Home: A Motherâs Story of Survival and Wonder
The Backyard Naturalists
What was it really like to raise a family in the Alaskan wilderness with little money, no indoor plumbing, and nature as both neighbor and teacher? In this unforgettable episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris sit down with Laurieâs mom, Joe, who shares firsthand stories of raising four children on a remote Alaskan homestead. From hauling water through ice five feet thick and living through 70-below-zero temperatures to gardening, milking cows, cleaning salmon by the hundreds, and watching moose and bears wander too close for comfort, Joe paints a vivid picture of...
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Starting 2026 the Natural Way
The Backyard Naturalists
As we welcome in 2026, Debbie and Laurie kick off the new year with a relaxed, behind-the-scenes conversation about nature, community, and whatâs ahead for The Backyard Naturalists. From skipping midnight celebrations to rethinking traditional New Yearâs resolutions, the discussion turns toward meaningful, nature-centered intentions, like reducing food waste, swapping non-native plants for native species, and letting our gardens stay a little âmessyâ for the benefit of wildlife. Along the way, they share timely winter tips for bird lovers, including the importance of bird baths,...
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The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 â Whatâs Really on Your Produce?
The Backyard Naturalists
In this quick but eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a closer look at the Environmental Working Groupâs annual Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 listsâtwo rankings that help consumers understand which fruits and vegetables carry the highest (and lowest) pesticide residues. Whether you shop for your family, your backyard wildlife, or even your parrots (as both Debbie and Laurie do!), this is essential information for keeping everyone safe and healthy. Debbie and Laurie walk through both lists, covering the worst offenders like potatoes, blueberries,...
info_outlineIn this weekâs episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take listeners on a fascinating update tour of several topics previously featured on the show, all of which continue to evolve in the natural world. From hopeful signs of recovery to growing ecological concerns, this episode is packed with new developments and ways for citizen scientists to get involved.
Youâll hear encouraging news about the Red Wolf Recovery Project, where careful management and breeding efforts in North Carolina are giving this critically endangered species a better shot at survival. Then, the hosts revisit the ongoing battle against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer, often dubbed the âzombie disease.â Learn about the latest testing results, updated hunting restrictions, and why understanding this issue matters beyond state lines.
The team also checks in on two invasive species making headlines: the striking but destructive Spotted Lanternfly, now spreading across the Southeast, and the large, brightly patterned Joro Spider, whose range has expanded into the Carolinas. Youâll discover how to spot, report, and help manage these species using simple tools like iNaturalist, proving that everyone can play a role in conservation.
Tune in for science, stories, and a few laughs (especially from those less-than-fond of spiders)! This episode reminds us that nature is always changing, and so is our understanding of it.