Celebrating the Season: The Christmas Tree Chronicles
Release Date: 11/25/2023
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...
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Moon Gardens
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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Endangered Species in North Carolina
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Laurie and Debbie welcome Sarah Schweitzer from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to discuss endangered species in the state and the critical efforts to protect them. Sarah outlines the different levels of species classification, from common species like waterfowl and deer to those listed as species of concern, threatened, or endangered. She highlights reintroduction efforts for elk and red wolves, noting that while elk populations are stable, only 12-20 red wolves remain in the wild. The discussion explores the...
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Holiday Memories and Traditions
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, hosts Chris, Laurie, and Debbie share heartwarming memories and favorite traditions of the holiday season. From Christmas and Thanksgiving to New Year’s celebrations, the hosts discuss their cherished customs, delicious holiday foods, and unforgettable gifts. Highlights include: Cooking family favorites like turkey, gumbo, and standing rib roast. Sipping eggnog and sharing photos with loved ones. Treasured gifts...
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Eco-Friendly Holidays: Food, Decorations, and Gifts
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie and Laurie explore ways to celebrate the holiday season while making environmentally-friendly choices. From sustainable food options to eco-conscious decorations and thoughtful gift-giving, this episode is packed with practical tips for reducing your environmental impact during the holidays. Learn how to: Shop locally and seasonally for fresh, sustainable holiday meals. Choose real Christmas trees or plantable...
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Saving Species: Insights into the Endangered Species Process with Sara Schweitzer
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 welcome Sara Schweitzer from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to discuss the intricate process of identifying and protecting endangered species. Sara shares insights into how federal and state agencies collaborate to assess species' population trends, distribution, and vulnerability through rigorous surveys and scientific review. Learn about the classifications of endangered, threatened, and special concern...
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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,...
info_outlineWelcome to a special seasonal episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! In this episode, we delve into the age-old debate of artificial vs. real Christmas trees. As we explore the ecological impact, we discover that artificial trees, despite their convenience, have a threefold negative impact on climate change and resource depletion, and they often end up in landfills. But fear not, we'll share a way to mitigate these drawbacks if you still prefer an artificial tree.
It's fascinating to learn how Christmas tree farming is a thriving part of the economy, with over 15,000 tree farms across the US. These sustainable crops might just change the way you see your holiday centerpiece. Plus, we uncover a heartwarming survey result: those who cut their own trees are more likely to create new holiday traditions with family. Tune in to explore the fascinating world of Christmas trees, their impact on our planet, and the heartwarming traditions they inspire.
If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.
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].
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.