North Carolina Conservation Network with Kristen Rhodes
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode, Debbie and Laurie sit down with Kristen Rhodes, an organizer with the North Carolina Conservation Network (NCCN), to explore the power of grassroots action in protecting our stateâs environment. Kristen introduces NCCN as a statewide network of more than 60 environmental and justice organizations, all working collaboratively to safeguard North Carolinaâs natural resources and public health. She highlights the groupâs three key initiatives: Campus Fellows Program â Engaging 30 students across 11 UNC campuses (including 3 HBCUs) to educate peers on environmental issues...
info_outline
Lighting Up the Night with Fireflies
The Backyard Naturalists
This week, Debbie and Laurie welcome Ben Pfeiffer, founder of Firefly Conservation and Research, for a glowing conversation all about one of natureâs most magical creatures â the firefly! â¨đ Or, depending on where you grew up, the lightning bug. Ben shares his passion and deep knowledge of these enchanting insects, explaining why firefly populations are declining, how development and habitat loss play a role, and what we can do to help. From surprising facts (fireflies are found on every continent except Antarctica!) to sobering realities (some species are already at risk of...
info_outline
Bizarre Animal Behaviors â Nature Gets Weird!
The Backyard Naturalists
Ever heard of a shrew with venomous saliva, a vulture that cools off by pooping on its own legs, or a bird that impales its prey on barbed wire? đŚ¨đŚ đŚ This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris take you on a wild ride through some of the strangest, funniest, and downright bizarre behaviors in the animal kingdom. Youâll hear jaw-dropping stories like: Shrews that paralyze their prey and store them in a âmeat lockerâ for later. Vultures with stomach-turning defense mechanisms. Loggerhead shrikes who skewer their meals on thorns or fence posts. Humpback...
info_outline
đż Summer in Your Habitat
The Backyard Naturalists
Summer is STILL here, and if youâve stepped outside lately, youâve probably felt it tooâsweltering heat, sticky air, and maybe even a few critters making themselves a little too comfortable in your backyard. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie (with Chris chiming in, of course!) share a lighthearted but practical guide to keeping your habitat healthy during the hottest stretch of the year. âď¸ Heat & Hydration â Creative ways to keep bird baths cool, from ice cubes to misters, plus why moving feeders into shade can make all the...
info_outline
iNaturalist â Connecting People, Nature, and Science
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Allison Young, Director of Outreach Programs for iNaturalist, the global platform thatâs changing the way people experience nature. Whether youâre snapping a photo of a butterfly in your backyard, spotting a rare bird on a hike, or identifying tracks in the mud, iNaturalist turns those moments into data that helps fuel research, conservation, and environmental education worldwide. Allison takes us behind the scenes of iNaturalist, from its humble beginnings as a grad school project at UC Berkeley in 2008 to a thriving...
info_outline
More Random Wanderings and Wonderings
The Backyard Naturalists
Welcome back, nature lovers! After a few weeks of summer break, The Backyard Naturalists are back with another brand-new episode, and this oneâs all about embracing the spontaneity that summer inspires. In this weekâs episode, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris settle in for another unscripted (and unplanned) conversation that meanders through the joys and challenges of late summer in the Carolinas. From paddleboarding adventures and pumpkin spice opinions (we see you, Trader Joeâs!) to prepping your yard for fall planting, this episode is full of helpful tips and laughs along the way. đż...
info_outline
The Plant That Ate the World: All About Japanese Knotweed
The Backyard Naturalists
What do you get when you cross a fast-growing, hard-to-kill, concrete-cracking plant with curious naturalists and a microphone? You get this weekâs brand-new episode of The Backyard Naturalists! Debbie and Laurie are back and diving into the wild, weird world of Japanese knotweedâalso known as "the plant that ate the world." Itâs not every day a plant earns a reputation as one of the most invasive species on the planet. But Japanese knotweed? Itâs in a class all its own. Originally introduced for landscaping and erosion control (oops), itâs now banned in many states and...
info_outline
Fantastic Foxes: Rehab and Real Talk with Elizabeth Negron
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, weâre diving nose-first into the world of foxes with Elizabeth Negron, Director of Foxtales Wildlife Rehab in Midland, Virginia. Elizabeth shares her journey from Washington State to the East Coast, driven by her lifelong fascination with foxes. She offers incredible insights into their behavior, biology, diet, and the important role they play in our environment. Youâll learn what it takes to care for orphaned kits, the surprising foods foxes love, and why theyâre often misunderstood in suburban and rural areas. Elizabeth also highlights the...
info_outline
Encore Episode: Bye-Bye, Seed Bandits! Meet the Squirrel Buster
The Backyard Naturalists
Weâre reaching back to one of our most popular episodes for this weekâs encoreâand trust us, itâs a fan favorite for a reason! If squirrels have ever turned your bird feeders into their personal buffet, this oneâs for you. Debbie and Lori are joined by Tatiana Thompson of Brome Bird Care, makers of the innovative Squirrel Buster bird feeders. Broadcasting all the way from snowy Quebec, Tatiana shares the backstory of how a simple idea grew into a worldwide movement in backyard birding. You'll learn how Bromeâs clever feeder designs help bird lovers keep the seed for the...
info_outline
Encore: Skunks, Sass, and Surprises with Ruby Davis
The Backyard Naturalists
Have you ever wondered whatâs really going on with the skunks in your backyard? 𦨠In this fascinating encore episode of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie and Laurie sit down once again with fan-favorite Ruby Davis for a deep dive into one of natureâs most misunderstood creatures. Ruby brings her signature blend of expertise and storytelling to the conversation, helping us explore skunk behavior, their surprising benefits to the ecosystem, and how to peacefully coexist with these nocturnal visitors. Whether youâve had a skunk sighting or just want to learn something new about...
info_outlineSummer is STILL here, and if youâve stepped outside lately, youâve probably felt it tooâsweltering heat, sticky air, and maybe even a few critters making themselves a little too comfortable in your backyard. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie (with Chris chiming in, of course!) share a lighthearted but practical guide to keeping your habitat healthy during the hottest stretch of the year.
-
âď¸ Heat & Hydration â Creative ways to keep bird baths cool, from ice cubes to misters, plus why moving feeders into shade can make all the difference.
-
đŚ Summer Feeding Tips â When to swap out hummingbird nectar, how to keep suet from melting, and a freezer trick to protect birdseed from pests.
-
đŞď¸ Weather & Wildlife â Preparing your yard before storms, and what to do if you find a nest on the ground afterward.
-
đą Pests & Plants â Why spraying isnât the answer, how to handle Japanese beetles and mosquitoes naturally, and which invasive plants to watch out for.
-
đŚ Backyard Bullies â From raccoons and squirrels to starlings and outdoor cats, Debbie and Laurie share stories, laughs, and tried-and-true tricks to keep the peace.
This isnât just about surviving summerâitâs about helping your backyard thrive. With practical tips, neighborly humor, and plenty of âwhoa!â moments, youâll walk away ready to make your space a safe, welcoming spot for wildlife (and maybe a little cooler for yourself, too).
Donât miss this fun, informative episode of The Backyard Naturalists! Listen now, and be sure to subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review so more folks can discover how rewarding it is to care for the nature right outside their door.