How Big Is It? Part 2: Natureâs Biggest and Boldest Creatures
The Backyard Naturalists
In this fun and fast-moving second installment of âHow Big Is It?â, Debbie and Laurie explore some of the biggest creatures in the natural worldâfrom the worldâs largest vulture and giant hummingbird to the Komodo dragon, Goliath frog, capybara, and even a massive Australian sea snail. Along the way, they share surprising facts about size, habitat, diet, and behavior, with plenty of laughter and off-the-cuff conversation that makes this episode feel like youâre sitting right at the kitchen table with them. Listeners will come away with a new appreciation for the incredible diversity...
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Encore Episode: Spring Weeds, Pests, and Planet-Friendly Solutions
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, weâre bringing back a timely favorite from last spring as an encore presentation packed with practical, eco-friendly garden advice. Debbie and Laurie revisit smart, natural solutions for some of the seasonâs most common backyard headaches, including weeds, garden pests, and unwanted plant invaders. From weed control methods like solarization and hand-pulling to chemical-free pest strategies using neem oil, diatomaceous earth, and even beer traps, this episode is full of easy, earth-friendly ideas for a healthier yard and garden. Youâll also hear...
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Whatâs It Called? Animal Homes from Nests to Dens
The Backyard Naturalists
What do you call the place an animal lives? In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie dive into the surprisingly fascinating world of animal homes. From bird nests and squirrel dreys to eagle aeries, bobcat dens, bird rookeries, and bee hives, they explore the wide variety of places wildlife builds, borrows, and calls home. Along the way, they share fun facts about everything from turtles, termites, and raccoons to alligators, snakes, wolves, and even octopuses. As always, the conversation is lively, curious, and full of the kind of nature trivia that makes you look at the...
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Use It Up: Project Pan and Mindful Consumption
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a fresh look at Project Pan, a social media trend encouraging people to use up every last bit of the products they already own before buying more. What starts with makeup and toiletries opens into a bigger conversation about mindful consumption, reducing waste, saving money, and making more environmentally responsible choices in everyday life. From cleaning supplies and pantry items to clothing and online shopping habits, this episode explores simple ways to cut back on excess and rethink what we bring into our homes. Along...
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Encore: Spring Yard Cleanup That Helps Birds and Pollinators
The Backyard Naturalists
In this popular encore episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie team up with Chris to tackle a timely spring topic: how to clean up your yard in ways that support birds, pollinators, and other backyard wildlife. From scrubbing bird feeders and bird baths to preparing bird houses for nesting season, they share practical, easy-to-follow tips for creating a healthier habitat just as migration and breeding season begin. Along the way, they explain why fresh water, mealworms, suet, and properly placed nesting boxes can make a big difference for the wildlife that depends on your yard....
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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...
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.
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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.
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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.
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đŞď¸ Weather & Wildlife â Preparing your yard before storms, and what to do if you find a nest on the ground afterward.
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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.
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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.