Wings in the Backyard: Butterfly Gardening with Pamela Grundy
Release Date: 10/04/2025
What Do I Do If I Find…? Wildlife Rehab Q&A with Ruby Davis
The Backyard Naturalists
In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome back “Flocker” and trusted friend of the show, Ruby Davis of NC Wildlife Rehab, for a rapid-fire myth-busting session about what to do when you encounter wildlife in your own backyard. From possums playing dead to raccoons out in the daytime, baby bunnies hidden in plain sight, fallen squirrel nests, mysterious fawns, mangy foxes, and even the occasional bat on the ground—Ruby walks us through what’s normal, what’s concerning, and when to step in (or absolutely not step in). Her calm, science-based guidance cuts...
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Encore: The Spotted Lanternfly with Dr. Kelly Oten
The Backyard Naturalists
In this encore presentation of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne revisit one of the most important conversations of Season 2 — their discussion with Dr. Kelly Oten, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at NC State University, about the invasive and destructive Spotted Lanternfly. This brightly colored but harmful insect has become a serious concern for North Carolina’s forests, vineyards, and backyards. Dr. Oten explains how the Spotted Lanternfly arrived from Asia, what it looks like in each stage of its life cycle, and why early detection is crucial...
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Troubleshooting Bird Feeding — Solving Common Backyard Challenges
The Backyard Naturalists
Even the most dedicated backyard bird lovers sometimes run into trouble, empty feeders, spoiled seed, or disappearing birds. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and producer Chris roll up their sleeves to help listeners troubleshoot their bird-feeding setups. From moldy seed and filler-heavy mixes to misplaced feeders and seasonal slowdowns, they cover the small details that make a big difference in attracting and keeping healthy flocks. The trio revisits the basics of building a thriving wildlife habitat; food, water, shelter, and sustainable gardening practices,...
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🎃 Encore Episode: We’re Talkin’ About Pumpkins
The Backyard Naturalists
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re revisiting one of our most popular and seasonally fitting episodes, “We’re Talkin’ About Pumpkins!” Originally aired in October 2021, this encore favorite is the perfect listen for fall. Join Debbie and Laurie as they explore the fascinating world of pumpkins, from surprising agricultural facts and record-breaking gourds to their valuable role in supporting backyard wildlife. Did you know pumpkins are technically a fruit? Or that they can be repurposed after Halloween to help feed everything from squirrels and deer to backyard birds and...
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🐺🦌🐞🕷️ Updates on Various: Revisiting Red Wolves, Chronic Wasting Disease, Spotted Lanternflies, and Joro Spiders
The Backyard Naturalists
In this week’s 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. You’ll 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...
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Fall in Your Habitat: Simple Seasonal Swaps That Make a Big Difference
The Backyard Naturalists
As the seasons turn and the air gets crisp, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris are diving into everything fall for your wildlife habitat! In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, the team explores how to make the most of autumn’s natural bounty, especially those fallen leaves. Should you rake them up, blow them away, or just “leave the leaves”? The answers might surprise you. Drawing from new data from the National Wildlife Federation, the hosts share why letting your leaves lie can make a big difference for native wildlife and the planet. You’ll learn how something as simple as skipping...
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Wings in the Backyard: Butterfly Gardening with Pamela Grundy
The Backyard Naturalists
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your backyard (or even your balcony!) into a haven for butterflies, this episode is for you. Debbie and Laurie welcome Pamela Grundy — historian, writer, and passionate butterfly gardener from Charlotte, North Carolina — to share her journey into creating thriving butterfly gardens and inspiring others to do the same. Pamela explains the simple but powerful difference between nectar plants and host plants, why milkweed is essential for monarchs, and how even a few parsley plants can support the full butterfly life cycle. Along the way, she shares...
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Season 5 Kickoff: Celebrating 4 Years of Nature, Curiosity & Community
The Backyard Naturalists
The Backyard Naturalists are back for Season 5! In this special anniversary episode, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris take a fun walk down memory lane to celebrate over four years, 200+ episodes, and more than 106,000 listens across all 50 U.S. states and 137 countries. From their very first kitchen table recording during COVID to becoming a Saturday morning routine for listeners around the world, the team reflects on the unexpected journey of the podcast. Join us as we revisit listener-favorite moments, surprising wildlife facts, and unforgettable guests, from reptile expert Jay Bell and “the...
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Joro Spiders: Beautiful, Bizarre, and in Your Backyard”
The Backyard Naturalists
🕷️ What’s big, colorful, and showing up in backyards across the Southeast? Debbie and Laurie are diving into the world of Joro spiders, and trust us, this is one episode you won’t want to miss! From their eye-popping golden webs to their wild habit of “ballooning” through the air as babies, these spiders are making quite an entrance in the Carolinas (and beyond). Are Joro spiders scary invaders, or helpful bug-eaters keeping stink bugs and lanternflies in check? 🤔 Debbie and Laurie share what we know so far, sprinkle in some fun spider facts, and, of course, have plenty of...
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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 state’s environment. Kristen introduces NCCN as a statewide network of more than 60 environmental and justice organizations, all working collaboratively to safeguard North Carolina’s natural resources and public health. She highlights the group’s three key initiatives: Campus Fellows Program – Engaging 30 students across 11 UNC campuses (including 3 HBCUs) to educate peers on environmental issues...
info_outlineIf you’ve ever dreamed of turning your backyard (or even your balcony!) into a haven for butterflies, this episode is for you. Debbie and Laurie welcome Pamela Grundy — historian, writer, and passionate butterfly gardener from Charlotte, North Carolina — to share her journey into creating thriving butterfly gardens and inspiring others to do the same.
Pamela explains the simple but powerful difference between nectar plants and host plants, why milkweed is essential for monarchs, and how even a few parsley plants can support the full butterfly life cycle. Along the way, she shares practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and insights from her book Butterfly Gardening in the Carolina Piedmont. Whether you’re new to gardening or ready to take your pollinator-friendly planting to the next level, you’ll leave this episode inspired to make space for butterflies — and all the beauty they bring to our natural world.