Animals, Nature, and You

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick Part 2 of 2 Alice Vassallo started her career in animal care by volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center. And from there, her journey into zoo keeping, wildlife education, international travel and conservation grew. In this episode, discover how her journey from studying Latin and working in wildlife rehab to shaping global keeper exchange initiatives and...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick Part 1 of 2 Alice Vassallo started her career in animal care by volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center. And from there, her journey into zoo keeping, wildlife education, international travel and conservation grew. In this episode, discover how her journey from studying Latin and working in wildlife rehab to shaping global keeper exchange initiatives and...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode, host, Rick Schwartz dives into the fascinating world of otters, focusing on the differences between North American river otters and sea otters. From their adaptations and behaviors, to the importance of conservation efforts for otters - Rick covers many of the otter facts you otter know! Animals Nature & You on Instagram: @AnimalsNatureandYou...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode, Jungle Jordan shares stories of combining his love for wildlife with community work through outdoor education. Discover his program impacts underserved communities and inspires the next generation of conservationists, nature lovers and so much more. Rick and Jordan wrap up the conversation addressing the age old question, which is better, small zo...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this installment of 10 Minute Tuesday, host Rick Schwartz explores the fascinating world of the peregrine falcon, its history, adaptations, and the importance of conservation efforts. Learn how scientific studies and environmental policies have helped bring this incredible bird back from the brink of extinction. Animals Nature & You on Instagram: @AnimalsNa...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode, Rick interviews Tina Brower Kraska, the founder of Red Oaks Forest School, who shares her journey from a wildlife enthusiast to an educator dedicated to reconnecting children with nature. Tina emphasizes the importance of fostering curiosity in children and how her daughter taught her valuable lessons about slowing down and appreciating the natura...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode, host Rick Schwartz shares his passion and love of the fascinating binturong, also known as the bearcat. Discover why they smell like popcorn, (or is it corn chips?) and their unique adaptations - like their prehensile tail. He also discusses their habitat, and conservation status, along with intriguing animals facts. Rick's love for binturong...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode Rick interviews musician, actor, music director and podcaster, Jon Rossi. Earlier in the week Rick was a guest on Jon's podcast, Rossifari - but today Rick had Jon in the hot seat! In a world where music and wildlife conservation rarely intersect, curiosity grew into passion and circumstances created opportunity. Through his podcast, Rossifari...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick As recent headlines celebrate a 64% increase in monarch butterfly populations, many may wonder: is this the turning point for these vital pollinators? In this episode, host Rick Schwartz explores what this increase means, the ongoing challenges monarchs face, and how you can take action to support their conservation. While the increase in monarch populations is en...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode Rick speaks with Griff Griffith about forest restoration, the power of curiosity and why having native plants in your yard (or on your patio) is so important to local ecosystems. Griff is a powerhouse of knowledge and experience when it comes to ecology, wildlife conservation and empowering others to participate.   During their conversation, Griff...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode, Rick explores the fascinating world of quills and spines in mammals, debunking myths and explaining the differences between various species like porcupines, hedgehogs, echidnas, and tenrecs. Discover how these adaptations evolved and their unique functions in animal defense mechanisms. Animals Nature & You on Instagram: @AnimalsNatureandYou Co...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick This episode is like sitting down with a coupe of old friends. Join host Rick Schwartz in his thoughtful conversation with Stephanie Arne as they explore the deep connections between humans, animals, and nature. Stephanie shares her journey as an educator and advocate for wildlife, discussing her various roles in conservation and education. They delve into the imp...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode Rick discusses the media's misguided headlines and articles about a scientific study on raccoon that looked at domestication signals. Rick offers up information from the published paper and explains what the research actually indicates about raccoon evolution and domestication. While the idea of having a raccoon as a pet might sound enticing,...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode, Rick Schwartz and Maynard Okereker discuss the how science, education, and entertainment thrive where there is curiosity. Maynard shares his journey from being a nature-loving child to a passionate science communicator, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and diversity in STEM fields. He discusses his new book, 'Zombie Spiders and Asteroi...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this week's 10 Minute Tuesday, host Rick Schwartz explores the fascinating world of pangolins, the most trafficked mammals on the planet. Rick shares his personal journey of learning about these unique creatures, their conservation status, and the challenges they face. The episode highlights the importance of pangolins in the ecosystem, their biological ch...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In Part 2 of my interview with Jack Baker, we hear more about how the pangolin help shape Jack's podcast. Jack shares more his journey into conservation, the importance of joy in the field, and the challenges of measuring impact in environmental education. He discusses the evolution of his podcast, "Pangolin: The Conservation Podcast," and the signi...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In part 1 of this engaging conversation, Jack Baker shares his journey into conservation, the importance of joy in the field, and the challenges of measuring impact in environmental education. He discusses the evolution of his podcast, "Pangolin: The Conservation Podcast," and the significance of representation throughout conservation spaces. Jack and Ri...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick Ever wondered how lizards drop their? Is it their choice when to detached or is it pulled off? The science behind it is even cooler than you think! It involves muscles, preexisting fractures and a quick "peel-off like a sticker" that allows the whole process to happen. And there's more - The tail does grow back, but it's not quite the same. And...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick An engaging conversation with Dr. Earyn McGee, also known as Afro Herper on social media, shares her journey from a graduate student to a prominent figure in herpetology and science communications. She discusses her innovative social media initiative, 'Find That Lizard,' which combines research with community engagement. The conversation delves into the...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick With awesome interviews happening every Thursday, 10 minute Tuesdays will be short, solo episodes where I can expand on something covered in the previous week's interview. Or, an opportunity to dive into and explore a topic that is current, discuss new finding or just get curious for the sake of being curious. Rick's website : ZoologyRick.com Find Rick o...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick In this episode, Mike Veale, the founder and CEO of Global Conservation Force, discusses the organization's multifaceted approach to wildlife conservation. Global Conservation Force brings together a team of experts, volunteers, and community members to work towards saving endangered species. Mike shares the pillars of conservation work, the founding of the G...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick Gabrielle Katanic, creator of "Talk Nerdy To Me California"  shares her journey from a nature enthusiast to a nature educator and influencer. She discusses the importance of reconnecting with nature, the role of curiosity in learning, and how guided experiences can transform people's perspectives on the natural world. Gabrielle also introduces her N...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick This is Part 2 of a 2 part episode. In this episode of Animals, Nature and You, we delve into the fascinating world of big cats, specifically cheetahs, with Janet Rose-Hinostroza, a seasoned expert who has dedicated her life to working with these majestic animals. From her childhood passion to her professional experiences, Janet shares invaluable insights that ins...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick This is Part 1 of a 2 part episode. In this episode of Animals, Nature and You, we delve into the fascinating world of big cats, specifically cheetahs, with Janet Rose-Hinostroza, a seasoned expert who has dedicated her life to working with these majestic animals. From her childhood passion to her professional experiences, Janet shares invaluable insights that ins...

Send "Fan Mail" to Rick Does nature play help children self-regulate? Can urban gardens be a source of income, pride and strengthen community? Does walking nature help us process grief?  Film director, James Parker discusses why the stories within the new film "In Or Nature" are so profound and important. In this episode we find out more about the impact of nature on community...