Conservation Corner

Over the course of the last couple of months, a mysterious illness has been sweeping through the songbird population in the Mid-Atlantic states.  The illness has baffled scientists and has sent experts scrambling to issue recommendations to the general public to help reduce the chances of the illness spreading further within the bird population.  Join us as we discuss what IS known about...

Throughout history, no creature has more profoundly affected the human race. Join us as we discuss one of the most hated organisms that show their face during the summer season and find out how you can combat this unwanted pest.

You can't be everywhere, right?  With the recent advancement of trail cams, you almost can!  Join us as we discuss what to look for when buying a trail cam and hear about our very own experiences with trail cams in the past year. 

Join us as we discuss this invasive aquatic weed taking over waterways in the northeast.  Learn about its range, how it spreads, and how to get rid of it.  We also discuss ways you can help researchers map this plant while winning some cool aquatic gear! Enter here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3086b1fe5f504dc0898a537c7df896b3

As things get back to normal at the Susquehanna County Conservation District, we have again hired a summer intern to spend the summer learning about each program offered by the Conservation District.  Join us as we talk with Garrett and find out what led to his interest in the outdoors and why he wants to pursue a career in geology.

You've walked past them, you've most likely inhaled them, and they've been around longer than all of us.  Join us as we discuss a plant that hung out with the dinosaurs.

As summer comes into view, it's inevitable that we'll cross paths with a snake. Is it venomous?  Will it hurt you? What are snakes good for anyway?  Join us as we discuss venomous and non-venomous snakes right in the Keystone State.

How would you eat if you couldn't move?  Some plants have adapted wild ways to obtain nutrients.  Join us as we discuss carnivorous plants in the Keystone State and find out just how they catch their prey!

Sing, Fly - Soar Like a Bird!  That's the slogan for this year's World Migratory Bird Day.  When is it?  How does one celebrate the day? Is there a way to help scientists monitor and track what birds are observed on world migratory bird day?  Join us and find out the answers to all of these questions and more on this week's edition of the Conservation Corner! Link to the brochu...

Brood X is on its way!  Will your area see an emergence of cicadas?  What do they even look like?  Where did they come from?  Join us as we discuss all things cicadas this week on the Conservation Corner.

Hey, it's spring! The turkeys are talking and so are we. Listen in as we discuss some physical characteristics, what turkeys eat depending on the season, turkey calls, reproduction, population issues, and changes to the hunting season.

Ever wonder about Arbor Day?  Who set aside this day? Why do we celebrate tall plants? What good are trees anyway? Join us as we discuss these topics and more!

For thousands of years, two fish species have been making an extraordinary trip from the Atlantic Ocean to the Susquehanna River where they venture to tributaries and feeder streams throughout the northern tier. Unfortunately, the construction of river dams has limited an important part of both species life cycle.  Join us as we discuss the natural history of the American Shad and the America...

With spring in the air (at least some days), we thought we’d discuss a couple of interesting early spring flowers that you might be able to spot on a walk or maybe even while doing some early season yard work right in your own backyard. Join us as we discuss Skunk Cabbage, Yellow Trout Lily, Bloodroot, and Coltsfoot.

The Spotted Lanternfly, a native of Asia, was transported to our country back in 2014. It has since become established within the keystone state and has begun to spread to other states as well. Susquehanna County has been fortunate enough to avoid this invasive species but will likely see the bug spread to the county in the near future. Join us as we discuss the life cycle of the Spotted Lanternfl...

Spring is just around the corner!  So what better time to talk about our seedling sale than right now!  This week we're discussing Swamp White Oak, Red Oak, Hazelnut, and Eastern White Pine.  If you would like to browse our selection of seedlings fruit trees, berries, and perennial veggies, visit our website.

Long ago, Elk roamed the landscape of Pennsylvania.  Over time as settlers moved in, the Elk herd was reduced and eventually extirpated from the keystone state.  Join us as we discuss the life history of Elk in Pennsylvania and exactly where you can still see one up close! Elk Country Visitors Center: https://elkcountryvisitorcenter.com/

Spring is right around the corner and that means it is time to start thinking about how to handle your farm fields.  This week we're talking with SCCD's Ag Technician, Dave Beichler about no-till and cover crop practices and how you can implement them on your farm.

Too much screen time can be a problem. Fortunately, Susquehanna County 4H has worked with several counties close by to form an Outdoor Adventurers Club. Listen in as we discuss what type of activities are planned for the club and how your youth can get involved. As a bonus, we’re also including an environmental scavenger challenge sponsored by the Susquehanna County Conservation District aimed at...

Seasons change, weather changes, climate changes, and subsequently, our entire environment changes.  Are these changes beneficial?  Are they reducing populations of plants and animals?  Are these changes allowing invasives to outcompete natives?  Join us as we discuss Phenology (the study of nature's calendar) and find out how you can help scientists track these changes in your own backyard.   

As snow piles up across the nation, maple producers throughout the northeast are strapping on their snowshoes and running lines to prepare for a sure sign of spring.  Join us as we discuss maple syrup production and find out if any other trees can be tapped for their sugary goodness.

You see them everywhere.  You see them in the backyard, the park, your neighbor's house...  But domesticated rabbits have brought with them a potential scourge that could easily spread to our native cottontails and hares and drastically reduce their population.  Join us as we discuss Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2) and how we can reduce the likelihood of its transmission to our n...

While you're trying to stay warm above the snow, many creatures are trying to do the same underneath the snow. In fact, scientists have even given this special place between the snowpack and the bare ground a name. Listen in as we discuss the subnivean zone, the animals that live there, and the activities that take place just beneath our feet during the winter months.

We get it, January can be cold, dark, and a bit depressing.  But research has shown that even five minutes of outdoor activity will boost mood.  Join us on this episode as we discover some local outdoor activities that will get you off the couch this winter.

They're small, they look like they're wearing a little black hat, and their song sounds a lot like words from the English language.  On this week's show, we're discussing everyone's favorite little bird - the Chickadee!  Listen in, as we discuss habitat, songs of the chickadee, range, Pennsylvania's other chickadee, and much more!