Jumpstart Nature

Have you ever noticed that oak trees sometimes have bumper crops of acorns, and sometimes hardly produce a thing? What causes this? And why? Join host Griff Griffith and producer Michael Hawk on an exploration of acorn masting (bumper crops), with a special deep dive into one species that profoundly benefits - the charismatic Acorn Woodpecker.  Along with our special guests, Dr. Walter Koenig (bot...

Have you ever found it tough to talk about big issues, especially when people already have strong ideas? In the world of nature and climate, we often see communication that feels more like telling people what to do, or how to think. It's easy for us all to dig in our heels, even if we're wrong, and shut down new ideas. Today, we're exploring a different path. -- Griff: I was very ra...

Cats are independent, lovable, and endlessly entertaining—but with nearly 100 million outdoor cats in the USA alone, they become one of the most devastating forces against wildlife, killing billions of animals each year. At the same time, outdoor cats face harsh, short lives filled with disease, injury, and danger. So how do we balance our love for cats with our responsibility to protect biodivers...

There’s an invasion happening right under our noses—one that’s likely reached your own backyard. You may have even unknowingly played a part in it. This is the spread of invasive plants, animals, and fungi. Once removed from their native habitats, these species reproduce rapidly, disrupting ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, and even endangering our food, health, and recreation. Invasive specie...

On a 1983 morning, Steve Jobs scouted Coyote Valley for Apple's new headquarters. Despite his plans, Coyote Valley remains one of the most important undeveloped landscapes near Silicon Valley.  This episode tells the story of its conservation through unexpected alliances, resilience, and the invaluable ecosystem services it provides. From critical wildlife connectivity to indigenous cultural...

What do parasitic plants, 600 year old oak trees, salmon, and hoverflies have in common? Well, they are some of Griff's, Michelle Fullner’s and my favorite wild organisms! Today’s episode is a fun conversation with Michelle Fullner, Griff Griffith, and myself, Michael Hawk, where we advocate for our 10 favorite animals and plants. We each bring three species to the conversation…well, not phys...

Many well meaning people, seeking to help wildlife, mistakenly become a birdnapper. Or a turtlenapper. Or even a bunnynapper. And it's all too easy to mistakenly harm an animal that you might think is distressed or in trouble.  Do you know what to do if you see a bird on the ground? Or a turtle in the road? Or newborn bunnies in your yard? Spurred by a personal story from a follower, Griff an...

Periodical cicadas are amazing animals - they spend nearly 13 or 17 years underground, and all decide, together, to come out and party in your trees at the same time. They are loud, and perhaps you think they are annoying. But they are one of the most accessible demonstrations of nature's abundance that still occurs. But cicadas are super important to our ecosystems and the food webs that sup...

Have you ever seen a bird or a tree, and wondered what it is? Why did that bird show up here ? How come I've never seen that tree anywhere else? Just a few years ago, you'd need to consult an expert or spend loads of time reviewing field guides and natural history books to get those answers. Today, the answers are at your fingertips. And with curiosity comes the satisfaction of learning....

Jumpstart Nature's next season is making great progress, but it's still a few weeks away. So we decided to share one of our top episodes from our sister podcast, Nature's Archive. It's with Dr. Doug Tallamy, the world renowned author, entomologist, native plant advocate, and co-founder of Homegrown National Park ( instagram ). In this episode of Nature's Archive , Dr. Tall...

Please Join the Jumpstart Nature Patreon to support creation of future episodes Our pilot season is over, but Griff Griffith and Michael Hawk have more great nature knowledge to share! Today's episode answers your questions about the Jumpstart Nature episodes we've already published and gives you an exciting peak into what comes next. In fact, maybe YOU can be part of a future podcast ep...

What is "normal" or even "natural" in nature? In a world where everything is constantly changing, the human desire to define things as "normal" has broad implications on how we see the world, and how we choose to conserve it (or not conserve it!). This desire to establish a personal "normal" leads to a quirk of psychology called Shifting Baseline Syndrome. L...

Human society is more connected than ever. Between mobile phones and internet applications, we can connect with each other instantaneously, around the globe. And more traditionally, the United States alone is home to nearly 4 million miles of roads, structures which, for many of us, have only served to enhance our sense of connectedness to the cities we live in, to our families and friends, and to...

Feeding birds is a cherished nature pastime in the United States, the UK, and Canada. It brings the wonders of the wild right to our backyards, allowing us to marvel at the beauty and behaviors of our feathered friends up close. Plus, there's the satisfaction of knowing we're contributing to wildlife's well-being! But have you ever wondered about the impact of bird feeding? What abo...

Without noticing, homeowners across the country have destroyed habitat covering an area the size of New England or Florida. As bad as that sounds, it actually gets worse. But we can easily fix this problem - and it actually saves you time and money. With the help from Dr. Doug Tallamy, Mary Phillips, and Leslie Inman, Griff explains what’s going on here, and how you can help create The Yard of the...

Prepare to shatter preconceptions and debunk myths about the world around us, all while uncovering the astonishing truths hidden within nature and climate. Embark on a transformative journey with Jumpstart Nature, an innovative podcast that melds captivating storytelling with cutting-edge science. Join your guide, Griff Griffith , as each episode whisks you away on an immersive adventure like no o...