Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Carolyn Klaube (Stewardship Director) from Sourland Conservancy, Debbie Dekleva (Monarch Maverick) of Monarch Flyway, Amy Greene (Professional Wetland Scientist and Certified Senior Ecologist) former President of Amy Gr...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and they have brand new equipment. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode - but not in that order.  Tom's latest segment, Grow Read A Book, has you consider the way you view native plants and a listener's post in The Native Plants, Healthy Planet Facebook group goes viral.  You get a liste...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Shannon Trimboli (Founder and Host) of Backyard Ecology about being acceptive and nurturing towards those entering the native plant spectrum.  They discuss approaching ecology from a place of wonder and education, the beginnings of Backyard Ecology, and the paths we all take to ecological enlightenment.  Stop and smell the Sassafras.  Music by Egocentri...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode.  Sol gets excited about our new contest and Dr. Evil spreads the horror of Jumping Worms.  Tom's latest segment, Grow Read A Book, leads us into the topic of making the native plant circle larger.  They guys bite the bullet and unlock their Instagra...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Kyle Lybarger (Founder, Director, and CEO) from Native Habitat Project about creating a space for conservation and restoration in social media.  They discuss the formation of a community of passionate conservation and sportspersons professionals, the beginnings of the Native Habitat Project, and the importance of spreading the native plant message.  Mus...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  The Podcast hits a milestone and Fran and Tom look back at some of the highlights. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode.  Sol checks in and we get a great question from a listener, and the guys discuss why Fall is for planting. Music by RJ Comer. Read  Fran's Article  / Read  Tom's Art...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Sam Hoadley (Horticultural Research Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the history of their Trial Gardens.  They discuss the mission of the Trial Gardens, challenges for maintaining their scientific integrity, significant findings over the years, what's next, and the hot button issue of straight species vs. cultivars.  Music by Egocentric Plastic M...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Tom starts a conversation on what other podcasts they like to listen to and where they go to relax. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode, and Tom tells us about The Hidden Life of Trees in Grow Read a Book. Music by RJ Comer.  Read  Fran's Article  / Read  Tom's Article Have a question...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Cynthia Blackwood (Park Manager) and Beth Yount (Former Board of Directors Vice President) from Friends of High School Park about the 27 year history of their organization.  They discuss what a Friends organization is and how to start a friends organization of your own. Topics also include the challenges of creating a natural preserve on the site of a f...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with a new caller!  Tom and Fran talk about their celebrity guest wish list, and Tom unveils a new segment.  Discussions center around feedback from the last episode of The Buzz.  Music by RJ Comer.  Read  Fran...

Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Jim MacKenzie (President) from Octoraro Native Plant Nursery,  and Matt Gettinger (President) from Long Island Natives to discuss the woody side of the native plant nursery industry. Conversations include the challenges...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with the return of Sol and a new caller!  Tom and Fran talk about something they would change professionally.  Discussions center around Tom and Fran's favorite natural areas to visit.  Music by RJ Comer.  Read...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Santino Lauricella (Education and Communication Coordinator) and Jean Barrell (Volunteer) from the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve about the history of their curated native plant Museum.  They discuss the mission of the preserve, the challenges of preserving their collection, the work their nursery accomplishes, and the importance of education.  Music...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with the return of Doom and more!  Tom and Fran talk about new purchases they are excited about.  Discussions center around the definition of an invasive plant and the ways that invasive plants can spread.  Mus...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Nathan Shampine (Natural Land Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the history of their Natural Lands Program.  They discuss the techniques available for managing natural areas for habitat, the importance of succession, prescribed burnings, and managing for deer pressure and invasive plants in a natural setting.  Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Foll...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz to finish out Pollinator Week.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with a great new caller.  Tom tries his hand at complaining before he and Fran quickly turn things around to share 5 things they are excited about.  Discussions center around Polli...

Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Sam Droege (Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) from The Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, Kelly Gill (Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Region) from the Xe...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and there are so many things in bloom they can't pick just one.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with the ongoing saga of Sol and a brand new caller with feedback.  Tom and Fran also discuss what they've quit cold turkey.  Discussions center ar...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Daron Williams (Host of Growing with Nature Podcast) about sustainably gardening food from native plants on your own property.  They discuss the concept of food forests, the difference between foraging and gardening, and how nature and restoration are something that we can all be connected with on our own properties.  Also discussed is how our listeners...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and boy are they cranky.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with the ongoing saga of Sol and a new evil named Doom.  Tom and Fran also discuss their ecological bucket lists.  Discussions center around the use of plastics in the nursery industry a...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Joe Cermele (Senior Fishing Editor - Meateater, Host Bent Podcast and B-Side Fishing) about fishing as it relates to our natural areas and our eco-system.  They discuss the perfect environments for fishing, things that the fishing community do well with and can also improve upon, health of our waterways and the effects of dam removals, as well as diving...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with obscure references from Sol, and Tom and Fran give you a native plant pep talk.  Discussions center around White House plantings and Fran shares an embarrassing story about his intolerance to blood.  Music...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Jason Smith (Director of Northern Manhattan Parks, New York Restoration Project) about what exactly is a native ecosystem in an urban environment?  They discuss the beginnings of NYRP, how they have transitioned over the last 25 years, the need for education, stewardship, and sustainability, and the importance of oyster restoration in our conservation e...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with a weight conscious Sol, and Tom and Fran look into their crystal balls and predict future industry trends. Tom Tom the English Muffin Man also unveils a new segment celebrating our listeners.  Discussions...

Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Dr. Stephanie Murphy (Director, Rutgers Soil Testing Lab), Jennifer Maynard (CEO & Founder, Nutrition for Longevity & Greater Greens, LLC), and Ray Archuleta (Featured in Netflix Documentary "Kiss the Ground", Founder,...