Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Melissa Spearing (Seed Biologist) from the National Tree Seed Centre and Dr. Stefan Weber (National Native Seed Strategy Coordinator) from the Canadian Wildlife Federation to discuss the native plant movement in Canada .   Topics include the state of native plants in Canada, biggest threats to their natural areas, the role of the timber industry in t...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  We have another Giveaway - and that's not the only announcement!  "That's Hot" puts Tom and Fran in a sticky situation.  "This or That" leaves Fran and Tom so deep down a rabbit hole they almost don't find their way back.  "Grow Read A Book" makes a triumphant return.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? In...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick bring The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast to a live audience at the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve's 24th Annual Land Ethics Symposium! Tom and Fran lead a Rooted Discussion on The Past, Present, and Future of Native Plants: an Industrial Perspective.  Joining Tom and Fran are Jim MacKenzie (President of Octoraro Native Plant Nursery), John Mark Courtney...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Pay attention because you will all have homework.  I hope you like follow up because there's lots of it!  "That's Hot" travels different parts of the county.  "This or That" will be a a billion times harder this week.  We have such wonderful listeners that "Listener Shout Outs" keeps getting larger and larger.  We h...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Steve Castorani of North Creek Nurseries to discuss the story behind American Beauties Native Plants .   Topics include the history of the native plant movement in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, what led to the creation of American Beauties, what American Beauties represents in the market place, and the path American Beauties is taking into the futu...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Can you say technical difficulties?  Fran thanks everyone profusely for their kind words.  There is so much follow up that follow up becomes the topic.  "That's Hot" takes Tom and Fran out of their comfort zone.  "This or That" is the long and short of it.  You are all so kind that "Listener Shout Outs" becomes a ma...

Host Tom Knezick turns the tables and interviews his Co-Host Fran Chismar (Sultan of Sales - Pinelands Nursery) .   Topics include Fran's history in the nursery industry, when Fran fell in love with native plants, Fran's journey into finding himself, and Rain Garden or Pollinator Garden. Intro music by Egocentric Plastic Men, outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Fran Chismar  Here Have a question o...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  No Follow Up turns into listing our conference schedule.  "That's Hot" ties into "This or That" and "Take it or Leaf it".  Thank you for all of your feedback - we are listening!  Tom and Fran follow up on herbalism.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. B...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Amanda Crooke of Locust Light Farm to discuss herbalism .   Topics include how to start your journey into herbalism, Amanda's favorite plants for medicinal use and making tea, and the biggest question - does your native plantings support gnomes? Intro music by Egocentric Plastic Men, outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Locust Light Farm - Website   B...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Follow up makes Tom and Fran Swifties.  "That's Hot" is a berry good time. "Take it or Leaf it" begs "What's in the Bad?".  Tom and Fran discuss the Top 10 Episodes of all-time of the Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Benn...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share two of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast to help bring you into the Holiday Season. First is Dr. Jay Kelly (Professor of Biology) from Raritan Valley Community College. They discuss the rising deer populations and how they relate to forest health, Predator vs. Prey, what is needed for a healthy ecosystem, and native plants...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Follow up sends Tom and Fran back to school.  "That's Hot" is a sticky situation. "Take it or Leaf it" gives a new meaning to gift basket.  "This or That" deals with your small, native plantings and the world of Elderberry.  Tom and Fran talk about shifting planting zones.  Are you listening to the end for our secre...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Geoffrey Goll, President and Founding Principal, at Princeton Hydro to discuss dam removal .   Topics include the history of dams and dam removal, damage dams have done to our ecosystem, qualifying a dam for removal, the challenges and work involved into removing a dam, and favorite success stories along the way. Intro music by Egocentric Plastic Men...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Guess who got their Spotify Wrapped?  "That's Hot" leaves us puzzled. "Take it or Leaf it" is fitting for Fall.  "This or That" leans heavily on human intervention.  Tom and Fran take a deep dive on true intentions.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. R...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Beth Yount of Penn State Extension, Philadelphia to discuss the truth about mosquito control .   Topics include misconceptions about spraying for mosquito control, impacts to beneficial mosquitos, the watershed, and food web, natural or less impactful ways to control mosquitos, and talking points if confronted by a salesperson. Intro music by Egocent...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  Did we finally give away the last book?   "That's Hot" has us in the red. "Take it or Leaf it" has us asking questions.  Tom and Fran talk about some of their favorite podcasts focusing on native plants.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Don't discount it this time! Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music b...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  It's been a while so let's do some follow up.  Is there still a signed copy of Camille Dungy's "Soil" to give away?  Listen to the secret to find out.  "That's Hot" is gigantic this week. "Take it or Leaf it" has us wondering what's in the box.  Tom and Fran get a surprise email.  Are you listening to the end for ou...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Adam D'Angelo of Project Pawpaw to discuss making pawpaw more accessible .   Topics include Adam's love for pawpaw, the difficulties in getting pawpaw into markets, strengthening the supply chain, advances in breeding, and how you can get involved in the future of pawpaw. Intro music by Egocentric Plastic Men, outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow Proj...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Griff Griffith of Redwoods Rising and the Jumpstart Nature Podcast to discuss how to spread the good word on native plants .   Topics include Griff's journey into ecology, different ways to start conversations about native plants, the history and importance of the Redwood forest, equity in nature, and the story about Griff's first viral video. Intro...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  The wait is over as Tom and Fran announce not one, but two winners who will receive signed copies of Camille Dungy's new book Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden.  "That's Hot" features the idea of a new posse. "Take it or Leaf it" wonders if you should believe everything you read.  Hey, and let's promote a n...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick bring The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast to a live audience at the Society for Ecological Restoration's Mid-Atlantic Conference at the Meadowlands Environmental Center in Lyndhurst, New Jersey! Tom and Fran connect with Rebecca Swadek, CERP (Director of Wetlands Management) from NYC Parks to discuss what makes the wetlands of NYC unique.  Also discussed is...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  The show kicks off with an assessment of the Society of Ecological Restoration's Mid-Atlantic Conference.  "That's Hot" features berries and flowers.  "This or That" deals with tissue and fungi and marshes.  Oh My! "Take it or Leaf it" comes back to us from the past.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Int...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Tim Mack (Owner) of Birdscaping Industries to discuss how to be popular with birds .   Topics include finding connections with nature, the importance of native plants to birds, improving more than just birds populations, how to get started on your journey, and remembering that we are all a part of nature. Intro music by Egocentric Plastic Men, outro...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz.  How long should it take before Tom and Fran start talking about native plants?  "That's Hot" features Tom and Tom.  "This or That" sparks a future episode and some great questions. "Take it or Leaf it" is a video daily double.  Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Camille Dungy (Author and Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University) to discuss her new book Soil: The Story of a Black Mother's Garden.   Topics include the inspiration for Soil, the progress of "The Prairie Project", finding one's relationship with nature, different voices in the environmental world, and improving equity in nature.  List...