The Backyard Naturalists

Spring is here, and it's time to give your backyard a refresh—nature-friendly style! In this award-winning episode of The Backyard Naturalists, our expert hosts, certified Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors, share essential tips for making your outdoor space a haven for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.   From scrubbing bird feeders and freshening up birdhouses to planting native sp...

In this episode of the award winning Backyard Naturalists podcast, we dive into the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina's aquatic ecosystems. Our special guest, Corey Oakley from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, shares firsthand insights into the devastation caused by historic flooding and landslides in the Appalachian region.   With some areas receiving...

Get ready for a wild ride through the world of nature myths! In this fun and engaging episode of The Backyard Naturalists , an award-winning podcast loved in over 115 countries, hosts Debbie and Laurie put their knowledge to the test with a true/false quiz led by Chris. From the surprising way squirrels help reforest the planet to whether earthworms can really regenerate when cut in half, the host...

Get ready for a heartwarming and inspiring episode of The Backyard Naturalists! This week, our award-winning podcast welcomes Lee Rankin, owner of Apple Hill Farm in North Carolina, to share her incredible journey from alpaca admirer to agritourism entrepreneur. Located near Boone, Apple Hill Farm is home to a variety of animals, including llamas, donkeys, goats, and more—welcoming over 10,000 vis...

Step into the wild with this award-winning episode of The Backyard Naturalists! This week, hosts Debbie and Laurie welcome Ruby Davis, a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist, to discuss the inspiring work of NC Wildlife Rehab. After going dormant for five years, this nonprofit is back in action thanks to Ruby and veterinarian Dr. Laura Latham, providing vital care to North Carolina's nat...

Charlotte is on a mission to stay green, and this week on The Backyard Naturalists, we're digging into how Trees Charlotte is making it happen! As an award-winning podcast hosted by certified nature lovers—including Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors—we're thrilled to welcome Heather Brent, an urban forest educator, to talk all things trees.   Trees Charlotte has planted and given away ov...

Flush out the facts on toilet paper sustainability in this eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists! As an award-winning podcast hosted by certified nature enthusiasts—including Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors—we're diving into the environmental impact of one of life's everyday essentials.   Join us as we break down the latest findings from the Natural Resources Defense Council'...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, an award-winning podcast heard in 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the Carolinas. Hosted by Debbie and Laurie, passionate nature advocates with credentials like Master Naturalist and Wildlife Ambassador, this multi-award winning show dives into everything connected with the natural world!   In this episode, we're talking about one of the most exciti...

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest therapy guide, author, and naturalist, to explore the art and science of forest bathing. Originating in Japan as "shinrin-yoku," forest bathing is the practice of immersing oneself in nature to reap significant physical and mental health benefits.   Melanie explains how thi...

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie and Laurie welcome Dr. Carrie DeJaco, an ecological consultant and native plant expert, to explore the fascinating—and sometimes surprising—role of honeybees in pollination.   Dr. DeJaco shares that honeybees, while vital for commercial agriculture, are not native to the Americas and are classified as livestock by the USDA. Their presence o...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website . We would really like to hear from you.   Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web , Facebook and Instagram .   Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard...

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists , Laurie and Debbie welcome Sarah Schweitzer from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to discuss endangered species in the state and the critical efforts to protect them.   Sarah outlines the different levels of species classification, from common species like waterfowl and deer to those listed as species of concern, threatened, or endangere...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this festive episode of The Backyard Naturalists , hosts Chris, Laurie, and Debbie share heartwarming memories and favorite traditions of the holiday season. From Christmas and Thanksgiving to New Year's celebrations, the hosts discuss their cherished customs, delicious holiday foods, and unforg...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists , hosts Debbie and Laurie explore ways to celebrate the holiday season while making environmentally-friendly choices. From sustainable food options to eco-conscious decorations and thoughtful gift-giving, this episode is packed with practical tips for red...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Sara Schweitzer from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to discuss the intricate process of identifying and protecting endangered species. Sara shares insights into how federal and state agencies collaborate to assess species'...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this festive episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, hosts Laurie and Debbie explore the lively debate between real and artificial Christmas trees. With environmental impact, sustainability, and holiday traditions on the table, they discuss the pros and cons of each option.   The hosts dive...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists , Debbie and Laurie are joined by renowned nature photographer, author, and wildlife expert Stan Tekiela to explore the incredible world of animal adaptations. From polar bears' heat-absorbing fur and bats' echolocation abilities to the hibernation habits...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.    In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast, we dive into the world of food forests with Dr. Jason Crean, a biologist and animal nutrition expert. After moving to Florida, Dr. Crean transformed his suburban yard into a thriving "food oasis" to provide diverse, nutritious diets for his anim...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this captivating follow-up episode, Laurie takes listeners back to her childhood years growing up on a remote homestead in Alaska. From age 6 to 18, she experienced life off the grid, where survival skills, hard work, and a deep respect for nature were essential. Laurie shares what it was like t...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Laurie and Debbie dig into the world of plant identification apps! They review several popular options, including Picture This, Plant Snap, Leaf Snap, Flora Incognita, Plant Net, iNaturalist, and Garden Answers. Each app has unique features, from instant...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we dive into the joys of fall gardening! With cooler temperatures and colorful leaves setting the stage, now is the perfect time to plant native perennials that will thrive through the season and beyond. Learn about the best fall planting practices, incl...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we welcome David Mizejewski from the National Wildlife Federation to discuss the "Leave the Leaves" campaign for October. David shares the surprising ecological benefits of keeping fallen leaves on your property rather than removing them. From creating e...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   As fall has officially arrived in the Carolinas, The Backyard Naturalists take a closer look at one of the season's most magical transformations: the changing colors of leaves. In this episode, we revisit some fun facts from grade school science class, exploring how chlorophyll plays a dominant rol...

Welcome to Season 4 of The Backyard Naturalists! In this special premiere, hosts Debbie and Laurie reflect on an incredible journey that's grown beyond their wildest expectations — now with over 72,000 listeners across 125 countries! From bird-feeding tips and the benefits of planting trees to unique nature trivia and guest experts sharing their passion for the environment, the past three seasons...

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we dive into the many reasons why trees are invaluable to our health, environment, and economy. A recent study conducted by the University of Louisville shows that planting trees can significantly reduce heart disease markers, improve sleep quality, and...