BIRD HUGGER

In today's episode, we speak with renowned nature writer and photographer John Shewey (author of the new book, The Hummingbird Handbook) about the fall migration of hummingbirds. His information might surprise you. Check out his website at: www.birdingoregon.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, f...

In today's episode, we talk with noted biologist Heather Holm about her brand-new, multiple award-winning book, Wasps: Their Biology, Diversity and Role as Beneficial Insects and Pollinators of Native Plants. We will discuss the biology and behavior of the wasp, and just how incredibly beneficial this insect really is in the native flower garden. Links: www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com and www.poll...

What could be more important for birds than clean water to drink? In today's episode, we speak with aquatic biologist Angela Shambaugh about how to prevent toxic Cyanobacteria blooms in lakes and ponds. Links: North American Lake Management Society resources for cyanobacteria: www.nalms.org/inlandhabs/#resources; Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) cyanobacteria guidance: www.hcb-1...

In today's episode, we have a Mystery bird. Can you identify that bird call? Also, we bid farewell to a wonderful summer season of planting native flowers and enjoying the birds in our backyards. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and help...

In today's episode, we talk with author Marta McDowell about her book, Emily Dickinson's Gardening Life: The Plants And Places That Inspired The Iconic Poet. We discuss the plants the poet planted in her gardens at the family homestead in Amherst, Massachusetts in the mid-1800s and the parallels between her poetry, gardening and spiritual life. (martamcdowell.com). Join Catherine Greenleaf, a cert...

In today's episode, we speak with Anna Fialkoff from Wild Seed Project about the organization's brand-new 64-page full-color booklet, Native Trees For Northeast Landscapes. (wildseedproject.net) Don’t miss their native plant and tree sale. Members: 8/25 to 8/31. Non-members: 9/1 to 9/9. Buy online and pick up in person. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of...

In today's episode, we speak with Dave Govatski, retired forester, about how to identify old growth forests and how to protect them. (oldgrowthforestnetwork.net) (newildernesstrust.org) (naturegroupie.org). (treeequityscore.org). Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions...

In today's episode, we speak with Jen Ainsworth, executive director of the Wild Ones organization, headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin. Wild Ones is dedicated to educating gardeners about native gardening. We talk about how you can join a chapter of Wild Ones or start your own chapter and what educational activities are available for members (wildones.org). Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certifie...

In today's episode, we speak with journalist and historian Jim Rousmaniere. Jim is the author of the book, Water Connections: What Fresh Water Means To Us And What We Mean To Water, published by Bauhan Publishing (www.waterconnections.net). We talk about the importance of preserving wetlands as well as how to protect rivers. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20...

In today's episode, we speak with renowned garden designer and researcher Marie Chieppo. She is the author of a new report, sponsored by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, detailing the ecological damage caused by the manufacture and use of non-recyclable plastic pots and trays in the U.S. gardening industry and what can be done about it. Read the report here: www.apld.org/wp-con...

In today's episode, we speak with horticultural therapist and gardening author Fiann O'Nuallain from Dublin, Ireland, about his new book, Seeds of Mindfulness: 101 Moments In The Garden, and how being in the present moment enhances our gardening experience. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, fo...

In today's episode, we speak with Felder Rushing, award-winning gardener from Mississippi and author of the new book, Maverick Gardeners. We talk about celebrating diversity among gardeners and how gardening is often the vital link that turns neighbors into good friends. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injure...

In today's episode, we speak with award-winning author Dr. Douglas Tallamy about his brand-new book The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology Of Our Most Essential Native Trees. Link: homegrownnationalpark.org. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native h...

In today's episode, we discuss several native shrubs to grow to benefit birds with author Mariette Nowak. She is the author of the book, Birdscaping In The Midwest: A Guide To Gardening With Native Plants (University of Wisconsin Press). Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly disc...

The Monarch Butterfly was recently turned down by federal officials for protection by the Endangered Species Act. In this episode, we talk with Angie Babbit, communications director of MonarchWatch.org, about how this decision may actually help the Monarchs. Note: This interview was conducted shortly before the total number of Monarchs overwintering in Mexico was released to the public. Visit thei...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Joelle Gehring, a biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Office who specializes in preventing bird collisions with communications towers. Dr. Gehring has worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to reduce the hazards of communications towers to migrating songbirds. Link: www.fws.gov. Type "communication tower" in the search engine. Join host Catherine Greenleaf,...

In this special episode, we continue our talk with award-winning journalist Judith D. Schwartz, author of the new book The Reindeer Chronicles, about the growing problem of desertification on the planet and how it can be stopped, and even reversed. This is Part Two of a two-part series. Links: www.judithdschwartz.com and www.chelseagreen.com. We also talk about being an "early bird" when it comes...

In this special episode, we talk with award-winning science journalist Judith D. Schwartz, author of the new book The Reindeer Chronicles, about the growing problem of desertification on the planet and how it can be stopped, and even reversed. Links: www.judithdschwartz.com and www.chelseagreen.com. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescu...

In this episode, we talk with Ginny Stibolt, award-winning author of the book, Climate-Wise Landscaping: Practical Actions For A Sustainable Future, about restoring native habitat in the backyard. Ginny has written five books about native and sustainable gardening in Florida, with a sixth book coming out very soon. You can order her books at her blog: greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com. Join host...

In this episode, we talk with wildlife rehabilitator Dr. Benjamin Kilham about the process of raising orphaned black bear cubs and returning them to the wild. For more information, go to: kilhambearcenter.org. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring nati...

In this special episode, we speak with biologist and bee expert, Heather Holm, about how to help bumblebees flourish and thrive in the native flower garden. Link for Heather Holm: www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice monthly discussions about restoring n...

Happy Holidays! Wishing all of you a very merry holiday season and a joyous and happy New Year! In today's episode we take a look back over the last year in our Year In Review segment. We also interview Laura Lukens, Monitoring Coordinator for Monarch Joint Venture of St. Paul, Minnesota, about the status of Monarch butterflies in the U.S. and what her organization is doing to help. Web link for M...

In this special episode we talk with Dan Jaffe Wilder, author of the book Native Plants for New England Gardens, about growing native plants, how to kill your lawn, growing an edible garden, and about Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary, where he now works as head propagator. Website links from the show: Dan Jaffe Wilder (dantjaffe.com); Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (norcrosswildlife.org); Ecological Lands...

Happy Thanksgiving! On today's show: The natural history of the Bald Eagle. Also: Planting native thickets in your yard to protect birds from predators, and how catios are keeping both birds and cats safe. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice monthly discussions on restoring native habi...

Get ready! It's almost time to start planting native seeds! In today's episode we learn about the most effective method for propagating native seeds outdoors during winter in an interview with Heather McCargo, founder and executive director of Wild Seed Project in Portland, Maine. Take the Rewilding Pledge! Go to Wild Seed Project at www.wildseedproject.net. Join host Catherine Greenleaf, a certif...