Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Is there a new host?!?  Welcome to Native Plant Month.  “That’s Hot” highlights a listener suggestion.  “This or That” highlights a community that hurts and a community that helps. Tom and Fran are boots to the ground with a new Mt. Rushmore.  Are you listening to the end for our secret?  Intro music by RJ Comer, Out...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Beth Ginter (Executive Director) of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, to discuss education, community, and quality in stewardship. Topics include the beginnings of the CCLC, the importance of the Turning a New Leaf Conference, why training matters, and how you can become involved. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Be...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Did you hear?  The Buzz is HOT!  Welcome to National Frog Month.  “That’s Hot” highlights emerging color.  “This or That” tackles theft and highlights a former guest. Tom and Fran get stuck with a Mt. Rushmore.  Are you listening to the end for our secret?  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Joshua Moody (Research Scientist at NJDEP), to discuss Coastal Resilience. Topics include Coastal Resilience, the NJCCRC Conference and the importance of collaboration, the wonders of Atlantic White Cedar habitat, Josh's journey through ecology, and the promise of a better future. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett. Follow N...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. It’s still conference season!  Tom shares his experience at his latest speaking engagement.  “That’s Hot” is sticky in more ways than one. “This or That” tackles biodiversity, or lack thereof. Tom and Fran sink into a new Mt. Rushmore.  Are you listening to the end for our secret?  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro musi...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Terry Doss (Co-Director and Chief Restoration Scientist) of the Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute, and Amanda Archer (Coastal Training & Engagement Coordinator) of Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, to discuss Coastal Resilience. Topics include Coastal Resilience, the NJCCRC Conference and the importance of collabo...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. It's conference season!  We have a Canada Goose update. “That’s Hot” is touring the Southern United States. “This or That” tackles Climate Change and Urban Endangered Plants. Tom and Fran have a new Mt. Rushmore. Can you smell what Tom and Fran are cooking?  Are you listening to the end for our secret?  Intro music b...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dr. Fred Lubnow (Senior Technical Director) of Princeton Hydro, and Jenn Rogers (Executive Director) of Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, to discuss Harmful Algal Blooms. Topics include What is a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and what does it mean for you, how and why do HAB's occur, what technology is used to monitor and prevent them from occurring...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Tom and Fran spill the tea. “That’s Hot” pits Northeast vs Southwest. “This or That” travels abroad so make sure you check travel times. Tom and Fran have a new Mt. Rushmore. Are you listening to the end for our musical secret?  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett. That’s Hot –  Fran’s Plant  /  Tom’...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Mike McGraw (Senior Project Manager. Regulatory Compliance and Wildlife Surveys; Senior Wildlife Biologist) of Princeton Hydro, and Santino Lauricella (Education Manager) of Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, to discuss the Roots So Deep Documentary. Topics include how Mike became involved with the project, generational shifts in family owned agricul...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. The Roots So Deep screening was a success! Could there be video in the future?  “That’s Hot” pits East Coast vs West Coast. “This or That” offers hope and answers. Tom and Fran have plenty of shout outs this episode. We have a caller!  Are you listening to the end for a secret?  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music b...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Bill Jones (Founder and President) of Carolina Native Nursery to discuss resilience in native plants and mankind. Topics include starting a nursery, choosing to grow native plants, devastation at the hands of a hurricane, resurgence after the storm, and the importance of community. It wouldn’t be a show without talking about our favorite native plant...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Between a Reddit AMA, a Roots So Deep screening, MANTS, and NDAL there is a ton of follow up!    “That’s Hot” is gold and green. “This or That” offers hope and information. Tom and Fran have plenty of shout outs this episode. Are you listening to the end for a secret?  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Ben...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick welcome back Sam Hoadley (Horticultural Research Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the results of their soon to be published Solidago trials.  It’s time to get excited about Solidago!  They discuss which Solidago performed well and which ones performed better, surprise value of many of the Solidago species, How species rated in the trials as well as the buz...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There are winners for the Roots So Deep Screening!  “That’s Hot” strings together chewing gum and milk. “This or That” deals with Hope and Change. We talk about our Top 10 Episodes of 2025 and the Top 10 Episodes of All Time.  Tom has a secret. Make sure you listen to the end.  Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes from the Native Plants Healthy Planet Archives.  In this episode, Tom and Fran talk with author Heather Holm to celebrate our native bees and wasps. Topics include debunking popular myths about native bees and wasps, diving deep into specialist bees and parasitoid wasps, exploring soft landings and native plants, and how you c...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes from the Native Plants Healthy Planet Archives.  In this episode, Tom and Fran talk 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"...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes from the Native Plants Healthy Planet Archives.  In this episode, Tom and Fran talk with Dr. Daniela Shebitz (Chair and Professor, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences - Kean University) to talk about land management and our connections with nature. Topics include theories of land management throughout different cultures,...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes from the Native Plants Healthy Planet Archives.  In this episode, Tom and Fran 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 profess...

Happy Festivus!  Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with John Mark Courtney (Owner, Kind Earth Growers) and Santino Lauricella (Education Manager, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve), to celebrate the Airing of Grievances. Topics include light native plant snacks and drinks, Mt. Rushmore of ecological heroes, and Feats of Strength with a Plant ID quiz. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Want to see Roots So Deep with us? Tune in to find out how to win tickets!  “That’s Hot” is for the birds but may be hard to swallow. “This or That” shows the world who we are and how to heal you. In a new segment we have a listener topic.  Fran has a secret? Make sure you listen to the end.  Intro music by RJ Comer,...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with David McKinney, Curator of Collections and Grounds at Iowa Arboretum and Gardens, to discuss the future of our natural ecosystems. Topics include how David found his love for native plants, stewardship of natural lands at the arboretum, what climate change means for pollinators, non-native plants in urban environments, and it wouldn’t be a show witho...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Check out our Black Friday Promo!!!  Where in the World is Tom Knezick? “That’s Hot” is all in the fall color. Why did “This or That” cross the Highway - It's all in our memory.  Did we give you a shoutout this week? Want to see Roots So Deep with us? "Take it or Leave it" makes a triumphant return.  Are yo...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with environmental educator Katie Fisk to discuss Cues to Care. Topics include Katie's journey into environmental stewardship, tips for creating biodiversity on your own property, creating habitat affordably, the value of environmental education, and it wouldn't be a show without favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share two of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast that highlight Native Plant Influencers. First is Andrew Conboy (Andrew The Arborist) to discuss native plants and social media. Topics include Andrew's path to becoming an arborist, inspirations along the way, blowing up on social media, Andrew's nonprofit Community Canopy Project,...