Love gardening and birds and want to help Mother Nature? Join host Catherine Greenleaf, former gardening columnist for the Boston Herald Sunday Magazine and a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for discussions about organic gardening and restoring native habitat to help the birds and other wildlife in your backyard. Catherine Greenleaf talks about the natural history of birds and interviews the leading experts about how ...
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Unsolved Wildlife Crimes Report With Megan Stolen
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30:37Today we are joined by wildlife forensic scientist Megan Stolen. Megan tells us about some of her most interesting investigations into wildlife cruelty and also gives us an update on the pelicans who were deliberately injured in Brevard County, Florida. To find out more about Blue World Research Insititute (BWRI) go to: https://bwri.org. To make do…
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Planting Natives For Resilience With Marie Chieppo
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28:15Today we speak with award-winning native garden designer Marie Chieppo about how to reduce your lawn in order to introduce more native plants as well as creating a soft landing for insects under trees. Order Marie's new book, Guidelines for Cape-Friendly Landscapes, at: ecoplantplans.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator…
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We are joined today by Pam Meier, director of The Turtle's Back in Maine, a wild turtle rescue and rehabilitation center. We talk about what to do if you find a turtle in the road. We also discuss the problem of turtle poaching and how you can help prevent it. Go to her website at: theturtlesback.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife …
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Saving and Growing Native Seeds With Alexis Doshas
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25:05Today we speak with Alexis Doshas, the Nursery Manager for the Native Plant Trust, based in Whately, Massachusetts. Alexis and her team plant 50,000 to 60,000 native seeds each year! Some native plants mentioned in this show: Pennsylvania sedge; Carex Appalachia; Tiarella cordifolia; wild strawberry; oak trees; linden (basswood) trees; goldenrod (s…
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Your First Vegetable Garden With Maria Rodale
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24:46Ready to join the self-sustainability revolution? Today we have Maria Rodale from the legendary Rodale organic gardening family to talk to us about starting your first vegetable garden and a whole lot more! Check out her substack at substack.com. Find her latest book, The Love Alphabet Book, written by her alias Mrs. Peanuckle, at your local bookst…
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The Flight Of The Hummingbird With Carole Turek
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25:49Today we speak with Carole Turek, world-renowned hummingbird expert. She tells us about her travels to photograph and film all 371 species of hummingbird on the planet! She also discusses her projects with the American Bird Conservancy and her extremely popular YouTube site, The Hummingbird Spot, which contains live streams of hatching hummingbird …
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Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains With Bethany Brookshire
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26:31Today we speak with Bethany Brookshire, author of the new book Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains. We discuss why certain animals are labeled as "pests" and how we can learn to live with all animals. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice…
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Today we speak with Grant Sizemore from the American Bird Conservancy about the continuing problem of outdoor cats attacking and killing birds. Grant works to educate people about the dangers that outdoor cats pose to birds, mammals and humans. He shares some ways to keep both birds and cats safe from harm. For more information, go to abcbirds.org/…
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Today's guest is Paula Whyman, author of the wonderful new book, Bad Naturalist. Paula takes us on an adventure as she describes how she transformed 200 acres of disconnected pastureland in Virginia into a thriving meadow filled with native trees and plants for wildlife. For link to Isabella Tree's book, The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Re…
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BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: 100 Plants To Feed The Bees With The Xerces Society
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31:26Now is the time to get out your catalogs and order those native plants! In today's episode, we talk with Matthew Shepherd from the Xerces Society about the organization's wonderful book, 100 Plants To Feed The Bees: Provide A Healthy Habitat To Help Bees Thrive. Plants discussed on this show: Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis); False Indigo or …
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BIRD HUGGER CLASSIC: Planting Native Seeds Outdoors With Heather McCargo
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54:44Get ready! It's 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 of Wild Seed Project in Portland, Maine. Take the Rewilding Pledge! Go to Wild Seed Project at www.wildseedproject.net. Join host Catherine…
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Season's Greetings! ENCORE PRESENTATION: The Secret Garden With Marta MacDowell
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28:19Join us for some good cheer on the BIRD HUGGER Holiday Special! Author Marta McDowell is our guest as we discuss her book about The Secret Garden, the delightful children's tale written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Happy Holidays to all! For more info on Unearthing The Secret Garden: The Plants and Places That Inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett by Mar…
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Protecting The Integrity Of Water With Declan McCabe
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28:54Today's guest, aquatic biologist Declan McCabe, is urging us to protect water bodies like ponds and streams and the creatures that live in them. His new book, Turning Stones: Discovering The Life Of Water, is a collection of 54 nature essays that provide a look at the astounding diversity of life that depends on water. He examines a range of life f…
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Can you mimic bird calls? Today our guest is Dan Gardoqui, founder of Lead With Nature, an organization dedicated to teaching people about all things nature. Dan, who was instrumental in creating the best-selling book, What the Robin Knows, is an expert bird mimic and nature educator who is urging all of us to spend time in the wild observing and l…
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ENCORE PRESENTATION: Northeast Native Plant Primer With Uli Lorimer
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26:09Today we talk with Uli Lorimer, author of the new book, The Northeast Native Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden. Uli is the horticulture director at the Native Plant Trust. We talk about why natives are so important for birds and other wildlife. He will also walk us through the various successions of plants that occur once you tu…
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The Search For Lost Birds With John Mittermeier
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26:07Is the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker really extinct? In today's episode, we talk with John Mittermeier, the director of the Lost Birds Program at the American Bird Conservancy. John travels the world seeking to confirm the existence or extinction of rare bird species. For more info go to searchforlostbirds.org or go to abcbirds.org. Join Catherine Greenl…
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The Straight Poop On Seabirds With Sea McKeon
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24:07Today our guest is Sea McKeon, the Marine Program Director with the American Bird Conservancy. Sea is a biodiversity scientist, an evolutionary ecologist, a marine biologist, and a natural historian. In this episode, he tells us about the incredible value of seabird poop! Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of…
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Creating A Native Garden At Your Workplace With Nancy Farwell
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30:21In today's episode, we talk with Nancy Farwell, avid native gardener and marketing and advertising sales coordinator for Northern Woodlands magazine. Nancy approached the director of Northern Woodlands about creating a native garden in the front yard of the magazine's headquarters. We talk about the process of converting a workplace lawn to a nativ…
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Today we speak with Basil Camu, author of the wonderful new book, From Wasteland To Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth In The Sub/Urban Landscape. According to Basil, the way we currently landscape our urban and suburban landscapes is harming natural ecosystems. His book shows us easy techniques for bringing the beauty and functionality of na…
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New Research Findings On Broad-Winged Hawks With Dr. Laurie Goodrich
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23:12In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Laurie Goodrich from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania about the latest findings of her satellite telemetry research into the Broad-Winged Hawk. Also included: An exciting update on HUGGER, the Broad-Winged Hawk we are sponsoring! Dr. Goodrich launched the collaborative Pennsylvania Farmland Raptor and The…
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Today we speak with evolutionary biologist Joan Strassmann from St. Louis, Missouri about her brand-new book, The Slow Birding Journal. She explains why there's no need to fly to Panama to watch birds. You can enjoy bird watching in your own backyard by following some fun and easy-to-learn techniques. See The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan at …
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ENCORE PRESENTATION: The Benefits Of Bare-Root Plantings With Becky Brewer
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18:35ENCORE PRESENTATION: In today's episode, we talk with Becky Brewer from Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota about the many benefits of bare-root natives and how to plant them. Are you tired of finding Asian Jumping Worms in your soil? Tired of dealing with how to recycle plastic plant pots that can't be recycled? Bare-root plantings is the way to go!…
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So You Want To Become A Wildlife Rehabilitator With Kai Williams
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23:50Have you ever wondered what it would be like to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife? Today we have as our guest Kai Williams, executive director of the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, an organization serving wildlife rehabilitators worldwide with educational training and networking. For more information, go to www.theiwrc.org. O…
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How Over-Consumption Intensifies Climate Change with Hannah Evans
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24:40Today our guest is Hannah Evans from Population Connection, a non-profit organization that promotes awareness about the impact of human population numbers on climate change and the Earth's resources. Hannah works to cultivate partnerships between Population Connection and international NGOs. Before joining Population Connection’s staff, Hannah work…
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Making Your Yard A Quiet Oasis For Birds With Arline Bronzaft
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26:58Today our guest is Dr. Arline Bronzaft, an environmental psychologist from Quiet Communities who specializes in the effects of sound on animals like birds and people. She tells us about ways to make your yard a quiet oasis for birds and other critters. For more information, go to www.quietcommunities.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildl…
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Unsolved Wildlife Crimes Report With Megan Stolen
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29:56Today we have as our guest Megan Stolen, a forensic wildlife scientist from Blue World Research Institute in Florida. Megan was recently called in to evaluate a rash of unusual and suspicious pelican injuries and deaths in Brevard County. The case led to an investigation by state authorities. To make donations to the Florida Wildlife Hospital of Pa…
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ENCORE PRESENTATION: The Nature Of Oaks Wth Doug Tallamy
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41:46ENCORE PRESENTATION: In today's episode, we speak with award-winning author Dr. Doug Tallamy about his new book The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology Of Our Most Essential Native Trees. The native Oak tree is a keystone species and provides sustenance for hundreds of species of birds, butterflies and other creatures. Hear Doug explain the best way t…
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How Your Yard Influences Drought and Flood Cycles With Judith Schwartz
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25:26Today our guest is Judith Schwartz, award-winning author of the incredible book, Water In Plain Sight: Hope For A Thirsty World. Judith explains to us how trapping, slowing down and absorbing water on your property contributes to healthy small-water systems and helps decrease out-of-control flood and drought cycles in your region. To read more abou…
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Rescuing Animals During A Disaster With Dave Crawford
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29:20Today's guest is Dave Crawford, creator of the marvelous new pet rescue app phar.org, as well as the wildlife rescue app animalhelpnow.org. Dave also tells us about the devastating wildfire that destroyed his home and his neighborhood during the Marshall Fire of 2021 and how he is rebuilding his lfe. Go to phar.org and/or animalhelpnow.org. For inf…
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The Graceful Swallow-Tailed Kite With Gina Kent
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25:39Today our guest is Gina Kent, senior scientist with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute out of Gainesville, Florida. Gina tells us all about the Swallow-Tailed Kite. For more info on the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, go to ARCInst.org. For the ARCI Eyes On Kite program, go to: https://www.arcinst.org/eyes-on-kites. For more i…
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Today we are joined by Catherine Quayle of the Wild Bird Fund, Christine Sheppard from the American Bird Conservancy and New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal to discuss the phenomenon that was Flaco the Owl. We discuss this bird's celebrity status and how Flaco's death could have been prevented. State Senator Hoylman-Signal offers legislative …
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The Flight Of The Kestrel With Phil Brown
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31:26Today's guest is Phil Brown, Bird Conservation Director with the Harris Center for Conservation Education in Hancock, New Hampshire. Phil tells us all about a new program the Harris Center is spearheading to help boost Kestrel numbers in New Hampshire. For more information go to: harriscenter.org. For more information on the American Kestrel Partne…
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Water Harvesting For Your Yard And Gardens With Martha Retallick
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25:56Today's guest is Tuscon, Arizona resident, gardener and photographer Martha Retallick. Martha has written a wonderful new book called City Nature. In the book she chronicles how she tackled the challenge of harvesting rainwater for her house and gardens -- and created an oasis for birds. For more info, go to her website at: westernskycommunications…
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Hatching And Renesting Osprey Chicks With Stephanie Ellis
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33:17Today we speak with avian rehabilitator Stephanie Ellis about her experiences hatching, raising and renesting orphaned Osprey chicks. Stephanie is the Executive Director of WildCare in Eastham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. For more information, go to wildlifecarecapecod.org. Send your donations to: Wild Care Cape Cod, 10 Smith Lane, Eastham, MA 02642…
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Insecticides And Their Impact On Birds With Hardy Kern
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30:55Today we speak with Hardy Kern from the American Bird Conservancy about the latest scientific findings (2023) regarding insecticides, like neonicotinoids, and their impacts on birds. We also talk about what you can do to protect birds from deadly insecticides. For more information, go to: abcbirds.org/2023neonicsreport. For more information on imid…
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Prepping The Yard For Natives With Kathy Connolly
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36:11In today's episode, we speak with renowned ecological landscape designer and gardening consultant Kathy Connolly about the best way to prepare your site and soil for a native garden. Plants mentioned in the show: Carolina Rhodedendron; low-growing Juniper; Northern Sea Oats; Big Bluestem; Little Bluestem; Switchgrass; Prairie Dropseed. Go to: The M…
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Saving Birds After An Oil Spill With Tri-State Rescue
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31:02Daniel Wilson joins us today from Tri-State Bird Rescue in Delaware to discuss the amazing process of rescuing and rehabilitating birds contaminated by oil spills. For more information go to www.tristatebird.org. Go to GOWRS or Global Oiled Wildlife Response Service at http://tinyurl.com/yfxjkr22. Go to Sea Alarm at https://www.sea-alarm.org/catego…
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BIRD HUGGER HOLIDAY SPECIAL With Maria Rodale
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25:46Wishing you the happiest of holidays! In our final episode of the year, we invite you to join us for some festive cheer as we speak with legendary organic gardener and author Maria Rodale about her new book, Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys Into The Heart Of My Garden. In her book Maria chronicles the shamanic journeys she undertakes to commu…
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Birding Under The Influence With Dorian Anderson
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28:25Today we speak with Dorian Anderson, author of the new book, Birding Under the Influence: Cycling Across America in Search of Birds and Recovery. Dorian tells us about the rare birds he sighted as he pedaled thousands of miles across the U.S. -- and how he found himself and his sobriety along the way. Go to Warm Showers at: https://www.warmshowers.…
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Searching For Lost Hikers and Birders With Cathy Tarr
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32:59Would you know what to do if you got lost in the woods while birdwatching or hiking? Today we speak with Cathy Tarr, founder and executive director of the Fowler-O'Sullivan Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping families find loved ones who have gone missing in the wild. Cathy gives some very good advice on how NOT to get lost, along with…
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Flamingos in Wisconsin? Yes! In late August, Hurricane Idalia pushed dozens of Pink Flamingos northward, with some landing in Virginia and even Wisconsin! Today we speak with Threatened Species specialist Dan Lebbin from the American Bird Conservancy about how the Flamingos are doing and how things may go once the freezing cold weather arrives. For…
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Hugger The Broad-Winged Hawk Is On Her Way To Guatemala!
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20:21Hugger, the Broad-Winged Hawk we are sponsoring with a tracking transmitter through Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, is migrating south and in the lead! Today we talk with Rebecca McCabe, a Broad-Winged Hawk biologist, about Hugger's flight south for the winter. As of this interview, Hugger has already flown over Chiapas, Mexico and seems headed to Guatema…
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Native Shrubs For Northeast Landscapes With Emily Baisden
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27:34Today we speak with Emily Baisden, Seed Manager at Wild Seed Project. She tells us all about the best native shrubs to grow to benefit birds and pollinators. You can order Wild Seed Project's new booklet, Native Shrubs For Northeast Landscapes by going to https://wildseedproject.net/. Native shrubs mentioned in this episode: Buttonbush; Winterberry…
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On today's show we talk about the importance of leaving your garden alone come the fall. Fall is also a good time to check for Asian Jumping worms. We also discuss the new buzz phrase: forest blocks. What are they and why is it so important to protect them? Finally, we speak with state representative Greg Hill (Merrimack County/Northfield, NH) abou…
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Preventing Birds From Striking Windows With Daniel Klem
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32:17Fall migration time is here. Unfortunately, millions of songbirds die during migration each year flying into glass windows. Today we have as our guest Dr. Daniel Klem, Jr., noted ornithologist from Muhlenberg College and the author of an important book on how to prevent bird collisions with glass. To order his book, go to: https://www.danielklemjr.…
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Ridding The Horticultural Industry Of Plastic With Marie Chieppo
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31:29Today we speak with Marie Chieppo, award-winning horticulturalist and operator of the native plant consulting business, EcoPlantPlans.com, headquartered in Sagamore Beach, Massachsuetts. Marie spoke at the Cultivate 23 conference and will be telling us all about the latest innovations regarding the manufacturing of sustainable pots in the horticult…
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Native Plants For Shady Landscapes With Heather McCargo
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37:27She's back! Heather McCargo, founder of Wild Seed Project in Portland, Maine, is back on BIRD HUGGER to answer your most pressing questions about growing native plants, shrubs and trees. On today's show, we discuss what natives to grow in shady areas. Go to Wild Seed Project at: https://wildseedproject.net/. Go to Native Seed Center at Turkey Hill …
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Averting The Insect Apocalypse with Dave Goulson
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27:44Today we speak with Dave Goulson, a biologist specializing in the ecology of bees and one of the world's greatest experts on the bumblebee. We talk about his new book, Silent Earth, and how each of us can help prevent a worldwide insect apocalypse. Books by Dave Goulson: Silent Earth: Averting The Insect Apocalypse; The Garden Jungle; A Sting In Th…
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The Pioneers Of Bird Migration Tracking With Rebecca Heisman
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24:35Today we speak with ornithologist Rebecca Heisman, author of the fascinating new book, Flight Paths. We discuss the theories ancient scientists held about bird migration and how modern-day scientists track bird flight today. Go to Merlin Bird App at: tps://tinyurl.com/5368xypj. Go to ebird app at: ebird.org. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wi…
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Building A Community Pollinator Garden With Lynne Parshall
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21:14Today we speak with Lynne Parshall, avid native gardener and the project manager of the Utility Club in the town of Lyme in the Upper Valley region of New Hampshire. She tells us about the joys and challenges of organizing and creating a community pollinator garden for the town. Go to Pollinator Pathways at: https://www.pollinator-pathway.org. How …
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