Backyard Ecology™

Goldenrod Geek-out! What You Need to Know About This Ecological Powerhouse!

Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about how goldenrods (Solidago sp.) are keystone species and all the ecological roles that they play. We also touch on s

Simple Ways to Help Eastern Bluebirds

Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss simple ways that anyone can help eastern bluebirds. Our discussion is based off her recently published research lo

New Research Reveals Diet of Baby Eastern Bluebirds

Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss the results of her research on the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. Ashley used GoPro cameras located on activ

More than just a forest: Our surprisingly diverse eastern ecosystems

Summary The general impression that many people have is that prior to European settlement the whole eastern U.S. was one giant old growth forest. But that wasn't the ca

How to Be Successful with Your Habitat Goals

Summary When it comes to creating habitat, having a written set of goals can be extremely helpful in moving a task from the "I'll get to it someday" category to the "I'

Short's aster: A beautiful late season extravaganza for pollinators

Summary Late blooming native plants are crucial sources of pollen and nectar for pollinators. One of my favorite species that blooms in October, and often into early No

The Science Behind "Leave the Leaves"

Summary "Leave the leaves" has become an increasingly common mantra each fall. However, until recently little to no scientific research had been done to quantify impact

Black-eyed Susan: A must-have for the pollinator garden

Summary Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a beautiful native plant that can be found throughout most of the eastern U.S. and makes a great addition to pollinator an

A Bad Naturalist's Journey to Restore a Mountaintop Meadow

Summary Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the c

Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to Eastern U.S. Gardens

Summary Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native

Gardening for Moths: Why It's Important for Backyard Conservation

Summary In this episode, we focus on the fascinating world of moths and why gardening for moths is so im-portant for any backyard ecologist. We also talk about specific

9 Native Blueberries You Can Grow in the Home Landscape

Summary Our native Vacciniums, what we commonly call the blueberries, are keystone plants which support tons of pollinators and wildlife. They also produce yummy berrie

Choose the Best Native Milkweed for Your Eastern U.S. Garden

Summary Milkweeds are a common component of butterfly and pollinator gardens. Not only are they important for monarch caterpillars, but they are also used by a wide var

Laurel Wilt: How Tiny Beetles Can Kill Huge Trees

Summary In this episode, we dive deep into Laurel Wilt Disease which is a vascular wilt disease affecting trees in the Lauraceae family, such as sassafras, spicebush, a

Virginia strawberry: A Beautiful, Tasty, and Underutilized Native Groundcover

Summary The Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is our most widespread native wild strawberry in the eastern U.S. It supports a wide range of pollinators and wild

Ironweed's Beauty and Ecological Value in Your Garden: Mt. Cuba's Vernonia Trial

Summary Each fall, the beautiful, rich, purple blooms of ironweeds (Vernonia spp.) grace fields and open areas throughout much of the eastern U.S. They are an ecologica

Eastern Carpenter Bees: How to Peacefully Co-exist and Why They Are Important

Summary While carpenter bees get a bad rap, they are also important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their bad reputation can also sometimes be overb

Doug Tallamy's Habitat Restoration Story and How You Can Help Save Nature

Summary Dr. Doug Tallamy shares the story of how he and his wife transformed their newly built home located on a former hayfield into a thriving forest ecosystem. We ta

Darkness Matters: Light Pollution's Threats and Simple Ways to Help

Summary Darkness is a vital, and often overlooked, component of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, we're losing it to light pollution. Decreasing the light pollution around y

BirdCast: Revealing the Mysteries of Bird Migration

Summary Twice a year billions of birds migrate across the U.S. We've only recently discovered just how large that number really is. Being able to quantify that number is