Project Understory

In this episode, Rae Henneman shares her journey from growing up in urban Chicago with little exposure to nature to discovering a passion for birding in college. A chance encounter with a white-breasted nuthatch sparked her curiosity and transformed how she sees the natural world—both in the forest and back home in the city. Join Rae as she reflects on how awareness can open our eyes to the wildlife around us, one bird at a time.

This episode follows the story of a child curious about bird migration and his journey on becoming a nature detective and solving his case

In this special episode, you will hear stories about the importance of trees. The stories come from multiple storytellers including a classroom of 4th graders and a classroom of Master Naturalists.  

In this episode, Kate shares how a mountain summit inspired her to engage in all the fleeting opportunities that life has to offer.

This is a story by Alaina Allen about her passion for kayaking. It embodies the sentiment "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again".

Join Phil White as he shares a short story about an encounter with a troupe of raccoons as they attempt to steal his sweet treats during a camping trip, and the strange connection with one which he still thinks about to this day.

This episode describes an adventurous 23-mile backpacking trip through the Porcupine Mountains with views of waterfalls, trees galore, a whole lot of water, and countless memories.

Practicum student Logan Buress shares a story about his trip to the Apostle Islands and how him and his family were unprepared for their trip there.

CWES graduate assistant Sarah Wood shares a chance encounter with a forest bird that opens up a whole new world to her in the outdoors. 

Working as a camp counselor in Wolf Ridge Environmental Center, Nate was lucky to receive a day off on his 18th birthday. Taking the day for himself, he soon finds that his solo stroll in the woods turns to an interesting interaction with a mama and her cubs. As Nate mentions, make sure you know what wildlife are in your area before your next walk! 

We're back with Season 5 of Project Understory! Join Maverick as his adventure with jets and magical donuts bring his senses to life, but in the end, he realizes nature conquers all. 

Some of you may have an experience that changed your life - and for the better. Join Lauryn as she shares how making a trip to Yellowstone National Park secured her future in the career and world of environmental education. 

As a Wilderness Guide, you never know what can be right around the next bend. Listen in on Clarah's exhilarating  story while on the Namekagon River in northern Wisconsin! 

If you haven't been to Hayward, WI yet, put it on your list! Maddie shares a memory while fishing with her Dad - a story where the fishing is too good to be true, with a little help from the sky. 

In this podcast, Lauren shares how a even a smaller critter like a squirrel can make make an impact on your nature experience - and get your heart racing, too! 

Sometimes it's the experience that makes you grow as a person, and it all could start with someone that gives you that extra push that allows you to grow as a individual. Delaney explains how her Grandpa's love and support helped push her to her career path in Environmental Education today. 

Katie shares her experience of hunting her first white-tail deer in Iowa, showcasing that being patient is worth the wait. 

Rheya shares how, even a lost opportunity in a solo hunting adventure, nature can give you a different perspective to gain memorable experiences. 

Join Jordan as she takes you through an experience while at Disney that restored her hope in the importance and magic of pursing Wildlife Education. 

Alyson shares her story climbing the Tatra Mountains of Poland. Sometimes the journey you choose doesn't matter. What you take from it is what matters.

Join Jimmy as in interviews someone who created nature programs for youth in the suburbs of Chicago, his own mom! They talk about creating connections with nature, what they meant for them, and what it can mean for future naturalists.

Fox share their experiences with the natural world and what helped shape their relationship to nature and their career path.

Follow 7 year old Cinna as they have their first snorkeling experience and the mistake of following someone else's advice.  

Kindra shares her adventures searching for caves in Maquoketa, and the journey which took her there.  Sometimes the struggle can be the reward.

Elena shares stories of growing up in the woods, creating games, and encountering a creature who shares the same environment.

Join Eric with his favorite memory hunting for an elusive buck, and what hunting means to him, his family, and his connection to nature.

Carly shares her story backpacking in Michigan and the challenges with poor weather, strange insects, and mysterious tapping in the woods.

Aaron shares his experiences in the Florida Keyes and the adventures that bring him face to face with drawfs and giants.

Join Grant on his journey on the ocean cage diving to see sharks and learning that you can have the best and worst moments at the same time.  

Matthew shares a personal story of challenge and triumph as he climbs Mount Baldy.

On a camping adventure in Olympic National Park, our narrator learns the importance of human companionship and community in the wild.  

A childhood camping trip in bear country leaves a deep impression on our narrator about the importance of listening to one another, no matter our age or experience level.

Escaping conflict on a family camping trip, a young college student stumbles upon a magical lakeside moment that frees his mind and spirit. 

The story of how sitting regularly in the branchy embrace of a giant white oak changed one student's view and connection with the natural world forever.

A face-to-face encounter with a juvenile black bear in the Great Smoky Mountains leaves one young naturalist contemplating  the impact of invasive humans on wildlife and wild places.

Often families will plan adventures to create memories, to grow closer, to share something special that is different from the day to day.  Lindsey tells a funny, not-so-funny, story of a family adventure that will remind you of the phrase "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger".

Learning when a med kit is necessary can be unnerving, but what happens when the one in need is you?  Listen to Sierra tell her harrowing tale and come away with a sense that you need to exhale.

Lauren paints a lovely picture with her description of a beloved childhood place where she learns the challenges of embracing change.

Connor takes the listener on a journey of sunburn, exhaustion, fear, homesickness, and a whirlpool. By facing nature at its most threatening, Connor came to a greater understanding of perseverance.

Ever want to paddle surf on the Pacific? Listen to Abby's explanation of the importance of shuffling your feet through San Diego.

Sometimes Nature disturbs us to get our attention and appreciation.  Listen to Paul's story of a Red-tailed hawk enjoying a "squirrel sandwich" and how he was reminded of how closely bound we all are in this experience.

Sometimes the events that cause us to cringe make the best stories to tell.  Ellen shares how a family trip turned adventure turned near miss turned story of a life time.

Have you ever carried a fifth grader on your back up then down a mountain? Join Kendall to hear what happened in the great state of Washington with an "aggressively positive" climbing mate.

Garrett tells a story of restoration and healing involving love, loss, and the Boogeyman at Devil's Lake.

It is funny how nature can work it's way into our souls.  For Cali, even a heart-pounding, nail-biting "game not for the weak" sparked a sense of peace, place, and wholeness.

The Tennessee Smoky Mountains and waterfalls on a warm March day...Sounds amazing, doesn't it? Maybe-maybe not.  Izzy will explain.

Close your eyes.  Imagine it is night all around you and a fire is crackling. Now imagine the fire is not in a firering or fireplace but is the ground around you. Faith tells a story of magic and circumstance which will be sure to inspire.

Imagine you are hiking in the heat of summer.  The view is amazing. The sounds fill your soul.  The sweat is pouring from your body. Can you feel the heat? Now imagine you are in Guatemala hiking up the an active volcano with Bailey during this Project Understory.

What do you do when things don't go planned? When you are really, really excited about an adventure and things go awry? Quinn tells a funny, not-so-funny, relatable story-from the perspective of a high schooler!

The Kickapoo Valley is a magical place and it is where Jess was reminded that "the sunrise waits for noone".