Wild Ideas...The Podcast - The Wilderness Center

Wild Ideas...The Podcast - The Wilderness Center

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Your own nature talk! Observations of everyday nature leads to bigger ideas about the natural world and how it all fits together. Join a naturalist, a science educator, and a conservation biologist for friendly, science-based nature chats and down-to-earth interviews with selected scientists. Wild I…

The Wilderness Center


    • Nov 5, 2014 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 259 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Wild Ideas...The Podcast - The Wilderness Center

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 284

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2014


    In this final episode, Gordon, Joann, and Gary say goodbye and thank you, our listeners. It has been an honor to be invited into your lives. Now, go outside and play!

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 283

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2014


    Joann and Gary look to future generations in an interview with Andrew Revelle of Conserve School. Conserve School inspires young people to environmental stewardship through academics and engagement with the forests, lakes, and wildlife of Lowenwood in northern Wisconsin.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 282

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2014


    Pluto is in the news—is it a planet again? Joann talks about its eccentric-ness in many more ways than one. Gary found an interesting study that will surprise you with what you "always knew" about Red Foxes.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 281

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2014


    Gary and Joann talk with Hannah Urfer about a serious problem afecting honeybees, Colony Collapse Disorder.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 280

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2014


    Gary and Joann talk with Mandie Zopp of Riveredge Nature Center about their work to raise and release Lake Sturgeon into Lake Michigan.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 279

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2014


    Joann is looking forward to the 2017 solar eclipse; get your reservations in soon! Gary is in another wetland, but you won't believe where…under the Antarctic ice sheet!

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 278

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2014


    Part 2 of our look at a topic important to the U.S. and all other countries—science education. Joann hosts Herb Broda, Laura Grimm, and Jeff Corney.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 277

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2014


    It's Patriot's Day in the U.S., so we take a look at a topic important to the U.S. and all other countries—science education. Joann hosts an outstanding panel of folks you've heard on Wild Ideas: Herb Broda, Laura Grimm, and Jeff Corney. Each has expertise and experience in a different aspect of science education.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 276

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2014


    Joann wonders why so many plants (and a few animals) are "Officinale." Gary delights in the seed bank uncovered and growing around Wilderness Lake.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 275

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2014


    We had a request for an episode! Well, OK, it came from Gordon. He suggested we talk with "Bug Girl" Gwen Pearson about both bogus and effective products for dealing with insects.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 274

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2014


    It's Rhinos this week! Gary and Joann talk with Harry Peachey of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 273

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2014


    Joann's on a soapbox again, this time about the zodiac. Gary enjoys remembering his encounters with Black-necked Stilts.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 272

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2014


    Visit the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont with us to learn about an exciting video project connecting kids to nature and the park! We recommend you watch the videos at www.themiddleprongpress.com.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 271

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2014


    There are many ways to learn about and appreciate the natural world. Gary and Joann talk with fly fisherman Chuck Kraus about his connection with nature through the sport.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 270

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2014


    It's the Question Show! Listeners asked about vernal pools, snake behavior, skinks, and native bees.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 269

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2014


    Gary and Joann just discovered the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation! Join us for a conversation about the Society and the good work it does with Executive Director Scott Black.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 268

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2014


    Gary is watching a Blue Jay fledge in his backyard. Joann is back at crosswordese—this time with Goa.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 267

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2014


    Social spiders? We never heard of them—until now! Gary and Joann interview Jonathan Pruitt of the University of Pittsburg about his work with social spiders.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 266

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2014


    Gary is thinking about the Brown Creeper's niche partitioning with its close relatives. Joann joyfully remembers a recent visit to the Owlery at Hogwarts. (Sorry to get so nerdy, but sometimes it just can't be helped!)

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 265

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2014


    Gary and Joann talk with Joanne Rebbeck of the US Forest Service. She has exciting news about an invasive plant—Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)!

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 264

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2014


    Joann and Gary talk with Dr. Chuck Knapp of the Shedd Aquarium about his work studying Rock Iguanas in the Bahamas.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 263

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2014


    While fighting Garlic Mustard, Gary heard a Veery—turns out those 2 things are related! Meteorologists are predicting an el Nino, so Joann investigates the global effects.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 262

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2014


    Does light pollution have an effect on plants, too? We talk with Eric Vandernoot of Florida Atlantic University to find out.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 261

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2014


    Explore the science of climate change and welcome The Wilderness Center's new Executive Director, Dr. Jeffrey Corney.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 260

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2014


    Joann and Gary talk with Melissa Amarello, cofounder of Advocates for Snake Preservation, about her work with Arizona Black Rattlesnakes and their social interactions.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 259

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2014


    Brightly-lit night skies not only keep us from seeing the stars, they affect animals and plants. Gary and Joann interview Cheryl Ann Bishop of the International Dark-Sky Association about light pollution and how all of us can help.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 258

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2014


    Joann saw the first Coltsfoot of the season…at last! Gary spotted the punk rocker of the bird world, Ruby-crowned Kinglet.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 257

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2014


    Joann is closing in on the hunt for "spring" Robins. Gary saw an American Kestrel kiting.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 256

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2014


    We have a wide-ranging conversation with Brooke Langston, Advisor to the Ministry of Fijian Affairs. In Fiji!

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 255

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2014


    We have a very special guest this week! Gordon returns to talk about Wood Storks. Joann is looking at the first spring flower, Speedwell. Gary hears Eastern Bluebirds singing. Our repeat interview is with Susan Clayton of the College of Wooster about conservation psychology.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 254

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2014


    Joann waits for the first Robin of spring—American or European? Gary found some Fairy Shrimp. Our repeat interview is with Mark Baldwin of the Roger Tory Institute, about nature journaling.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 253

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2014


    Joann's crosswordese leads us to the Anoa this week; Gary's thinking about shorebird migration and the importance of habitat—Horseshoe Crabs. Our repeat interview is with Theresa Crimmins of the USA National Phenology Network.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 252

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2014


    Joann's crosswordese leads to confusion—what is an eft? Gary talks about the Red-spotted Eft/Eastern Newt. Our repeat interview is with Richard Allen of the Encyclopedia of Life.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 251

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2014


    Gary delves into the plastisphere. Joann researches crosswordese: Ernes. The interview is the second half of our talk with Jake Owens about the Bioko Island Drill.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 250

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2014


    Gordon's thinking about Sundews, Gary is already listening for Wood Frogs, and Joann suggests you try a Messier Marathon. Our interview is with Jake Owens about the Bioko Island Drill. This is Gordon's last podcast as a regular host—join us in wishing him a happy retirement!

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 249

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2014


    The Question Show: Gordon, Joann and Gary answer listener questions about invasive, naturalized and non-native species; tarantulas, grassland birds, Blue Jays, Dandelions, Flycatchers, and more.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 248

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2014


    Katie Gillies from Bat Conservation International talks about “bat bunker” hibernacula and White-nose Syndrome. Gordon actually likes Copperheads. Gary is fascinated by Comb Jellies and Joann explains Snowy Owl invasions.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 247

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2014


    Warning! Creep factor with House Centipede, Scutigera coleoptrata. Dark-eyed Juncos—the Snow Bird. The interview is fun with science comedian Tim Lee who made the move from Biology Ph.D. to Standup Comedy!

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 246

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2014


    Gordon lines up true north and magnetic north. Gary explains leaf packs in streams. Joann seeks the smallest mammal — Bumblebee Bat or Etruscan Shrew. We interview Harry Peachy from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium about Elephants.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 245

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2014


    Gary discusses fisheries ecology. Joann finds good news and bad news in cold snaps. Gordon awaits migration of Ring-billed Gulls. Interview with Lincoln Brower about the challenge of Monarch Butterfly conservation.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 244

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2014


    Gary explains the polar vortex, Joann is hoping to experience a cryoseism, and Gordon's out looking for Eskimo Curlews. After all those cold topics, we look forward to spring in an interview with Samantha David about the West Virginia White and butterfly conservation.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 243

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2014


    Gary explains that Seahorses are pipefish with a twist. Gordon talks about one of the most common and beloved reptiles, the Garter Snake.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 242

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2014


    Gary looks at salinity surges in freshwater streams. Gordon's thinking about sea stars. Joann learns about banyan trees. Our interview is with Millie Burrell of Texas A&M about invasives and her work in Cogongrass.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 241

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2013


    Gary reports on the discovery of vast amounts of fresh water under the ocean. Gordon loves Blue Jays. Joann works out the difference between Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks. Emma Greig from Project Feeder Watch is interviewed.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 240

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2013


    Joann follows up last week's episode with a chat about star formation. Gary's enjoying another winter resident, the American Tree Sparrow. And Gordon is thinking about Hellgrammites (no, we don't know why). The interview is with Brian Gilbert, who is developing a plant ID app.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 239

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2013


    Gary talks about a winter visitor the Snowy Owl. Gordon found some liverworts. Joann reviews the Kepler Mission to find planets. This leads to a discussion of the Drake equation about the potential for extraterrestrial civilizations.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 238

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2013


    Gary enjoys the White-throated Sparrow's song. Gordon introduces us to Fairy Cup Moss. Joann wonders if it's literally darkest before the dawn. Our interview is with Vicki Gardner of Alpen Optics about binoculars, spotting scopes, and how to choose optics.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 237

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2013


    Gary discusses the age of the Earth. Gordon found an Indian thong tree. Joann is relieved we had a healthy Jewelweed season. Our interview is with Herb Broda about how outdoor experiences help children learn, with a focus on formal education.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 236

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2013


    Gary anticipates winter, with a look at the snow belt. Joann has hopes for viewing Comet ISON. Gordon uncovers a surprisingly interesting bird, the House Finch. Our discussion is on island biogeography.

    Wild Ideas...the Podcast 235

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2013


    Flocking behavior is Gary’s topic. Gordon revisits Duckweed. Joann anticipates a solar eclipse. The interview is with Jason Kindall, a naturalist who spent a season as a wild land fire fighter. He illuminates the role of fire in conservation.

    WIld Ideas...the Podcast 234

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2013


    Gordon sees the whole forest, not just the trees. Joann considers snow cover. Our interviewee is Marketa Zimova of the Camouflage and Climate Change Research Group at the University of Montana about Snowshoe Hares.

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