Wild Ideas...The Podcast - The Wilderness Center

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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!)

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)!

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.