Podcast appearances and mentions of Elaine Ingham

Have you ever noticed how certain sounds, voices, or songs can instantaneously transport you to another world? Whether it's a track from high school or the specific creak of a childhood porch, audio has a unique "backdoor" into our deepest memories and emotions. In this episode, we explore how to tap into that same principle to radically deepen our connection to nature. While we are biologically biased to navigate the world through a visual "spotlight," we often miss the 360-degree sanctuary that sound provides. By shifting our focus from looking to listening, we move beyond simple identification and start experiencing nature as a floodlight—an immersive, restorative flood of information that lowers our stress and pulls us directly into the present moment.To explore this invisible landscape, I'm joined by my friend Sue Pelmulder, a birder and audio engineer who learned how to combine these skills and reveal a new connection to nature. Together, we set out on a 5:00 AM "field trip" for the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance's annual Birdathon. Using high-end recording gear, including an 18-inch parabolic dish that acts as a "zoom lens for the ears," we captured the hidden details of the California's Diablo Range. From the haunting, prehistoric calls of the Pied-billed Grebe to the singular "water glump" of a diving Western Grebe, this episode is an immersive look at how listening can reveal a world that our eyes alone would have entirely overlooked.Ultimately, this journey isn't just about professional gear or rare species; it's about the "treasure hunt" and connection to nature available right outside your front door. We discuss how you can get to know your individual neighborhood birds, and why tools like Merlin are leveling the playing field for new observers.  Whether you are an experienced birder or someone looking for a "universal reset button" for a tired mind, this conversation with Sue Pelmulder will challenge you to close your eyes, open your ears, and discover nature in a new way. FULL SHOW NOTES with Photos!Birds Appearing in this episode:  California Quail, White-throated Swift, Pied-billed Grebe, House Wren, Great-horned Owl, Western Grebe, Violet-Green Swallow, and more!Sue's Recording GearTelinga Modular Parabolic CollectorWarm Audio WA-84 mono microphone with omnidirectional capsuleRecording on a Zoom H6 Handy Recorder at 48KHz linear PCMSony MDR-7506 headphonesOther Recording Gear (lower budget)You can purchase "shotgun" microphones that provide some directionality (not as good as a parabola), but they are much more portable and much cheaper. Michael uses a Rode VideoMic Pro. Usually, the longer the shotgun mic, the more directional it is.Zoom also makes smaller and less expensive recorders than the H6 Sue uses. Michael uses an H4N, but Zoom makes other less expensive recorders. Just make sure the connector types match your microphone.For an ultra-portable (and inexpensive!) solution, Michael uses his smartphone and connects the Rode VideoMic Pro using a cable that converts the 1/8" output to a USB-C.Support Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Long time listeners know that I'm a huge fan of iNaturalist. Their app literally changed my life by dramatically improving my relationship with, and knowledge of nature.And iNaturalist is much more than just a nature identification app. When you use iNaturalist, yes, you get a helping hand in identifying plants, animals and fungi. But you're also contributing to perhaps the largest community science dataset on Earth, which starts to get to the heart of iNaturalist's mission.After our Jumpstart Nature episode on iNaturalist, I received many questions about how iNaturalist works - just how does it know how to ID so many organisms? How are sensitive species, such as rare plants that are subject to poaching, protected?And with the increased concern about the environmental impact of certain types of AI, how does iNaturalist's AI, called Computer Vision, compare?So who better to answer those questions than Scott Loarie. And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the Jumpstart Nature Podcast! Episode #5 profiles three creative and inspirational uses of iNaturalist!Be sure to check out the iNaturalist blog and newsletter as well!FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSCalifornia Academy of SciencesiNaturalist, their blog, and their newsletterJumpstart Nature Episode 5 profiles inspiring uses of iNaturalistSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham weighs the pros and cons of adding or not adding mycorrhizal fungi to soils.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The UN has classified at least 40% of the Earth's land as degraded. That figure is estimated to be somewhere between 1 billion, even up to 6 billion hectares of degraded land. Much if not most of this degradation can be attributed to human activity, particularly that of modern agriculture, its impacts & methodologies. Land degradation affects the physical health of all life, biodiversity, the nutrient cycling of plants, the quality of our air, water and food and our access to them. World-renowned soil biologist Dr. Elaine Ingham and her Soil Food Web Approach [https://www.soilfoodweb.com/] has successfully been implemented to restore ecological functions of soils on more than five million acres of farmland around the world. Dr. Elaine passed away this February. She joined us in 2022 to share deep insights about how to ensure the continuance of life on this planet by turning to Nature and using biological vs. toxic, chemical approaches to heal and balance soil. By working with beneficial microorganisms that inhabit the soil, we can support Nature in transforming inert, degraded dirt into life-giving soil. Dr. Elaine Ingham, Founder and President of Soil Food Web Inc. and Director of the Soil Food Web School, has advanced the knowledge about the Soil Food Web for nearly four decades and since has been conducting pioneering research and advocacy empowering ordinary people to bring the soils in their community back to life. Her Soil Food Web Approach has been used to successfully restore and regenerate the ecological functions of soils on six continents. The Soil Food Web School's curriculum was designed to be accessible to individuals who wish to train and embark on a meaningful and impactful career that will help ensure the survival of all life. Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth. For an extended version of this interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Hosted by Carry Kim Intros by Jessica Aldridge and Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Episode 142

Soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham sheds light on how cover cropping can reduce, if not completely eradicate, weed pressure on production soils.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

What comes to your mind when you hear “Salt Lake”? If you're like many people, perhaps you think of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Or perhaps the Dead Sea or the Caspian Sea.But there are over 100 perennial salt lakes around the globe, and hundreds of seasonal ones.Each of these lakes have amazing histories and support unique ecosystems, making them a precious resource for biodiversity.My guest today is Caroline Tracey, author of the new book “Salt Lakes - An Unnatural History”. Caroline's book weaves a fascinating ecological story with her own personal narrative, unveiling one of Earth's most overlooked ecosystems.Today we discuss a few of these amazing stories, and look at the unique life that these lakes support. We also reveal the threats these salt lakes face, and how diminishing water levels not only put many species in peril, but threaten the health of people in nearby communities.But there are success stories, in flight or emerging, for many of these imperiled lakes. You can find Caroline on her website, cetracey.com, on instagram @ce_tracey, and read more of her writing on her substack.FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSSalt Lakes - An Unnatural History - publisher | bookshop.org | amazonSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Honoring a soil building heroIn this rebroadcast of Episode 185, Greg honors the late Dr. Elaine Ingham, a global leader in soil biology and founder of Soil Food Web Inc. Dr. Ingham shares her journey from childhood microbiology lessons to groundbreaking research on the soil food web. The episode explores composting, soil biology, succession, and how restoring microbial life can regenerate ecosystems and dramatically increase yields.Our Guest: Dr. Elaine Ingham is the Founder, President and Director of Research for Soil Foodweb Inc., a business that grew out of her Oregon State University research program. Behind her user-friendly approach to soil lies a wealth of knowledge gained from years of research into the organisms which make up the soil food web. Her goal is to translate this knowledge into actions that ensure a healthy food web that promotes plant growth and reduces reliance on inorganic chemicals. Elaine also offers a pioneering vision for sustainable farming, improving our current soils to a healthier state, without damaging any other ecosystem. In her spare time, Elaine publishes scientific papers, writes book chapters and gives talks at symposia around the world.Key TopicsElaine InghamSoil Food Web IncOregon State UniversityEnvironmental Protection AgencyUniversity of GeorgiaColorado State UniversityUnited NationsMonsantoSoil food web (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, microarthropods)Genetically engineered Klebsiella planticolaBiosafety protocol debateEcological succession and weedsComposting (thermal, vermicomposting, static)Soil microbiome and human health connectionKey Questions AnsweredHow did Dr. Elaine Ingham begin her journey into soil microbiology?Introduced to microscopes at age six by her veterinarian father, she developed early scientific curiosity. After deciding against medical school, she pursued microbiology, earning graduate degrees at Colorado State University and building foundational methodologies for quantifying soil organisms.What is the soil food web, and why does it matter?The soil food web is the complex community of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods that cycle nutrients, protect plants, and build soil structure. Without this biology, plants cannot thrive, and chemical dependency increases.What happened in the EPA experiment involving genetically engineered bacteria?Dr. Ingham and her graduate student tested a genetically engineered strain of Klebsiella planticola designed to produce alcohol from crop residues. In controlled soil experiments, the engineered bacteria killed all terrestrial plants by producing toxic alcohol concentrations at...

In this week's episode of High on Home Grown, we're covering a mix of tribute, progress, education, and important new research: Macky begins with a tribute to Dr. Elaine Ingham, a pioneer in soil biology whose work has influenced growers around the world. A huge loss to the living soil community and a legacy that will continue to shape natural growing for years to come. He also shares the story of a medical cannabis patient who has won a two-year legal battle after being wrongfully convicted of drug driving. A significant case that highlights the ongoing legal challenges patients still face. John brings positive news from the US, where four more states are advancing legislation to allow medical cannabis use within hospitals, marking another step toward normalising patient access in clinical settings. Smee reports that Bristol Medical School is set to offer its first teaching placement in cannabis medicine. Another major step forward for education and future healthcare professionals in the UK. Dr. Margaret covers a large new study examining a potential link between cannabis use in teenagers and increased risk of psychosis later in life. An important topic that deserves careful discussion and responsible context. And Billy rounds things off with research into the use of hemp for soil contamination cleanup, highlighting the plant's growing role in environmental restoration. Another packed episode covering progress, challenges, education, and the evolving science shaping the future of cannabis.

Cold soil, heavy rain, and an eager itch to plant—this is the moment gardeners choose between rushing the season or stacking the odds for a great harvest. We dive into a clear, practical guide to picking potato varieties that fit both your garden and your plate, from fast-maturing salad types to flavour-packed second earlies and reliable main crops for storage. Along the way, we ground every tip in real conditions: soil temperature as your green light, earthing up to beat late frosts, and smart timing to dodge blight season.We start with confidence builders. Charlotte tops the salad list for clean skins, high yields, and a waxy bite that loves vinaigrettes, while Pink Fir Apple and International Kidney add character if you crave variety. First earlies like Duke of York, Red Duke of York, and Sharpe's Express earn their space by finishing early, freeing beds for summer crops. Vitabella brings a safety net with extra blight resistance, and Alouette offers rare early flouriness if you manage slugs by earthing up.If taste is king, we champion British Queens. Get them into warm soil early and they deliver that floury, comforting texture that makes a simple plate sing. For the long game, we compare main crops: Records for a rich, slightly yellow flesh; King Edward and Maris Piper for classic roast quality; Rooster and Kerr's Pink for trusted staples. If blight has caught you before, Sarpo Mira and Sarpo Axona are your calm in the storm—vigorous growth, clean foliage, and solid harvests that improve with patient maturity.Threaded through are the small habits that decide big outcomes: planting depth at 10 cm, earthing up in stages, steady moisture during tuber set, and choosing containers when space or soil is against you. We also pause to honour the late Dr Elaine Ingham, whose soil food web work reshaped how many of us see life underfoot. Listen to a great episode of the podcast with Elaine here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/857398/episodes/10640939 We discuss upcoming workshop dates plus a free Grow Your Own Food webinar for those who can't travel. Sign up to the webinar herehttp://subscribepage.io/growyourownfoodwebinarReady to pick a winning trio? Try Charlotte for a fast win, British Queens for flavour, and a Sarpo main crop for stress-free storage. If this guide helped, follow, share with a fellow grower, and leave a review to help more gardeners find us.Support the showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: info@mastermygarden.com Check out Master My Garden on the following channels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ Until next week Happy gardening John

Some of the most consistent feedback I get about the podcast is the message of hope that rings through. Today's episode takes the message of hope up a level by revisiting the folks at the Sunflower Star Lab.Sunflower sea stars are amazing creatures - not your typical sea star. They can reach over three feet, live for decades, they are highly mobile, and function as keystone species in kelp forest systems. Just a little over a decade ago, there were 6 billion of these animals along the pacific coast of North America. Then, they vanished. And the consequences to kelp systems has been dire.But thanks to innovative work at the Sunflower Star Lab, and the numerous partners that they've cultivated, things are looking up - and much more quickly than I ever imagined. So last December I made the short trip down to Moss Landing, California, and today I'm sharing my conversation with Reuven Bank and Andrew Kim from the Sunflower Star Lab. They're here to tell us the full story of the Seastar and why things have taken this turn for the better. You might remember them from episode 104 - even if you listened to that one, I promise you today's episode is well worth a listen.Check out the Sunflower Star Lab at sunflowerstarlab.org and on Facebook and Instagram. FULL SHOWS NOTESLinksFriday Harbor LaboratoriesJason HodinKelp WatchSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Imagine a creature that is born already pregnant with its own grandchildren. No mating, no waiting—just a continuous, telescopic unfolding of life. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but it's likely happening on the underside of a leaf in your backyard. Today, we're looking past the 'pest' label to discover the mind-bending biology of the aphid.Our guest today is aphidologist Natalie Hernandez. If you are on iNaturalist, you might recognize her as one of the most prolific identifiers of aphids.Today we learn about these incredible insects, including why ants tend to aphids like livestock, how telescopic reproduction works, and we investigate why aphids are incredibly important to ecosystems. While a few aphid species can be pests to agriculture, most are critical parts of the food web.I've grown to love finding new aphid species when I'm out exploring, and I hope today's episode will help inspire you to look under a few more leaves this spring and summer.Find Natalie on iNaturalist and instagram! FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSAphids on the World's Plants - excellent online resource for identifying aphids Thanks to Brook Neely for editing this episode.Support Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham describes the processeses that happen when nature is left to its own devices as it builds soil.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Land stewards face a constant, high-stakes puzzle: Do you protect a single at-risk species, or do you optimize for total biodiversity? Do you fight to hold back the tide of natural succession, or do you step back and let nature take the lead?Stewardship has always been about trade-offs, but climate change has shifted the very ground we stand on. It's no longer just about maintaining what we have; it's about navigating a target that is constantly moving. We are moving past the era of 'restoring the past' and entering an era of 'designing for the future.' In some cases, it may mean accepting that ecosystems we hold dear may permanently change —but it also means we have the tools to ensure they don't lose their soul, their function, or their life-sustaining power.Joining us today is Dr. Zac Cannizzo, a specialist in climate-informed conservation across both marine and terrestrial systems. Zac is here to pull back the curtain on how we manage hope in a warming world. He'll explain why these shifts are so hard for us to accept, and more importantly, he'll walk us through the practical framework he uses to help ecosystems thrive, even when the climate says they shouldn't.From the bleaching heat of coral reefs to the migrating treelines of Alaska, Zac shows us that while we can't stop the wind from changing, we can certainly change how we set the sails.FULL SHOW NOTESLinksMcHenry County Conservation DistrictOffice of National Marine Sanctuaries Climate Vulnerability AssessmentsPress release about the threatened fish translocationSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham talks about macroarthropods and their role in maintaining soil health.  Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Ever wonder what gardeners truly need when the skies won't clear and the soil stays cold and heavy? We open the vault on six years of downloads to reveal the ten most-listened episodes and the lessons they teach us about resilient design, living soils, and planting that thrives despite the weather. This is a practical, story-rich tour through the conversations that changed how we grow.We start with structure and colour: smart garden design and June Blake's vivid plant choices that keep borders alive for months. Then we head underground. Dr Elaine Ingham demystifies the Soil Food Web, turning biology into decisions you can make at the bed edge. Charles Dowding's no-dig approach shows the payoff of compost and calm soil—fewer weeds, better moisture, and crops that root fast. Along the way, we unpack the enduring pull of companion planting, from predator-friendly flowers to classic pairings that cut pests without chemicals.Craft and adaptation anchor the middle of the list. Compost coach Kate Flood maps hot heaps, worm farms, and bokashi to your space and schedule so you can turn waste into a reliable soil engine. We revisit organic growing with Klaus Leitenberger for varieties that actually like Irish summers, and we tap into Niall Macaulay's creator mindset for simple, repeatable techniques. A surprise chart-climber—growing lavender in Ireland—proves that the right hardy varieties and drainage can deliver scent and pollinators even in a soggy year. We round out with wildflower meadows guided by Sandro Caffola, a masterclass in building habitat and beauty together.By the end, you'll know where to start, what to try next, and which episodes to queue up for specific goals—better soils, cleaner beds, longer bloom, and crops that cope. If this countdown helps you plan your next season, follow the show, share it with a gardener who needs a lift, and leave a quick review so we can keep shaping episodes around what helps you grow most.Support the showIf there is any topic you would like covered in future episodes, please let me know. Email: info@mastermygarden.com Check out Master My Garden on the following channels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastermygarden/ Instagram @Mastermygarden https://www.instagram.com/mastermygarden/ Until next week Happy gardening John

2025 has been an exciting and diverse year for Jumpstart Nature and Nature's Archive, and to celebrate, we're bringing you a special compilation centered on the critical theme of biodiversity. Today, we look back at two of our most fascinating episodes from the year, featuring species and habitats that are essential—yet often overlooked—components of the global ecosystem. From the subtle, but powerful, impact of a parasitic plant that acts as a keystone species in its habitat to the amazing, unseen diversity thriving in dynamic marine environments, prepare to explore the complex web of life.To round things out, we offer a preview from an upcoming episode focused on the fascinating world of aphids. Often dismissed as simple garden pests, these tiny insects are sometimes called the "plankton of the land" due to their sheer numbers and critical role in the food chain. Join us as we re-listen to the stories of life's intricate connections and get a tantalizing glimpse into the world of aphids, all through the lens of biodiversity.And thanks so much for being part of our community, and a listener to our podcast! We're excited to share more with you in 2026, covering topics from climate-informed conservation, to exciting discoveries on the road to recovering the sunflower sea star, to incredible aphids (yes, you read that right!), and the ecology of salt lakes.A big thank you to Amelia Heintz-Botz for helping to put today's episode together!FULL SHOW NOTESSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham describes fungally-dominated soils and how to deal with them based on what you need from your soils.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

If you've been following Nature's Archive for a while, you might be familiar with the idea of “leave the leaves”. It represents one simple act of omission - not raking, blowing, or mulching leaf fall - that is resoundingly positive for the environment.But even if you think you know why leaving the leaves is helpful, I invite you to listen to today's guest, National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski.If you are unfamiliar with David - let me just tell you his skill and enthusiasm for nature interpretation is second to none. Today, David walks us through all the ways leaves help the environment - and how bagging them up and sending them to a landfill makes a bad situation much worse.We also discuss useful tips for keeping leaves even if you have an HOA or difficult neighbors who might think you are neglecting your space. So if you still have leaves in your yard, please listen and take NWF's pledge to leave the leaves, and reap the rewards for years to come.Be sure to follow David on instagram, and get David's Book "Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife". FULL SHOW NOTESPeople and OrganizationsNWF Certified Wildlife HabitatNWF's Pledge to Leave the LeavesBooks and Other ThingsAttracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife - by David MizejewskiSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

ELAINE INGHAM’s name has rightfully become synonymous with compost tea and the international effort to restore soil for optimum  plant growth. Any natural system, properly managed, can be productive while increasing its capacity into the future and Elaine’s research and results prove it. soilfoodweb.com

Soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham goes macro as she discusses the different roles of soil macroarthropods in maintaining soil health.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

As a nature lover, I'm often asked about my favorite plants, animals, and insects. And I always struggle to answer those questions, because I have so many favorites, and they are context dependent. But when it comes to birds, woodpeckers often come to mind first. They're often colorful, charismatic, and have such an amazing set of adaptations that let them drill into trees, excavate insects from bark, and some even fly catch on the wing. One of the most interesting woodpecker species is the Acorn Woodpecker, found in much of the west and southwest. They live in large groups, are loud, have a clown face, and can store thousands of acorns in specially drilled holes that are just acorn sizes.Today's guest is Dr. Walt Koenig, who has spent several decades studying these birds, in affiliation with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and UC Berkeley. Today we'll learn about their behaviors, why you don't find acorn woodpeckers in the east, despite a nice variety of oak trees, and get this - acorns aren't even their preferred food! Dr. Koenig has studied their breeding behaviors and group compositions, which is perhaps the most fascinating part of the interview, and I can't do it justice in a short intro - so you'll just have to listen.And if one studies acorn woodpeckers, it follows that one studies acorns, too. So we also discuss the phenomenon of masting - that is, when oak trees produce bumper crops of acorns, in synchrony across wide geographic ranges! In fact, this past year was a mast year for some oak species in California. So if you are interested in what causes masting, you might want to jump to the last 23 minutes or so of the interview.This re-release of our popular interview with Dr. Koenig is part of a playful exercise in community podcasting, with 6 different shows each producing their own stories about or inspired by the mystery of masting, and releasing them at (approximately) the same time. For other masting stories, check out:Future EcologiesGolden State NaturalistLearning from Nature: The Biomimicry PodcastJumpstart NatureOutside/InWe'll populate this Spotify playlist with all our stories as they come out!FULL SHOW NOTESSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Whether buying or making your own, how do you tell if compost is any good? We go deep on this question with Jason Gearheart of Integrated Elements Compost in Columbus, Indiana in this week's podcast interview. Jason honed his compost-making skills as a student of Dr. Elaine Ingham's Soil Food Web School, and now he makes a variety of products including vermicompost, biologically active compost, compost tea and more.Biologically active compost goes beyond macronutrient analysis to make sure compost has enough of the beneficial microbes to build the soil life that is so beneficial to plants. In this interview we talk about what classes of microbes we are looking for, how to identify them and how to encourage the right ones during the composting process. We also discuss the merits of different compost feedstocks, composting temperature and turning intervals, and how to know when compost is done in this exploration of one of the most important soil amendments!Connect With Guest:Website: iecompost.com Podcast Sponsors: Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Nifty Hoops builds complete gothic high tunnels that are easy to install and built to last. Their bolt-together construction makes setup straightforward and efficient, whether it's a small backyard hoophouse, or a dozen large production-scale high tunnels- especially through their community build option, where professional builders work alongside your crew, family, or neighbors to build each structure- usually in a single day. Visit niftyhoops.com to learn more. Farmhand is the virtual assistant built for farmers—helping CSAs scale sales, run error-free fulfillment, and deliver 5-star service. Whether you're at 100 members or 1,000, Farmhand helps you grow without burning out. You've heard us—and our farmers—right here on the Growing for Market Podcast. Explore more stories and learn more at farmhand.partners/gfm. Discover innovative packaging solutions at A-ROO Company, your one-stop shop for customizable and eco-friendly packaging across various industries, including floral, produce, and specialty packaging. Explore stylish and eco-friendly Kraft Paper Sleeves and sheets at shop.a-roo.com today and enjoy an exclusive 15% discount with code "GFM15" for Growing For Market listeners. When it comes to quality and innovation, A-ROO Company is the name you can trust.There are a lot of farm sales platforms out there, but there's only one that's cooperatively owned by farmers. That's GrownBy — your all-in-one solution to simplify farm sales. GrownBy makes online farm sales easy and affordable; setting up your shop is free, and you only pay when you sell. Join over 900 farms who have already signed up for GrownBy, at grownby.com.Subscribe To Our Magazine -all new subscriptions include a FREE 28-Day Trial

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of The Soil Food Web Dr. Elaine Ingham discusses what a bacteria-dominated soil looks like and why one would move to shift to a more fungal-dominated soil.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Nearly every great story involves a transformation. In the butterfly world, we call it metamorphosis—the mysterious process where a caterpillar seemingly dissolves itself and is miraculously rebuilt into a creature that takes to the sky. Our guest today is a living parallel to that transformation.Liam O'Brien started his career far from the wild, under the bright lights of the stage as a professional actor. Yet, a shift was coming. At a pivotal time in his life, he traded the scripts and the spotlight for the quiet, meticulous study of winged beauty, stepping into the world of lepidoptery.This pivot wasn't just a career change; it was a profound reawakening. In the precision and fragile beauty of the Bay Area's butterflies, Liam not only found a new scientific passion but he also re-discovered his dormant talent for art. He began documenting his observations with exquisite, original drawings, blending science and creativity in a way only he could.The final form of this incredible journey is his beautifully illustrated Butterflies of the Bay Area - and slightly beyond.Today, Liam discusses what makes butterflies so amazing. We discuss how no matter where you live, there are discoveries to be made. And this interview is so much more than just butterflies. You'll have to listen to hear the raw, jaw dropping story of what led Liam to this life change.And as you'd expect from a stage actor, Liam is full of charismatic and entertaining stories. And while we get into the details of some specific butterflies and places of the Bay Area, rest assured - there are parallels no matter where you live.You can find Liam at robber_fly on instagram, and check out the show notes for links to Heyday Press and his book. And thanks to Amelia Heintz-Botz for editing help with this episode!FULL SHOW NOTESButterflies of the Bay Area and (Slightly) Beyond - Liam's beautiful new bookADDITIONAL LINKSLiam's public appearancesThe Lepidopterists' SocietyBooksDangerous World of Butterflies by Peter LauferKaufman Field Guide To Butterflies Of North AmericaRelated Podcast Episode#46: Paul Johnson - Finding and Counting ButterfliesSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Another R-Soil REWIND Episode - this is a talk by Vivian Kaloxilos, Dr. Elaine Ingham's protege at one point, soil consultant and educator, musician, and ecologist. Join us this year - it's a FREE online conference with amazing speakers, best-selling authors, amazing farmers and gardeners - you don't want to miss it!! Click HERE: www.R-Soil.com & Join Us!!

It was a surprisingly warm late February day. Needing to recharge, I drove to a park near Lincoln, Nebraska. When I arrived, I saw something new on the far side of the reservoir: what looked like massive white and gray boulders, lined up along the length of the dam.Then, in one astonishing moment, all of these boulders lifted out of the water, taking flight simultaneously by the thousands. My mind couldn't make sense of what I was seeing, and then the sound hit me. It was thousands of snow geese, a deafening cacophony of honking and wing flapping that washed over me, cleansing my stress and reinvigorating my spirit.Fast forward 20 years to today. Anytime I see snow geese take flight, I instinctively replay this experience, renewing me yet again.And I have so many of these lived experiences. It's the magic of sound.Today's guest, Amy Martin, is the creator of the incredible Threshold podcast. The current season, Hark!, is an immersive experience all about listening to the natural world. As the podcast website says, "In this season of Threshold, we investigate what it means to listen to the nonhuman voices on our planet—and the cost if we don't."Today, we'll dive into some of the highlights of the Hark season - ranging from dolphins to tree hopper insects. And we'll explore how listening is a deeply personal and distinct experience for everyone.I'm incredibly excited to share this episode with you today.You can find the Peabody award winning Threshold podcast on any podcasting app or at thresholdpodcast.org. You can also follow @thresholdpodcast on instagram, Facebook, YouTube - and Amy on her Substack called Letters to Earthlings. FULL SHOW NOTES (with pictures!)LinksFind Threshold Podcast at thresholdpodcast.org and follow @thresholdpodcast on instagramLetters to Earthlings - Amy's Substack newsletterEvelyn GlennieRex Cocroft - the Treehopper acoustics researcherSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of the Soil Foodweb Dr. Elaine Ingham talks about the potential cons of laying on that compost too thick.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Today's episode is one of the more encouraging and hopeful conversations I've had the pleasure of recording. My guest is Sam Baker, co-founder of WriggleBrew, a company on a mission to combat one of the most insidious environmental issues we face today: toxic algal blooms.These blooms occur globally, devastating everything from our local inland lakes to the vast expanse of the Gulf of Mexico, and even here in the San Francisco Bay, right in my own backyard. They create vast "dead zones" that choke out life, and their leading cause is something you might not expect: synthetic fertilizers.In this episode, Sam and I get into the details of why synthetic fertilizers leave a trail of destruction, and why they've become so deeply ingrained in large-scale farming. We'll explore how Wriggle Brew has developed a game-changing solution by figuring out how to scale up worm casting production into a stable liquid form—a critical breakthrough for sustainable agriculture.And we don't stop there. Did you know that some insect larvae can break down plastics? Sam shares how he and his team are working to replicate that process in bioreactors. It's an inspiring look at how nature and innovation can come together to solve some of our biggest problems.This is a truly fascinating and hopeful discussion, and I can't wait for you to hear it.You can find WriggleBrew and learn more about their work at wrigglebrew.com, and at wrigglebrew on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.FULL SHOW NOTES (with photos!)Related EpisodesGabe Brown: https://naturesarchive.com/2023/06/19/regenerative/Elaine Ingham: https://naturesarchive.com/2022/02/07/soil/LINKSWriggleBrew.comThe Soil Triangle (texture)Support Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of the Soil Foodweb Dr. Elaine Ingham discusses what happens when soils are out of balance with their fungal residents. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower: Instagram Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Carrot Cashflow Farm Small Farm Smart Farm Small Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast The Urban Farmer Podcast The Rookie Farmer Podcast In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books: Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of the Soil Foodweb Dr. Elaine Ingham discusses what happens when soils are out of balance with their fungal residents.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

From the intricate dance of an ecosystem to the ripple effects of a warming planet, nature's stories are rarely simple. But in a world that craves quick, easy answers, how do we get people to lean in and listen to the full story? And how do we do that without glossing over the complexity and nuance of the situation?Today, we're getting a masterclass in just that with Jocelyn Bosely, a science communicator and Research Impact Coordinator at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She'll walk us through how to move beyond simple explanations and get people excited about the deeper stories in the natural world.We'll dig into specific examples, like how a warming Indian Ocean can affect asthma rates in the Caribbean, and we'll even challenge the idea that scientists must be objective and emotionless. This is an episode for anyone who wants to share their passion for nature and science—with anyone.FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSBorn On A Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant, by Daniel TammetConsilience, by E.O. WilsonConsilience Journal - science poetryEntangled: a collaboration across time and space - Jocelyn's poetry appears in this bookFunsize PhysicsGalactic Polymath SciJourneysRose Bear Don't Walk, Ethnobotanist Strange Days on Planet Earth - Learn more about the Indian Ocean story, or watch on YouTubeSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Have you ever found it tough to talk about big issues, especially when people already have strong ideas? In the world of nature and climate, we often see communication that feels more like telling people what to do, or how to think. It's easy for us all to dig in our heels, even if we're wrong, and shut down new ideas. Today, we're exploring a different path.--Griff: I was very radical and  had really bad ecological depression because was from the Bay Area and watched all my favorite places get destroyed.So I was, you know, really felt like the only thing left to do was to fight. And that's where I was at at 18, 19, 20. Pretty much all the way until 23, I was in a very radical mind state. Mostly angry and depressed.--That's Griff Griffith, someone many of you know as a passionate environmental communicator and a key collaborator with Jumpstart Nature. Like many, Griff once felt that fighting and lecturing were the only ways to defend the places he loved. But a surprising encounter on a work site with a farmer named Pops changed everything. Griff realized that truly saving biodiversity needed a different approach.Today, Griff shares his remarkable personal transformation, revealing the power of nuance in communication and how embracing a different approach can yield incredible results for nature. It's a candid and thought-provoking conversation we can all learn from. We also dive into how even dandelions can have a surprising place in conservation—another vivid example of how our perspectives can evolve.Because this conversation embodies the spirit of both our shows, I'm excited to release it on both the Nature's Archive and Jumpstart Nature feeds! If you're listening on Nature's Archive, know that Jumpstart Nature usually takes you on an immersive journey into thought-provoking topics that help you save biodiversity. And if you're on the Jumpstart Nature feed, Nature's Archive brings you deep-dive interviews with top minds in ecology, biodiversity, and nature more broadly. Get ready, because this summer we're gearing up for many new episodes across both feeds! Our new team of volunteers is hard at work, and we already have several amazing interviews recorded that I can't wait to share with you. For now, let's lean in for Griff's truly inspirational story of personal transformation.FULL SHOW NOTESLinksBraiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall KimmererBringing Nature Home – by Doug TallamyHomegrown National ParkNature's Best Hope – by Doug Tallamy, Dr. Tallamy's 2020 releaseSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode,  soil microbiologist and founder of the Soil Foodweb Dr. Elaine Ingham talks about how soil microbiology can help keep pests and plant disease in check.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

The Joshua Tree is perhaps only rivaled by the saguaro cactus as the icon of the desert southwest. Featured on U2's classic album cover, and now the backdrop of countless instagram glamor shots, its unique, almost alien look is unmistakable.But for decades the Joshua Tree was looked at with disdain - even loathing and hatred. Today, our guest is Barret Baumgart, author of the new book, “Yuck: The Birth & Death of the Weird & Wondrous Joshua Tree”. Barret explores the history of the Joshua Tree, in a book that can be considered part history, part natural history, part cultural criticism, and part ecology.Today, we delve into the strange and winding tail of the Joshua Tree and its history of evading human preconceptions and assumptions. Living on the edge, it faces a potentially bleak future, but perhaps it will thwart us once again, against all odds.Be sure to check out Barret on instagram, and on his Substack called Dumpster Fires.FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSBarret's Website, including speaking engagementsBuy YUCK - The Birth & Death of the Weird & Wondrous Joshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia from bookshop.orgSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of the Soil Foodweb Dr. Elaine Ingham discusses how the amount of organic material in soil may not necessarily indicate soil health.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

We love native plants and habit-friendly yards at Nature's Archive, and I have a few exciting updates from my yard: spoiler: native plants are working! And stay tuned for a re-air of a classic episode with Leslie Inman from Pollinator Friendly Yards. There are plenty of useful insights for both habitat-friendly yard practices, and community building. Afterall, we need everyone to not only take action, but spread the word.And we have new episodes around the corner, too. It's been incredibly busy these last couple of months, so thanks for your patience as we work to keep all of the proverbial plates spinning!On to the episode...I started Nature's Archive podcast in an effort to understand the stories of people making a difference for the environment. I needed to be inspired, wanted to learn how they did it, and share that inspiration and knowledge with anyone willing to listen.While we haven't strayed too far from those initial aspirations, I do have many more topic-centric episodes than I did at the start.Today's episode is a “back to my roots” episode. My guest is Leslie Inman, the founder of the wildly popular Pollinator Friendly Yards group on Facebook. With 184,000 members, it is perhaps the top spot for people to discuss sustainable personal landscaping. And even if you are not on Facebook, it's pretty likely you've seen her images and infographics. Leslie's story is an amazing example of how a little curiosity can be converted into a hugely impactful movement. Today, we discuss not only how the group formed, but the lessons that she has learned along the way. This includes how to “reach” people who may be skeptical about inviting insects to their yards, how to make it easy to get started, and more.Leslie also has two books - Your Yard is Nature and The Butterfly Egg and the Little Tree.FULL SHOW NOTESLinksPollinator Friendly YardsDave GoulsonDoug Tallamy & Homegrown National Park (TikTok)Doug Tallamy appeared on Nature's Archive Podcast Episode #26Leslie's Books - Your Yard is Nature and The Butterfly Egg and the Little TreeMary Reynolds, We Are The ArkNancy Lawson, The Humane Gardener [Book]Travis Longcore (light pollution ecologist)Wild Ones Support Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Today's episode is about one of the coolest plants that I can think of - both figuratively and literally! Stick with me for a moment. When you think of a parasite, what comes to mind? Maybe mosquitoes, ticks, tapeworms. Probably nothing you want to invite into your house or property.But there are parasites that are super beneficial to ecosystems.The parasite I'm speaking of is also the cool plant I alluded to. Well, it's actually a large category of parasitic plants. In fact, they've separately evolved on five different occasions. What are they?Well, mistletoes, of course! Dr. David Watson joins us all the way from Australia to talk about these spectacular plants. Today you'll learn why mistletoes are beloved by birds, provide food for many other animals, are key to nutrient cycling, and why they are literally cool plants.There are even mistletoes that grow on, get this, other mistletoes!Find Dr. David Watson on Bluesky. FULL SHOW NOTES including photos!Support Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

In this episode, soil microbiologist and founder of the Soil Foodweb Dr. Elaine Ingham talks about the difference in the effects of applying compost versus growing living ground cover.   Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights!   Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower:  Instagram  Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network:  Carrot Cashflow  Farm Small Farm Smart  Farm Small Farm Smart Daily  The Growing Microgreens Podcast  The Urban Farmer Podcast  The Rookie Farmer Podcast  In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books:  Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon   Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Have you ever wondered why some rainshowers turn into thunderstorms? Just what happens in the atmosphere to create these dynamic, exciting, and sometimes damaging storms?I find it fascinating, because so many interesting principles are at play - things we often overlook. Like, did you know that the sun doesn't actually directly warm the air? Yes, you heard that right.Today we take a look at how thunderstorms develop, how they can turn tornadic, and of course, I tie this back to ecology. We discuss the three ingredients needed for thunderstorms - moisture, lift, and instability - and how sometimes even that is not enough. And then there is the fourth ingredient needed to create tornadic thunderstorms.You may know that I've been a weather nut since I was a kid. Back in grade school, I was so obsessed with tornadoes that I decided I'd write a book about them. My mom would take me to the library so I could check out every weather book I could find. Then I'd head home, pull out my dad's old typewriter, and create my own newsletter — Weather Extra. My subscriber list? Just me. But I was hooked.So I hope you enjoy this topic, a bit different than our typical episodes!FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSExample Forecast Discussion available on your National Weather Service website.Soil Moisture and Convection: https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/apme/49/4/2009jamc2146.1.xmlSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

When we think about habitats, it's easy to picture the rich diversity on land—vast prairies, scorching deserts, lush forests, and intricate wetlands. But what if I told you the ocean is just as diverse, filled with ecosystems as unique and vital as any on land? The only difference? We can't see them as easily—but that doesn't make them any less important.Today's guest is Dr. Judith Gobin, joining us all the way from Trinidad and Tobago. Judith is a recently retired professor of Marine Biology from the University of the West Indies. And she's here to tell us about tropical marine habitats, such as mangroves, sea grass, and coral reefs. She has a particular interest in deep sea habitats, such as cold methane seeps and even whale falls. It's a bit morbid, but weighing up to 300,000 pounds, in the case of a blue whale, a dead whale literally creates its own habitat.To my surprise, I learned that the ocean floor more than 200 kilometers away from national coast lines is basically a free-for-all for exploration and resource extraction. Judi tells us about a new treaty that aims to better control these operations, which can disproportionately harm island nations such as Trinidad and Tobago.It's a deep dive into ocean science, conservation, and awe-inspiring ecosystems.FULL SHOW NOTESLinksBiodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction TreatyDeep Sea Videos mentioned by Dr. GobinDr. Diva AmonDr. Robert BallardThe E/V NautilusLamellibrachia judigobiniSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

If you've heard of the Governor's Island remediation project where they grew an indigenous forest on top of toxic rubble, you've heard of Todd Harrington's work. Join us for an introduction to the work of a true pioneer in the compost tea and extract space, someone who's been adding biology to soil and then testing to verify the benefits since the 90s, someone who learned from Dr. Elaine Ingham at that time and has been adapting and innovating since then. This is a very special conversation with the one and only: Todd Harrington. Learn more about Todd's work here: https://www.harringtonsorganic.com

Today's guest is the brilliant Dr. Wendy Bohon, an earthquake geologist who has a passion for making the complexities of our planet accessible and engaging. Dr. Bohon is known for her dynamic science communication - in fact, you may have seen her viral videos through her Dr Wendy Rocks channels on YouTube and other social media.Today, Dr. Bohon delves into the fascinating world of geology and earthquakes, exploring their impact on our environment and society.In this episode, you'll discover how earthquakes occur, how earthquake geologists figure out how often faults rupture through fascinating paleoseismology, and what terms like magnitude and epicenter really mean, and how they can mislead us, too!And did you know that the Richter Scale is actually no longer used? In fact, it began phasing out of use in the 1980s! What's replaced it? Check in around 49 minutes to hear the story. In fact, it turns out that earthquake magnitude is a pretty poor way of understanding earthquake impacts. Dr. Bohon has some excellent metaphors to help us visualize what really happens to a fault during an earthquake rupture.Dr. Bohon also tackles common myths about earthquakes, from breaking down the misconception of earthquake weather to clarifying the real risks of seismic events. For example, did you know that in some respects, people in the eastern United States face greater potential impacts from earthquakes? We discuss how you can prepare.And can people cause earthquakes? The answer is a resounding yes. But can we use that power to release pressures in fault systems and avoid “the big one?” - well, you'll have to listen to find out. Today's episode was one of the most fun ones that I've done in a long time.You can find Dr. Wendy Bohon at wendybohon.com, and DrWendyRocks on YouTube, Instagram, and BlueSky, and DrWendyRocksIt on TikTok. I promise you - her content is great, so check her out.FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSEarthquakes in All The States - Dr. Bohon's YouTube seriesLESSONS FROM COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS WITH RASPBERRY SHAKESLisa WaldMy Shake App - free earthquake warning appPutting Down Roots in Earthquake Country - a great FREE resource for anyone with earthquake hazards (i.e. nearly everyone)Raspberry Shake - make your own at-home seismometerSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Dr. Jonny Hanson is an environmental social scientist, conservationist, and former community farmer. He's also the author of Living with Lynx, Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves, and Bears.He spent months traveling Europe and the United States learning about the real-life challenges of reintroducing apex predators to landscapes, and how to make coexistence successful for everyone involved.Today, we discuss Jonny's travels, stories, and lessons learned. And of course, we begin with “why reintroduce apex predators in the first place”. As an environmental social scientist, Jonny spends much of his time learning how to bridge the gaps in how different communities consider living with predators, and by the time we were done, I felt more confident than ever that we can and should allow these magnificent animals back into our landscapes. This episode is full of amazing insights, and Jonny seems to be a quote machine. There were so many well stated tidbits throughout that I know I'm going to use in the future.Not only that, but you'll get to hear how Jonny actually bred mosquitos for money, and how that influenced him. And if you stick around to the end, you'll also get to hear about his experience with concentrated bobcat urine. If you can't tell, this is a nutrient dense episode, but with plenty of fun stories, too.Be sure to check out Jonny at jonnyhanson.com, and on facebook, instagram, youtube, and tiktok.FULL SHOW NOTESLinks:Dr. Hanson's New Book - Living With LynxCoexisting with Carnivores - Dr. Hanson's TEDx TalkJoanna LambertTrailer for Dr. Hanson's Snow Leopard documentaryWildlife Friendly Enterprise NetworkSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Today's episode is very timely. Our guest is Margo Robbins, cofounder and Executive Director of the Cultural Fire Management Council. Margo advocates for the return of cultural burning practices as a way to strengthen community, support biodiversity, and mitigate out of control fires that plague so many areas.But before I get further into the details of today's episode, I want to note that it was recorded just a few days prior to the tragic and devastating wildfires that affected the Los Angeles area in January. We've had numerous interviews on Nature's Archive with wildfire and prescribed burning experts, so if you've heard any of those, you know that fire frequency, intensity, and management practices vary dramatically depending on what habitats and climates we're talking about. Los Angeles is predominantly shrubland and chaparral, which has been invaded by numerous invasive grass species, further enhancing fire risk.Today's episode focuses largely on the forested lands of Northern California, specifically, Yurok tribal lands. So while the topics discussed here may apply to other habitats, the specifics will vary.Despite all of the past episodes relating to wildfire, we've had a notable gap - that is, no one has been able to speak to traditional indigenous use of fire. That is, until today.So today you'll hear why cultural fire is so important across so many dimensions of life. You'll hear how cultural fire can be safely practiced, and how it has strengthened the Yurok community. If the idea of purposeful fire being beneficial to the land is new to you, I invite you to check out episode #89 with Lenya Quinn-Davidson - it's one of our most popular and provides good baseline information for today's episode. In fact, we have several other episodes that discuss wildfire, prescribed burning, and more - all are listed below.I was incredibly grateful for Margo spending the time with us today. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.FULL SHOW NOTESLinksCultural Fire Management CouncilIndigenous Peoples Burning Network (IPBN)Tending the Wild by M. Kat AndersonRelated Nature's Archive Episodes#89: Burning Questions: Understanding Fire Management with Lenya Quinn-Davidson#82: Amanda Monthei – Life with Fire#24: Justin Angle – On The Fireline -Wildfires in the Western USAENCORE: Rick Halsey – Wildfire Ecology in the Chaparral and the American WestSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

As a nature lover, I'm often asked about my favorite plants, animals, and insects. And I always struggle to answer those questions, because I have so many favorites, and they are context dependent. But when it comes to birds, woodpeckers often come to mind first. They're often colorful, charismatic, and have such an amazing set of adaptations that let them drill into trees, excavate insects from bark, and some even fly catch on the wing. One of the most interesting woodpecker species is the Acorn Woodpecker, found in much of the west and southwest. They live in large groups, are loud, have a clown face, and can store thousands of acorns in specially drilled holes that are just acorn sizes.Today's guest is Dr. Walt Koenig, who has spent several decades studying these birds, in affiliation with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and UC Berkeley. Today we'll learn about their behaviors, why you don't find acorn woodpeckers in the east, despite a nice variety of oak trees, and get this - acorns aren't even their preferred food! Dr. Koenig has studied their breeding behaviors and group compositions, which is perhaps the most fascinating part of the interview, and I can't do it justice in a short intro - so you'll just have to listen.And if one studies acorn woodpeckers, it follows that one studies acorns, too. So we also discuss the phenomenon of masting - that is, when oak trees produce bumper crops of acorns, in synchrony across wide geographic ranges! In fact, this past year was a mast year for some oak species in California. So if you are interested in what causes masting, you might want to jump to the last 23 minutes or so of the interview.FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSAcorn Woodpeckers at All About BirdsDr. Koenig's WebsiteSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Slime molds (Myxomycetes) are beautiful, weird, and amazing organisms. Often mistaken for fungi, they are actually single celled, yet they grow and efficiently move in search of food, can start and stop their life cycle based on environmental conditions, and even change colors several times during their brief life cycle. They can be beautifully colored, frequently iridescent, and can be ornately shaped. And better still, they can be found in much of the world - maybe even in your yard.My guest today, Alison Pollack, is a renowned slime mold photographer and unabashed enthusiast of slime molds and their habitats. If you follow nature photographers on Instagram, perhaps you count yourself as one of her nearly 60,000 followers.Today, Alison tells us what exactly a slime mold is - and no, it is not a mold or fungi. She tells us about their fascinating lifecycle, where they grow, and how to find them. Alison then tells us about her astonishing macro photography of slime molds - both in the field and in her home studio. She walks through her process, technique, and equipment she uses to create her acclaimed photos. If you do nothing else, follow her on Instagram @marin_mushrooms, or check the photos below to get a hint of the beauty of the slime molds, and Alison's artistic skill in capturing them.You can also find Alison on Facebook at AlisonKPollack, and on iNaturalist at alison_pollack.FULL SHOW NOTESLinks To Topics DiscussedFrom Macro to Micro: The Art of Fungi Photography with Alison PollackDamon Tighe - was on Episode 36 talking FungiNikon Small World Master of MicroscopySlime Mold Identification and Appreciation - Facebook GroupAll the Rain Promises and More by David AroraLaowa ultra macro lens - there are models for each major camera manufacturer.Les MyxomycètesMyxomycetes - A Handbook of Slime Molds by Steven StephensonNOVA Slime Mold episodeOlympus Tough TG-6 - this seems to be the most recommended pocket camera by naturalists of many typesRaynox DCR-250Where the Slime Mould Creeps by Sarah LloydSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

I spent several hours assembling the highlights of the 24 episodes we produced in 2024, all packaged in this nice short recap. It was a lot of work, so I hope you like it!If you want to hear any of these episodes in their entirety, simply check our feed or naturesarchive.com. And for easy reference, the full year's episodes are listed below.And I'd love your feedback on Nature's Archive in general! I made a short survey (probably only takes 1 minute). Please fill it out:https://naturesarchive.com/survey#106: Why Ants Might Be the Most Interesting Creatures on Earth with Chloe Jelley#105: From Fear to Fascination: Kevin Wiener on His Journey at All Bugs Go to Kevin#104: Wasting Away: The Battle to Save Sunflower Sea Stars and Kelp Forests with the Sunflower Star Lab#103: Exploring Wildlife Forensics with Ashley Bray#102: Sophie Osborn – From the Brink: Reintroducing Endangered Birds#101: Connecting Climate, Carbon, Tree Leaf Phenology and Genetics with Dr. Hanna Makowski#100: The Biggest Nature Lesson I've Learned from 100 Nature's Archive Episodes#99: Into the Wild: Snow Leopards and Wildlife Photography with Jake Davis#98: Ocean's Green Giants: The Vital Role of Kelp with Tristin Anoush McHugh#97: How to Love a Forest with Ethan Tapper#96: From Rattles to Kings: Unraveling the Secrets of Snakes With Dr. Emily Taylor#95: The Rare 2024 Cicada Double Emergence with Dr. Chris Simon#94: Secrets of the Octopus with Sy Montgomery and Warren Carlyle#93: Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant – Carnivore Ecology, Wild Life, and Environmental Justice#92: Secrets of Beautifully Fuzzy Velvet Ants with Dr. Joseph Wilson (and a bit about native bees, too!)#91: Examining Tree Physiology with Dr. Lucy Kerhoulas: Insights into Drought Adaptation and the Carbon Smoking Gun#90: From Invasive Species to Allergenic Pollen with Allasandra Valdez (The Happy Botanist Podcast) and Dr. Daniel KatzSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

I love discovering overlooked plants and animals that play outsized roles in the environment. I'm also fascinated by complex systems, especially when they're easy to observe.And nothing ticks all three of those boxes better than ants.One estimate says that for every human on earth, there may be as many as 2.5 million ants. And these ants form complex societies with unique roles. They communicate in mysteriously complex ways, and can range in size from almost microscopic to an inch and a half long.Ants can build colonies in acorns, hollow twigs, leaf baskets, massive tree branches, and of course, in the ground. The largest super colonies stretch for hundreds of miles - and by the way, you can find such super colonies in California and in southern Europe. They can farm fungi, and ranch aphids.My guest today helped unveil all of this and more. Chloe Jelly is a graduate researcher at Cornell University in the Moreau lab. She particularly enjoys outreach, which made her an ideal guest for today's episode.People sometimes say that viruses and microbes rule the world, but after today's discussion, you'll see that ants aren't very far behind.Find Chloe on her website, at the Moreau Lab, and on BlueSky.Check our Full Show Notes for photos and videos that were discussed today.Links Discussed In The ShowChloe's website, and Chloe on BlueSkyChloe Jelley's papers (Google Scholar)In the Shadow of Man by Jane GoodallMoreau Lab at CornellSupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Do you love spiders and insects? Or perhaps you are more apprehensive of them - or even suffer from arachnophobia. In either case, today's discussion is for you.Join me for an enlightening journey into the world of insects and arachnids with Kevin Wiener. Kevin is an environmental educator and founder of the thriving 'All Bugs Go To Kevin' community. In this episode, Kevin shares his inspiring path from pest control to becoming a passionate advocate for arthropods. Explore the crucial roles insects play in our ecosystem, debunk common myths about animals like the Brown Recluse spider, and learn about sustainable pest control methods - including what you can do in your own home.Kevin also discusses his experiences with arthropod pets, the importance of community support in overcoming fears, and the joys of integrating photography into environmental education and personal discovery. Whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast or just curious, this episode offers fascinating insights and practical tips for fostering a balanced ecosystem in your own backyard. Don't miss this chance to transform fear into fascination and discover the often overlooked beauty of bugs.You can find Kevin at allbugsgotokevin.com, and of course, if you're on Facebook, consider joining the All Bugs Go to Kevin group. It's one of the bright spots of social media.FULL SHOW NOTES on jumpstartnature.comLINKSAll Bugs Go To Kevin - websiteAll Bugs Go To Kevin - Facebook GroupBrown Recluse Spider by Richard VetterTravis McEnery's Brown Recluse DocumentarySpiders of North America by Sarah RosePodcasts MentionedKevin Wiener on the Bugs Need Heroes podcastJumpstart Nature's Cicada Episode (Kevin is featured)Sarah Rose on Nature's Archive (spiders!)Support Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

Today we're discussing perhaps the most important 24 armed creature you quite possibly have never heard of before. Each arm has eyes, or more accurately, eyespots on the ends, and they have thousands of tube feet that they closely coordinate to move. It's a keystone species which used to have populations around 6 billion. And in a matter of a couple of years, about 5 billion of those vanished, melting away, literally turning to goo. Or at least that's how SCUBA divers and biologists described it. It almost sounds like an alien science fiction story, but I assure you, it's real.Maybe you've figured out what I'm talking about. And if you listened to my kelp forest interview with Tristin McHugh, we briefly mentioned this creature. It's the Sunflower Sea Star, an amazing creature whose disappearance has caused havoc in marine systems.I traveled 45 minutes from my house to meet with Reuven Bank and Andrew Kim from the inspiring and innovative Sunflower Star Laboratory in Moss Landing, California - right in the middle of the coast of the world famous Monterey Bay.It's a small bustling town full of marine research institutes, fishers, and ecotourism.This episode has two parts rolled into one - it's a sit-down interview, right on the Moss Landing Harbour. And then we go on a mini-field trip - a tour to learn how the Sunflower Star Lab is an important driver in recovering this incredible species.As you'll hear in the recording, we had a lot of…ambiance, from sea lions to raucous gulls patrolling the harbor, and the hums of pumps and water you'd expect in an aquaculture facility.Yes, that's my way of saying this was a bit of a challenging episode to record and edit. But despite a few rough spots, I think it turned out quite well.Reuven is chairman of the board for the Sunflower Star Lab. He's also an interpretive diving ranger for the National Park Service, though his work at the lab is independent from that. And Andrew is the lead aquaculture research technician at Moss Landing Marine Labs, a member of the Sunflower Star Lab board, offering his expertise on aquaculture to the lab. Oh, and we also had a brief discussion with Vincent Christian while he was working in the lab. As you'll here, Vincent is the reason why the lab even exists.Check the Sunflower Star Lab at sunflowerstarlab.org and on Facebook and Instagram.FULL SHOW NOTESLINKSBirch Aquarium at ScrippsPycnopodia Recovery Working GroupRoadmap to Recovery for the Sunflower Sea StarSunflower Star LaboratorySupport Us On Patreon!Buy our Merch!Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz MusicLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseArtist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!