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What do foot massage parties, otters, and AI robot tutors have in common? To find out, tune into our special end-of-year conversation featuring the hosts from TED Talks Daily, TED Radio Hour, TED Business, and TED Tech!Elise Hu, Manoush Zomorodi, Modupe Akinola and Sherrell Dorsey got together to share the biggest ideas dominating their industry and the lesser-known insights they wished garnered more attention. From pushing back against AI advances to sharing the TED Talks that inspired them, Elise, Manoush, Modupe, and Sherrell reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026.Conversations MentionedTED Radio HourRay Kurzweil, "Could AI extend your life indefinitely? Futurist Ray Kurzweil thinks so" LINK Victor Riparbelli, “Will AI avatars eventually teach our kids?” LINKPhilip Johns, “Singapore's otters are butting heads with their human neighbors. Can they coexist?” LINKRestoring trust in government, "Move fast...and fix democracy?" LINKTED TalksSitoyo Lopokoiyit in conversation with Jacqueline Novogratz "A story of moral imagination and bold entrepreneurship" LINKSarah Beery, "How AI is unearthing hidden scientific knowledge" LINKScott Loarie (of iNaturalist), "The surprising power of your nature photos" LINKDaniel Zavala-Araiza, "The best way to lower Earth's temperature — fast" LINKJennifer Pahlka, "Coding a better government" LINKPinky Cole (Slutty Vegan), "How I make vegan food sexy" LINKJason Huang, "The high-wire act of unlocking clean energy" LINKJennifer Doudna, "CRISPR's next advance is bigger than you think" LINKJonny Sun, "You are not alone in your loneliness" LINK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What do foot massage parties, otters, and AI robot tutors have in common? To find out, tune into our special end-of-year conversation featuring the hosts from TED Talks Daily, TED Radio Hour, TED Business, and TED Tech! Elise Hu, Manoush Zomorodi, Modupe Akinola and Sherrell Dorsey got together to share the biggest ideas dominating their industry and the lesser-known insights they wished garnered more attention. From pushing back against AI advances to sharing the TED Talks that inspired them, Elise, Manoush, Modupe, and Sherrell reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026.Conversations MentionedTED Radio HourRay Kurzweil, "Could AI extend your life indefinitely? Futurist Ray Kurzweil thinks so" Victor Riparbelli, “Will AI avatars eventually teach our kids?” Philip Johns, “Singapore's otters are butting heads with their human neighbors. Can they coexist?” Restoring trust in government, "Move fast...and fix democracy?" TED TalksSitoyo Lopokoiyit in conversation with Jacqueline Novogratz "A story of moral imagination and bold entrepreneurship" Sarah Beery, "How AI is unearthing hidden scientific knowledge" Scott Loarie (of iNaturalist), "The surprising power of your nature photos" Daniel Zavala-Araiza, "The best way to lower Earth's temperature — fast" Jennifer Pahlka, "Coding a better government" Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan), "How I make vegan food sexy" Jason Huang, "The high-wire act of unlocking clean energy" Jennifer Doudna, "CRISPR's next advance is bigger than you think"Jonny Sun, "You are not alone in your loneliness" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What do foot massage parties, otters, and AI robot tutors have in common? To find out, tune into our special end-of-year conversation featuring the hosts from TED Talks Daily, TED Radio Hour, TED Business, and TED Tech!Elise Hu of TED Talks Daily hosted a conversation with Manoush Zomorodi, Modupe Akinola and Sherrell Dorsey, where they discussed the biggest ideas dominating their industry and the lesser-known insights they wished garnered more attention. From pushing back against AI advances to sharing the TED Talks that inspired them, Elise, Manoush, Modupe, and Sherrell reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026.Conversations MentionedTED Radio HourRay Kurzweil, "Could AI extend your life indefinitely? Futurist Ray Kurzweil thinks so" Victor Riparbelli, “Will AI avatars eventually teach our kids?” Philip Johns, “Singapore's otters are butting heads with their human neighbors. Can they coexist?” Restoring trust in government, "Move fast...and fix democracy?" TED TalksSitoyo Lopokoiyit in conversation with Jacqueline Novogratz "A story of moral imagination and bold entrepreneurship" Sarah Beery, "How AI is unearthing hidden scientific knowledge" Scott Loarie (of iNaturalist), "The surprising power of your nature photos" Daniel Zavala-Araiza, "The best way to lower Earth's temperature — fast" Jennifer Pahlka, "Coding a better government" Pinky Cole (Slutty Vegan), "How I make vegan food sexy" Jason Huang, "The high-wire act of unlocking clean energy" Jennifer Doudna, "CRISPR's next advance is bigger than you think"Jonny Sun, "You are not alone in your loneliness" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Could Christmas beetles be declared a threatened species? Where have they gone? Those are the exact questions that Invertebrates Australia and the University of Sydney are aiming to answer as part of their annual Christmas Beetle Count project through iNaturalist. We caught up with Dr Tanya Latty, for an update on how the count is going and what we can look forward to in the future.Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/tunefmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Madeline chats with Bill Jacobs and Kat Hoenke, both ecologists and conservationists. During their conversation, they discuss the St. Kateri Conservation Center, the connections of the Seven Deadly Sins to environmental issues, ecology and relationships, how Bill and Kat got acquainted, the importance of planting native plants, rewilding, creation becoming the creator, saints who loved the outdoors, and so much more.-link: Bill Patenaude's episode, Between Earth and SkyDuring the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn, the St. Kateri Conservation Center, Morning Star Seed Company, the iNaturalist app, the St. Kateri National Shrine, Laudato 'Si, the Message for World Day of Peace 1990, the Message for the World Day of Peace 2010, and episodes 41 and 77 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!
In this episode, Nadina sits down with Adrian Wong, SUGi's UK Forest Lead, in the middle of the Forest of Thanks—a 10,000 m² Miyawaki forest planted in one of London's most under-resourced boroughs. What was once a simple lawn is now a thriving woodland of oaks, elders, cherry trees, brambles, birds, and even resident foxes.Adrian explains the Miyawaki method, a powerful approach to creating fast-growing, self-sustaining native forests in urban areas by planting densely, rebuilding living soils, and embracing the natural “messiness” of ecological succession. With 31 SUGi forests across London, most no bigger than a tennis court, Adrian shares how tiny forests can improve biodiversity, clean the air, soften noise, cool neighborhoods, and help stitch ecological corridors back into the city.We also explore the human side of this work—from greening schoolyards next to airport runways, to kids planting their first-ever trees, to how daily access to nature boosts mental health and builds community resilience. Along the way, we discuss bioacoustics, iNaturalist, parakeets, fox dens, community gardening, and why messy forests may be the future of urban greening.This is an episode about what happens when you loosen your grip on a piece of land—and watch life flood back in.
In this episode, we discuss our recent paper quantifying turkey abundance, highlighting the Florida Wildlife Corridor and exploring how this project preserves turkey habitat amidst increasing development pressures. Paper will be linked as soon as it is released. Resources: Citizen science for turkeys Ep119 https://youtu.be/LEbFvaRhNKA?si=a1Mvzya561e0o52B eBird https://ebird.org/home Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/ FWC Summer Brood Survey https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/brood-survey/ iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/ Merlin Bird ID https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ Snapshot USA https://www.snapshot-usa.org/ 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 01:23 Exploring Turkey Management and Habitat 02:48 The Impact of Human Population on Turkey Habitats 05:47 Florida Wildlife Corridor: A Case Study 11:38 Quantifying the Effects of the Corridor on Turkeys 20:47 Characterizing the Landscape for Turkeys 22:49 Understanding Turkey Occupancy and Abundance 25:09 The Impact of Human Population on Turkey Habitats 28:42 The Role of the Wildlife Corridor 31:19 Challenges Facing Osceola Turkey Populations 37:33 Management Strategies for Turkey Habitats 41:47 The Importance of Collaborative Conservation Efforts Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Watch these podcasts on YouTube Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
In this episode, we discuss our recent paper quantifying turkey abundance, highlighting the Florida Wildlife Corridor and exploring how this project preserves turkey habitat amidst increasing development pressures. Paper will be linked as soon as it is released. Resources: Citizen science for turkeys Episode 119 eBird https://ebird.org/home Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/ FWC Summer Brood Survey https://myfwc.com/hunting/turkey/brood-survey/ iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/ Merlin Bird ID https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ Snapshot USA https://www.snapshot-usa.org/ 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 01:23 Exploring Turkey Management and Habitat 02:48 The Impact of Human Population on Turkey Habitats 05:47 Florida Wildlife Corridor: A Case Study 11:38 Quantifying the Effects of the Corridor on Turkeys 20:47 Characterizing the Landscape for Turkeys 22:49 Understanding Turkey Occupancy and Abundance 25:09 The Impact of Human Population on Turkey Habitats 28:42 The Role of the Wildlife Corridor 31:19 Challenges Facing Osceola Turkey Populations 37:33 Management Strategies for Turkey Habitats 41:47 The Importance of Collaborative Conservation Efforts Our lab is primarily funded by donations. If you would like to help support our work, please donate here: http://UFgive.to/UFGameLab We've launched a comprehensive online wild turkey course featuring experts across multiple institutions that specialize in habitat management and population management for wild turkeys. Earn up to 20.5 CFE hours! Enroll Now! Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF Game Lab @ufgamelab, YouTube Donate to our wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Want to help wild turkey conservation? Please take our quick survey to take part in our research! Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Watch these podcasts on YouTube Please help us by taking our (quick) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Want to help support the podcast? Our friends at Grounded Brand have an option to donate directly to Wild Turkey Science at checkout. Thank you in advance for your support! Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
Send us a textIn this episode I sit down with South Yellow Mountain Preserve manager Park Greer to share the full, behind-the-scenes story: the surprise Earth Day donation, the eight months of deed work and surveying across a 33-mile boundary, and the careful plan that turned a generous transfer into a resilient, living landscape.Park brings a rare mix of park ranger experience and land surveying chops, and it shows. He walks us through the amphibolite bedrock that fuels calcium-rich soils and exceptional biodiversity, then threads that geology into the mining legacy of Spruce Pine—mica, feldspar, and world-class quartz. From rare plants like Gray's lily and Roan Mountain bluet to a closely monitored peregrine falcon site, we talk about how data, training, and seasonal protections guide every decision, down to when and where people can visit.We also dig into the human side of stewardship: school groups that put down their phones and pick up field guides, citizen scientists mapping species with iNaturalist, and volunteers hauling out legacy trash from old mine dumps. You'll hear how invasive species removal, pollinator habitat plans, and watershed protection keep clean water flowing to Spruce Pine's reservoir and downstream wells. And you'll see why guided access, local partnerships, and humble storytelling create ambassadors who carry the work beyond any boundary line.If you care about Appalachia, clean water, wildlife corridors, and conservation that honors history as much as habitat, this story delivers both heart and detail. Mike AndressHost, Exploration Local828-551-9065mike@explorationlocal.comPodcast WebsiteFacebookInstagram: explorationlocal
From the jury’s motel arrangements to a crown prosecutor’s ‘unfair’ words: today we dig into exactly how mushroom murderer Erin Patterson says she is the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Read more about this story, plus see photos, videos and additional reporting, on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented and produced by Claire Harvey and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For months, as an algal bloom wreaked havoc on the South Australian coast, most residents steered clear but not Johanna Williams. She’s been down to Glenelg Beach daily, ruler and phone in hand, methodically tracking the carnage. What started as a small, concerned step by a self-described occupational therapist soon transformed into a citizen science project with over 10,000 observations of dead and dying marine life, offering a grim, close-up view of the ecological disaster. Johanna’s commitment, though personally confronting, gives scientists and the community essential data and a crucial human perspective. This episode does not feature the SA Drink of the Week segment. The show concludes with a Musical Pilgrimage that connects directly to the episode’s urgent environmental theme. We hear Steve Davis & The Virtualosos’ “While the Ocean Died,” a lyrical and sonic reflection on the collective pain and political complexities surrounding the algal bloom event. You can navigate episodes using chapter markers in your podcast app. Not a fan of one segment? You can click next to jump to the next chapter in the show. We’re here to serve! The Adelaide Show Podcast: Awarded Silver for Best Interview Podcast in Australia at the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards and named as Finalist for Best News and Current Affairs Podcast in the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards. And please consider becoming part of our podcast by joining our Inner Circle. It’s an email list. Join it and you might get an email on a Sunday or Monday seeking question ideas, guest ideas and requests for other bits of feedback about YOUR podcast, The Adelaide Show. Email us directly and we’ll add you to the list: podcast@theadelaideshow.com.au If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or other podcast sites, or buy some great merch from our Red Bubble store – The Adelaide Show Shop. We’d greatly appreciate it. And please talk about us and share our episodes on social media, it really helps build our community. Oh, and here’s our index of all episode in one concisepage. Running Sheet: Algal Bloom Beach Witness Johanna Williams 00:00:00 Intro Introduction 00:00:00 SA Drink Of The Week No SA Drink Of The Week this week. 00:02:55 Johanna Williams Arriving home from a holiday to find Glenelg Beach “covered in dead fish” , Johanna Williams had a choice: unpack and write an angry Facebook post, or take action. She chose the latter, inadvertently becoming one of the state’s most dedicated, non-professional "marine biologists". Initially hoping the algal bloom would be a “transient, short-term event,” the surreal extent of the death spurred her to use the citizen science platform iNaturalist to upload her observations, believing this crucial “coalface” data would reach qualified scientists and government bodies to “formulate responses”. Her daily 500-metre trek between Pier Street and the Jetty has revealed a tragic yet fascinating marine diversity. What she’s documenting—now over 10,000 observations—includes rare deep-sea fish like the long snout boar fish and warty prowl fish, species scientists rarely encounter alive. This wealth of data is heartbreakingly significant, as it allows researchers to collect, age, and perform genetic and toxicological testing on specimens that could never be found otherwise, highlighting the deep reach of the bloom into the ecosystem. The work is intensely confronting, involving more than just dead fish. Johanna describes a traumatic encounter with a still-alive, spiky globe fish whose eyes were “really gazing and tracking” her. This and finding a paralysed silver gull due to toxic effects highlight the profound emotional toll and moral dilemmas faced by citizen scientists, such as whether to “prolong its death by putting it back in the water”. Johanna discusses how a supportive network of friends and a new community, including people from the university, has helped her “channel that energy” and despair into empowerment and meaningful data collection. This environmental disaster also casts a shadow over the Glenelg foreshore, with Johanna noting a ripple effect of reduced foot traffic and the closure of local businesses, a “double whammy” alongside local tram disruptions. For listeners wanting to help, Johanna suggests starting with iNaturalist uploads, or connecting with projects like the SA Marine Mortality Project 2025 to assist with collecting fish for testing or contributing to local rehabilitation efforts, such as making oyster beds (wind chimes) to help filter the water. Great Southern Reef Website Mission: “Our mission is to inspire and empower society to protect and sustain Australia’s Great Southern Reef by promoting recognition, stewardship, and sustainable actions through impactful education, community engagement, and collaborative science.” Janine Baker OzFish Unlimited Website Description: OzFish Unlimited is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping the millions of Aussie recreational fishers take control of the health of their rivers, lakes and estuaries and shore up the future of the sport they love. OzFish Unlimited partners with fishers and the broader community to invest time and money into the protection and restoration of our waterways, counteracting decades of degradation. Brad Martin Data gathering for South Australian 2025 marine mortality events Project Link Description: This project is set to automatically add aquatic vertebrates and macroinvertebrates annotated ‘dead’ from Feb 2025 onwards. Janine Baker is a key contact for this projects and has links with universities and researchers. SA Surf and Bloom SA hub for information on our bloom. Share surfing/algae/ocean/coastal pictures and videos. Ask questions. I aim to share the love we have for our oceans, and keep surfers informed of the symptomatic surf spots. Facebook Group ADELAIDE ALGAE BLOOM DISASTER Facebook Group Description: A place to upload pictures of this marine disaster that’s going to impact the Adelaide fishing scene for many years to come. Phytoplankton Society of South Australia Facebook Group Description: This group is for sharing knowledge on the Phytoplankton of South Australia, particularly in regard to the 2025 algal bloom we are experiencing. We welcome photos of microscopic phytoplankton (and accompanying pics of where they were taken) and especially experts who can identify them. This is a citizen science project for the benefit of everyone. We are also on iNaturalist. Big Thanks to Faith and Peri Coleman, Gabby at www.asisscientific.com.au, the Big Duck Boat, Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch and others who have made this possible. Sarah Hanson-Young, Manager of Greens Business in the Senate & Senator for South Australia Annual Report 2025 Further articles: “Harmful Algal Bloom Aerosols and Human Health“ “Thousands of seadragons dead in South Australia’s worst recorded harmful algal bloom — IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish & Seadragon“ An underwater guide to plants and animals in South Australia PDF Guide PIRSA Factsheet – What to do if you have seen sick or dead birds PDF Factsheet Birdlife Australia: Helping injured birds Article Fishwatch SA If you find an injured fish on the beach, stay a safe distance away and do not touch it. Report the animal by calling the local fish authority, such as FISHWATCH in South Australia (1800 065 522), or a wildlife rescue hotline, as professionals are trained to handle these situations. 00:37:06 Musical Pilgrimage In the Musical Pilgrimage, we play a deeply personal and thematically appropriate piece by Steve Davis and the Virtualosos, titled “While the Ocean Died”. The song, which Johanna describes as an “earworm” that helps her “process what’s going on”, was inspired by Johanna’s ground-level work, leading Steve to appreciate the “cost of this whole thing”. The host reveals that songwriting is his way of thinking out loud to process complex issues. The track’s bridge reflects on the political challenge leaders face in times of crisis, where a long chain of “short-cuts and shortcomings” has left the region vulnerable to a multitude of causes—from the River Murray flood of nutrients to the sea heatwave—that have fuelled the toxic bloom. It’s a poignant, urgent piece that closes the show by connecting the human story of witnessing with the broader South Australian environmental tragedy.Support the show: https://theadelaideshow.com.au/listen-or-download-the-podcast/adelaide-in-crowd/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you learn to listen for wildlife, you'll start finding it everywhere. Learning a bird's song or an insect's call means you can sense them even when they are out of sight or pick out their call from a chaotic audio background that the brain normally filters out. There are side benefits too; sometimes an animal's call is the only way to identify it, and it's often the easiest way to share nature with friends. Learn more about wildlife sounds from Voice of the Wild's Brodie Dunn.Check out Brodie's Voice of the Wild PodcastSee the Everyday Environment Periodical Cicadas episodeCommunity Science Resources: iNaturalistCalling Frog SurveyFrog WatchBreeding Bird Survey (INHS)Identification Resources: Merlin Bird IDVoice of the WildiNaturalistGuide to Night Singing Insects of the Northeast by John Himmelman and Michael DiGiorgioBirding by Ear East and Centrl by Richard K Walton and Rober LawsonMore Birding by Ear by Richard K Walton and Rober LawsonField Guide to Bird Songs Eastern and Central North America by Cornell LabSongsofinsects.comBirdsong ear training guide : Who Cooks for Poor Sam Peabody?McAuley LibraryCornell's All About BirdsSounds heard throughout the episode: Common raccoon sound by iNaturalist user Aleksandr BerdnikovWood duck chick sound by iNaturalist user DanasassoAmerican toad sound by USGS Eastern Gray Squirrel sound by iNaturalist user k2018lenaCommon nighthawk sound by iNaturalist user Ben JohnsonLyric cicada sound by iNaturalist user Gabriel DiggsWalker's cicada sound by iNaturalist user Brian WulkerDickcissel south by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselChimney swift sound by iNaturalist user Chris HarrisonLeast flycatcher sound by iNaturalist user Ty SmithGray catbird sound by iNaturalist user Megan HansonEastern chipmunk sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselBrown thrasher sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselIndigo bunting sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselBrown thrahser sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselNorthern mockingbird sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselBlue jay sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselHouse finch sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselRed-eyed vireo sound by iNaturalist user Christopher HenselShare your own Everyday ObservationWas there something about this topic we didn't cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.Questions? We'd love to hear from you!Abigail Garofalo aeg9@illinois.edu, Erin Garrett emedvecz@illinois.edu, Amy Lefringhouse heberlei@illinois.edu Subscribe to our NewsletterCheck out our BlogSee the Everyday Environment Archives
What is the Earth Species Project?Can we talk to animals, or at least understand what they are saying to each other? That's a question that researchers hope to answer with the help of AI. Earth Species Project, a non-profit that develops sophisticated AI technologies, hopes its software can help. Specifically, they have developed Nature-LM audio which is an audio-language machine learning algorithm with the potential to decipher animal communications.How does it work?By gathering and evaluating huge amounts of audio information from different species, Nature-LM audio can identify “individuals in recordings”, and evaluate patterns. For software users, it does not require the user to have any programming skills. Specifically “analyzing animal sounds… [allows for] decoding complex communication and behaviors to monitor the health of entire ecosystems.”This AI model was trained on “bioacoustic archives like Xeno-canto, iNaturalist, the Watkins Marine Mammal Sound Database, and the Animal Sound Archive” along with “general audio, human speech, and music data” while connecting this ”audio encoder to a leading language model.”Benefits of this approachNatureLM “can classify or detect thousands of species across diverse taxa including birds, whales, and aurans–without the need to retrain the model for each task.”. It has other capabilities like “predicting life-stage and simple call-types of birds, and captioning bioacoustic audio” which are useful when trying to analyze the behavior of different species and their associated cues. The software enables evaluation of large amounts of animal sounds and allows evaluation of that data “freely via human language text”.According to a benchmark that they established, called the Beans-zero, which “provides a standardized way to measure… performance across various bioacoustic tasks, enabling consistent comparisons and fostering progress in the field”, NatureLM-audio “achieves state-of-the-art performance on most tasks”. This is especially true in regards to bird and marine mammal sounds, which they are able to identify without fine-tuning–an extremely gruesome task in machine learning to change pre-existing models which better fit your data and train it for specific tasks.Potential DrawbacksLike all AI models, Nature LM-audio could impact employment opportunities, in this case for animal biologists and researchers, and by using substantial amounts of energy to run the model. And, like all AI programs, any conclusions and decisions made through the program need to be carefully evaluated. It will take time and effort to determine how valuable the model is. ConclusionRaskin believes that the creation of NatureLM has many positive implications because it allows humans to listen to the voices of animals. It gives us an understanding of their behavior to not only learn more about them, but also by giving insights on how to help them with conservation efforts. Moreover, it can alert researchers to what exactly is endangering certain species, prevent these efforts, and create a lot of more data necessary to analyze trends. About our guestAza Raskin is a trained mathematician and a dark matter physicist and Co-Founder/President of the Earth Species Project.ResourcesEarth Species Project, Introducing NatureLM-audio: An Audio-Language Foundation Model for BioacousticsGrantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, What opportunities and risks does AI present for climate action? Forbes, The 15 Biggest Risks Of Artificial IntelligenceFurther ReadingEarth Species Project, About UsUniversity of Cincinnati, 9 Benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2025For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/earth-species-with-aza-raskin
In this week's episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take listeners on a fascinating update tour of several topics previously featured on the show, all of which continue to evolve in the natural world. From hopeful signs of recovery to growing ecological concerns, this episode is packed with new developments and ways for citizen scientists to get involved. You'll hear encouraging news about the Red Wolf Recovery Project, where careful management and breeding efforts in North Carolina are giving this critically endangered species a better shot at survival. Then, the hosts revisit the ongoing battle against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer, often dubbed the “zombie disease.” Learn about the latest testing results, updated hunting restrictions, and why understanding this issue matters beyond state lines. The team also checks in on two invasive species making headlines: the striking but destructive Spotted Lanternfly, now spreading across the Southeast, and the large, brightly patterned Joro Spider, whose range has expanded into the Carolinas. You'll discover how to spot, report, and help manage these species using simple tools like iNaturalist, proving that everyone can play a role in conservation. Tune in for science, stories, and a few laughs (especially from those less-than-fond of spiders)! This episode reminds us that nature is always changing, and so is our understanding of it.
Dazzling colors. Remote habitats. Gentle parenting. Fantastic genitalia. And yeah, swimming through sewers to surprise you. It's cockroaches and I promise you will find something to love about them in this chat with cockroach evangelist and Blattodeologist Dr. Dominic Evangelista. Which are the prettiest? Are roaches better at raising kids than you? How do roach scientists feel about the ones in kitchens? How does one catch a cockroach in a dark rainforest? Can roaches pull a Ratatouille and steal our hearts with a casserole? Dominic explains it all. I swear they can be lovable, OKAY?Visit Dr. Evangelista's Roach Brain Lab and follow him on iNaturalist and Google ScholarA donation went to Teach for America and Entomologists of ColorMore episode sources and linksOther episodes you may enjoy: Spooktober: Topics to Startle and Love, Entomology (INSECTS), Mantodeology (PRAYING MANTISES), Odonatology (DRAGONFLIES), Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE), Forest Entomology (CREEPY CRAWLIES), Disgustology (REPULSION TO GROSS STUFF), Fearology (FEAR), Entomophagy Anthropology (EATING BUGS), Speleology (CAVES)400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topicSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram and BlueskyFollow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTokEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake ChaffeeManaging Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Should you buy produce "in season"? Why? And what does that even mean? How do you find out what's in season? Find out if seasonal produce is better for you or cheaper in this week's episode.SourcesSeasonal Food Guide - https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/why-eat-seasonallyAmerican Heart Association - https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/07/12/why-seasonal-eating-can-be-a-healthy-delightClemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center - https://hgic.clemson.edu/the-benefits-of-seasonal-eating-fresh-nutrient-dense-and-budget-friendly/Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall KimmererFalling Fruit - https://fallingfruit.org/iNaturalist - https://www.inaturalist.org/Patreon: patreon.com/greeningupmyactInstagram: @greeningupmyactFacebook: Greening Up My ActEmail us with questions: greeningupmyact@gmail.comYouTube: Greening Up My Act
In this podcast RRR presenter Nick Franklin talks about ants with Sean Moore, a bush regenerator who is currently studying ants in the NSW Blue Mountains. We learn from Sean about the remarkable abilities of ants, their importance in bush regeneration and how much we are yet to find out about the thousands of ant species. Further information: Sean recommends the app iNaturalist and website AntWiki Australia. There will be a Free Ant Workshop for Bushcare Volunteers and Bush Backyarders guided by Sean on Tuesday November 18th at Campbell Rhododendron Gardens Blackheath from 9.00-3.30. For more details contact smoore@bmcc.nsw.gov.au - Registration essential. This interview was originally broadcast on 19th September 2025 on Rights, Rorts and Rants Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM. The show was presented by Nick Franklin and Pater Lammiman with the audioconsole operated by Suzanne Rix and the podcast made by Ann-Maree McEwan & Deb Smith. BMUC acknowledges the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples whose land we broadcast from and over.
Alison Young, Director of Outreach at iNaturalist, an app for people to record nature findings, meet other nature enthusiasts. Planet Philadelphia airs on 92.9 FM in NW Philadelphia & gtownradio.com, 4-5:00 PM ET the 1st & 3rd Friday/month. Find out more at https://www.planetphiladelphia.com/ Please support Planet Philadelphia environmental radio show and Gtown Radio at https://gtownradio.com/donate/.
This week, Debbie and Laurie welcome Ben Pfeiffer, founder of Firefly Conservation and Research, for a glowing conversation all about one of nature's most magical creatures — the firefly! ✨
A citizen science project is helping track the extent of the devastation created by the toxic algal bloom sitting off the South Australia's coast.
Green anoles are some of Florida's most familiar—and most overlooked—neighbors. In this episode of Naturally Florida, we revisit our very first show from 2020 to explore what makes these little lizards so unique, how they interact with the introduced Cuban brown anole, and what you can do to help them thrive in your own backyard.Learn more:Cuban Brown Anole or Green Anole (video): https://youtu.be/KQhnzi9mkYILandscaping Solutions: Green Anoles: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/gardening-with-wildlife/anoles.htmlHow You Can Help:Help us document their populations! If you see a green anole in your yard or while out in one of Florida's many natural areas, snap a picture with your smartphone and upload it to iNaturalist.org. Add habitat to your yard or neighborhood. Consider adding native shrubs or small trees and changing part of your yard from lawn to Florida-Friendly Landscaping to provide habitat for a variety of small critters. Learn more here: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-5-attract-wildlife/Sources for this Episode:Invader Updater: Cuban Brown Anole, UF Wildlife Department (2011) https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/InvaderUpdater/pdfs/InvaderUpdater_Winter2011.pdfGreen Anole (Anolis carolinensis), Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (n.d.) https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anocar.htmAnalysis of the effects of an exotic lizard on a native lizard in Florida ..., University of Tennessee (2000) https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/4722/Florida Lizards are Evolving, Fast, Science Connected (2014) https://magazine.scienceconnected.org/2014/10/florida-lizards-evolving-rapidly/If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations
This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Allison Young, Director of Outreach Programs for iNaturalist, the global platform that's changing the way people experience nature. Whether you're snapping a photo of a butterfly in your backyard, spotting a rare bird on a hike, or identifying tracks in the mud, iNaturalist turns those moments into data that helps fuel research, conservation, and environmental education worldwide. Allison takes us behind the scenes of iNaturalist, from its humble beginnings as a grad school project at UC Berkeley in 2008 to a thriving community of over 3.5 million users who have contributed 260+ million observations from more than 130 countries. She shares amazing success stories—like the rediscovery of species thought extinct, surprising range expansions, and new species discoveries—proving that every observation matters. You'll also learn how easy it is to get started, why common species are just as valuable to document as rare ones, and how iNaturalist's unique mix of technology and community makes it “the friendliest place on the internet.” Plus, Debbie and Laurie swap a few of their own backyard sightings and ideas for using iNaturalist in guided walks and local nature events. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist, a casual hiker, or just curious about the critters in your neighborhood, this episode will inspire you to slow down, look closer, and share what you see.
In this episode, John Weir, Dr. Laura Goodman, and Dr. Mark Turner sit down for a laid-back, boots-on-the-ground talk about Forest Stand Improvement (FSI) and how it plays a big role in shaping better wildlife habitats for deer, turkey, and quail—especially right here in Oklahoma. They swap stories and share how FSI differs from Timber Stand Improvement (TSI), and why even folks without marketable timber can still benefit from these management techniques. You'll hear plenty of real-world advice—how to get more sunlight to the forest floor, which trees to keep or cut, and what tools make the job easier (spoiler: PlantNet and iNaturalist apps get some love). They also dig into strategies like girdling, hinge cutting, and selective herbicide use. And of course, no land management talk would be complete without prescribed fire. It's not just about burning—it's about building a better future for your land. Resources - OkState Range & Pasture Plant ID - PlantNet - iNaturalist
Hi friends! We're taking a much-needed August pause—we'll have new episodes for you in September. In the meanwhile, enjoy this pick from our archives! _____ [originally aired May 30, 2024] Maybe your idea of spiders is a bit like mine was. You probably know that they have eight legs, that some are hairy. Perhaps you imagine them spending most of their time sitting in their webs—those classic-looking ones, of course—waiting for snacks to arrive. Maybe you consider them vaguely menacing, or even dangerous. Now this is not all completely inaccurate—spiders do have eight legs, after all—but it's a woefully incomplete and drab caricature. Your idea of spiders, in other words, may be due for a refresh. My guest today is Dr. Ximena Nelson, Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Canterbury, in New Zealand. Ximena is the author of the new book, The Lives of Spiders. It's an accessible and stunningly illustrated survey of spider behavior, ecology, and cognition. In this conversation, Ximena and I do a bit of ‘Spiders 101'. We talk about spider senses—especially how spiders use hairs to detect the minutest of vibrations and how they see, usually, with four pairs of eyes. We talk about web-making—which, by the way, the majority of spiders don't do—and silk-making—which all do, but for more reasons than you may realize. We talk about how spiders hunt, jump, dance, pounce, plan, decorate, cache, balloon, and possibly count. We talk about why so many spiders mimic ants. We take up the puzzle of “stabilimenta”. We talk about whether webs constitute an extended sensory apparatus—like a gigantic ear—and why spiders are an under-appreciated group of animals for thinking about the evolution of mind, brain, and behavior. Alright friends, this one is an absolute feast. So let's get to it. On to my conversation with Dr. Ximena Nelson. Enjoy! A transcript of this episode is available here. Notes and links 3:00 – A general audience article about our “collective arachnid aversion” to spiders. 8:00 – An academic article by Dr. Nelson about jumping spider behavior. 8:30 – In addition to spiders, Dr. Nelson also studies kea parrots (e.g., here). 12:00 – A popular article about the thousands of spider species known to science—and the thousands that remain unknown. 16:30 – A popular article about a mostly vegetarian spider, Bagheera kiplingi. 18:00 – For the mating dance of the peacock spider, see this video. 20:00 – A recent study on spider “hearing” via their webs. 24:00 – The iNaturalist profile of the tiger bromeliad spider. 29:30 – A recent study of extended sensing in humans during tool use. 33:00 – A popular discussion of vision (and other senses) in jumping spiders. 40:00 – An earlier popular discussion of spider webs and silk. 45:00 – For a primer on bird's nests, see here. 48:00 – An article describing the original work on how various drugs alter spiders' webs. 49:00 – A recent salvo in the long-standing stabilimenta debate. 54:00 – A video about “ballooning” in spiders. 57:00 – An article by Dr. Nelson and a colleague about jumping spiders as an important group for studies in comparative cognition. 1:01:00 – A study of reversal learning in jumping spiders, which found large individual differences. 1:07:00 – A study of larder monitoring in orb weaver spiders. 1:10:00 – A study by Dr. Nelson and a colleague on numerical competence in Portia spiders. 1:16:00 – An academic essay on the so-called insect apocalypse. Recommendations Spider Behaviour: Flexibility and Versatility, by M. Herberstein ‘Spider senses – Technical perfection and biology,' by F. Barth ‘Extended spider cognition', by H. Japyassú and K. Lala Many Minds is a project of the Diverse Intelligences Summer Institute, which is made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation to Indiana University. The show is hosted and produced by Kensy Cooperrider, with help from Assistant Producer Urte Laukaityte and with creative support from DISI Directors Erica Cartmill and Jacob Foster. Our artwork is by Ben Oldroyd. Our transcripts are created by Sarah Dopierala. Subscribe to Many Minds on Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also now subscribe to the Many Minds newsletter here! We welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to email us at: manymindspodcast@gmail.com. s For updates about the show, visit our website or follow us on Twitter (@ManyMindsPod) or Bluesky (@manymindspod.bsky.social).
For this episode of BioScience Talks, we're joined by two guests, Brittany Mason, a Data Management Analyst at the University of Florida, and Corey Callaghan, Assistant Professor at the University of Florida in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. They were here to discuss their recent BioScience article, iNaturalist Accelerates Biodiversity Research.
Doug is joined by Dr. Sarah Bois, Director of Research and Conservation at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, to explore the 2025 Nantucket BioBlitz, an island-wide community science event inviting residents and visitors to help document local biodiversity throughout the summer. Dr. Bois discusses what makes this year's BioBlitz unique, including guided nature walks, the use of the iNaturalist app, and new additions like night surveys to expand the range of species observed. With over 3,600 observations recorded in 2024, she shares emerging trends for 2025, memorable species sightings, and how the collaboration with the Nantucket Land & Water Council supports long-term conservation goals. The conversation wraps with a preview of the August 8 celebration that caps off the initiative welcoming everyone to connect, learn, and celebrate Nantucket's rich natural environment.
Can technology play a role in rekindling our relationship with Nature?Learn more about the Merlin app. Learn more about the iNaturalist app. Learn more about Personal Rewilding online at www.rhnaturereconnect.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/truth-be-told-paranormal--3589860/support.
Coverage that provides news and analysis of national issues significant to regional Australians.
In this episode, we explore the unique ecology of scrub habitat in Florida. What is a scrub? Where are they located?How are they different from similar ecosystems? How does fire play a role in scrub habitats? What threats do scrub habitats face? What can you do about it? We cover this and more in this episode of Naturally Florida. Learn More:• Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Scrub - https://www.fnai.org/PDFs/NC/Scrub_Final_2010.pdf• Topographpic map, elevation, terrain - https://en-ca.topographic-map.com/map-x1rv5k/Polk-County/• Calamintha bee (Shannon mentioned in episode) - https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/discover-nest-northern-range-blue-calamintha-bee/• Scrub and High Pine - https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/forest-resources/upland-forest-ecosystems/scrub-and-high-pine/• Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR373• Florida Scrub - https://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/msrpmap/floridascrub/How You Can Help:• Florida scrub is globally rare and incredibly unique, supporting plants and animals found nowhere else. Speak up and advocate for the preservation of the special natural lands. Needs some inspiration, check out the GladysE. Douglas Preserve story. • Fire is essential in scrub habitats —without it, the ecosystem collapses and species disappear. Be sure to support and advocate for prescribed fires in your area. • Scrub may look barren, but it's a biodiversity hotspot—an ecological gem hiding in plain sight. See if you can find a scrub habitat near you to visit!Sources for this Episode: • Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Scrub - https://www.fnai.org/PDFs/NC/Scrub_Final_2010.pdf• Scrub and High Pine - https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/forest-resources/upland-forest-ecosystems/scrub-and-high-pine/• Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR373If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations
APP OF THE DAY - iNATURALIST by 101.9POR
In March of 2024, a park ranger and volunteer were taking their regular walk together around Big Bend National Park. They came across a teeny tiny fuzzy little plant with unusual ribbon-like flowers bursting out of the center – something neither of them had ever seen before. As it turned out, they had stumbled on a rare scientific discovery. Learn more about the woolly devil, and check out iNaturalist. For more unusual stories, lists, and offbeat itineraries, check out the Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide to the National Parks.
Today in the trial of Erin Patterson, a device seized from the home of the accused mushroom cook killer was used to visit the iNaturalist website, which the jury heard earlier was used to record sightings of various fungi species, including death caps.The Mushroom Cook team is Brooke Grebert-Craig, Laura Placella, Anthony Dowsley, Jordy Atkinson and Jonty Burton.Editing assistance for this episode by our intern, Jasmine Geddes. The Mushroom Cook is a Herald Sun production for True Crime Australia. Go to themushroomcook.com.au for news, features, previous episodes and more. Subscribers get our bonus Sunday shows with crime reporter Anthony Dowsley. CrimeX subscribers: find this episode in your podcast feed Subscribers to the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser or News regional titles can listen through the App.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Unfrozen crew hit the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale with all the furious energy our 100th episode deserved. A rollicking roundup of robots, pans, picks, porches and pavilions, with special guest interviews: Michele Champagne, Kate Wagner, Marisa Moran Jahn, Bekim Ramku, Rafi Segal, Jeanne Gang, and Mark Cavagnero. And finally, while Rome picked a pontiff, we had our own mini-conclave in Venice and humbly offered up our picks for the 20th Biennale curator. Join us for this extra special centenary episode.--Intro/Outro: “Bounder of Adventure,” by The Cooper Vane--Discussed:- Olly Wainwright: Can robots make the perfect Aperol spritz? – Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 review | Architecture | The Guardian- Rowan Moore: Venice Architecture Biennale review: ‘a hot mess of pretension' | The Observer- The New York Architecture Review crew: Nicolas, Chloe and Sammy- International Exhibition in the Arsenaleo Robots, hemp, bio-concrete, 8-point font with AI-assisted summarieso Kate Crawford and Vladan Joier's megascale text: Calculating Empireso Bjarke Ingels Group's entry: Ancient Future, with Bhutanese carvers paced by an ABB roboto Christopher Hawthorne's Speaker's Cornero Shades of Rem Koolhaas' 2014 Fundamentals edition- Kate Wagner's review:o Dated techno-optimismo Cannibalism of architecture by art and exhibition design- National Pavilions:o Austria: “Agency for Better Living”o Canada: “Picoplanktonics” by The Living Room Collectiveo Denmark: “Build of Site”o Estonia: “Let Me Warm You”o Romania: “Human Scale”o Saudi Arabia: “The Um Slaim School: An Architecture of Connection”o Slovenia: “Master Builders”o South Korea: “Little Toad, Little Toad”, but mainly this cato Spain: “Internalities: Architectures for Territorial Equilibrium”o UAE: “Pressure Cooker”o USA: “Porch: An Architecture of Generosity”§ Curators: · Peter MacKeith, Fay Jones School of Architecture, University of Arkansas· Rod Bigelow, Executive Director, Crystal Bridges Museum of Art· Marlon Blackwell, Marlon Blackwell Architects· Susan Chin, Design Connects· Stephen Burks, Man Made§ Shades of the timber-themed 2021 exhibit, but with a twist§ Interview with Mark Cavagnero, Mark Cavagnero Associates, on participation in Porch and his work updating the original 1969 design of the Oakland Museum of California by Kevin Roche and Dan Kiley o Uzbekistan: A Matter of Radiance- Interview with collaborators on Art-Tek Tulltorja, conversion of former brick works into a tech hub and community center, Pristina, Kosovo:o Rafi Segal, Associate Professor, Architecture & Urbanism, MITo Marisa Moran Jahn, Director, Integrated Design,Parsons School of Designo Bekim Ramku, OUD+ Architectso Nol Binakaj, OUD+ Architects- Interview with Jeanne Gang, amidst a Bio-Blitz powered by the iNaturalist app and featuring a “disco ball for bees”- Unfrozen's nominations for 2027 Biennale curator:o Carolyn Whitzman, Senior Housing Researcher, Schoolof Cities, University of Toronto and author of Home Truths: Fixing Canada's Housing Crisiso Diane Longboat, Senior Manager, StrategicInitiatives, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto§ See: Sweat lodge at the Centero Patrick Bellew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Surbana Jurong (Atelier Ten)§ Gardens by the Bay cooling system,powered by incinerated tree trimming wasteo Peter Barber, Peter Barber Architectso Eyal Weizman, Forensic Architecture- Stafford Beer: “The purpose of the system is what it does.”
In this inspiring episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we're joined by Sri Chakra Pranav Tamarapalli, marine biologist and founder of the East Coast Conservation Team (ECCT), to dive deep into the untold story of conservation along India's East Coast—a region often overlooked in biodiversity efforts. From protecting smooth-coated otters in freshwater wetlands to documenting rare intertidal biodiversity, this episode explores the challenges and triumphs of grassroots conservation in Andhra Pradesh.Conservation Beyond the MainstreamWhile India's Western Ghats and Northeast are recognized as biodiversity hotspots, Pranav shines a light on the unsung ecosystems of Andhra's wetlands, canals, and coastlines. Hear how ECCT began with otter research in Kondakarla Ava, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the state, and evolved into a dynamic organization working on marine conservation, citizen science, and community engagement.Otters as Flagship Species for Freshwater EcosystemsDiscover how Pranav's groundbreaking work uncovered populations of smooth-coated otters—and potentially even small-clawed otters—in Vishakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts. Learn how these apex predators play a crucial role in balancing aquatic ecosystems and how their presence could redefine the conservation map of coastal Andhra.But the journey isn't without conflict—hear about the tension between local fishermen and otters, and how awareness campaigns are bridging the gap between livelihoods and conservation.Marine Biodiversity & Citizen Science: The Tidepool RevolutionThrough the Intertidal Biodiversity Project, ECCT has documented over 350 species in coastal tidepools, some of which had never been recorded in mainland India before. Using iNaturalist and engaging more than 2,000 people through guided shore walks, Pranav and his team are building a model of inclusive conservation—fostering marine literacy and inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards.Stranding Response & Building a Marine NetworkFrom dolphins and turtles to whale sharks, the ECCT team is pioneering stranding response efforts—working with forest departments and researchers to conduct necropsies and uncover causes of marine megafauna mortality. Their vision? A state-wide Marine Conservation Network in Andhra Pradesh to coordinate rapid response, build datasets, and support visiting scientists with real-time local data.Sharks, Rays & Future AmbitionsPranav also shares collaborations with institutions like IISc and Satyabhama University on elasmobranch conservation, revealing insights into shark landings and electric ray distribution. ECCT's long-term goal is clear: to serve as an entry point for researchers, conservationists, and institutions seeking to work in one of India's least-studied marine landscapes.Topics Covered:* East Coast biodiversity and conservation gaps* Otters as ecosystem engineers and flagship species* Wetland connectivity across Andhra Pradesh* Tidepool ecology and intertidal species discoveries* Marine megafauna strandings and necropsy response* Conflict mitigation with local communities* Challenges of fundraising, mentorship and fieldwork* Citizen science and iNaturalist projects* Grassroots network-building for marine protectionSupport ECCTPranav highlights the importance of donations, CSR partnerships, and volunteer support—especially from those fluent in local languages. Want to help? Contribute your skills in social media, fundraising, or fieldwork. Every contribution adds to the ripple of impact.Whether you're passionate about wildlife conservation, marine biology, biodiversity management, or ecological research, this conversation is a must-listen. Discover how one young conservationist is redefining what it means to protect the East Coast of India, one otter and one tidepool at a time.Subscribe, like, and share this episode to amplify underrepresented conservation stories.30% of revenue from optional Substack subscriptions for this episode will be donated to ECCT's on-ground conservation projects.Meet the Host:Think Wildlife Foundation - https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/Instagram - @anishwildlifeTwitter - @AnishWildlifeMeet the Guest:Sri Chakra Pranav Tamarapalli - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sri-chakra-pranav-tamarapalli-05467a102/?originalSubdomain=inEast Coast Conservation Team - https://www.eccteam.org/#ConservationStrategies #WildlifeCorridors #LandscapeEcology #Otters #MarineConservation #EastCoastIndia #BiodiversityHotspot #BiodiversityConservation #CitizenScience #LinearInfrastructure #WildlifeConflict #Elasmobranchs #StrandingResponse #ThinkWildlifePodcast #Ecology #NatureIndia #Podcast #WildlifeConservation Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe
Why would a spider have a frog best friend? Why do they love your shower? Does lemon repel them? Should you rehome them outside? Why so hairy? How do you identify the harmless ones? Which ones get kinky? Hey. This will be fun. If you're afraid of spiders, this is the best first step to conquering that fear forever. If you love spiders, you're in good company with Dr. Marshal Hedin, a San Diego State University professor who has dedicated his life to the diverse array of araneids. Also: why they need and deserve your love. Visit the Hedin Lab at SDSU and follow Dr. Hedin on Bluesky, iNaturalist, and Google ScholarA donation went to the San Diego State University Biodiversity MuseumMore episode sources and linksSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesOther episodes you may enjoy: Kinetic Salticidology (DANCING SPIDERS), Spidroinology (SPIDERWEBS), Fearology (FEAR), Herpetology (REPTILES), Culicidology (MOSQUITOES), Speleology (CAVES), Aperiology (MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY), Scorpiology (SCORPIONS), Entomology (INSECTS), Forest Entomology (CREEPY CRAWLIES)Sponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram and BlueskyFollow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTokEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake ChaffeeManaging Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn
Michele Rehbein discusses the City Nature Challenge, which will take place April 25-28, 2025. This four-day annual event encourages people to find and photograph plants and wildlife in their own cities and towns using iNaturalist. Then, Izzy Vogel and Naomi O'Connor, two members of Team Minerva, a robotics team from Park City High School, tell us about their competition at the Premier event in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In this episode—which is number 115—Ivan Phillipsen guides listeners through the art and science of finding birds—a skill that even seasoned birders are always refining. While birds are everywhere, intentionally locating them in nature can be surprisingly difficult. Ivan breaks down bird-finding as a multi-scale strategy, starting from intercontinental trip planning all the way down to spotting a skulky sparrow in a dense bush. With insight from a decade of leading birding tours and inspiration from Pete Dunne's book The Art of Bird Finding, this episode is packed with practical tips.Learn how to use digital tools like eBird, iNaturalist, and Google Maps to research hotspots and track species movements. Ivan also explores daily and seasonal bird activity patterns, offering advice on when and where to look based on habitat, weather, and migration timing. Real-world examples—from birding trips in Chile to last-minute local outings—illustrate how preparation can dramatically boost your chances of success.The episode includes a look at field techniques, including how to scan effectively with your eyes and ears, the importance of subtle movement, and how to use binoculars without missing your target. Ivan also discusses ethical considerations around using playback and the dynamics of birding in a group. Whether you're new to birding or chasing your 5,000th lifer, this episode has tools, tips, and inspiration to sharpen your skills in the field.Links of InterestThe Art of Bird Finding [BOOK]~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website Support the show
Vultures can be seen throughout Florida, whether soaring in the air or feeding on the ground, visitor or resident, we have all encountered vultures in Florida. We actually have two species of vultures in Florida, the black vulture and the turkey vulture. While they may seem clumsy and not the most attractive birds, they play a critical role in our ecosystem. Learn how to tell these two species apart and the importance of these birds to our natural world. Learn More: Black Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-vultureTurkey Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/turkey-vultureVultures: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/vultures/Black Vulture or Turkey Vulture? That Is the Question: https://youtu.be/S-XcSqcpBpI?si=4c1FObJAVCkpqzMbHow You Can Help: Respect their space, they are doing a critically important job that none of us want to do. Let them do their work
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: Perspective(s): A Novel by Laurent Binet and The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer. Then Dave shares the app that's decoding nature's secrets in his favorite park. Links Perspective(s): A Novel by Laurent Binet The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer HHhH by Laurent Binet — hear Mel talk about it on our Prague podcast episode The Black House by Peter May — hear Mel talk about it on our Scotland episode Seek by iNaturalist: download the app for Apple or Google, watch a demo video, get the user's guide Transcript of this episode. The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Join our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel. Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Charles and Jon talk with mammalwatching power couple Venkat Sankar & Nicole Haseley from their base at Stanford University in California. Nicole and Venkat 'accidentally' turned 2024 into a Big California (Mammal) Year and ended up seeing a record breaking 150 species in the state by December 31.They talk about some of their big year's highs and lows as well as their favourite places in California to mammalwatch, and offer advice on how to identify small mammals in the field. Plus Nicole explains why browsing iNaturalist pictures in public can be a fast track to romance.For more information visit www.mammalwatching.com/podcastNotes: a Big Year - a concept well known among birders - sees participants look for as many different species as possible within a geographic boundary (in this case California). Venkat and Nicole's Big Year report is here (there are many more California reports here). Meanwhile Charles's epic 2019 Big Mammal Day report from Tanzania is well worth a read!A report from Charles's Royle Safaris' trip to Ghana will eventually arrive here. The ethical mammalwatching cartoons Jon mentioned are here.Cover art: Venkat & NicoleDr Charles Foley is a mammalwatcher and biologist who, together with his wife Lara, spent 30 years studying elephants in Tanzania. They now run the Tanzania Conservation Research Program at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.Jon Hall set up mammalwatching.com in 2005. Genetically Welsh, spiritually Australian, currently in New York City. He has looked for mammals in over 110 countries.
Send us a textS6E66 In this episode, we're in the charming market town of Frome in Somerset, where the locals take part in a hands-on citizen science event. Armed with bat detectors, participants are sent out around town to record any bats they spot.What makes this event even more exciting is the use of iNaturalist – a popular platform that collects and shares real-time wildlife data. As participants venture out at dusk, their bat sightings are immediately transmitted to the town hall chambers, where the community can track the results live on a big screen. By the end of the night, everyone reconvenes to see the collective findings and marvel at the variety of bats that call Frome home.See the results from the evening for yourselfUpcoming big bat countsInterested in taking part?Thank you to Wildcare for sponsoring series 6 of BatChat.Quote BATCHAT at the Wildcare checkout for 10% off all bat detectors and bat boxes. Use our interactive map to find the closest recording location to where you are and to see photos and additional material from the recording.Support the showPlease leave us a review or star rating if your podcast app allows it because it helps us to reach a wider audience so that we can spread the word about how great bats are. How to write a podcast review (and why you should).Got a story to share with us? Please get in touch via comms@bats.org.ukBats are magical but misunderstood. At BCT our vision is a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together. Action to protect & conserve bats is having a positive impact on bat populations in the UK. We would not be able to continue our work to protect bats & their habitats without your contribution so if you can please donate. We need your support now more than ever: www.bats.org.uk/donate Thank you!
This episode contains three previously aired segments about a common topic that have been put together for easier listening. Tools of the Trade is a series of descriptions of essential tools that Master Gardeners use to research and answer questions about our natural environment. Master Gardener Volunteer Joan Satterlee provides detailed explanations of each tool including how it is best used. The topic of the first retrospective segment is iNaturalist, which is a website or app that can be used to identify plants, insects, and animals. Launched in 2008, it uses photographs and artificial intelligence to help you explore your surroundings. Available on iOS and Android operating systems, there is no fee to use it. There is even a version, called Seek, that is an alternative for beginners. Are you looking to find native plants for your garden? Stay tuned for information about the Audubon Native Plant Database. Once you enter your zip code, you'll find a listing of all the native plants that are from your area. You can organize the search results in many different ways such as type of plant, features, or even the type of bird it may attract. There are lots of search options and filters to get even more information specific to your interests. The last segment in this episode features a gardener's classic resource for woody plants: the Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants written by Michael Dirr. Organized by botanical name, this gardening 'bible' also has an index of common names that can be extremely helpful. It provides information about the plant's leaves, bids, flowers, fruit, size, hardiness, and diseases, among other things. It even describes its landscape value. While this manual contains line drawings, if you prefer photographs, consider investing in the Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs as another potential resource. Host: Jean Thomas Guest: Joan Satterlee Photo by: Teresa Golden Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Taly Hahn, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Robin Smith, Resources
Summary Ground nesting bees represent a significant portion of our native bee population, yet they often go unnoticed due to their solitary nature and unique nesting habits. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of ground nesting bees and how we can get involved in their study and conservation. Today's guest Dr. Jordan Kueneman is a research associate in the Danforth lab of Entomology at Cornell University. He is also the creator of the Ground Nesting Bee project on iNaturalist where he is collecting observations of ground-nesting bee aggregations. 3 things you'll learn from this episode: An overview of ground nesting bee biology, their behaviors, and their importance in the environment and potentially to some of our agricultural crops. An introduction into how much we still don't know about ground nesting bees, including the answers to what would seem like fairly basic questions. How individuals like you and I can help researchers learn more about ground nesting bees and where they can be found. Bonus content: Tips on how to identify ground nesting bees Resources Jordan mentioned: Ground Nesting Bees iNaturalist Project Project GNBee website Instagram Other Backyard Ecology resources: 3 Tree Groups That Provide Early Season Bee Food! Discover Your Next Steps Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
Dr. Corey Callaghan, Assistant Professor of Wild Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, joins us to discuss the dynamics of citizen science and how data collected by bird watchers and turkey hunters can contribute to wildlife research. Be sure to download the eBird app in the show notes below to help us double the turkey observations this season! Resources: Callaghan, C. T., et al. (2021). Global abundance estimates for 9,700 bird species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Deer University eBird Florida Wildlife Corridor iNaturalist Merlin Bird ID Natural Resources University Network NWTF Proposal Application Snapshot USA Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Dr. Corey Callaghan Website, Publications Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Watch these podcasts on YouTube Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience' at checkout! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
Dr. Corey Callaghan, Assistant Professor of Wild Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida, joins us to discuss the dynamics of citizen science and how data collected by bird watchers and turkey hunters can contribute to wildlife research. Be sure to download the eBird app in the show notes below to help us double the turkey observations this season! Resources: Callaghan, C. T., et al. (2021). Global abundance estimates for 9,700 bird species. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Deer University eBird Florida Wildlife Corridor iNaturalist Merlin Bird ID Natural Resources University Network NWTF Proposal Application Snapshot USA Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave us a review or send us an email at wildturkeyscience@gmail.com! Dr. Corey Callaghan Website, Publications Dr. Marcus Lashley @DrDisturbance, Publications Dr. Will Gulsby @dr_will_gulsby, Publications Turkeys for Tomorrow @turkeysfortomorrow UF DEER Lab @ufdeerlab, YouTube Please help us by taking our (QUICK) listener survey - Thank you! Check out the NEW DrDisturbance YouTube channel! DrDisturbance YouTube Watch these podcasts on YouTube Leave a podcast rating for a chance to win free gear! Get a 10% discount at Grounded Brand by using the code ‘TurkeyScience' at checkout! This podcast is made possible by Turkeys for Tomorrow, a grassroots organization dedicated to the wild turkey. To learn more about TFT, go to turkeysfortomorrow.org. Music by Artlist.io Produced & edited by Charlotte Nowak
In this very special donkumentary, we're headed to the Mojave Desert — to Death Valley, in particular — where we find one animal at the centre of a heated debate in land management: the hardy wild burro (AKA donkey, ass, or Equus asinus).These feral burros, beloved by some and reviled by others, are an introduced species in the desert southwest, but are uniquely entangled in its human history. Since before the establishment of Death Valley as a national monument, they have been widely regarded as overpopulated on the Mojave landscape. In recent years, rising costs, public controversy, and some conflicting legislation have brought the sustainability of conventional burro management into crisis.But not everyone is convinced that they're harmful. Could this crisis be avoided altogether if we looked at burros under a different light?Are they crowding out the native and endangered fauna? Or are they filling an ancient ecosystem niche? Join us as we meet the land managers, ecologists, and donkey racers all trying to do right by the desert.Find photos, credits, a transcript, and citations at futureecologies.net/listen/fe-6-3-get-yer-ass-outta-here— — —We rely on listener support to stay independent, ad free, and making the best podcast we can make.Help us keep the lights on at patreon.com/futureecologies — and get perks like early episode releases, bonus audio content, stickers, patches, a cozy hat, access to our community discord server, and your name on our websiteGet new episodes in your email: join our mailing listYou can also find us on Bluesky, Instagram, Mastodon, & iNaturalist
While much of the country waits until late April to celebrate Arbor Day, Florida marks the occasion several months sooner. Our subtropical climate makes it safe—and even beneficial—to plant trees during the cooler, drier winter months (with proper irrigation). By doing this now, young saplings have time to develop strong root systems before facing the intense heat and storms of the summer season. Perhaps you recently attended an Arbor Day event, or took home a tree to plant in your yard. This episode explores Florida Arbor Day and tips for caring for your tree. Learn more: Economic Contributions of Urban Forestry in Florida in 2017 - https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/94000/file/FLUrbanForestry_Infographic.pdf Wind and Trees: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes (Mentioned by Shannon) - https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/FR173.pdf How You Can Help: Plant a tree! Watch this video to learn how: https://youtu.be/HXdlsJ451b8?si=uy9JFBluX-HjeJCp&t=37 Prune your maturing or mature trees, to ensure they are storm resistant and healthy. Go to https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist to find a certified tree expert to help maintain your trees. Sources for this Episode: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FR/FR17400.pdf http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr173 https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/09/08/471/ http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr175 http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/trees-that-can-withstand-hurricanes.html Arbor Day 2024 ‑ History & Facts | HISTORY Planting and Establishing Trees – Gardening Solutions https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here! If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations
Send us a textThere's an invasion happening right under our noses—one that's likely reached your own backyard. You may have even unknowingly played a part in it.This is the spread of invasive plants, animals, and fungi. Once removed from their native habitats, these species reproduce rapidly, disrupting ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, and even endangering our food, health, and recreation.Invasive species are wreaking havoc in every corner of the world, often with our unwitting help. But with knowledge, care, and action, we can turn the tide.Griff Griffith guides you on a journey explaining how invasive species pose a threat, how they got here, and what you can do. Griff is joined by Dr. Sara Kuebbing (from the Yale School of the Environment), Emelie Swackhamer (Penn State University Extension), and Carl Klarner (Redwood Invasive Plant Eradicators). Thanks to Associate Producer Kat Hill and Sound Designer Miles Ewell for their assistance in production of this episode.FULL SHOW NOTESLINKS and Additional Information for Topics DiscussedForeign Seed Scam - did you know there is a scam where people send foreign seeds? Sounds crazy, but it happens. Learn what to do here.How to Build a Spotted Lanternfly Circle TrapiNaturalist - you can use iNaturalist to identify plants, fungi, insects, and more, with the help of machine learning and a dedicated community of experts. iNaturalist also flags many invasive species, so take a backyard safari and see what you can find and remove from your yard!RIPE - Redwood Invasive Plant Eradicators - is Carl Klarner's organization in Northern California. They remove English Ivy from private properties. They have a new instagram account, too.USDA Invasive Species Database, and their maps serve as a good starting pointRelated Podcast EpisodesJumpstart Nature The Yard of the FutureAdditional CreditsThe following music was used for this media project:Music: The Question Is (Quizpackage) by Sascha EndeFree download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/228-the-question-is-quizpackageLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseMusic: Silent Movie 19 by Sascha EndeFree download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/12433-silent-movie-19License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseMusic: Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 008 by Sascha EndeFree download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/7669-cinematic-suspense-series-episode-008License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseMusic: Bahnstreik by Sascha EndeFree download: https://filmmusic.io/en/song/404-bahnstreikLicense (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-licenseAdditional Music: Cleanse by Principal DeanSound Effects from Soundly: getsoundly.com Support the show
Sometimes all you need to identify a bird is a single feather. Because collecting bird feathers is prohibited in the U.S. to protect birds from poachers, start by taking a photo with a common object for scale. Then you can use online resources like the iNaturalist app or Featherbase website to help you solve the mystery. Keep your prime suspect in mind when you're back where you found the feather and you might get to see the bird itself — feathers and all.More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. Want more BirdNote? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Sign up for BirdNote+ to get ad-free listening and other perks. BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.
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