About this podcast
Nature isn't just "out there" in some pristine, far-off location. It's all around us, including right outside our doors.
Hi, my name is Shannon Trimboli and I'm here to help people in the eastern U.S. create thriving ecosystems where they live, work, and play.
Join us as we ignite our curiosity and natural wonder, explore our yards and communities, and improve our local pollinator and wildlife habitat.
Learn more at: https://www.backyardecology.net/podcast
Episodes
The newest 20 of 119 episodes
- Best Goldenrods for Home Gardens: Mount Cuba Trial Results Tell All · 1 h 0 min · Episode 118Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about the results of Mt. Cuba's Solidago Trials which evaluated how approximately 50 different goldenrod species performed in a…
- Goldenrod Geek-out! What You Need to Know About This Ecological Powerhouse! · 58 min · Episode 117Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about how goldenrods (Solidago sp.) are keystone species and all the ecological roles that they play. We also touch on some of the…
- Simple Ways to Help Eastern Bluebirds · 37 min · Episode 116Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss simple ways that anyone can help eastern bluebirds. Our discussion is based off her recently published research looking at…
- New Research Reveals Diet of Baby Eastern Bluebirds · 29 min · Episode 115Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss the results of her research on the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. Ashley used GoPro cameras located on active bluebird…
- More than just a forest: Our surprisingly diverse eastern ecosystems · 22 min · Episode 114Summary The general impression that many people have is that prior to European settlement the whole eastern U.S. was one giant old growth forest. But that wasn't the case. Using…
- How to Be Successful with Your Habitat Goals · 10 min · Episode 113Summary When it comes to creating habitat, having a written set of goals can be extremely helpful in moving a task from the "I'll get to it someday" category to the "I'm actually…
- Short's aster: A beautiful late season extravaganza for pollinators · 7 min · Episode 112Summary Late blooming native plants are crucial sources of pollen and nectar for pollinators. One of my favorite species that blooms in October, and often into early November, is…
- The Science Behind "Leave the Leaves" · 48 min · Episode 111Summary "Leave the leaves" has become an increasingly common mantra each fall. However, until recently little to no scientific research had been done to quantify impacts of…
- Black-eyed Susan: A must-have for the pollinator garden · 9 min · Episode 110Summary Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a beautiful native plant that can be found throughout most of the eastern U.S. and makes a great addition to pollinator and native…
- A Bad Naturalist's Journey to Restore a Mountaintop Meadow · 1 h 22 min · Episode 109Summary Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges…
- Native Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to Eastern U.S. Gardens · 13 min · Episode 108Summary Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native plants for…
- Gardening for Moths: Why It's Important for Backyard Conservation · 1 h 11 min · Episode 107Summary In this episode, we focus on the fascinating world of moths and why gardening for moths is so im-portant for any backyard ecologist. We also talk about specific native…
- 9 Native Blueberries You Can Grow in the Home Landscape · 14 min · Episode 106Summary Our native Vacciniums, what we commonly call the blueberries, are keystone plants which support tons of pollinators and wildlife. They also produce yummy berries which we…
- Choose the Best Native Milkweed for Your Eastern U.S. Garden · 20 min · Episode 105Summary Milkweeds are a common component of butterfly and pollinator gardens. Not only are they important for monarch caterpillars, but they are also used by a wide variety of…
- Laurel Wilt: How Tiny Beetles Can Kill Huge Trees · 1 h 17 min · Episode 104Summary In this episode, we dive deep into Laurel Wilt Disease which is a vascular wilt disease affecting trees in the Lauraceae family, such as sassafras, spicebush, and redbay…
- Virginia strawberry: A Beautiful, Tasty, and Underutilized Native Groundcover · 6 min · Episode 103Summary The Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) is our most widespread native wild strawberry in the eastern U.S. It supports a wide range of pollinators and wildlife. It…
- Ironweed's Beauty and Ecological Value in Your Garden: Mt. Cuba's Vernonia Trial · 57 min · Episode 102Summary Each fall, the beautiful, rich, purple blooms of ironweeds (Vernonia spp.) grace fields and open areas throughout much of the eastern U.S. They are an ecological…
- Eastern Carpenter Bees: How to Peacefully Co-exist and Why They Are Important · 15 min · Episode 101Summary While carpenter bees get a bad rap, they are also important pollinators and play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their bad reputation can also sometimes be overblown. So…
- Doug Tallamy's Habitat Restoration Story and How You Can Help Save Nature · 49 min · Episode 100Summary Dr. Doug Tallamy shares the story of how he and his wife transformed their newly built home located on a former hayfield into a thriving forest ecosystem. We talk about…
- Darkness Matters: Light Pollution's Threats and Simple Ways to Help · 11 min · Episode 99Summary Darkness is a vital, and often overlooked, component of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, we're losing it to light pollution. Decreasing the light pollution around your home…
