ALL EPISODES




Episode 1 - Welcome to our first podcast.  Meet your hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick and find out what to expect in the future.





Episode 2 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Thomas Almendinger (Director of Natural Resources and AgroEcology) and Charles Barreca (Ecological Research Manager) from Duke Farms.  Their discussion covers a wide array of topics including their integrated message of sustainability and knowledge, how you can get involved and help with their mission, as well as their ever popular eagle cam.

 Follow Duke Farms - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Eagle Cam





Episode 3 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick decide to keep it safe and do a show without a guest.  It's a serious time, but they add just the right amount of levity to get you through the day.  Subjects include a big thank you to our fans, and native plants that can be used as food, medicine, and toilet paper.  Music by contest winner Stephen Maher.

 Recipes - Elderflower Fritters / Elderberry Juice / Buffalo Milkweed / Milkweed Shoots / Acorn Cake / Beachplum Sorbet





Episode 4 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Jen Bulava (Lead Naturalist) from Burlington County Parks in New Jersey.  Their discussion topics cover coping with park closures during the pandemic, the diversity of programs and events the parks offers throughout the year, ways you can get involved with the parks, and the best birding spots in the park system including a Blue Heron Rookery.  Music by Stephen Mahar.

 Follow Burlington County Parks - Website / Facebook





Episode 5 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Karen Walzer and Becky Laboy of Jersey-Friendly Yards.  They discuss that fact that if you build it (native gardens), they will come (wildlife and pollinators).  Learn about the Jersey-Friendly Yard concept, their events, and how to get involved. Music by Stephen Maher.

 Follow Jersey-Friendly Yards - Website / Facebook / Twitter



Episode 6 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Marcus Gray from Audubon International.  They discuss the program Monarchs in the Rough, thinking outside the box, what can be done to reverse the decline of the Monarch population, and how you can help.  Music by Stephen Mahar.

 Follow Audubon International - Website / Facebook / Twitter
Follow Monarchs in the Rough - Website / Facebook / Twitter

Episode 7 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Sam Droege (Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) from The Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab.  They discuss the decline of native bees, the importance of native flora and fauna, recognizing the significance of specialist bees, if dandelions have merit, and unpopular opinions on honey bees.  Music by Stephen Mahar.

 Follow Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab - Website / Tumblr / Flickr / Facebook / Twitter 

Episode 8 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Lou Gambale (President, NJ Chapter) from The National Wild Turkey Federation. They discuss the decline new Native Plants Healthy Planet Facebook Group, The rise and fall of wild turkey, the importance of habitat, organisational partnerships for restoration, and delicious recipes. Music by Stephen Mahar.

 Follow National Wild Turkey Federation - Website / Facebook / Twitter



Episode 9 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Benjamin Vogt (Author - A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future) of Monarch Gardens LLC.  They discuss the heart of gardening ethics and native plants, exploring your local eco-types, reception to a not-so-radical idea and...a new book?  Music by Stephen Mahar.

 Follow Benjamin Vogt - Website / Twitter / Instagram / Buy The Book


Episode 10 - Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Kelly Gill (Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Region) from the Xerces Society.  They discuss the roots of the Xerces Society, what they do for invertebrates, how the society got its interesting name, creating pollinator habitat, how agriculture is helping and hurting pollinators, art degrees, Tom goes off topic and uses big words, and Kelly tells us her spirit animal.  Music by Stephen Mahar.

 Follow The Xerces Society - Website / Facebook / Twitter