Doug Elliott is a naturalist, herbalist, storyteller, musician, author, illustrator and something of a living legend in Rutherford County, western North Carolina. After a story about deciphering the secret language of trout, we open on Doug's early career as a 1970's traveling forager. Now, no Doug Elliott conversation would be right without a 101 on groundhog-ology ranging from how to make groundhog shoelaces to understanding the medicinal properties of groundhog grease. The natural next step from groundhogs is opossums, Doug recounts the time he befriended an eccentric Alabama mayor who happened to be the president of the Possum Growers & Breeders Association of America. From there its on to folkways & more encounters with the natural world: doctoring a wounded hunting dog with strips of bark; a life lesson learned from a spruce grouse; eating poison ivy; folk names for regional plants & birds; and the inspiration for his latest book about bees.

Purchase Doug's books at Dougelliott.com

Music by Doug Elliott

"Oh Groundhog"
Written & Performed by Doug Elliott

"West Virginia"
Written & Performed by Doug Elliott

"Aint No Bugs on Me"
Written & Performed by Doug Elliott

"Wonderful to be be Alive"
Written & Performed by Doug Elliott

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Contact: herbaceoushuman@gmail.com

GROUNDHOG-OLOGY, 'POSSUM BREEDERS & FOLKWAYS | Naturalist & Storyteller | Doug Elliott