Nature Guys

Tina Brower-Kreska, Director of Red Oaks Forest School and avid bird enthusiast, shares her deep passion for crows. The discussion uncovers the remarkable intelligence of these birds and their playful behaviors through humorous anecdotes. Tina reveals the intricate relationship between crows and predators, like peregrine falcons, and highlights their urban survival strategies. She also shares personal stories about befriending crows, showcasing their uniqueness and charm. Listeners are encouraged to join in with their own crow tales!

Sam and Greg join Bob at the Civic Garden Center's Fall Native Plant Festival. They have an engaging presentation about the benefits and history of this under appreciated plant. Related episode: Johnny Appleseed Our sources for this episode include: In Defense of the Lowly Grape The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart

Caroline joins Bob to talk about her true passion Native Grasses. Learn how these grasses can add to the diversity of life in the landscapes of our neighborhoods. Related episodes: Lawns, Boxwood Bash Our sources for this episode include: Understanding Roots by Robert Kourik Benefits of Native Grasses in Urban Landscaping Beyond Flowers: Enhancing Wildlife Gardens with Native Grasses Establishing Early Successional Habitat for Wildlife

Bob and Greg delve into one of their favorite plants, the Prickly Pear Cactus. It has a range far beyond the dessert so you should be able to find it in your area. Our sources for this episode include: US Forest Service Prickly Pear What Animals Eat Cactus 5 Facts About Prickly Pear Cactus Nine Interesting Facts about Prickly Pear

Turkey Tail mushrooms are everywhere! Gia admits that mushrooms may be her favorite things in nature. Learn all about one of the most common and easy to find mushrooms. Our sources for this episode include: Michael Kuo's take on turkey tail / Trametes versicolor: The Turkey Tail (MushroomExpert.Com) Good explanation of medicinal properties / How to Make Turkey Tail Mushroom Powder Tom Volk's take on turkey tail / Fungus of the Month for August 1997 (wisc.edu) Nicholas Money's paper "Are Mushrooms Medicinal?" (2016 PubMed (nih.gov) Coriolus versicolor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org)

Bob and Beth led family hikes at the Arc of Appalachia Highlands Nature Sanctuary in April of 2024. After the hikes they recorded a podcast with some of the hikers. Tune in to hear about wildflowers and more from the perspective of the children on the hike.

Central Indiana had clear skies for the April 8, 2024 eclipse! Bob joined a fantastic group of family, friends and other nature lovers at Jenkins Forever Farm animal sanctuary for a spectacular eclipse. He was able to record some of their reactions before, during and after the eclipse. Related Episodes: Eclipse with Dean Regas, Eclipse Lovers

In the final episode of the Invasive Plant Series Bob, Greg and Sam outline several possible paths that the common person can undertake to help turn the tide of invasive plants. From education and community driven initiatives to pushing market changes through purchasing power, we can all do a small part to make a big difference. Related Episodes: Walnut Woods, Invasive Plants, Lawns, Gardening for Moths with Jim McCormac, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy For more information, we recommend these sources: Native Plant Education and Volunteer Opportunities with Civic Garden Center Native Plant Education with Active Outdoors Native Plant Gardening Intro Cincinnati Volunteer Opportunity with Cincinnati Parks

In this episode the discussion turns toward the horticulture industry and the impact working with plants has had overtime. Bob, Greg and Sam then turn to examine the branch of Ornamental Horticulture and its culpability in the mass production and distribution of non-native plants around the world. While this trend continues, new options of planting with native plants and the idea of cultivating native plants at home for the sake of conservation are introduced. Related Episodes: Lawns, Invasive Plants, Seeds on the Move, Invasive Plants Part 1, Invasive Plants Part 2 For more information, we recommend these resources: National Invasive Species Council Mt. Cuba Center Trial Garden Invasive Plant Species and the Ornamental Horticulture Industry

In episode 2 of our Invasive Plant Series Bob, Greg and Sam discuss why invasive plants pose such a problem to our ecosystem. The plant guru dives into the intricate connections between plants and other wildlife, explaining that plants truly are the basis of all ecosystems. From there, we talk about the way our land use decisions have created the perfect conditions for invasive plants to thrive in North America. Related Episodes: Invasive Plants Part 1, Invasive Plants, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy and Passenger Pigeon Part 1 For more information, we recommend these resources: Why Native Plants Matter Native Plants are Key to Climate Resilience How Much Nature Should America Keep?