Pollinator Confidential

Many of us have cherished the romantic notion of planting a native wildflower meadow. In this episode, author Paula Whyman discusses the more complicated reality of restoring native meadows on her 200-acre Virginia mountaintop, and what her book Bad Naturalist teaches us about persistence, mistakes, and small wins. Join Paula, Lisa and Pam for a lively conversation about battling ecologically harmful plants and encouraging native favorites.

Each autumn, homeowners spend huge amounts of time, effort, and sometimes even money to remove fallen leaves from their landscapes. But is this really such a good idea? In this episode, Lisa and Pam are joined by Matthew Shepherd of the Xerces Society to discuss why “Leave the Leaves” is a better plan, and the best ways to go about implementing it.  Join us for an enlightening conversation that encourages you to embrace the unseen heroes of your garden and redefine what a beautiful landscape truly means.

Wasps usually get a bad rap, evoking memories of painful stings. But did you know that the vast majority of them don't bother humans, but instead serve an essential role as nature’s pest controllers. Wasps are carnivorous hunters, and their intended prey are insects–including the pests in your garden! In this episode, Lisa and Pam are joined by Heather Holm, renowned pollinator conservationist and award-winning author, who shines a light on these under-appreciated insects. Heather shares her in-depth knowledge of wasp diversity, nesting, and dietary behaviors, and reveals the fascinating stories of their crucial ecological contributions.Learn about specific plants that provide wasps with nectar, prey, and shelter, and discover gardening practices that support these vital members of the pollinator habitat. 

Just in time for Arbor Day, Lisa and Pam are  joined by Penn State Extension educator Cathryn Pugh, who  guides us through the underground maze of mycorrhizal networks, revealing how trees and other plants share resources and communicate distress.  Before you plant that free sapling, tune in to learn the untold stories of tree communication!

In this episode, Lisa and Pam visit with Connie Schmotzer, who walks us through the Penn State Pollinator Habitat Certification Program, revealing the steps to establishing diverse landscapes that sustain pollinators in all stages of their life cycle. She offers advice for gardeners of all levels, suggesting ways to transform even the smallest corner of your yard into a flourishing habitat.

In this special holiday edition, Lisa and Pam explore the untold stories of the true ‘founders of the feast’--the pollinators who make our festive table possible. Dr. Margarita Lopez-Uribe shares her expertise on a very important specialist  bee, and cranberries and dairy products get a look-in as well. So if you’d like some fascinating, non-controversial conversation starters for your holiday gathering, tune in!Resources:http://www.snetsingerbutterflygarden.org/activities.htmlhttps://lopezuribelab.com/squash-bee-biology/

Have you ever pondered the connection between folklore, the natural world, and science? Join Lisa and Pam as they unravel the mystery surrounding the woolly bear caterpillar and its legendary ability to forecast the severity of winter. Special guest  Dr. Jon Nese helps dissect this intriguing tale and provides insights into other natural weather predictors. We'll explore the importance of fallen leaves in protecting and nourishing pollinators, giving you a whole new perspective on your autumn walks.

Lisa and Pam talk with monarch researcher Tori Pocius to get the latest low-down on monarch butterflies: Their biology, life cycle, and migration.