Episode 96: Mussels Matter - What is a Mussel?

Every season must come to an end so a new season may begin. A warm and engaging nature expert whose voice we've enjoyed for seven seasons is signing off, ushering in a new era of The Wandering Naturalist. Wander with us as we talk about this big change and what's in store for the podcast for season eight. New and exciting journeys are ahead!

Grace Milanowski, Coordinator, Offal Wildlife Watching Project (with UMN Extension) and Dr. Ellen Candler from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, talk to us about the project they are doing in partnership with Minnesota hunters to see what visits gut piles from deer. Hunters are participating in citizen science by putting trail cams by their deer gut piles and sending the photos to the Offal project. Grace Milanowski and Dr. Candler discuss some of their findings, including some surprising scavengers of deer guts. 

Michael Kurtz, enrolled member from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, shares how he taught himself to read animal signs and photograph them. He talks about the experiences with animals he has had following animal signs and how it connects him to the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of his ancestors.  

  Adrian Iacovino, Education Program Coordinator at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park and professional animal tracker, wanders with us as he recounts how he learned to read the stories left by animal tracks and signs. He shares some of his favorite stories, the community behind tracking, and how listeners can learn to read animal stories. He also discusses how reading animal signs helps him spot preconceived notions in other parts of his life.  

Before Basset Creek was named Basset Creek it was named by the Dakota and called Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ. Tawnya Stewart, an Ojibwe woman who grew up within a few miles of the creek talks about what it was like growing up in Hennepin County suburbs as a Native person. She explores why the original names of the landscapes are important, why she likes dual naming, and the importance of education when it comes to bringing back something's original name.   

Dr. Kasey Keeler wanders with us to discuss her personal experience and her professional research on life in the suburbs as a Native American in Hennepin County. We discuss what it is like growing up as a Native person in the suburbs, how access to nature can be improved, and why suburbs are often overlooked as Native places. 

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox are classic stories in Minnesota culture. Where did these stories originate from? How are they connected to Ojibwe culture and history? How have these stories shaped our views of history? Dr. Deondre Smiles discusses his research on the origin of Paul Bunyon stories and the impacts it has had on Ojibwe life. 

OK, slime molds don't write. But amazing things have been written about them, allowing us to appreciate their wonder, explore societal ideas, and inspire future scientists. Dr. Lacy Johnson, from Rice University in Texas joins us to discuss why she chose to write a creative writing essay on slime molds and why she views creative writing as essential to science communication.   

How is intelligence defined? If you define it as learning and applying knowledge, then slime molds are intelligent. How did scientists determine this? How is a single celled organism with no brain or sensory organs able to experience its world and learn from it? Dr. Nirosha Murugan from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario Canada wanders with us to discuss research about slime mold intelligence, and maybe even a cyborg future. This may be Brandon's favorite episode ever! 

What is a slime mold? It is an inconceivable single celled organism that can weigh up to 40 pounds, think and learn, and crawl around the forest floor searching for food. How can a single celled organism be 44 pounds, learn, and move? Matt the Regular Slime Guy joins us to help introduce us to what a slime mold is and how such an inconceivable creature lives its life.