Summary

The general impression that many people have is that prior to European settlement the whole eastern U.S. was one giant old growth forest. But that wasn't the case. Using an interdisciplinary approach, researchers over the last several decades have discovered that the eastern U.S. was instead interspersed with a surprising number of diverse ecosystems – only one of which was old growth forest.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• What researchers now think the eastern U.S. looked like 400 years or more ago.
• Why we have so many trees now and why it's so easy to believe that everything was once forest.
• Why all of this matters and what we should do about it.

Additional Resources:

• Forgotten Grasslands of the South: Natural History and Conservation *
• 2013 Harvard University - Smithsonian study
• 2025 State of the Birds Report

* affiliate link – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology content. We appreciate your support.

Backyard Ecology™ resources:

• The Backyard Ecologist's Newsletter
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

When it comes to creating habitat, having a written set of goals can be extremely helpful in moving a task from the "I'll get to it someday" category to the "I'm actually going to get this done" category. But all too often, those goals end up being forgotten or abandoned, which can leave us feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and defeated.

In this episode, I share how Anthony and I have experienced those same feelings because we've made the same goal-setting mistakes that everyone else makes. Then I'll show you how I've overcome those mistakes and am now able to create realistic habitat goals that are much more likely to be successful and help me achieve our habitat dreams. I also tell you about a special event which will be starting on January 12, 2026.

3 things you'll learn from this episode

• Some common frustrations when it comes to creating habitat goals.
• Why so many of our habitat goals fail leaving us feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, and defeated.
• How to set more realistic habitat goals which are much more likely to be successful.

Backyard Ecology™ resources

• Step by Step Habitat Challenge: Planning and Prioritizing Your Projects for 2026
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Late blooming native plants are crucial sources of pollen and nectar for pollinators. One of my favorite species that blooms in October, and often into early November, is Short's aster (Symphyotrichum shortii).

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• The biology and life history of Short's aster.
• The pollinators and wildlife that use it.
• How to incorporate it into your garden.

Resources mentioned:

• BONAP's range map for Short's aster
• Plant Life of Kentucky: An Illustrated Guide to the Vascular Flora*

* affiliate link – We get paid a small commission for purchases made through this link, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through affiliate links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources:

• Black-eyed Susan: A favorite nectar source for butterflies
• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

"Leave the leaves" has become an increasingly common mantra each fall. However, until recently little to no scientific research had been done to quantify impacts of leaving your leaves in a typical suburban yard. We discuss the results of that research and actionable steps that you can take in your own yard.

Today's guest

Dr. Max Ferlauto is the State Entomologist for the Maryland Natural Heritage Program. He recently conducted research to quantify the impact of leaving our leaves in our yards.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• The impact that leaving your leaves can have on the numbers and diversity of insects and spiders in your yard.
• How removing your leaves can impact soil temperature, moisture, and organic matter.
• Practical, easy steps you can take even if you can't leave all your leaves.

Bonus content

• The Difference That Leaving Your Leaves Makes

Resources Max mentioned:

• Removing autumn leaves in residential yards reduces the spring emergence of overwintering insects
• Legacy effects of long-term autumn leaf litter removal slow decomposition rates and reduce soil carbon in suburban yards

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources:

• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a beautiful native plant that can be found throughout most of the eastern U.S. and makes a great addition to pollinator and native plant gardens. It can grow in a variety of sunny to mostly sunny conditions and will provide instant gratification in the form of bright yellow flowers the first year. Those flowers will benefit a wide variety of butterflies, bees, flower flies, and seed-eating insects.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• The biology and life history of black-eyed Susan, including how pollinators and wildlife use it.
• How to incorporate it into your garden.
• What to watch out for when purchasing black-eyed Susan.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources:

• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges she faced, lessons she's learned, and exciting discoveries she's made along the way. Whether you're managing a small backyard or large acreage, Paula's story provides valuable insights and motivation for fostering pollinator and wildlife habitat.

Today's guest

Paula Whyman is an avid nature enthusiast and the author of the book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• How Paula and her husband have approached the task of restoring and maintaining a mountaintop remnant prairie or meadow.
• Some of the challenges and opportunities associated large-scale private restoration work.
• The importance of patience and accepting that ecological restoration is an ongoing process without a definite endpoint.

Resources Paula mentioned:

• Paula's website
• Bad Naturalist's Newsletter
• Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop*
• Digital endoscope for monitoring nestboxes*

* affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources

• Backyard Ecology™ Community
• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Hummingbirds are probably one of the most beloved groups of birds that people want to attract to their yards. In this episode, I share 10 of my favorite native plants for attracting hummingbirds to gardens in the eastern U.S.

3 things you'll learn from this episode

• The surprising truth about a hummingbird's diet.
• The best way to attract and support hummingbirds to your property.
• 10 of my favorite native plants to grow for hummingbirds in eastern U.S. gardens.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources

• Hummingbirds Can't Resist These Native Vines!
• Want More Hummingbirds? You NEED Eastern Columbine
• Choose the Best Native Milkweed for Your Eastern U.S. Garden
• Discover Red, White, and Blue Lobelias For Pollinators!
• Native Jewelweed - 10 Reasons to Grow this Annual!
• Hummingbird Feeding: The Ultimate Guide!
• Discover Your Next Steps Habitat Creation Quiz
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

In this episode, we focus on the fascinating world of moths and why gardening for moths is so im-portant for any backyard ecologist. We also talk about specific native plants grow to attract moths, simple ways to observe moths, practical tips for photographing moths at night, and much more. From pollination by fuzzy moth eyeballs to carnivorous moth caterpillars, this episode is full of sto-ries and information you won't want to miss.

Today's guest

Jim McCormac is an author, photographer, and conservationist. He worked for the Ohio Depart-ment of Natural Resources for 31 years as a botanist, and later specializing in wildlife diversity pro-jects for the Division of Wildlife. Jim has authored or co-authored several books including Garden-ing for Moths: A Regional Guide.

3 things you'll learn from this episode

• Why moths are so important to the ecosystem.
• Actionable tips on how to garden for moths.
• Simple ways to easily attract and photograph moths at night.

Bonus content

• Jim's Tips for Observing and Photographing Moths

Resources Jim mentioned

• Gardening for Moths: A Regional Guide*
• Caterpillars of Eastern North America: A Guide to Identification and Natural History*
• A Naturalist's Guide to the Odonata of Ohio*
• Jim's photography website
• Jim's blog
• Mothapalooza

* affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.

Other Backyard Ecology resources

• Discover Your Next Steps
• Sedge vs Rush vs Grass Learn the SECRET to Tell Them Apart!

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Our native Vacciniums, what we commonly call the blueberries, are keystone plants which support tons of pollinators and wildlife. They also produce yummy berries which we can eat. In this episode, we talk about 9 species that are native to at least some part of the eastern U.S., and are relatively easy to find for sale at native plant nurseries.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• The ecological importance of blueberries.
• Special considerations you need to consider when growing blueberries in the home landscape.
• A short overview of 9 species that are native to at least some part of the eastern U.S., and are relatively easy to find for sale at native plant nurseries.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources

• Discover Your Next Steps
• Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Summary

Milkweeds are a common component of butterfly and pollinator gardens. Not only are they important for monarch caterpillars, but they are also used by a wide variety of pollinators. There are lots of different species of milkweed that are native to the eastern U.S. and have the potential to work really well in home gardens. In this episode we discuss 10 species that are native to most of the eastern U.S. and responsible ways to obtain those species.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• Why it is important to choose milkweed species that are native to where you live.
• Responsible ways to obtain milkweed seeds or plants.
• A short overview of 10 species of milkweeds that are native to most of the eastern U.S. and the pros and cons of using each species in your home garden.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources:

• Discover Your Next Steps
• Doug Tallamy on the Cultivar vs Wild Type Debate!
• Join the Backyard Ecology™ Community

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.