Earth day is time to pause and embrace nature--and also to take stock of the health of the planet.

We hear about prescient observations from the woman who galvanized modern environmentalism--Rachel Carson--as told by living history performer and naturalist Colleen Webster.

And pollinator educator Heather Holm tells us why cultivating native plants in our yards ... attracts native insects … and plays such a vital role in our ecosystem:

“Everything that builds upon that foundation whether it’s birds or predatory mammals, if we were to pull out that bottom card, whether it’s native insects or native plants, then the whole house of cards would collapse.”

Links: Natural History Society of Maryland event; Heather Holm Instagram, books and posters, Colleen Webster Living History Performances.

Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers [email protected] 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his [email protected] 410-235-1472