Nature Guys

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?

Bob sits down with Greg and Sam to discuss one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, invasive plants. It’s such a dense topic that we decided to break it up into 4 separate episodes. In part 1, we introduce the concept of native and non-native invasive plants. Greg and Sam provide a big picture perspective on the human systems that are driving the spread of invasive plants and invite you to join us in starting a more meaningful conversation around invasive plants and their impact on our environment. 

Related Episodes: Invasive Plants, Walnut Woods

For more information, we recommend these resources:

• Book: Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species by Sylvan Ramsey Kaufman & Wallace Kaufman
• Invasive and Exotic Species of North America
• National Association of Invasive Plant Councils (check out what is happening in your state around invasive species management) 
• UN Invasive Alien Species Report

Bob and Tina chat about an amazing bird - the Indigo Bunting. Find out where and when you can see the brilliant blue male and how these birds migrate over 1200 miles.

You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org.

Related episode: What’s Your Zugunruhe?

Our sources for this episode include:

• For the Birds: An Uncommon Guide by Laura Erickson
• Laura Erickson Blog Post on Floaters
• Where Do Indigo Buntings Live
• Indigo Bunting Life History
• BirdCast - migration tools

Bob and co host Charles are joined by Doug Chadwick, author of The Wolverine Way. Doug is celebrating the listing of wolverines as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Related episode: Four Fifths a Grizzly with Doug Chadwick

For more information, please see:

• The Wolverine Way at Patagonia Books
• Vital Ground Foundation