The Backyard Naturalists

Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne
  • 4.5 (38)
  • Nature
  • Updated Weekly

Embark on a magical adventure into the wonders of your backyard with 'The Backyard Naturalists' podcast. Whether you're a curious nature lover or a seasoned enthusiast, our show is your ticket to discovering the enchanting world of your own outdoor space. Join us on a journey of discovery as we celebrate the beauty of your backyard and explore a wide range of fascinating topics. Learn how to transform your little piece of nature into a haven for local wildlife, and discover the joy of citizen science by participating in events like the Great Backyard Bird Count. We'll guide you in creating a thriving ecosystem right at home by using native plants. Discover which fascinating creatures share your area, and learn how to attract specific bird species to your garden. We'll also delve into the world of raptors, both common and rare, that inhabit the Greater Charlotte region, and witness the mesmerizing spectacle of spring and fall bird migrations. But that's not all! We'll also introduce you to the magical world of plants that attract butterflies and so much more. Join us in unlocking the hidden treasures within your very own backyard and nurturing a deeper connection with the natural world.

  1. 4d ago

    Snake Deterrents: What Works, What Doesn't

    Summer is heating up across the Carolinas, and that means snakes are on the move — and stirring up plenty of conversation. In this episode, Debbie and Laurie bust myths and tackle misinformation about snake deterrents, exploring what truly works (and what absolutely doesn't) to keep these fascinating reptiles out of spaces where they aren't welcome. From mothballs to marigolds, ultrasonic gadgets to sticky traps, the hosts share a science-based look at these so-called "solutions" and offer practical, humane advice for managing your yard in a way that discourages unwanted snake visits without harming them or other wildlife. If you've ever wondered how to keep your backyard nature-friendly and less attractive to snakes, you'll love this timely, sometimes funny, always down-to-earth episode. 🎧 The Backyard Naturalists is the podcast about anything and everything connected with nature, heard in 125 countries, all 50 U.S. states, and throughout the Carolinas. Proudly named Best of the Weeklies Podcast by Matthews–Mint Hill Weekly two years running!

  2. Jul 18

    The Matthews Community Farmer's market

    Debbie and Laurie return to the Matthews Community Farmer's Market to record an episode "live" and on location!

  3. Jul 11

    ENCORE EPISODE: Benefits of Trees

    Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.   In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, we dive into the many reasons why trees are invaluable to our health, environment, and economy. A recent study conducted by the University of Louisville shows that planting trees can significantly reduce heart disease markers, improve sleep quality, and encourage outdoor activities. Trees also offer environmental benefits like reducing flooding, improving air quality, and supporting the food chain for wildlife. Economically, they boost property values, tourism, and local programs.   Join us as we explore the critical role trees play in our daily lives and discuss how making informed decisions about planting can positively impact communities. Plus, learn about an upcoming TreesMatthews event in Matthews, North Carolina, and get inspired to plant more trees!

  4. Jul 4

    ENCORE: Bird Feeding 2.0: Elevating Your Backyard Aviary

    Welcome to another exciting episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! As spring blooms with vibrant life, Debbie and Laurie delve into the world of advanced bird feeding, exploring Bird Feeding 2.0. From the allure of black oil sunflower seeds to the strategic placement of multiple feeders near trees and bushes, this episode unlocks the secrets to attracting a diverse array of avian visitors to your backyard. Discover the allure of shelled peanuts for blue jays, the importance of live mealworms for baby birds, and the benefits of incorporating native plants and clean water sources into your bird-friendly oasis.   Tune in, and let's elevate your bird feeding game to new heights! And don't forget to share your thoughts with us - we're eager to hear where you're from and what keeps you coming back to The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

  5. Jun 27

    ENCORE: Frogs, Toads and Backyard Choruses

    In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a fun and fascinating leap into the world of frogs and toads—those small but mighty voices you hear rising from ponds, ditches, and backyards as spring turns into summer. You'll learn how to spot (and hear!) some of North Carolina's most common amphibians, including the American Bullfrog, Southern Leopard Frog, Spring Peeper, American Toad, and the charmingly named Eastern Spadefoot Toad. The hosts break down what makes frogs different from toads, share the importance of ephemeral ponds for breeding, and encourage listeners to pay close attention to the nighttime chorus happening right outside their windows. If you've ever wondered who's making all that noise after dark, or simply want to better understand your backyard's hidden wildlife, this episode is for you. 🌿 The Backyard Naturalists is the podcast about anything and everything connected with nature — heard in all 50 states, 125 countries, and right here in the Carolinas. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts.

  6. Jun 13

    Names for Male and Female Animals

    This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster, Laurie Horne, and Chris take a playful trip through the animal kingdom with a trivia-style episode all about the names for male and female animals. Some are familiar — like a buck and doe, bull and cow, or stallion and mare — while others are far less obvious, including cob and pen for swans, jack and jill for opossums, and even c**k and hen for lobsters. Along the way, the conversation wanders in true Backyard Naturalists fashion, from international listeners in places like Vietnam, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Zambia to jellyfish at the Tampa aquarium, a "passel of possums," and whether anyone could ever win a Jeopardy category devoted entirely to Young Sheldon, Tombstone, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? It's a lighthearted, funny, and surprisingly educational episode that proves nature vocabulary can be just as wild as the animals themselves. In this episode, you'll hear about: Animal-name trivia for ants, bears, coyotes, deer, donkeys, elephants, foxes, goats, geese, horses, jellyfish, lobsters, mallards, opossums, pigs, seahorses, squirrels, swans, tigers, and zebras The difference between familiar terms like boar and sow, drake and hen, and billy and nanny Why some animals share naming patterns across species A few surprising terms, including vixen, cob, pen, sea mare, and sea stallion A fun detour into group names, including a passel of possums The podcast's growing international audience and a warm invitation to visit Backyard Birds in Matthews, North Carolina Whether you already know your ganders from your geese or you're just here for the laughs, this episode is a fun reminder that the natural world is full of curious details hiding in plain sight.

  7. Jun 6

    Wildlife Bridges and Crossings

    This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne explore the fascinating world of wildlife bridges, wildlife crossings, green bridges, and ecoducts — structures designed to help animals safely move across fragmented habitats caused by highways, railroads, canals, and other human-made barriers. From deer, elk, badgers, mountain lions, alligators, amphibians, turtles, and even endangered red wolves, these crossings are becoming an increasingly important tool for protecting wildlife and people alike. Debbie and Laurie discuss how wildlife crossings have been used in Europe since the 1950s, why places like the Netherlands and Banff National Park in Canada have become models for large-scale wildlife passage, and how thoughtful design — including native plants, fencing, underpasses, overpasses, and species-specific construction — can dramatically reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. The episode also highlights current and future projects in North Carolina, including work along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge and US 64 near Alligator River, where crossings may benefit black bears, bobcats, turtles, snakes, and the critically endangered red wolf. Whether you're a longtime nature lover or just learning about the hidden ways wildlife moves through our landscapes, this episode offers a hopeful look at how smart planning and conservation can make roads safer for everyone — humans and animals included.

  8. May 30

    What Bird Built That?

    It's nesting season in the Carolinas, and this week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne take a fun, award-show-style look at the many ways birds build — or sometimes barely build — their nests. From the lightning-fast Carolina wren to the ground-nesting killdeer, the late-arriving American goldfinch, and the nest-hijacking brown-headed cowbird, this episode celebrates the clever, quirky, and sometimes downright surprising nesting strategies happening in our own backyards. Along the way, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris share backyard observations of downy woodpeckers, cardinals, nuthatches, robins, wrens, owls, starlings, and even a few off-topic but very naturalist-worthy sightings of deer, fox kits, and coyotes. Listeners will learn why some birds use mud like cement, why goldfinches wait until summer to nest, how killdeer protect their eggs with a broken-wing act, and why leaving seedheads on native plants like echinacea and black-eyed Susans can help support nesting birds. Have you found an unusual bird nest in your yard, on your porch, in a flowerpot, or somewhere completely unexpected? The Backyard Naturalists would love to hear about it — especially with photos. Share your nesting-season stories on our Facebook page and join the conversation.

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4.5
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

Embark on a magical adventure into the wonders of your backyard with 'The Backyard Naturalists' podcast. Whether you're a curious nature lover or a seasoned enthusiast, our show is your ticket to discovering the enchanting world of your own outdoor space. Join us on a journey of discovery as we celebrate the beauty of your backyard and explore a wide range of fascinating topics. Learn how to transform your little piece of nature into a haven for local wildlife, and discover the joy of citizen science by participating in events like the Great Backyard Bird Count. We'll guide you in creating a thriving ecosystem right at home by using native plants. Discover which fascinating creatures share your area, and learn how to attract specific bird species to your garden. We'll also delve into the world of raptors, both common and rare, that inhabit the Greater Charlotte region, and witness the mesmerizing spectacle of spring and fall bird migrations. But that's not all! We'll also introduce you to the magical world of plants that attract butterflies and so much more. Join us in unlocking the hidden treasures within your very own backyard and nurturing a deeper connection with the natural world.

Information

  • Creator
    Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Downtown Podcasting
  • Show Website
    The Backyard Naturalists