Random Nature

Christy Hyman, PhD
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Nature
  • Updated Semiweekly

I'm Christy Hyman and I am a geographer who loves birds and the outdoors. I talk to thinkers & educators about how they view nature and how much or how little they embrace it into their lives. I also reflect on how nature and conservation has positively impacted my life as a grieving parent. Views are my own and not reflective of my university/scholarly affiliations.

  1. 4d ago

    THE WATERFALL HUNTER

    I sit down with the one and only Waterfall Hunter. He tells me about alligators that watch his cousins play basketball on the court. I hear all about his hometown of Cross, South Carolina. Fair warning — I giggle through most of this one, because the stories he brings back from his memory are like nothing you’ve ever heard. This conversation goes way off script, so settle in and enjoy. Link to Waterfall Hunter's photos: https://www.instagram.com/waterfall.hunter/?hl=en

    THE WATERFALL HUNTER

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    Misdirected fury at the Lab of Ornithology: Cornell's Reckoning

    A fraternity on campus was involved in a major gender-based violence incident. The university administration? Total radio silence.  Then, instead of going after the president’s office or student conduct—you know, the people who actually have power—online outrage got aimed at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Yeah, the bird lab. In the woods. Which has nothing to do with Greek life. The Lab of O’s funding—which comes from memberships and grants—is under threat, as misguided persons online telling people to delete the Merlin app damages research pathways and community trust, putting grad student funding and vital research in real danger.

    Misdirected fury at the Lab of Ornithology: Cornell's Reckoning

  3. Sep 15

    Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

    Step into the treetops and discover the extraordinary life of Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1874–1927), the brilliant American ornithologist and illustrator who revolutionized wildlife art and some amazing birders of Latinx heritage continuing in that important work! Urban Bird Project: https://urbanbirdproject.org/ Latino Outdoors: https://www.instagram.com/latinooutdoors/?hl=en Cornell Lab of O's Celebrate Urban Birds: https://celebrateurbanbirds.org/ Galeria EVA: https://www.instagram.com/galeriaeva/

    Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

  4. Aug 31

    Miracles never cease in the garden!

    In this episode, we hear how a litter box lid, some leftover charcoal, and a total refusal to do any research somehow produced a thriving romano bean plant from seeds obtained for free at a America250 thing in Brooktondale, NY. The host is just as surprised as you are.

  5. Aug 11 ·  Bonus

    Tech Needs Limits: The Great Dismal Swamp Needs You!

    Bonus episode that discusses a massive, power hungry data center that will destroy critical wildlife habitat and public health combined in the Great Dismal Swamp. Please note my cat is loud toward the end, sorry. He hates data centers too. link:https://www.facebook.com/jeff.staples.33/posts/so-there-will-be-data-centers-in-chesapeake-the-ft-williams-farm-was-sold-in-its/10245555699053073/ Article on the health and environmental risks of data centers: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/climate/articles/10.3389/fclim.2026.1648912/full Nature Conservancy Resilient Land Mapping Tool https://www.maps.tnc.org/resilientland/ Social Vulnerability Index https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/place-health/php/svi/index.html

  6. Aug 1 ·  Bonus

    The New Year- August 2026- Season 5

    In this Bonus Episode Christy shares about yet another New Year that begins Season 5 on the podcast. She discusses the part August plays in her grief journey as well as her time in fellowship and community with the Great Dismal Swamp Enslaved Ancestors Ceremony where she provided remarks in Williamsburg, VA. Christy announces the latest recipient of her son's memorial arts scholarship as well. Lastly she mentions the next invited guest scheduled to appear. Great Dismal Swamp Enslaved Ancestors Ceremony https://www.eventbrite.com/e/enslaved-ancestors-remembrance-program-tickets-1991307857406 https://mubita.net/ Bray School Lab https://www.wm.edu/sites/brayschool/ Tim Lorelli Youth Music Camp https://www.instagram.com/timlorelli/?hl=en

    The New Year- August 2026- Season 5

  7. Jul 20

    Kathryn Benjamin Golden, Phd on The Great Dismal Swamp

    On this episode of Random Nature, Dr. Kathryn Benjamin Golden talks to us about growing up in the Bay Area of California, her new book, This Insurgent Ground: Black Women, Marronage, and Rebellion in the Great Dismal Swamp. She also shares a random nature moment that involves MEGAFAUNA! BY THE WAY-- In the middle there is a brief moment of quiet due to a tech hiccup but we pick right back up. Get Kathryn's book here: https://uncpress.org/9781469697970/this-insurgent-ground/

    Kathryn Benjamin Golden, Phd on The Great Dismal Swamp

  8. Jul 17 ·  Bonus

    BONUS: Next guest plus Canada Wildfires!

    Discusses: Air quality advisories in western New York and the Finger Lakes.Wildfire smoke originating in Canada.The particular risks for children, older adults, and people with asthma.The idea that environmental events in one region can affect people far awayLinks Dr. Golden: https://spatialhumanorg.wpcomstaging.com/2026/07/09/kathryn-benjamin-golden-phd-next-guest-on-random-nature-podcast/ Great Dismal Swamp PBS Featuring Eric Sheppard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-J5QNauVIc My trade book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/cultural-heritage-resilience-of-the-great-dismal-swamp-9780761892021/

    BONUS: Next guest plus Canada Wildfires!
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

I'm Christy Hyman and I am a geographer who loves birds and the outdoors. I talk to thinkers & educators about how they view nature and how much or how little they embrace it into their lives. I also reflect on how nature and conservation has positively impacted my life as a grieving parent. Views are my own and not reflective of my university/scholarly affiliations.

Information

  • Creator
    Christy Hyman, PhD
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Random Nature
  • Show Website
    Random Nature