The WildStory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants by The Native Plant Society of New Jersey

Native Plant Society of New Jersey
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The Wildstory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants by The Native Plant Society of New Jersey, is hosted by Ann E. Wallace, Poet Laureate of Jersey City. Art and nature intercept in each episode to bring listeners inside the world of poetry about the natural world and to introduce them to other well-known voices from the world of ecology. It is an independent project of The Native Plant Society of New Jersey, a state-wide nonprofit organization dedicated to the appreciation, protection, and study of the native flora of NJ. Learn more at npsnj.org.

  1. Oct 14

    Episode 33: Featuring Opera Star Joyce DiDonato, Botanist Peter Grima, and Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner Kate Irvine

    Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD Co-host Kim Correro Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel Ann and Kim have a special Emily Dickinson-themed episode for you this month. Dickinson was known for her keen observation of the natural world, as well as for her garden. And we are all the beneficiaries, as the life she observed and cultivated animates her poetry. Indeed, Elizabeth Sylvia—guest poet from Episode 18—and Ann had the beautiful opportunity to lead a WildStory poetry workshop in Dickinson’s garden at The Homestead in Amherst, Massachusetts, last fall, and as they sat on the ground studying an apple tree or watched over a bee landing on an aster, collectively, they knew they were creating art in a sacred space. It is fitting that we now invite you, our listeners, into the world of Emily Dickinson. We hope you are as inspired by her legacy as we have been. We begin our episode by welcoming multi-Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, one of the most celebrated artists of our time, to our poetry segment. Joyce joins us to discuss her latest album and touring project, Emily – No Prisoner Be (Platoon), a collaboration with the Grammy Award-winning string trio Time for Three—comprised of violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang, and double bassist Ranaan Meyer—composed by Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy Award-winning composer Kevin Puts. Together, they bring new life to the extraordinary poetry of Emily Dickinson, whose nearly 1,800 poems would forever change American poetry. Listeners, you are in for a treat because throughout the episode, we will be sharing selections from the album.   In that vein, our Ask Randi segment is introduced by “A Bee I Personally Knew (Scherzo No. 1)” from Emily – No Prisoner Be. This month, listener Laurie asks which pollinators are attracted to different native wildflowers. In her response, Dr. Randi Eckel explores the remarkable diversity of garden visitors, including butterflies, wasps, flies, beetles, and some of the roughly 400 native bee species found in New Jersey. “I Dwell in Possibility” from Emily – No Prisoner Be is a fitting introduction to our next guest, Peter Grima. Peter is a botanist specializing in rare plants and an Emily Dickinson scholar based in western Massachusetts. Described as a walking encyclopedia of botanical knowledge, Peter has contributed to regional floras and lectured internationally on Dickinson’s renowned herbarium. He joins Kim and Ann to explore Dickinson as a botanist and how her understanding of the natural world shaped her poetry. Leading into our final guest, we selected “Her Face” from Emily – No Prisoner Be, a beautiful reflection on nature and the passage of time. Kate Irvine is a Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, mixed media artist, and Creative Director of Pleasant Run Nursery. Her work explores how native plants and nature can help us navigate grief and find healing. She also leads workshops at Laurel Hill West Cemetery in PA, home to a natural burial sanctuary where green burials and sustainable practices allow the body to return to the earth while supporting conservation and ecological restoration. And as we close the episode, please be sure to listen all the way to the end, as we leave you with our final selection from Emily – No Prisoner Be, “Hope is the Thing,” one of Dickinson’s most beloved poems, and a beautiful reminder of the enduring power of hope and resilience.  The entire album of Emily – No Prisoner Be is available on streaming services.

  2. Sep 13

    Episode 32: All New Episode with Gabrielle Myers, Rachel Mackow, Bob Swain and Bill Young

    Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD Co-host Kim Correro Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel The Wildstory returns after a longer summer hiatus than we had planned. In May, Ann's father Vern Wallace suffered a devastating stroke and Ann was in Massachusetts for several weeks helping with his care. Sadly, he passed away in late June, just shy of his 90th birthday and of her parents’ 70th anniversary.   Before we introduce this episode’s guests, NPSNJ has just announced its fall classes and workshops—from birding and botany in the field, to tree care, land management, plant reproduction, and designing with natives. The free Wednesday Webinar series also returns Sept. 16th with Dr. Jared Barnes. Visit NPSNJ.org/programs and keep an eye on the events calendar for everything ahead. We also invite you to join NPSNJ on Sunday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland Park Native Plant Sanctuary to remember Mary Denver, a devoted land steward, native plant advocate, and valued member of the NPSNJ community whose commitment to protecting and caring for the natural world inspired many. Now, about this episode!   Gabrielle Myers joins us as our guest poet, speaking with Ann about her new collection: Go Forth, Lose Yourself into Life, from Finishing Line Press. This is a book of healing and renewal, and Gabrielle reminds us that life has the power to astonish to us, especially when we allow ourselves to depart from our expected path and take a different one.   In this episode's Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel of Toadshade Wildflower Farm introduces us to the fascinating Eastern Carpenter Bee—she tells us how to identify them, why they nest in wood, what attracts them to your property, and she reminds us why these impressive native pollinators deserve a little more understanding.   Then Kim catches up with Rachel Mackow, co-owner of Wild Ridge Plants, a nursery dedicated to restoring native plant communities that sustain people and wildlife. Rachel shares the realities of running a native plant nursery, why the location a plant is grown matters, and her experience as a leading woman in the industry—including a few words about the women who inspired her along the way.   Ann and Kim close the episode with a long-awaited conversation with Bill Young and Bob Swain, pioneers in restoring some of New Jersey’s most disturbed landscapes—from landfills and Superfund sites to brownfields and mines. They reflect on the early days of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, their respective years serving as president, and Bob’s remarkable legacy, now honored through the Bob Swain Native Plant Leadership Award—inaugurally presented to John and Susan Landau this past spring. Meet up with Bob and Bill Sept. 24th and 25th at the Society of Ecological Restoration Mid Atlantic Chapter Regional Conference. Be sure to listen right up to the end of this month’s show. We close the episode with “Plant People FTW,” a new song by Dr. Chris Martine and Billy Kelly celebrating all of us who love plants. And don’t skip the ending—the final minute features 25 different lab groups joining in as the Botaneers. Chris Martine, President of the Botanical Society of America, will also be teaching for NPSNJ this fall, so stay tuned for more!

  3. May 14

    Episode 31: Poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Margaret Renkl, Beronda L. Montgomery

    We have a very special episode for you this month, featuring an inspiring lineup of guests who invite us to lean into curiosity and reflect on reciprocity, history, and the connections to one another found within the natural world.  We open with our guest poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil (0:03:15), who joins Ann in conversation about her stunning new poetry collection Night Owl (Ecco). Aimee shares her sense of wonder and joy, as she reminds us to stay inquisitive and to take care of the life–in all its forms–found on this planet. In this month’s Ask Randi, entomologist and Toadshade Wildflower Farm owner Randi Eckel (0:34:27) tackles a listener's question about insect hotels. Are they actually helpful for pollinators — or could they do more harm than good? Listen in to hear what Randi recommends and why. We then speak with best-selling author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer (0:42:39) in a powerful conversation about Plant Baby Plant — a grassroots movement she founded that is rooted in restoration, reciprocity, and resistance.  We welcome back celebrated writer Margaret Renkl (0:57:11) to talk about her beautiful new children’s book, The Weedy Garden (Greenwillow Books), featuring gorgeous collage illustrations by her brother, Billy Renkl. A celebration of biodiversity and curiosity, the book invites young readers to see the wonder, wildness, and importance of the plants we too often overlook right outside our doors. We close this episode of The WildStory in conversation with acclaimed botanist, professor, and author Beronda L. Montgomery (1:13:17), speaking about her important new book, When Trees Testify (Henry Holt and Co.). Beronda explores the deep connections between black botanical history and the living landscape, revealing how trees and plants hold stories of resilience, survival, and wisdom.  This episode of The WildStory Podcast is dedicated to the memory of Megan Andrejco, a beloved member of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey’s Hudson Chapter. Megan was a Master Gardener, passionate land steward, and generous volunteer who devoted countless hours to caring for gardens and green spaces throughout Hudson County. Megan recently died from ovarian cancer, which was diagnosed late and was untreated due to the profound injustice of inadequate access to healthcare. Megan’s loss is felt deeply first by her family, friends from NYBG, clients here in NJ and many communities she nurtured with her knowledge, kindness and care for the living world.

  4. Apr 18

    Episode 30: Poet Rebecca Hart Olander, Author Elise Howard of Plant This, Not That and Dr. Linda Rohleder, Founder of Wild Woods Restoration Project

    The WildStory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants by the Native Plant Society of New Jersey Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD Poet Laureate Emeritus of Jersey City Author of Keeping Room Co-host Kim Correro Director of State Programs Co-owner of Wildflower City Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel Vice President of Membership Owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm Do you have a question about native plants for Randi? Email: TheWildStory@npsnj.org Questions: Email Thewildstory@npsnj.org This month, our guest poet is Rebecca Hart Olander (0:02:28), of Singing from the Deep End, published in 2026 by CavanKerry Press. Rebecca and Ann discuss walking as a way of being in the world as a poet, inviting us to observe closely and stay in the moment, even as we look back and forward in time. This is a collection in which nature holds a steady presence as Rebecca reflects on childhood, friendship, motherhood, grief, and more.    In this episode’s Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:33:52) answers a common homeowner question: what should you do when a large tree dies—remove it or let it stand? Responding to a listener, she explains the powerful role of “snags” in supporting wildlife and how to manage them, from how much to leave to whether branches and stubs matter. Next, Kim talks with Elise Howard (0:46:42), author of Plant This, Not That, about how thoughtful plant choices can create meaningful habitat. Elise shares practical, inspiring guidance for turning any space into a resilient native plant garden with over two hundred native plant swaps. Don't miss a chance to meet Elise in person on April 20th when she partners with the Nature of Reading Bookshop and the Madison Environmental Commission, and on April 22nd at the Maplewood Library.  In our final segment, we sit down with Dr. Linda Rohleder (1:09:06), founder of the Wild Woods Restoration Project, whose work is rooted in restoring the health and resilience of our forests. Linda shares what first drew her to ecological restoration, why growing her own native plants is central to her mission, and how a dedicated community of land stewards and volunteers makes this work possible. Sign up for their popular newsletter, The Understory, to learn more!

  5. Mar 12

    Episode 29: Poet Dorsia Smith Silva, Tedor Whitman of Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Joe Lamp'l of The Joe Gardener Show

    This month, our guest poet is Dorsia Smith Silva (0:02:51), whose collection In Inheritance of Drowning, published by CavanKerry Press, bears witness to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico. Dorsia speaks with Ann about the long recovery process and the power of the community, both in moments of crisis and in the extended aftermath of extreme weather events. On Ask Randi (0:34:13), Randi Eckel, entomologist and owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, introduces one of spring’s quiet treasures: Spring Beauty. After hearing Randi speak about this tiny native wildflower at a Wildstory event a few years ago, Ann wrote a poem, included in her new book Keeping Room, titled “Such a Perfect Ecosystem,” celebrating the delicate beauty of this often-overlooked plant and the rich web of life it supports. So we asked Randi to tell us more about Spring Beauty for all of you. Next, in celebration of Women's History Month, Kim sits down with Tedor Whitman (0:45:42), longtime birder and Executive Director of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary in Short Hills, NJ. Tedor shares what makes the arboretum so special, from protecting native plants and local wildlife to inspiring the next generation—and gives us a preview of Beak Week, happening April 17–24. To close the episode, Kim and Ann chat with Joe Lamp’l (1:01:17), host of the Emmy-winning PBS series Growing a Greener World, founder of joegardener.com, and creator of The Joe Gardener Show podcast. Joe shares how he got started, reflects on a time when birds and butterflies were everywhere, and reminds us why native plants pack a powerful punch—and why planting them matters now more than ever. Plus, Joe shares the story behind the Ultimate Gardening Sheath he co-designed with Wheeler Munroe, a wildly popular tool that keeps your pruners and essentials within easy reach and makes life in the garden a whole lot easier. Keep reading to learn how you can find one.

  6. Feb 12

    Episode 28: Poet Ann E. Wallace, Choreographer Samuel Pott, Author N. West Moss and Landscape Architect Larry Weaner

    Welcome to Season 4 of the WildStory! We have a wonderful, jam-packed season opener, and we hope you enjoy all that we have in store for you this episode!   To open, Award winning poet James Crews (0:3:15), author of the forthcoming book Breathing Room (Battenkill Books, March 17th), and our featured poet in Episode 19, is back! This time as our guest host, speaking with Ann E. Wallace about her new poetry collection Keeping Room, out this month from Nixes Mate Books. James and Ann have a lovely conversation about holding space—for pain and disruption, but also nature, love, and unexpected joy. In Ask Randi, Randi Eckel (0:28:47), owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, spills some inside details about the NPSNJ Annual Meeting on March 7th—and trust us, you won’t want to miss what she’s teasing. Then she jumps into listener questions, breaking down the mysteries of native seed stratification. We’re joined by Samuel Pott (0:39:27), Founding Artistic Director of Nimbus Dance, to explore ANIMA, a powerful new trilogy confronting environmental crisis and reimagining our place in the natural world. There will be a special performance on Friday, February 27, at 8 pm at the Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey. We catch up with N. West Moss (0:49:51) to talk about her new middle-grade novel Birdy (Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown, Feb. 17), the story of an 11-year-old girl who, after her mother’s death, spends a summer in the country where the natural world helps her protect her little brother, heal her grief, and discover that family and belonging can take root in unexpected places. We wrap the episode with legendary ecological landscape designer Larry Weaner (1:14:47), founder of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates and New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL) and keynote speaker for NPSNJ’s Planning for the Unplanned, where ecological restoration meets bold landscape design. For tickets visit NPSNJ.org Questions or guest ideas: Email Thewildstory@npsnj.org

  7. 12/18/2025

    Episode 27: Poet Han VanderHart, Visual Artist Mare McClellan and Benjamin Vogt, Author of Prairie Up

    In the season three finale of The WildStory, poet Han VanderHart (0:2:29) joins Ann to discuss their collection Larks, which was published in 2025 by Ohio University Press. Han and Ann talk about the uncertainty and mutability of knowledge and the ordering of the natural world, and about the poet’s work of observation—not only of what we can see and hear, but of all that we can’t. In the Ask Randi segment (0:29:05), Dr. Randi Eckel, owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, answers a question from Rikki and takes a deep dive into native versus non-native wisteria, explaining why invasive wisteria overwhelms ecosystems, resists competition, and is notoriously hard to remove. She closes with practical resources for controlling invasive vines. Kim then talks with Mare McClellan, (0:39:15) artist and nursery manager at Gino’s in Newtown, PA about her upcoming spring show of multi-media artwork at Morpeth Contemporary. Mare shares how the Dogbane Tiger Moth caterpillars sparked her imagination and how she keeps a quiet promise to a Cecropia moth, whose emergence you can watch on Instagram. Hyalophora Cecropia, Cecropia Giant Silk Moth Dogbane Tiger Moth, Delicate Cycnia, and their larval host plant, Dogbane, Apocynum cannibinum Cecropia, Giant Silk Moths, emerged from their cocoons on June 20,2025 To close the season, Kim and Ann talk with Benjamin Vogt, (0:58:04) author of Prairie Up about how social and cultural pressures and affordability shape our gardens and landscapes. Ben reflects on the “happy accidents” that have guided his work, talks about his forthcoming Timber Press book, Unlawning America, and offers advice for navigating weed management, local ordinances, and the design of public space. Thank you for joining us during season 3 of The WildStory. We look forward to bringing you a brand new season in 2026.

  8. 11/18/2025

    Episode 26: Julie Zickefoose, Poet and Birder, Dr. Lea Johnson, Director of Conservation at the Native Plant Trust

    In this episode of The Wildstory, Ann Wallace and Kim Correro sit down with the incomparable Julie Zickefoose (0:2:39), beloved writer, birder, and wildlife rehabilitator. Julie shares a first listen of her unpublished nature poetry and dives into the brand-new edition of Birdwatching for Dummies, co-written with bwd editors Jessica Vaughan and Dawn Hewitt. And don’t miss the finale: Julie reveals how you can create her popular Warbler Fall and gives an exclusive sneak peek at the updated Enjoying Bluebirds More, returning this spring after selling over half a million copies. Next up, Dr. Randi Eckel, owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm (0:42:02), tackles a listener's question by demystifying the confusion around Purple Giant Hyssop. She also breaks down the fundamentals of proper plant naming and offers a quick guide to reading nursery labels so you can tell whether you’re choosing a true native species or a cultivar. In our final segment, we are thrilled to talk with Dr. Lea Johnson (0:53:03), Director of Conservation at the Native Plant Trust, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. A plant ecologist specializing in community ecology, ecological restoration, and urban forestry, Dr. Johnson bridges foundational research with real-world land management and design. Her work brings together multiple disciplines to better understand human-altered environments and to strengthen the science that guides effective ecological restoration in a rapidly changing world.

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The Wildstory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants by The Native Plant Society of New Jersey, is hosted by Ann E. Wallace, Poet Laureate of Jersey City. Art and nature intercept in each episode to bring listeners inside the world of poetry about the natural world and to introduce them to other well-known voices from the world of ecology. It is an independent project of The Native Plant Society of New Jersey, a state-wide nonprofit organization dedicated to the appreciation, protection, and study of the native flora of NJ. Learn more at npsnj.org.

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