The Backyard Naturalists Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne

Welcome to a brand new season of The Backyard Naturalists, the podcast that explores the wonders of nature right outside your door! We're thrilled to be back for our third season, and in this episode, your hosts Debbie and Laurie dive into the fascinating world of the Certified Wildlife Habitat Program with the National Wildlife Federation.
 
Whether you're a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or just getting started, creating your own Certified Wildlife Habitat has never been more accessible or essential. As the National Wildlife Federation puts it, "Wildlife habitat gardens are a haven for local birds, butterflies, and other wildlife." Join us as we take you through the straightforward process of certifying your natural wildlife habitat, and we'll touch on one of the key elements: "Food." Discover how native plants can provide nourishment for a diverse range of wildlife, and learn how feeders can supplement these natural food sources.
 
Tune in to kick off the season and embark on a journey to make your backyard a thriving haven for local wildlife. Thank you for joining us on The Backyard Naturalists – where nature is just outside your window!
 
If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.
 
We start this episode by talking about creating wildlife habitats. That initial episode of Creating Wildlife Habitats is still in the top three listened episodes for us. These principles have overlapped with almost every episode we've had. It's a really good guiding network for us to keep in mind.
 
Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.
 
Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.
 
Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.
 
Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
 
While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning. 

Welcome back to The Backyard Naturalists, where we conclude our thrilling two-part season finale! In this episode, Debbie and Laurie are joined once again by their incredible guests, Dr. Tony Lombardino, Reptile Expert Jay Bell, and native plant guru Lisa Tompkins. Building upon the captivating 'why' discussions from part one, our hosts and guests delve even deeper into their unwavering love for nature and their respective fields. As we bid farewell to Season 2 of our internationally recognized podcast, prepare to be inspired, enlightened, and filled with a renewed appreciation for the natural world. It's a grand finale you won't want to miss.

Welcome to a special episode of The Backyard Naturalists, the podcast that celebrates the wonders of the natural world. We're thrilled to have you join us from our audience spanning 107 countries, all 50 states, and our beloved Carolinas. Your favorite hosts, Debbie and Laurie, have gathered their Top Three Guests for an extraordinary conversation. Dr. Tony Lombardino, our esteemed Reptile Expert, Jay Bell, and the ever-knowledgeable native plant expert, Lisa Tompkins, come together in this episode.
 
Led by Chris, our guest host, they delve into the heart of their passion—nature. Tune in as they explore their "why" and share their deep-rooted connections to the natural world. This episode marks the first part of our two-part season finale for our award-winning second season. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the fascinating world of The Backyard Naturalists!
 
If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.
 
We start this episode by talking about creating wildlife habitats. That initial episode of Creating Wildlife Habitats is still in the top three listened episodes for us. These principles have overlapped with almost every episode we've had. It's a really good guiding network for us to keep in mind.
 
Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.
 
Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.
 
Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.
 
Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
 
While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning. 
 

Welcome to a special episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast! Join hosts Debbie, Laurie, and Chris as we take a fond look back at our first two seasons, celebrating nature's marvels and the podcast's journey. With listeners spanning 107 countries, 50 states, and the Carolinas, we're thrilled to share our passion for the outdoors.
 
Having earned the "Best of the Weeklies" podcast award, we're grateful for the global nature community we've built. In this episode, we reveal the origins of our inspiration and the excitement that brought this podcast to life. Plus, get ready for an exciting teaser: a forthcoming series featuring our top three guests from the past two seasons.
 
Tune in this week to relive the magic and stay curious about the natural world!
 
If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.
 
We start this episode by talking about creating wildlife habitats. That initial episode of Creating Wildlife Habitats is still in the top three listened episodes for us. These principles have overlapped with almost every episode we've had. It's a really good guiding network for us to keep in mind.
 
Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.
 
Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.
 
Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.
 
Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
 
While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning. 

Dive into another captivating episode of The Backyard Naturalists! This week, we're thrilled to sit down with Hannah O’Carroll, a dedicated Park Ranger from Key Largo, Florida, bringing her expertise from Wildlife Conservation at NC State University and roles in wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary care. With listeners spanning 107 countries, 50 states, and the Carolinas, our podcast, a proud recipient of the Best of the Weeklies award, unites nature enthusiasts globally.
 
Join hosts Debbie and Laurie as they engage Hannah in a fascinating discussion on East Coast shark species, tips for safer human-shark coexistence, declining shark populations, and the success of tracking efforts. Hannah’s firsthand experience as a Park Ranger with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection lends unique insights to this crucial conservation dialogue. From the Carolinas to Key Largo, we're your bridge to the wonders of the natural world.
 
If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.
 
We start this episode by talking about creating wildlife habitats. That initial episode of Creating Wildlife Habitats is still in the top three listened episodes for us. These principles have overlapped with almost every episode we've had. It's a really good guiding network for us to keep in mind.
 
Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.
 
Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.
 
Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.
 
Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
 
While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning. 
 

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.
 
Join hosts Debbie and Laurie as they return to the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market in this episode of The Backyard Naturalists podcast. They sit down with Director Jessica Thomas, vendors, and partners, including Mayor John Higdon, to explore the market's impact on the community.
 
Founded with a vision to support local farms and foster a sense of togetherness, the market has revitalized downtown Matthews. As the largest producer-only farmers' market in the greater Charlotte area, it offers a diverse range of products all sourced within 50 miles of Matthews. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of this community hub, complete with live music, cooking demos, food trucks, and a chance to connect with neighbors.
 
Tune in to celebrate the union of nature, sustenance, and camaraderie that the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market embodies. Available to listeners in 107 countries, all 50 states, and the Carolinas, The Backyard Naturalists podcast continues to highlight remarkable stories like this as a proud recipient of the Best of the Weeklies podcast award.
 
If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.
 
We start this episode by talking about creating wildlife habitats. That initial episode of Creating Wildlife Habitats is still in the top three listened episodes for us. These principles have overlapped with almost every episode we've had. It's a really good guiding network for us to keep in mind.
 
Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.
 
Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.
 
Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.
 
Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
 
While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning.