PODCAST

The Field Guides

Nature nerds rejoice! The Field Guides is a monthly podcast that will bring you out on the trail, focusing on the science of our North American wildlife.

science & medicine natural sciences

All Episodes

Ep. 77 - Mite-y Cool: The Amazing, Unseen World of...

The Field Guides ·

2025/11/01

In this episode, Bill and Steve dive into a tiny, bustling world - a world that’s hiding on the feathers of the birds we see every day. Joining them is Dr. Alix Matthews, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo, and she reveals the strange lives of feather mites — how these barely-visible hitchhikers feed and get around and whether or not they’re helping or hurting their avian hosts.This episode was recorded on September 4, 2025 at Walton

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01:01:00

Ep. 76 - The Insect Apocalypse! (Part 2)

The Field Guides ·

2025/10/15

It’s part 2 of our dive into the Insect Apocalypse, with our good friend Dr. Jason Dombroskie from the Cornell University Insect Collection!In this part, Jason fills us in on the drivers of the Insect Apocalypse and - most importantly - what we can do about it.This episode was recorded on August 21, 2025 at Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area in Dalton, NY.. Episode NotesDuring the episode, we made the claim that 40 million acres of the US is lawn, and that that area is equal to all of the

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00:56:48

Ep. 76 - The Insect Apocalypse! (Part 1)

The Field Guides ·

2025/09/30

The guys are back in the field with our good friend Dr. Jason Dombroskie from the Cornell University Insect Collection!Listen in as Jason leads us through fields and forests, trusty butterfly net in hand, filling us in on the so-called “Insect Apocalypse.” Are insect populations really collapsing worldwide? What do the numbers say? How bad is it, and — most importantly — what can we do about it?In this part, we head out on the trail with Jason. He introduces us to some insects we find along the way

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00:42:20

Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 2) - A "Hike" with...

The Field Guides ·

2025/09/15

Part 2 of our time in the woods with naturalist Sandy Geffner. This time, Sandy leads Steve and Bill on a “hike”—though with Sandy, the word takes on a different meaning. You might not cover much distance, but you’ll travel miles in understanding: exploring ecology and hearing stories of the forest and the wildlife within it. Enjoy!This episode was recorded on July 21, 2025 at JP Nicely Memorial Park in West Falls, NY.Episode Notes and LinksSandy’s favorite books: A Sand County Almanac by Aldo

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Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 1) - A...

The Field Guides ·

2025/08/31

What exactly is a “naturalist”? Spend a little time with Sandy Geffner, and you’ll find out. Steve and Bill rarely go more than an episode or two without mentioning him—a naturalist who profoundly shaped both their lives. This month, they head into the woods to talk with Sandy about how a baseball-loving kid from Long Island became someone who’s inspired countless people to deepen their connection with the natural world.This episode was recorded on July 21, 2025 at JP Nicely Memorial Park in West

en-US