Nature of the Upstate

In this episode of Nature of the Upstate, we explore the American Persimmon, a small tree with edible fruit that I found growing in my front yard. We’ll learn some of its physical characteristics, how to harvest the fruit, what it tastes like, and some fun folklore.ResourcesBackyard Ecology. (n.d.). American Persimmon: A Native Fruit for You and Wildlife. https://www.backyardecology.net/american-persimmon/Botanical Online. (n.d.). American Persimmon – Nutritional and Medicinal Uses.

In this episode of Nature of the Upstate, we take a closer look at the understudied River Cooter, a common turtle of this part of South Carolina. We’ll learn a bit about how to identify this turtle compared to other basking turtles, their life cycle, and why they’re important in wetlands.References:Animal Diversity Web. (n.d.). Pseudemys concinna (River Cooter). University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved from https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pseudemys_concinna/Ernst, C. H., &

In this episode of Nature of the Upstate, we take a closer look at the important world of bumblebees. Here in South Carolina, community scientists through the Southeast Bumblebee Atlas have identified four native species. We’ll learn a bit about these four species, as well as why bumblebees are essential to the environment, what threats they face, and how you can support these pollinators in your backyard and beyond.Community Science

In this episode of Nature of the Upstate, we explore Shortia galacifolia, also known as the Oconee Bell. This rare flower is found only in a few spots in the Upstate, and searching for it during its brief bloom has become a yearly tradition for some. We’ll discuss its biology, the story of its re-discovery, and the conservation challenges it faces

On chilly, rainy nights, Spotted Salamanders emerge from the forest floor for their annual migration to ephemeral ponds to breed. In this episode, I discuss their life cycle and what I discovered through almost a decade of salamander monitoring.References: https://srelherp.uga.edu/salamanders/spotted-salamander/https://amphibianx.com/can-you-touch-a-salamander/Blackwell, E. A., Cline, G. R., & Marion, K. R. (2004). Annual variation in population estimators for a southern population of Ambystoma

In this episode, we explore the science behind tiny yet powerful ice columns and their role in soil movement and erosion.References: Brink, V. C., MacKay, J. R., Freyman, S., & Pearce, D. G. (1967). Needle ice and seedling establishment in southwestern British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 47(1), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps67-022 Grab, S. W. (1999). A pilot study on needle ice-induced stream-bank erosion in the Mashai Valley, Lesotho Highlands. South African