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PODCAST

The Backyard Naturalists

Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne

Embark on a magical adventure into the wonders of your backyard with "The Backyard Naturalists" podcast. Whether you"re a curious nature lover or a seasoned enthusiast, our show is your ticket to discovering the enchanting world of your own outdoor space. Join us on a journey of discovery as we celebrate the beauty of your backyard and explore a wide range of fascinating topics. Learn how to transform your little piece of nature into a haven for local wildlife, and discover the joy of citizen

science nature

All Episodes

22:00

Beyond the Slither: The Many Ways Snakes Get Around

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2026/02/14

What does it really mean when we say a snake "slithers"? In this fascinating (and often hilarious!) episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome back their most frequent guest—snake enthusiast Jay Bell—to explore the science behind snake locomotion. As it turns out, "slithering" barely scratches the surface. From serpentine and concertina movement to the gravity-defying climb of a Reticulated Python and the straight-line glide of a Gaboon Viper, snakes have evolved remarkably

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28:36

The Great Backyard Bird Count 2026

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2026/02/07

Every February, bird lovers around the world step outside, look up, and become citizen scientists, and in this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie invite you to join the fun! We're diving into the latest results from the Great Backyard Bird Count, a worldwide citizen-science event that started in 1998 and has grown into a truly global celebration of birds, data, and discovery. From over 838,000 participants to sightings spanning 8,078 bird species, the 2025 results prove just how

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38:23

Cold Weather in the Backyard: Helping Birds and...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2026/01/31

Winter weather in the Carolinas doesn't come around often, but when it does, it gets everyone talking, including the birds. In this episode, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris share firsthand stories from a week of ice, cold, and wildly overhyped forecasts, then turn their attention to what really matters: how winter weather impacts the wildlife right outside your door. From birds flocking to feeders ahead of a storm to the surprising importance of fresh water, even in freezing temperatures, this

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20:19

Conservation, Zoos, and Changing the World

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2026/01/24

Zoos have come a long way—and in this episode of The Backyard Naturalists Podcast, Debbie and Laurie kick off their first recording of 2026 by exploring just how different modern zoos are from those many of us remember as kids. From concrete enclosures to expansive, naturalistic habitats, today's zoos play a vital role not only in animal care, but in global conservation. Joining the conversation is Drew Cronin, Director of Conservation Education and Science at the North Carolina Zoo, who offers an

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44:05

When Alaska Was Home: A Mother's Story of Survival...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2026/01/17

What was it really like to raise a family in the Alaskan wilderness with little money, no indoor plumbing, and nature as both neighbor and teacher? In this unforgettable episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris sit down with Laurie's mom, Joe, who shares firsthand stories of raising four children on a remote Alaskan homestead. From hauling water through ice five feet thick and living through 70-below-zero temperatures to gardening, milking cows, cleaning salmon by the hundreds,

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17:06

Starting 2026 the Natural Way

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2026/01/10

As we welcome in 2026, Debbie and Laurie kick off the new year with a relaxed, behind-the-scenes conversation about nature, community, and what's ahead for The Backyard Naturalists. From skipping midnight celebrations to rethinking traditional New Year's resolutions, the discussion turns toward meaningful, nature-centered intentions, like reducing food waste, swapping non-native plants for native species, and letting our gardens stay a little "messy" for the benefit of wildlife. Along the way, they

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12:51

The Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 — What's Really on Your...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/12/20

In this quick but eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a closer look at the Environmental Working Group's annual Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists—two rankings that help consumers understand which fruits and vegetables carry the highest (and lowest) pesticide residues. Whether you shop for your family, your backyard wildlife, or even your parrots (as both Debbie and Laurie do!), this is essential information for keeping everyone safe and healthy. Debbie and Laurie

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28:44

Quiet Invasives — Why Invasive Plants Spread, and...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/12/13

In this eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie sit down with Benjy Strope, Private Lands Management Biologist for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to explore the sneaky, persistent, and surprisingly complex world of invasive plants. Inspired by Benjy's article "Quiet Invasives," this conversation gets right to the root of how invasive species spread, why they're so hard to control, and what homeowners, land managers, and nature lovers can realistically do

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11:06

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees — Which Is Better...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/12/06

In this festive episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie dig into a holiday-season debate that comes up year after year: Should you buy a real Christmas tree or an artificial one? The answer may surprise you and it definitely has more to do with nature, sustainability, and even family traditions than you might expect. Debbie and Laurie compare the environmental impacts, benefits, drawbacks, and unexpected trivia behind both types of trees (including the very unusual product that

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26:27

Encore Episode: Animal Adaptations with Wildlife...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/11/22

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we're revisiting a fan-favorite conversation with wildlife expert, naturalist, and author Stan Tekiela, a flock-level guest whose knowledge always leaves us wide-eyed and amazed. In this encore episode, Stan takes us on a deep dive into the remarkable world of animal adaptations, exploring how species survive, evolve, and thrive through millions of years of change. From the hollow white hair of the polar bear, to the extraordinary echolocation of bats, to the

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31:29

What Do I Do If I Find…? Wildlife Rehab Q&A with Ruby...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/11/15

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome back "Flocker" and trusted friend of the show, Ruby Davis of NC Wildlife Rehab, for a rapid-fire myth-busting session about what to do when you encounter wildlife in your own backyard. From possums playing dead to raccoons out in the daytime, baby bunnies hidden in plain sight, fallen squirrel nests, mysterious fawns, mangy foxes, and even the occasional bat on the ground—Ruby walks us through what's normal, what's concerning,

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23:16

Encore: The Spotted Lanternfly with Dr. Kelly Oten

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/11/08

In this encore presentation of The Backyard Naturalists, hosts Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne revisit one of the most important conversations of Season 2 — their discussion with Dr. Kelly Oten, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at NC State University, about the invasive and destructive Spotted Lanternfly. This brightly colored but harmful insect has become a serious concern for North Carolina's forests, vineyards, and backyards. Dr. Oten explains how the Spotted Lanternfly arrived from

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33:17

Troubleshooting Bird Feeding — Solving Common...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/11/01

Even the most dedicated backyard bird lovers sometimes run into trouble, empty feeders, spoiled seed, or disappearing birds. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie, Laurie, and producer Chris roll up their sleeves to help listeners troubleshoot their bird-feeding setups. From moldy seed and filler-heavy mixes to misplaced feeders and seasonal slowdowns, they cover the small details that make a big difference in attracting and keeping healthy flocks. The trio revisits the basics of

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12:06

🎃 Encore Episode: We’re Talkin’ About Pumpkins

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/10/25

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re revisiting one of our most popular and seasonally fitting episodes, “We’re Talkin’ About Pumpkins!” Originally aired in October 2021, this encore favorite is the perfect listen for fall. Join Debbie and Laurie as they explore the fascinating world of pumpkins, from surprising agricultural facts and record-breaking gourds to their valuable role in supporting backyard wildlife. Did you know pumpkins are technically a fruit? Or that they can be repurposed

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17:40

🐺🦌🐞🕷️ Updates on Various: Revisiting Red Wolves,...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/10/18

In this week’s episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take listeners on a fascinating update tour of several topics previously featured on the show, all of which continue to evolve in the natural world. From hopeful signs of recovery to growing ecological concerns, this episode is packed with new developments and ways for citizen scientists to get involved. You’ll hear encouraging news about the Red Wolf Recovery Project, where careful management and breeding efforts in North

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18:03

Fall in Your Habitat: Simple Seasonal Swaps That Make...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/10/11

As the seasons turn and the air gets crisp, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris are diving into everything fall for your wildlife habitat! In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, the team explores how to make the most of autumn’s natural bounty, especially those fallen leaves. Should you rake them up, blow them away, or just “leave the leaves”? The answers might surprise you. Drawing from new data from the National Wildlife Federation, the hosts share why letting your leaves lie can make a big difference

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31:27

Wings in the Backyard: Butterfly Gardening with...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/10/04

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your backyard (or even your balcony!) into a haven for butterflies, this episode is for you. Debbie and Laurie welcome Pamela Grundy — historian, writer, and passionate butterfly gardener from Charlotte, North Carolina — to share her journey into creating thriving butterfly gardens and inspiring others to do the same. Pamela explains the simple but powerful difference between nectar plants and host plants, why milkweed is essential for monarchs, and how even a few

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42:14

Season 5 Kickoff: Celebrating 4 Years of Nature,...

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/09/27

The Backyard Naturalists are back for Season 5! In this special anniversary episode, Debbie, Laurie, and Chris take a fun walk down memory lane to celebrate over four years, 200+ episodes, and more than 106,000 listens across all 50 U.S. states and 137 countries. From their very first kitchen table recording during COVID to becoming a Saturday morning routine for listeners around the world, the team reflects on the unexpected journey of the podcast. Join us as we revisit listener-favorite moments,

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18:20

Joro Spiders: Beautiful, Bizarre, and in Your Backyard”

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/09/20

🕷️ What’s big, colorful, and showing up in backyards across the Southeast? Debbie and Laurie are diving into the world of Joro spiders, and trust us, this is one episode you won’t want to miss! From their eye-popping golden webs to their wild habit of “ballooning” through the air as babies, these spiders are making quite an entrance in the Carolinas (and beyond). Are Joro spiders scary invaders, or helpful bug-eaters keeping stink bugs and lanternflies in check? 🤔 Debbie and Laurie share what we

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18:00

North Carolina Conservation Network with Kristen Rhodes

The Backyard Naturalists ·

2025/09/13

In this episode, Debbie and Laurie sit down with Kristen Rhodes, an organizer with the North Carolina Conservation Network (NCCN), to explore the power of grassroots action in protecting our state’s environment. Kristen introduces NCCN as a statewide network of more than 60 environmental and justice organizations, all working collaboratively to safeguard North Carolina’s natural resources and public health. She highlights the group’s three key initiatives: Campus Fellows Program – Engaging 30

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