Nature Guys

Greg is excited to share all about a project he has been involved in for a number of years. We bring in some of the collaborators to explain their roles in this inspiring project. Tune in to learn how they turned ten acres of forgotten land into a Cincinnati City Park. Thanks to Cincinnati Nature Center for sponsoring this episode. Visit www.CincyNature.org – that's C-I-N-C-Y-Nature.org – to register for January 2023 online classes and don't forget to use promo code NATURE to get 25% off. Related episode: Invasive Plants Our sources for this episode include: Cincinnati Parks - Walnut Woods of Evanston Civic Garden Center Walnut Hills High School

Bob opens with some thoughts on Thanksgiving. Many of us eat Cranberries around Thanksgiving. Charles joins Bob to share the unique ecology of this amazing plant. Related episodes: Mistletoe Our sources for this episode include: The Thanksgiving Tale We Tell is a Harmful Lie. As a Native American I've found a Better Way to Celebrate the Holiday by Sean Sherman The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen by Sean Sherman (The Cranberry Sauce Recipe Beth adapted is on page 108) The Myths of the Thanksgiving Story and the Lasting Damage They Imbue by Claire Bugos The Vicious Reality Behind the Thanksgiving Myth (requires subscription to The New York Times) Cranberry Thanks to Christina Zorn for providing background research.

We have opened a can of worms with this episode! Join Tina and Bob as they discuss the common earthworm. They invite some kids to share their thoughts on earthworms. A big thanks to Ruth and Levi for inspiring this episode. Special thanks to the Cincinnati Nature Center for sponsoring this episode. You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org. Our sources for this episode include: Earthworm invaders alter northern forests (informative article suggested by Ruth) Deer, Worms and Invasives The American Robin hasn't Always Gotten the Worm Earthworm

Hometown Nature Heroes are everywhere! Bob talks with Courtney Ryan a passionate advocate for getting kids outside. Special thanks to the Cincinnati Nature Center for sponsoring this episode. Courtney's Recommended Resources: Sands Montessori Outdoor Campus Sands Montessori Partners: Native Roots Madison Tree Care and Landscaping Motz Turf Farms Sunbelt Rentals Books to Read: Balanced And Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, And Capable Children By Angela J. Hanscom Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to A Nature-Rich Life By Richard Louv Play The Forest School Way: Woodland Games and Craft For Adventurous Kids By Jane Worroll And Peter Houghton There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets For Raising Healthy, Resilient, And Confident Kids By Linda Akeson Mcgurk The Call of The Wild And Free: Reclaiming Wonder In Your Child's Education By Ainsley Arment Resources: Children and Nature Network Orange Is the New Green: Exploring the Restorative Capacity of Seasonal Foliage in Schoolyard Trees

Greg and Bob share a misunderstood plant that they both love to see in the fall. Find out why goldenrod takes the blame for sneezing in the fall. Our sources for this episode include: Sneezing? Don't Blame Goldenrod! Five Golden Truths about Goldenrods How to Grow and Care for Goldenrod

Bob is joined by Peri, a science communicator with the National Park Service. Peri is part of a team that created season 2 of the Headwaters podcast on Whitebark Pine. Glacier National Park Conservancy funds the show. Links: Glacier National Park Conservancy Headwaters in-depth storytelling podcast by Glacier National Park References in Headwaters show notes

In her position as Research Ecologist at Cincinnati Nature Center, Danie Frevola designed and implemented an innovative study on oak trees. Hear Danie's inspiring story! Related Episodes: Northern Red Oak, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy and The Hummingbird Handbook with John Showy

Bob and Charles respond to a very important question about using bird sound playback from a listener. They also have a listener suggestion on a way to support Sara Dykman, the author of Bicycling with Butterflies. Related episodes: Merlin Magic, Nuttall's Woodpecker, What It's Like to Be a Bird with David Sibley and Bicycling with Butterflies with Sara Dykman Our sources for this episode include: TEDxBozeman talk by Charles van Rees: A glance through nature's playbook Merlin App by The Cornell Lab Proper Use of Playback in Birding by David Sibley Sara Dykman's Go Fund Me Campaign: Counting Monarchs in Mexico

Bob's grandson Drew wanted to learn more about Peregrine Falcons. As you will hear Tina was the perfect person for this episode. Tune in to hear Tina's amazing stories about studying Peregrines. You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org. Related episodes: What's Your Zugunruhe? and Hummingbirds Our sources for this episode include The Cornell Lab All About Birds: Peregrine Falcon

Bob and Gia talk about a woodpecker that is only found in parts of California. Thanks to Nic for using Merlin to find this bird! Related episodes: Merlin Magic, Downy Woodpeckers Support Their Mates, Acorn Woodpeckers and The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Our sources for this episode include: The Merlin Bird ID App by The Cornell Lab The Cornell Lab All About Birds Thomas Nuttail -The Oregon Encyclopedia Nuttall's Woodpecker – Whatbird.com Meet the Nuttall's Woodpecker Thomas Nuttail article in The Popular Science Monthly, Volume 46

Bob is joined by our very own plant guru Greg to talk about invasive species. Greg brings along his right hand man Drew to explain why invasive plants have such a negative impact. Our sources for this episode include: Study by Audubon that Drew refers to: Nandina Berries Kill Birds

Bob and Charles talk about the Merlin App from Cornell Lab. It now has the ability to identify birds by sound! Please try it out and let us know what bird you want to know more about by emailing us at [email protected]. Our sources for this episode include: The Merlin Bird ID App by The Cornell Lab Gulo in Nature Blog by Charles The New School Montessori school in Cincinnati

On March 19, 2021 a volcano erupted in Iceland that captured the imagination of people from all over the world. It also changed the lives of April and Martin, independent filmmakers living in an apartment in New York City. Like many of us they were coming out of a long winter dealing with covid - 19. This eruption spawned an idea for their next film. They decided to travel to Iceland to film the eruption and gather stories from the remarkable people who live with the joys and challenges of volcanic eruptions right in their own neighborhoods! Find out how April and Martin created this powerful film. You can find out how to watch the film at fireandiceland.com. I would love to hear your reactions to the film. You can leave a comment on our website or email me at [email protected].

Greg and Bob are loving all the wonderful spring wildflowers. Greg takes us back in time to discover the history of wildflowers around the world before turning to the amazing story of the eastern forest in spring. Related episodes: Spring Wildflowers, Seeds on the Moveand Wild Ginger Greg has done three excellent videos on spring wildflowers available via YouTube: Harbinger of Spring Skunk Cabbage Spring Woodland Wildflowers If you need a great wildflower book, check out Bob's favorite guide: Wildflowers of Tennessee the Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians by Horn, Cathcart, Hemmerly, and Duhl, published by Lone Pine Publishing

After a long winter Bob and Gia are excited to do a live show at California Woods Nature Preserve. They had a blast talking with kids and adults about the nature of spring. Related episodes: Firefighting Beavers, Parachuting Beavers

I received an intriguing email from Tina at Red Oaks Forest School asking me if I knew about Zugunruhe. I did not and wanted to learn more so I invited Tina to come on the show to explain all about it. Tune in to hear Tina tell the inspiring story of how Red Oaks got started and of course all about Zugunruhe. You can find out more about Tina and Red Oaks Forest School at redoaksforestschool.org If you want to register for Zugunruhe 2022 go to: https:// evergreen.humanitru.com/web/campaigns/red-oaks-forest- school~zugunruhe-2022 Related episode: Sit Spot

Nature Guys is proud to say that this is our 200th episode! Our first episode was released in October of 2016. If you are a long time listener you know that my dear friend Bill was my only co-host until August of 2020. If you are new to the show, you can listen to my tribute to Bill on the episode titled "Our Friend Bill" released on September 1, 2020. Nature Guys has not only survived Bill's loss but thrives thanks to the contributions of many people both on air and off. Special thanks to Gia, Greg and Charles – top notch naturalists who have taken the time from their busy schedules to help me create multiple amazing new shows. On this 200th episode I wanted to play an old Bill and Bob show. I was debating which episode to use when I got an email from Eve Bishop. Eve has a wonderful new four part podcast called Deer Humans. Tune in to hear Eve explain this in her own words followed by the Nature Guys podcast on white tailed deer originally released on October 10, 2017. You can find out more about Eve Bishop at: www.evebishop.net Our sources for this episode include: Avoiding Deer Collisions The First Months Of A Whitetail Fawn Tarsal Glands: What We Know | QDMA Interesting facts about white-tailed deer

Charles and Bob can't wait to get out in the field in early spring to check out the woodcock sky dance. This is one crazy bird. It is a shorebird that lives in the forest and is nicknamed the timberdoodle. The woodcock sound clip is thanks to Karen Hogan via the Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Thanks to Christina Zorn for providing background research. Our sources for this episode include: The Woodcock Management Plan Funky American Woodcock YouTube video A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold Nature blog Gulo in Nature by Charles Van Rees

Gia and Bob discuss wolves a species that inspires a variety of emotions. Tune in to learn about the impacts wolves have on the Yellowstone ecosystem. Thanks to Christina Zorn for providing background research. Also special thanks to Lissa Malloy for creating a picture visualizing the tropic cascade concept. Keystone Species series: All About Alligators, Firefighting Beavers, Acorn Woodpeckers Our sources for this episode include: The Howling Wilderness an interview with Doug Smith January 2021 Issue 541 of The Sun Magazine Thanks to Doug Smith and The Sun for giving us permission to link to this incredible interview Max Waugh Photography - Gray Wolf vs Coyotes Tropic Cascade Picture on Nature Guys web site: Lissa Malloy offered to create a picture visualizing the tropic cascade concept we covered in the podcast. You can find more of her amazing work at: https://lissamalloy.crevado.com/about-cv

Charles and Bob kick off 2022 with a very unique bird. Hopefully we will inspire you to take a walk by your favorite stream or river to see a kingfisher. Related episodes: What It's Like to be a Bird with David Sibley Our sources for this episode include: Fun Facts About Kingfishers Ten Things about the Belted Kingfisher Aerial Ramming, a Burrow Excavation Behavior by Belted Kingfishers, with a Review of its Occurrence among the Alcedinidae by Hendricks et al., 2013 The Eastern Belted Kingfisher, Megaceryle Alcyon Alcyon (Linnaeus), in Relation to Fish Management by Salyer and Lagler, 1949 Attempted predation of a diurnally active Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum) by a Belted Kingfisher Predation of a Western Water Shrew (Sorex navigator) by a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) North American River Otters Followed by Piscivorous Birds, and a River Otter Parental Distraction Display

Greg and Bob discuss a plant that everyone will probably recognize. Amaze your friends at holiday parties with the story of mistletoe. Our sources for this episode include: The Golden Bough by James George Frazer (available via Project Gutenberg) Merry covid Christmas: Don't kiss under the mistletoe, advises British minister 12 Things to know about Mistletoe

Bob talks with Grace Lynch, the creator and host of an amazing new podcast on climate change from Wonder Media Network. The podcast brings together poems and stories from women throughout the US and territories that depict the effects of climate change on their homes and people. The source for this interview is the new podcast As She Rises by Wonder Media Network.

Gia and Bob just cannot let go of the 17 year cicadas. They discuss a very cool bird the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo that has a special taste for cicadas. Related episodes: Cicadas, 17 Years to Awesome and The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Our sources for this episode include: Cicada Safari App created by Dr. Gene Kritsky Ohio Birds: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species published by Waterford Press Bird Note Podcast on the Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Charles chats with Brooke Mitchell-Norman, the host of the podcast Rewildology. They discuss Brooke's love of big cats and how travel can help protect wildlife. Related series: Through the Eyes of Nature Guys Our sources for this episode include: Rewildology

It seems everyone has a story about poison ivy. Greg and Bob share some of their favorite stories. They discuss the often overlooked benefits of poison ivy. They will also cover how to identify it and how to remove it from areas where you would likely encounter the plant. Our sources for this episode include: Poison Ivy Leaf Gall Mite by Joe Boggs Poison Ivy Rash Interesting Facts about Poison Ivy 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Poison Ivy

Bob chats with Doug Chadwick, the author of Four Fifths a Grizzly: A New Perspective on Nature that Just Might Save Us All. Doug has travelled the world writing for National Geographic. This amazing book caps a long career. The source for this interview is Four Fifths a Grizzly: A New Perspective on Nature that just Might Save Us All published by Patagonia Books in June of 2021.

The Bug Chicks are in Bob's backyard to share the amazing story of how they got started. Co-hosts Greg Torres and Chris Anderson (of Science Around Cincy) join in the fun. Learn more about The Bug Chicks on their website: thebugchicks.com.

Tune in to find out the winners of our cicada contest. Check out all the wonderful entries on our Celebrating Cicadas page. Related episodes: Cicadas, 17 Years to Awesome and Cicadas are Kinda Cute Be sure to tune in next week for our special guests The Bug Chicks.

If you love hummingbirds, tune in to listen to Bob's conversation with John Shewey. His book, The Hummingbird Handbook, is filled with facts and practical tips to care for hummingbirds right in your own neighborhood. Related episodes: Hummingbirds, Bicycling with Butterflies with Sara Dykman, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy The source for this interview is The Hummingbird Handbook: Everything You Need to Know about These Fascinating Birds by John Shewey from Timber Press.

Greg and Bob talk about wild ginger, a plant that makes a great native ground cover. You have to get down on your knees to see the flower. Who pollinates this flower that is hidden from view? Related episode: The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Our sources for this episode include: Don't Judge a Book by its Cover: The Curious Case of Wild Ginger Pollination Wild Ginger Caring For Wild Ginger: How To Grow Wild Ginger Plants Connect with us on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Bob is excited to talk to Holly Merker about her wonderful book Ornitherapy For Your Mind Body Soul. Tune in to his conversation with Holly Merker and listen to the story of how birds saved Holly's life! The source for this interview is Ornitherapy by Holly Merker, Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley

Charles Van Rees, Nature Guys Podcast's very own science guy, has a fascinating conversation with Kim McCoy about Kim's new book Waves and Beaches: The Powerful Dynamics of Sea and Coast by Willard Bascom and Kim McCoy published by Patagonia. Kim mentions salmon in the conversation. To learn more about salmon, check out Bob's interview with Mark Kurlansky in the episode Salmon are a Gift about Mark's book Salmon: A Fish, the Earth and the History of Their Common Fate also published by Patagonia.

Gia and Bob are excited about the arrival of the 17 year periodic cicadas. We hope to inspire you to either love cicadas or maybe just hate them a little less. Bob and Gia share 17 cool things about cicadas. There is nothing to fear when the cicadas are here! Please listen to the episode to learn all about our contest to celebrate the cicadas! Email us your entry to [email protected]. Related episodes: Cicadas are Kinda Cute, The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy Our sources for this episode include: Cicada Safari App created by Dr. Gene Kritsky Cicada Mania: Cicada Insect News, Facts, Life Cycle, Photos, Books ... When the Woods Hum by Joanne Ryder (the book is out of print but check your library) Cecily Cicada (2021 Edition) by Kita Helmetag Murdock and Patsy Helmetag Periodical Cicadas The Brood X Edition by Gene Kritsky

Bob reads an amazing new book Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201 Mile Journey Following The Monarch Migration. Tune in to his conversation with Sara Dykman, the first person to follow migrating monarch butterflies on her bicycle. Learn more about Sara and some of the lessons she learned on her nine month adventure from Mexico to Canada and back. Please check out Sara's website Beyond a Book. Bicycling with Butterflies is published by Timber Press. Related episodes: Monarchs on the Move, Mighty Milkweed

Charles and Bob discuss vernal pools. Bob has always been intrigued by vernal pools and with time at home due to the pandemic he decided to build one in his backyard. Learn about his first aquatic visitor the water strider. Also learn about an amazing creature that lives in a vernal pool at Cincinnati Nature Center. If you have not seen fairy shrimp be sure to check them out. Charles explains what they look like and why they are found in vernal pools. Related episodes: The Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy, Dragonflies, Damselflies and Wood Frogs Quack It Up Our sources for this episode include: Vernal Pool Chronicles: a YouTube channel about vernal pools with some fantastic footage Colburn et al., 2007: Diversity and ecology of vernal pool invertebrates (Chapter from: Science and Conservation of Vernal Pools in Northeastern North America) U.S. EPA informational page - Vernal pools

Greg Torres and Bob discuss one of the most important trees in Florida. The Red Mangrove is the protector from storms and provides safe harbor to many living things. Cheer on Greg who is competing in the 2021 Go Wild for Jeopar-Ding fund raiser that will premiere virtually on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 to support the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Check out related episodes on our Wildlife Refuges page. Watch Greg's YouTube video on red mangroves. Our sources for this episode include: Florida's Extraordinary Mangroves Essential Facts about Mangroves Florida's Mangroves

Bob chats with Doug Tallamy about his latest book The Nature of Oaks. The book shows you what to look for on and near oak trees every month of the year. Hear a few of the amazing stories of oaks. If you have or want oaks in your yard or just want to appreciate their irreplaceable role in the health of our environment this podcast will inspire you to learn more about this magnificent tree. Books by Doug Tallamy are published by Timber Press: The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden with Rick Darke Click here to learn more about Seed Libraries. Related episodes: Northern Red Oak and Blue Jays are Not Blue Special thanks to Cincinnati realtors Molly and Sara at Haven Home Group (Coldwell Banker Realty) for sponsoring this episode.

Gia and Bob discuss one amazing woodpecker. If you live or travel to the west make sure you check this woodpecker out. This episode is part of our Keystone Species series. Thanks to Christina Zorn for the great research! Related woodpecker episodes: Wow it's a Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpeckers Support Their Mates, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers Slurp Sap Keystone Species series: All About Alligators, Firefighting Beavers Our sources for this episode include: All About Birds USDA Fire effects Information Systems Wikipedia Animalia

Charles and Bob discuss the Hooded Merganser. It is a duck that has some very un-duck like qualities. Related episodes: Mallards Mate with Other Ducks, Firefighting Beavers, What It's Like to be a Bird with David Sibley, Erin Brockovich Our sources for this episode include: 10 Interesting Facts about the Hooded Mergansers The Cornell Lab All About Birds Hooded Merganser

Chris Clements of Imago joins Bob to talk about the Japanese concept of 72 seasons. Chris challenges us to go out and visit nature regularly in our own neck of the woods. See how it changes every few days. Try to come up with your own micro-season and give it an evocative name. Our sources for this episode include: Micro-seasons - Headspace YouTube video Japan's 72 Microseasons

Seeds have many ways to get out into the world. Greg shares fascinating strategies plants use to disburse seeds. Related episodes: Hedge Apples, Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch Our sources for this episode include: Falling Far from the Tree: 7 Brilliant Ways Seeds and Fruits Are Dispersed Daniel Janzen - Bio and Research The Ghosts Of Evolution: Nonsensical Fruit, Missing Partners, and Other Ecological Anachronisms by Connie Barlow Lengyel, S.; et al. (2009). Chave, Jerome (ed.). "Ants Sow the Seeds of Global Diversification in Flowering Plants" Howe, H. F. & Smallwood J. (1982). "Ecology of Seed Dispersal" (PDF). Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 13: 201–228. The Ant Dance - YouTube video with Greg Torres The Bird Dance- YouTube video with Greg Torres

Gia and Bob are in Bob's backyard on a cold winter afternoon talking all about alligators. Alligators are a great American success story. Thanks to Christina Zorn for the great research! This episode is part of our Keystone Species series. Keystone Species series episodes: Firefighting Beavers Our sources for this episode include: Definition of Alligator Alligator Biology and Behavior JW Lang and HV Andrews, J Exp Zoology (1994) Temperature-dependent sex determination in crocodilians. Cramp Meyer Sparks and Franklin. (2008) Functional and morphological plasticity of crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) salt glands. Journal of Experimental Biology 2008 211: 1482-1489; doi: 10.1242/jeb.015636. https://jeb.biologists.org/content/ 211/9/1482 American Alligator from National Geographic Crocodilian Biology Database

Recently I ran across a title of a new book that peaked my interest. Curious to know more I did an Internet search and found out that this book is written by someone I think you may recognize. Erin Brockovich has become a household word thanks to a movie by the same name released in the year 2000. I got a hold of a copy of the book and after reading it realized it would be the perfect end to the water series. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the first two parts I encourage you to do so. Charles does a great job giving us a deeper understanding of why water is so important to all life on earth. I hope Erin will inspire you to pick up a copy of her book, Superman's not Coming: Our National Water Crisis What We The People Can Do About It. As Erin so passionately says no one is going to solve our water problems for us. It is up to we the people and Erin's book shows you how. Related Episodes: What the Heck is Water, Freshwater Life Our sources for this episode include: Superman's not Coming: Our National Water Crisis What We The People Can Do About It by Erin Brockovich

Charles Van Rees joins Bob to discuss the importance of freshwater and its relationship to biodiversity. This is part two of a three part series. Related episodes: What the Heck is Water Firefighting Beavers Salmon are a Gift Sit Spot Our sources for this episode include: WWF Living Planet Report 2018 Van Rees et al., 2020 - Safeguarding freshwater life beyond 2020 United Nations Water Development Report 2020 Global Water Partnership: Water and Ecosystems

Charles Van Rees joins Bob to discuss something we can take for granted. Water is an amazing substance and Charles has some insights as to why it is essential to all life on earth. This is part one of a three part series on water and its importance to all living things on earth. Related episodes: So You Want to Be a Naturalist, Sycamores Can Be Huge Trees Our sources for this episode include: Water: The Science of Nature's Most Important Nutrient by Len Kravitz Vandas et al., 2002: Water and the Environment

It has been a challenging year for everyone including Nature Guys. Losing Bill Creasey in August was a loss for everyone who values connecting to the natural world. It would take a village of naturalists to replace him. Well we don't quite have a village but we have been able to assemble an amazing team to carry on the work of Nature Guys. Tune in to find out what Bob discovers at his sit spot. This episode also serves as a preview of the first five episodes in 2021. Related episodes: Sit Spot Our Friend Bill Watch for the Cooper's Hawk at Your Bird Feeder So You Want to Be a Naturalist with Charles Van Rees Firefighting Beavers with Gia Giammarinaro Witch Hazel Magic with Greg Torres

Awhile back my sister Suzanne called me. She was excited because a pair of mourning doves had nested on an upstairs window ledge of her house. As it happens I was reading David Sibley's book What It's Like to be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating, to Singing What Birds are Doing and Why. My sister is a great lover of books so I made her an offer I knew she could not refuse. I suggested that I would send her a copy of the book if she would put together some questions that I might use in this interview. Suzanne has never to my knowledge passed up the opportunity to read a book she is interested in so she quickly agreed. A few weeks later she sent me this email: "I really enjoyed reading What It's Like to be a Bird. As you know, I am not someone who spends much time thinking about birds and my knowledge of them is very limited, but I like them and found this book to be a great source of information for someone like me. I am very impressed that Sibley did both the text and the illustrations, which are great. So here are some general questions and questions about mourning doves, which may or may not be of use to you." Hope you enjoy the interview! Related episode: Mourning Doves Our sources for this episode include: Sibley Guides What It's Like to Be a Bird by David Sibley Today's episode is sponsored by Cinfed Credit Union. You have questions, Cinfed has answers! Providing financial services for more than 85 years to a wide area around Cincinnati. Become a member at cinfed.com!

Listeners often ask me what can you do to help out Nature Guys? This is our annual Giving Tuesday podcast and I have a very specific call to action for this episode. Donate what you can to a great organization that means a lot to Bob. Tune in to find out how you can donate. Our sources for this episode include: Imago Giving Tuesday Today's episode is sponsored by Cinfed Credit Union. You have questions, Cinfed has answers! Providing financial services for more than 85 years to a wide area around Cincinnati. Become a member at cinfed.com!

Witch Hazel is an amazing and strange plant. It took naturalists a long time to figure out what might pollinate it. Greg Torres, a very talented horticulturist, joins Bob to discuss a plant that you can find blooming in December. Our sources for this episode include: The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden by Rick Darke and Douglas Tallamy Bringing Nature Home by Douglas Tallamy Evolution and biogeographic diversification of the witch-hazel genus (Hamamelis L., Hamamelidaceae) in the Northern Hemisphere by Xei, Lei; Yi, Ting-Shuang; Li, Rong; Li, De-Zhu; Wen. Jun (2010) Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution History of Hamamelis (Witch Hazel), Extract and Distillate by Lloyd, J. U. and J. T. Lloyd. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. 24(1935) (3):220–24. FDA Skin Protectant Drugs Special thanks to Cinfed Credit Union for sponsoring this episode.

Introducing Gia Giammarinaro as my cohost for todays episode. Gia is the lead Naturalist at Cincinnati Parks California Woods Nature Preserve. Her favorite rodent is the beaver. How many people do you know who lunch with beavers? Gia was actually on the Parachuting Beaver episode and returns with an amazing story she found in National Geographic. Related episode: Parachuting Beavers Our sources for this episode include: How beavers became North America's best firefighter https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/09/beavers-firefighters-wildfires-california-oregon/ Controversy builds around beaver dams https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/controversy-builds-around-beaver-dams/0kkaK8Bs4dNCzR6etmPP4M/ The Benefits of Beavers https://waterwisewisdom.com/2020/02/01/the-benefits-of-beavers/ Special thanks to Cinfed Credit Union for sponsoring this episode.