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

Playscape photos courtesy of Courtney Ryan.

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. All photos courtesy of the National Park Service (NPS).

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 Shewey

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 info@natureguys.org.

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