Wild Ideas...the Podcast - The Wilderness Center

Gary explains the polar vortex, Joann is hoping to experience a cryoseism, and Gordon's out looking for Eskimo Curlews. After all those cold topics, we look forward to spring in an interview with Samantha David about the West Virginia White and butterfly conservation.

Gary explains that Seahorses are pipefish with a twist. Gordon talks about one of the most common and beloved reptiles, the Garter Snake.

Gary looks at salinity surges in freshwater streams. Gordon's thinking about sea stars. Joann learns about banyan trees. Our interview is with Millie Burrell of Texas A&M about invasives and her work in Cogongrass.

Gary reports on the discovery of vast amounts of fresh water under the ocean. Gordon loves Blue Jays. Joann works out the difference between Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s Hawks. Emma Greig from Project Feeder Watch is interviewed.

Joann follows up last week's episode with a chat about star formation. Gary's enjoying another winter resident, the American Tree Sparrow. And Gordon is thinking about Hellgrammites (no, we don't know why). The interview is with Brian Gilbert, who is developing a plant ID app.

Gary talks about a winter visitor the Snowy Owl. Gordon found some liverworts. Joann reviews the Kepler Mission to find planets. This leads to a discussion of the Drake equation about the potential for extraterrestrial civilizations.

Gary enjoys the White-throated Sparrow's song. Gordon introduces us to Fairy Cup Moss. Joann wonders if it's literally darkest before the dawn. Our interview is with Vicki Gardner of Alpen Optics about binoculars, spotting scopes, and how to choose optics.

Gary discusses the age of the Earth. Gordon found an Indian thong tree. Joann is relieved we had a healthy Jewelweed season. Our interview is with Herb Broda about how outdoor experiences help children learn, with a focus on formal education.

Gary anticipates winter, with a look at the snow belt. Joann has hopes for viewing Comet ISON. Gordon uncovers a surprisingly interesting bird, the House Finch. Our discussion is on island biogeography.

Flocking behavior is Gary’s topic. Gordon revisits Duckweed. Joann anticipates a solar eclipse. The interview is with Jason Kindall, a naturalist who spent a season as a wild land fire fighter. He illuminates the role of fire in conservation.

Gordon sees the whole forest, not just the trees. Joann considers snow cover. Our interviewee is Marketa Zimova of the Camouflage and Climate Change Research Group at the University of Montana about Snowshoe Hares.

Color is the theme for Joann, Gary & Gordon…rainbows, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Big Bluestem. Interview with Shawn McMahon with Adam Beichler about forestry forå carbon sequestration.

Hemlock-Yellow Birch swamps is a community that interests Gary. Gordon talks about Cassiopeia. The interview is with Clyde McMillan-Gambler about Johnny Appleseed aka John Chapman.

Joann talks about the Northern Mockingbird. Gordon investigated Beechdrops. In the interview Eileen Fielding of the Farmington River Watershed Association explains Bobcats.

It's the question show! Listeners asked about leeches, tree threats, cucumber beetles, meteors, rose rosette virus, timing the goldenrod bloom, and thorns (and spines and prickles).

Joann remembers Sweetfern, a childhood favorite. Gary wades into Giant Bur Reed. Gordon looks at Eupatorium; Boneset, Joe Pye, and Snakeroot. Our interview is with Laura Sirot of the College of Wooster, following her career through a variety of studies.

The Australian marsupial “bunny” the Bilby extends Joann’s rabbit-hare series. Gordon talks about Indian Pipe/Ghost Flower. Sam Droege is interviewed about Katydids and Crickets.

Rabbits and Hares, Ecoregions and Dr. Marlene Zuk Paleofantasy

Joann gets distracted by European Rabbits, Gary is looking (not touching) at Porcupines, and Gordon examines a common weed, Foxtail Grass. The second half of our interview with Rick Lehtinen. Many thanks to Rick for his recording of Bloody Bay Poison Frogs!

Gordon is enjoying his front porch visitor, a Little Brown Bat. Gary's feet are wet again, this time exploring gravel bars. Joann is reading about the oldest plant, Amborella. Our interview is with Rick Lehtinen of the College of Wooster about his amphibian research.