The Backyard Naturalists

Step into the wild with this award-winning episode of The Backyard Naturalists! This week, hosts Debbie and Laurie welcome Ruby Davis, a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist, to discuss the inspiring work of NC Wildlife Rehab. After going dormant for five years, this nonprofit is back in action thanks to Ruby and veterinarian Dr. Laura Latham, providing vital care to North Carolina’s native wildlife—including bats, turtles, mammals, and reptiles.

From advanced medical treatments to mentorship programs for fellow rehabilitators, NC Wildlife Rehab is making a difference, all while relying solely on donations and personal funding. Ruby shares the challenges and rewards of wildlife rehabilitation, the importance of proper release techniques, and how everyday people can support these efforts.

Tune in to learn how you can help protect and heal the wild creatures that share our world!

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].

Charlotte is on a mission to stay green, and this week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re digging into how Trees Charlotte is making it happen! As an award-winning podcast hosted by certified nature lovers—including Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors—we’re thrilled to welcome Heather Brent, an urban forest educator, to talk all things trees.

Trees Charlotte has planted and given away over 60,000 trees since 2012, working toward an ambitious goal of 50% tree canopy coverage by 2050. In this episode, Heather shares how the organization engages the community, selects trees, and uses creative initiatives like the Charlotte Without Trees campaign and Treasure Tree program to inspire action. Plus, find out how you can score a free tree, get involved, and help protect the urban canopy!

Tune in for an episode filled with expert insights, fun stories from tree giveaway events, and easy ways to make a difference—one tree at a time!

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].

Flush out the facts on toilet paper sustainability in this eye-opening episode of The Backyard Naturalists! As an award-winning podcast hosted by certified nature enthusiasts—including Master Naturalists and Wildlife Ambassadors—we're diving into the environmental impact of one of life's everyday essentials.

Join us as we break down the latest findings from the Natural Resources Defense Council’s The Issue with Tissue report, which grades popular toilet paper brands based on their environmental impact. We’ll explore the critical role of Canada’s boreal forests, why recycled content matters, and how some major companies are still falling short when it comes to sustainability.

If you've never thought about what goes into your toilet paper, this episode just might change your perspective! Tune in for simple ways to make greener choices and learn how your purchasing decisions can help protect our forests for future generations.

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, an award-winning podcast heard in 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the Carolinas. Hosted by Debbie and Laurie, passionate nature advocates with credentials like Master Naturalist and Wildlife Ambassador, this multi-award winning show dives into everything connected with the natural world!

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most exciting global citizen science projects: the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Discover how over 642,000 participants from 210 countries helped identify 7,920 bird species in the 2024 count—out of nearly 11,000 worldwide! With over 3.3 million eBird checklists submitted, this effort plays a vital role in understanding bird populations across the globe.

Looking ahead to the 2025 GBBC, happening February 14-17, the hosts share tips to make your bird count successful and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, the GBBC welcomes everyone to join in and contribute to this meaningful project. From prepping feeders to using handy bird ID apps like Merlin and eBird, participating is easy and rewarding.

Tune in to hear why citizen science matters, how you can make a difference for our feathered friends, and how to turn birdwatching into a lifelong passion. Don’t miss this episode—it’s for the birds (literally)!

Let’s make the 2025 GBBC the biggest and best yet. Plan ahead, get your birding gear ready, and prepare to count for conservation!

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].

In this episode of the award winning Backyard Naturalists podcast, we dive into the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina’s aquatic ecosystems. Our special guest, Corey Oakley from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, shares firsthand insights into the devastation caused by historic flooding and landslides in the Appalachian region.

With some areas receiving over 30 inches of rain in just 48 hours, the storm drastically altered river landscapes, eroded stream banks, and even wiped out a major trout hatchery—resulting in the loss of 600,000 fish and a major hit to the state’s $1.4 billion trout fishing industry. Corey walks us through the resilience of aquatic wildlife, the long road to ecological recovery, and how both nature and local communities are adapting to the challenges ahead.

Join us for a compelling conversation about the power of nature, the impact of extreme weather, and the science behind rebuilding these vital ecosystems.

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].