Growing a Greener Future: How Trees Charlotte is Shaping the Urban Canopy

02/15/25 • 30 min

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].

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.

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].

Previous Episode

The Dirty Truth About Toilet Paper: Sustainability, Forests, and Your Choices

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.

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].

Next Episode

Healing Wildlife: The Mission of NC Wildlife Rehab with Ruby Davis

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.

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].