Category: Forests and Trees

Critical Mast: Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Masting with Dr. Walt Koenig

October 23, 2025

Acorn woodpeckers are a curious, complex species steeped in intriguing behaviors. Dr. Walt Koenig’s decades of research reveal cooperative breeding, unique acorn storage practices, and mysterious masting phenomena. As nature’s jester, they thrive in large familial groups, showcasing dynamics that will leave any nature lover spellbound. … More Critical Mast: Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Masting with Dr. Walt Koenig

#114: Mistletoes Are Keystone Species – Dr. David Watson

May 5, 2025

Mistletoes are the misunderstood heroes of the plant world, often seen as mere parasites yet crucial to ecosystem health. They support a vibrant community of birds and wildlife, recycle nutrients, and cool their host trees. Their evolutionary history intertwines with birds, signifying a complex, symbiotic relationship that challenges conventional perceptions of parasitism. … More #114: Mistletoes Are Keystone Species – Dr. David Watson

#108: Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Masting with Dr. Walt Koenig

January 13, 2025

Acorn woodpeckers are a curious, complex species steeped in intriguing behaviors. Dr. Walt Koenig’s decades of research reveal cooperative breeding, unique acorn storage practices, and mysterious masting phenomena. As nature’s jester, they thrive in large familial groups, showcasing dynamics that will leave any nature lover spellbound. … More #108: Acorn Woodpeckers and Oak Masting with Dr. Walt Koenig

#101: Connecting Climate, Carbon, Tree Leaf Phenology and Genetics with Dr. Hanna Makowski

August 19, 2024

Discover how Dr. Hanna Makowski unpacks the secrets of plant responses to environmental stress at Black Rock Forest. From seasonal growth patterns to climate adaptations, her research holds crucial implications for biodiversity and climate change. Join her journey and explore the intersection of genetics and the natural world. For more, visit hannamakowski.com. … More #101: Connecting Climate, Carbon, Tree Leaf Phenology and Genetics with Dr. Hanna Makowski

#91: Examining Tree Physiology with Dr. Lucy Kerhoulas: Insights into Drought Adaptation and the Carbon Smoking Gun

February 26, 2024

Dr. Lucy Kerhoulas, a forest ecophysiologist, shares insights into tree physiology and how trees adapt to environmental challenges. She discusses scientific tools for studying tree responses to environmental changes, including measuring carbon isotopes. Additionally, she explores how trees may cooperate and share resources during times of stress. … More #91: Examining Tree Physiology with Dr. Lucy Kerhoulas: Insights into Drought Adaptation and the Carbon Smoking Gun

#53: Michelle Foss on Forest Stewardship at Fontenelle Forest

August 29, 2022

Summary Today’s episode is really exciting and was a new experience for me – a field interview! And I couldn’t have asked for a better guest than Michelle Foss, Director of Resource Stewardship at Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, Nebraska. Fontenelle Forest is not what most people would typically think of if they envisioned Nebraska. It … More #53: Michelle Foss on Forest Stewardship at Fontenelle Forest

#41: Michael Kauffmann: Conifers – Extreme Survivors

March 7, 2022

Summary My guest in this episode is Michael Kauffmann. He’s a life-long educator, ecologist, and author, as well as founder of Backcountry Press. He’s also an expert in conifers – those wonderful trees that include some of the tallest, widest, and oldest living trees on Earth. Think Giant Sequoia, Coast Redwood, and Bristlecone Pine for … More #41: Michael Kauffmann: Conifers – Extreme Survivors