Wild Ideas...the Podcast - The Wilderness Center

Phenotypic plasticity makes Gary’s head spin. Joann loves the constellation Sagittarius. Gordon’s review of the plant Sagittaria points to a fictional hero Katniss from “The Hunger Games,” which leads to an interview with Patricia DeMarco about the real life hero Rachel Carson.

Gary's thinking about evapotranspiration. Gordon's eye exam has him considering Toothache Tree. Joann (and Gary) caught a Tiger Beetle in the office, which leads us to an interview with Holly Menninger about Wild Life of Your Home.

Daisy Fleabane is Joann’s topic. Gordon’s discussion of the Fly Agaric mushroom leads to an interview about parasitology with Kelly Weinersmith.

It’s the question show! Gary talks about the first eukaryotes. Joann is in another pothole or kettle hole. Gordon’s sentimental favorite is Blue-eyed Mary. Then on to questions: polyploidy, black flies, Goldfinches, seed dispersal.

Gary hears a Black-throated Green Warbler, Joann finds some great potholes, and Gordon tells about The Wilderness Center's new solar array. We continue the cycles shows with the carbon cycle.

Gordon visited a unique old growth forest. Gary talks about the Cambrian Explosion and the Great Unconformity. Joann discusses climate—on Venus. David Ellis from NASA Glenn Research Center is interviewed about NASA’s mission and future.

Gary talks about Ruddy Turnstones, Joann explores Durian fruit, and Gordon tells jokes involving terrestrial Isopods. The interview is with Buddy Huffaker, IV of the Aldo Leopold Foundation about the author of “A Sand County Almanac.”

Gordon goes on a lark, Gary's excited about Rainbow Darters, and Joann looks at a favorite spring wildflower, Trillium. We interview James Eggers of Bat Conservation International. Happy Year of the Bat!

Smelly birds are Joann’s topic. Gordon loves Serviceberry. Gary explains how to run a mark and recapture experiment to estimate animal populations. In the biogeochemical cycle series, the nitrogen cycle is explained.

Gordon tells about the COOLEST fish, Joann hears Northern Flickers, and Gary's out frog hunting. We interview Keanna Leonard of Rowe Sanctuary about her work with kids and frogs.

The Question Show: Gordon, Joann, Gary and Bug Girl answer an assortment of questions about Snow Fleas, Black Holes, Plant Geography, Frogs and Butterflies. What fun!

Gordon finally fulfills his promise to tell us about Costa Rica! We interview Max Vindas, Costa Rican naturalist and guide for the ecotour.

Joann and Gary spotted Spotted Salamanders. Gordon has fond memories of Eastern Red Cedar. Gary is concerned about invasive worms. Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education talks about evolution and global warming.

Joann talks about the leap year, Gordon talks about quick sand and Gary discusses some new research on the speciation of a species of bacteria. An interview with Dr. David Wagner from the U. of Connecticut and the importance of caterpillars.

Gary sees flocking behavior in birds, Gordon is thinking about sand. Joann follows up on a possibly-arsenic-using bacterium. This leads to a discussion of the Phosphorus Cycle.

The oldest living organism may be sea grass according to new research. Joann compares and contrasts Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Gordon saw a King Vulture in Costa Rica. There is a minor mystery about this bird. Bill Lynch tells all about amazing Turkey Vultures.

Joann wishes everyone a (belated) Happy Groundhog Day. Gary's in the stream, looking at Redbelly Dace. We interview Cynthia Taylor of Elachee Nature Science Center about their stream restoration project.

Gary talks about CO2 in the water column. Gordon looks at a good Saturday when a Spotted Towhee visited TWC, a community nature center. Joann "comes clean" about reading nature books. We interview David Gessner, author of "My Green Manifesto."

Gary reveals the essence of bioluminescence. Gordon discovers that not much is known about the Wandering Tattler. Joann explores the world of wild strawberries. Herpetologist Robert Thomas from Loyola University is interviewed about the American Bullfrog.

Gary examines Canadian Shield; Joann likes Partridge Berry; Gordon discussed the ecological role of surface stones. Brad Lepper returns for an interview about Serpent and Alligator Mounds.