Wild Ideas...the Podcast - The Wilderness Center

What effects would the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation have had on the plants and animals of Japan? We think it through, then learn more about earthquakes and tsunamis with Geologist Sam Root.

Wind is Joann’s topic while Gordon explains winter burn that can turn the needles on a pine tree brown without killing he tree. The interview answers the burning question: “Will the asteroid Apophis strike the Earth?”

Bitter Cress wins over Draba; Spring Peepers are in love; European Widgeon and duck migration. Interview with Drew Sulock from the Pacific Whale Foundation about Humpback Whales.

Crows, a 100-year island watch, and a clam shell lead us to an interview with Dr. Thomas Watters of The Ohio State University, about freshwater molluscs.

The function and value of flood plains; water world Earth; and American Woodcocks are ready to fall in love! Interview with Keanna Leonard of the National Audubon Society’s Rowe Sanctuary about Prairie Chickens and lek behavior.

It's chipmunks and bird signs of spring in the first half. Then, to celebrate our 100th episode, we remember some of the many highlights of past episodes. It's the clip show!

Tea, Eastern Towhee, Carolina Wren, Greg Miller and the Big Year

White Pine is Joann’s topic; Gary discussed the habitat created by trees falling into water; Gordon examines the context of wildlife observations. The larger topic is the changing structure of forests.

We actually got a peek at the sun this week! And also talk about the ice storm and your birdfeeding, and new info on oysters. The interview, in honor of Darwin Day, is with Dr. Mark Wilson, Professor of Paleontology.

Joann talks about Barred Owls; Gary discusses a newly discovered type of algae; Gordon explains Red-bellied Woodpeckers. Part 2 of Ivory-billed Woodpecker interview with Ron Rohrbaugh from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology.

Snow Flakes part 2, Darters, Importance of Tree Cavities, Part 1 of interview with Ron Rohrbaugh about the Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

It's snowflakes, silver carp, and grackles this week—what a variety! We discuss the birds you love to hate.

Canada Goose, Skunks, and Witch Hazel blooming during winter. This leads to a discussion of medicinal plants.

We look up this week to talk about Bald Eagles and interesting stuff in the constellation Orion. Interview is with Dave Richards of Hoover-Price Planetarium about meteors.

Brown Creepers and Nuthatches, Cooper’s Hawks and microclimates are Gary, Gordon and Joann’s topics. The interview is with Robert Thomas of Loyola University about the connections between nature, economies and culture.

Skunk Cabbage, predicting future forests, and adaptations to cold. We dust off our physics to talk about cold.

Gordon talks about Pileated Woodpeckers; Gary explains Biological Guilds; Joann anticipates a Lunar Eclipse. A new discovery about bacteria able to use arsenic in place of phosphorus is discussed.

Gordon talks about Broomsedge Bluestem grass and Gary answers a listener about phylum in the classification of animal life. This topic leads to a discussion of the Cambrian explosion of life.

In this Thanksgiving episode Gary talks turkey, Joann examines yeast and Gordon considers reports of black bears. The interview is with the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s black bear biologist Suzie Prange.

Indian Summer and a triumvirate of hot spots. Interview with Sam Root, Professor Emeritus from the College of Wooster, about plate tectonics. He lived through that scientific revolution!