Backyard Ecology11 Syys 2025

A Bad Naturalist's Journey to Restore a Mountaintop Meadow

Summary

Paula Whyman shares her journey of trying to restore and manage a remnant prairie located on a Virginia mountaintop. Our conversation touches upon some of the challenges she faced, lessons she's learned, and exciting discoveries she's made along the way. Whether you're managing a small backyard or large acreage, Paula's story provides valuable insights and motivation for fostering pollinator and wildlife habitat.

Today's guest

Paula Whyman is an avid nature enthusiast and the author of the book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

How Paula and her husband have approached the task of restoring and maintaining a mountaintop remnant prairie or meadow.
Some of the challenges and opportunities associated large-scale private restoration work.
The importance of patience and accepting that ecological restoration is an ongoing process without a definite endpoint.

Resources Paula mentioned:

* affiliate links – We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links, but it comes at no extra cost to you. All commissions that we receive through these links goes toward producing Backyard Ecology™ content. We appreciate your support.

Other Backyard Ecology™ resources

Thank you

Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(119)

Best Goldenrods for Home Gardens: Mount Cuba Trial Results Tell All

Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about the results of Mt. Cuba's Solidago Trials which evaluated how approximately 50 different goldenrod species performed in a garden setting. 3 thi...

10 Syys 1h

Goldenrod Geek-out! What You Need to Know About This Ecological Powerhouse!

Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about how goldenrods (Solidago sp.) are keystone species and all the ecological roles that they play. We also touch on some of the evolving discussions ...

23 Heinä 58min

Simple Ways to Help Eastern Bluebirds

Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss simple ways that anyone can help eastern bluebirds. Our discussion is based off her recently published research looking at the diets of nestling e...

3 Kesä 36min

New Research Reveals Diet of Baby Eastern Bluebirds

Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss the results of her research on the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. Ashley used GoPro cameras located on active bluebird nestboxes to take pic...

7 Touko 29min

More than just a forest: Our surprisingly diverse eastern ecosystems

Summary The general impression that many people have is that prior to European settlement the whole eastern U.S. was one giant old growth forest. But that wasn't the case. Using an interdisciplinary a...

18 Helmi 21min

How to Be Successful with Your Habitat Goals

Summary When it comes to creating habitat, having a written set of goals can be extremely helpful in moving a task from the "I'll get to it someday" category to the "I'm actually going to get this don...

8 Tammi 10min

Short's aster: A beautiful late season extravaganza for pollinators

Summary Late blooming native plants are crucial sources of pollen and nectar for pollinators. One of my favorite species that blooms in October, and often into early November, is Short's aster (Symphy...

23 Loka 20257min

The Science Behind "Leave the Leaves"

Summary "Leave the leaves" has become an increasingly common mantra each fall. However, until recently little to no scientific research had been done to quantify impacts of leaving your leaves in a ty...

9 Loka 202547min