Backyard Ecology™11 Sep 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:

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