This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re welcoming a cold-blooded guest — and we mean that in the best way possible.

Reptile educator Jay Bell joins Debbie and Laurie in the studio, bringing along his unforgettable companion: Norm, a Burmese python who stretches over 6 feet long (and still growing!). Together, they unpack a fascinating (and often misunderstood) corner of the natural world: snakes.

Whether you're a snake lover or snake skeptic, this episode has something for you:

• 🐍 Snake bite safety 101 – What to do and what NOT to do if you're ever bitten by a venomous snake

• 🌴 Florida’s reptile invasion – Jay shares stories from the field about curly-tailed lizards, green iguanas, and how invasive species are reshaping ecosystems

• 🐢 Life with a python – Hear what it takes to care for a massive snake like Norm, from housing and feeding to enrichment and education

• 🎓 Snake smarts – Think snakes aren’t intelligent? Think again. Jay shares insights into their surprising capacity for learning and interaction

• 💬 Overcoming fear – Learn how Jay gently helps people move from panic to curiosity, one scaled step at a time

It’s a winding, warm, and often humorous conversation about education, conservation, and connecting people to wildlife — even the slithery kind. And yes, you’ll hear Norm moving around the mic more than once!

🎧 Tune in now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this vibrant episode, hosts Debbie and Laurie take us on-location to one of North Carolina’s most cherished local gems: the Matthews Farmers Market. With the sun just rising and vendors setting up, they capture the buzz and beauty of the market firsthand — and share conversations with the passionate people who make it all happen.

You’ll hear from:

• 🎙️ Jessica Thomas, Market Manager, who shares the market’s 34-year journey and recent growth to over 58 local vendors.

• 🥕 Farmers from Wild Hope Farm, Heaven’s Dew Farm, and others, diving into organic, sustainable, and transparent growing practices.

• 🍯 Local makers offering everything from honey and pasture-raised meats to jams, pierogis, and fresh produce.

• ❤️ Stories of community connection, food access (including SNAP benefits), and a special peach fundraiser that keeps this thriving hub affordable for vendors and inclusive for all.

Debbie and Laurie bring their signature warmth and curiosity as they walk listeners through the sights, sounds, and flavors of this bustling Saturday tradition. It’s not just a place to shop — it’s a place to connect, learn, and support the folks who grow and make your food.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, or wherever you tune in. And if you’re near Matthews, NC — maybe we’ll see you there next Saturday!

🎧 If you love supporting local, this episode is for you. Be sure to follow, share, and leave a review to help others discover the beauty in their own backyards. 🌻

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.

Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram.

Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.

Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists. We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.

Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.

Want to welcome butterflies to your yard and help them thrive? This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie dig into the magical role of host plants—the essential “nurseries” for butterflies and other pollinators. 🌿🦋🐛

While nectar plants might get all the glory, host plants are where the real action happens: eggs are laid, caterpillars feed, and life cycles begin. This episode is your go-to guide for making your yard more butterfly-friendly—from milkweed to magnolia.

With personal stories, practical tips, and plenty of plant inspiration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants their garden to be more than just beautiful—it can be a lifeline for native species.

• ✅ What host plants are and why they’re essential for butterfly reproduction

• ✅ Native plant heroes like milkweed (monarchs!), fennel, violets, buttonbush & more

• ✅ Why plant damage is a good thing (yes, chew marks mean caterpillars are thriving!)

• ✅ How to support butterflies even in small spaces with containers and pots

• ✅ Where to research region-specific host plants for your backyard

You’ll also get great resources like plantnative.com and gardendesign.com to start your pollinator-friendly garden journey.

🌻 Got caterpillars? Snap a pic and send it our way—we’d love to share your backyard wildlife success!

We’re going back to our roots—literally! In one of our most popular topics to date, The Backyard Naturalists are revisiting how YOU can turn your outdoor space into a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation’s newly streamlined program. 🐝🌼🐸

Whether you have a sprawling backyard, a small garden, or even a balcony, this episode is packed with practical advice, updated guidelines, and sustainable ideas to help you provide essential resources for local wildlife—all while earning an official certification you can proudly display!

🌿 Spoiler Alert: It’s easier than you think!

• ✅ The 4 essentials every certified habitat must provide: food, water, cover, and places to raise young

• ✅ Why native plants (at least 70%!) are now required—and why pollinators LOVE them

• ✅ Easy wins in your yard that might already qualify

• ✅ How to take action with sustainability: composting, conserving water, and reducing pollution

• ✅ The feel-good perks of certification—including your official NWF sign and bragging rights!

For just $25, you’ll get a personalized certificate, NWF membership, and the opportunity to join a growing movement—nearly 300,000 habitats strong nationwide! 🦋

🎧 Listen, like, and subscribe to The Backyard Naturalists on:
🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎶 Spotify
📱 Or wherever you hear podcasts!

🌻 Ready to take the challenge? Certify your own wildlife habitat and tell us all about it—we’d love to feature your story!

What really happens to your recyclables after they leave the curb? This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we sit down with Jeff Smithberger, Director of Mecklenburg County’s Solid Waste Management Program, for an eye-opening look into the world of local recycling.

Serving over 1.1 million residents across Charlotte and surrounding communities, Mecklenburg County’s waste management operation is a complex, high-impact effort that affects every household. From curbside do’s and don’ts to hidden costs of contamination, Jeff helps us understand what it means to Recycle Right—and why it matters more than ever.

Whether you’re a seasoned recycler or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable tips, local resources, and surprising facts that will change how you think about your trash.

• ✅ The 6 items you should put in your curbside bin—and what to leave out

• ✅ How contamination is costing taxpayers millions each year

• ✅ What really happens to recycled materials (hint: road paint, clothing, and more!)

• ✅ Where to drop off hard-to-recycle and hazardous items in Mecklenburg County

• ✅ Why wipeoutwaste.com is your go-to recycling resource

We also cover how the county transforms yard waste into mulch and compost, hosts free paper shredding events, and provides services that many residents don’t even know about. 🧺🌿

🎧 Listen, like, and subscribe to The Backyard Naturalists on:
🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎶 Spotify
📱 Or wherever you hear podcasts!

Let’s clean up our recycling habits and make a greener tomorrow—one bin at a time.

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we're honoring Earth Day 2025 with a powerful and inspiring episode centered around this year’s global theme: “Our Power, Our Planet.” 🌍💚

Join us as we explore how small, everyday choices can make a big impact. From rethinking your grocery list to planting native species and reducing plastic use, this episode is packed with practical ways you can turn your backyard—and your habits—into a force for environmental good.

We also take a look back at the history of Earth Day and dive deep into the empowering idea of the **“Power of One”—**reminding us all that individual action matters. 💪🌱

• ✅ The origins and evolution of Earth Day

• ✅ How your vote and your voice support eco-friendly leadership

• ✅ 12 everyday actions to protect the planet (from composting to ditching plastic)

• ✅ Why native plants and invasive species matter in your backyard

• ✅ How to embrace low-waste living and smart consumer habits

Whether you’re just starting your journey or you’re already a committed backyard steward, this Earth Day episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action.

🎧 Listen, like, and subscribe to The Backyard Naturalists on:
🍎 Apple Podcasts
🎶 Spotify
📱 Or wherever you hear podcasts!

🌎 Let’s grow change—one backyard at a time.