Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Richard McCoy (Owner, Richard A. McCoy Horticultural Services, Inc.), Lori Jensen (Executive Director, NJNLA), Dan Mabe (Founder, American Green Zone Alliance), and Christine Symington (Program Director, Sustainable Princeton) to discuss the topic of regulating land care. Conversations include the state of land care t...
Jan 14, 2022•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 88
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" this episode. Tom and Fran reveal the Top 10 episodes of all time as well as some of their favorites from the last year. Fran and Tom get a little philosophical before sharing their resolutions for the upcoming year. Music by RJ Comer. Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube Follow Fran Chis...
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 87
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Owen Wormser (Author of Lawns into Meadows, Owner) of Abound Design. They discuss Owen's unique upbringing, the importance of meadows and their benefits, ecological facts about maintaining turf grass, and native plants to help turn your meadows into a reality. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Owen Wormser - Websites / Instagram / Buy The Book Buy a copy of Lawns into Meadows. Go Here and enter the code MEADOW20 for 20 percent off your entire or...
Dec 30, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 86
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. Tom and Fran share some great last minute gift ideas for the Holidays. There is finally a name for the new segment! Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube Follow Fran Chismar Here . Buy a T-shirt, s...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 85
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Andrea DeLong-Amaya (Director of Horticulture) and Joe Marcus (Native Plants of North America Program Coordinator) of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. They discuss the legacy of the visionary Lady Bird Johnson, the history of the center and the work that they do, the incredible task behind creating the database of wildflower.org, the importance of education behind the mission of native plant awareness, and some of the things you may have missed on...
Dec 17, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 84
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. Tom and Fran take a moment to reflect on the last few episodes focusing on Green Infrastructure. Everyone gets a listener shoutout this episode! Fran and Tom make a tough decision in a new segment. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - We...
Dec 10, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 83
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Jack Szczepanski Ph.D. (Senior Aquatic Ecologist) of Princeton Hydro about floating wetland islands. They discuss the benefits of FWI's, the science behind them, native plants that are used in them, and the different applications in which they can be used. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Princeton Hydro - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - ...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 82
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. Sol calls in with his winner of the Draw Sol contest and Tom and Fran give some helpful tips for after your Thanksgiving Day meals. Fran and Tom reveal their guilty plant pleasures. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagra...
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 81
Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Kate Ancaya (Co-Founder and Landscape Architect) from Living Roofs, Inc. and Shannon Currey (Marketing Director) of Hoffman Nursery to discuss the topic of green roofs. Conversations include what exactly is a green roof, the benefits of having a green roof, what goes into green roof plant selections, and the challenge...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 80
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. Tom is getting quite the reputation in the avian lover actor's guild and Fran urges the listeners to become active in their favorite organizations. Fran and Tom pick their favorite Sol entries before posting in the Facebook Group. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow ...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 79
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Hubert Ling (President) of The Native Plant Society of NJ about the 38 year history of the organization. They discuss the benefits of membership, the idea behind their annual seed exchange program, the programs that they offer, including their fall conference, as well as the friendships that can be made. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow The NPSNJ - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Flickr Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow N...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 78
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new Halloween episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Lewis Family helps out with the Grow Read a Book Jingle as well as the topic of native plants for Halloween. The Bird Lady offers an olive branch to Tom and there is a listener shoutout to the Great White North in this Halloween Spooktacular. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Ca...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 77
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Gregg Tepper (Horticulturist and Author) of West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Laurel Hill Cemetery about the important practice of sustainability. They discuss the Nature's Sanctuary, changing views on traditional perception, practices of reuse and recycling, managing for deer and invasives in a sustainable environment, and the importance of stewardship. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Laurel Hill Cemetery - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagra...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 76
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The guys take a moment to reflect on their latest Rooted Discussion before they introduce a new segment. Noele shares a competitive game that that has Tom and Fran turning up their noses. There can be only one! Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Health...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 75
Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Carolyn Klaube (Stewardship Director) from Sourland Conservancy, Debbie Dekleva (Monarch Maverick) of Monarch Flyway, Amy Greene (Professional Wetland Scientist and Certified Senior Ecologist) former President of Amy Greene Environmental, and Dr. Randi Eckel (Owner) of Toadshade Wildflower Farm to discuss women in the...
Oct 08, 2021•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 74
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz and they have brand new equipment. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode - but not in that order. Tom's latest segment, Grow Read A Book, has you consider the way you view native plants and a listener's post in The Native Plants, Healthy Planet Facebook group goes viral. You get a listener shoutout, you get a listener shoutout, everyone gets a listener shoutout as Tom and Fran are truly...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 73
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Shannon Trimboli (Founder and Host) of Backyard Ecology about being acceptive and nurturing towards those entering the native plant spectrum. They discuss approaching ecology from a place of wonder and education, the beginnings of Backyard Ecology, and the paths we all take to ecological enlightenment. Stop and smell the Sassafras. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Backyard Ecology - Website / Facebook / LinkedIn Follow Busy Bee Nursery - Websit...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 72
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. Sol gets excited about our new contest and Dr. Evil spreads the horror of Jumping Worms. Tom's latest segment, Grow Read A Book, leads us into the topic of making the native plant circle larger. They guys bite the bullet and unlock their Instagram accounts. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? C...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 71
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Kyle Lybarger (Founder, Director, and CEO) from Native Habitat Project about creating a space for conservation and restoration in social media. They discuss the formation of a community of passionate conservation and sportspersons professionals, the beginnings of the Native Habitat Project, and the importance of spreading the native plant message. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Native Habitat Project - Website / Facebook / TikTok / Instagram ...
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 70
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. The Podcast hits a milestone and Fran and Tom look back at some of the highlights. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. Sol checks in and we get a great question from a listener, and the guys discuss why Fall is for planting. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / I...
Sep 03, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 69
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Sam Hoadley (Horticultural Research Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the history of their Trial Gardens. They discuss the mission of the Trial Gardens, challenges for maintaining their scientific integrity, significant findings over the years, what's next, and the hot button issue of straight species vs. cultivars. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Mt. Cuba Center - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube Have a question or a c...
Aug 27, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 68
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Tom starts a conversation on what other podcasts they like to listen to and where they go to relax. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode, and Tom tells us about The Hidden Life of Trees in Grow Read a Book. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagram / Facebook ...
Aug 20, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 67
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Cynthia Blackwood (Park Manager) and Beth Yount (Former Board of Directors Vice President) from Friends of High School Park about the 27 year history of their organization. They discuss what a Friends organization is and how to start a friends organization of your own. Topics also include the challenges of creating a natural preserve on the site of a former school, innovative ways of creating engagement and fund raising, strategies to restore their th...
Aug 13, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 66
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with a new caller! Tom and Fran talk about their celebrity guest wish list, and Tom unveils a new segment. Discussions center around feedback from the last episode of The Buzz. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants He...
Aug 06, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 65
Welcome to Rooted Discussions, our roundtable conversations featuring top minds in the field of the topic at hand. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are joined by Jim MacKenzie (President) from Octoraro Native Plant Nursery, and Matt Gettinger (President) from Long Island Natives to discuss the woody side of the native plant nursery industry. Conversations include the challenges of growing woody stock, determining what to grow and the sizes to grow them to, limiting our chemica...
Jul 30, 2021•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 64
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with the return of Sol and a new caller! Tom and Fran talk about something they would change professionally. Discussions center around Tom and Fran's favorite natural areas to visit. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Pla...
Jul 23, 2021•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 63
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Santino Lauricella (Education and Communication Coordinator) and Jean Barrell (Volunteer) from the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve about the history of their curated native plant Museum. They discuss the mission of the preserve, the challenges of preserving their collection, the work their nursery accomplishes, and the importance of education. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve - Website / Facebook / Twitter / ...
Jul 16, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 62
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with the return of Doom and more! Tom and Fran talk about new purchases they are excited about. Discussions center around the definition of an invasive plant and the ways that invasive plants can spread. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-61...
Jul 09, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 61
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Nathan Shampine (Natural Land Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the history of their Natural Lands Program. They discuss the techniques available for managing natural areas for habitat, the importance of succession, prescribed burnings, and managing for deer pressure and invasive plants in a natural setting. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Mt. Cuba Center - Webiste / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube Have a question or a comment? ...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 60
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz to finish out Pollinator Week. There's a new round of "That's Hot" and "This or That" this episode. The Question and Comment line is busy with a great new caller. Tom tries his hand at complaining before he and Fran quickly turn things around to share 5 things they are excited about. Discussions center around Pollinator Fun Facts. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comme...
Jun 25, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 59
