Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Dr. Doug Tallamy (Professor of Entomology, University of Delaware) Author of Bringing Nature Home and Natures Best Hope. They discuss what has changed in the last 13 years since the publication of Bringing Nature Home, the root of exotic plant species and insects, accepting the role of a predator, and the urgency of growing a Homegrown National Park. Music by Stephen Mahar. Join A Homegrown National Park - Webiste Have a question or a comment? Call (2...
Nov 20, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 28
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Claudia West (Principal at Phyto Studio) Co-Author of Planting in a Post Wild World. They discuss the principals of Ornamental design and Ecological design and how the two can work together, listening to what plants have to say, what's next for the author and Claudia gives design tips for the budding native gardener. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Phyto Studio - Website / Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189....
Nov 13, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 27
Welcome back to The Buzz. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with their first three listener questions left on their question and answer line. They also revisit native plants websites suggested by the listeners, there's a new round of "That's Hot", and Tom introduces their new segment, "This or That" while Fran introduces the jingle. Music by Stephen Mahar. Want to submit original theme music for The Buzz? Make sure you tune in to find out how. Read Fran's Article / Rea...
Oct 30, 2020•55 min•Ep. 26
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Michelle DiBlasio (Watershed Restoration Coordinator) from The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey. They discuss The Nature Conservancy on a local level, their successful Roots for Rivers campaign, the important work being done in the Paulins Kill with their partners at the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group, what's next and how you can help. Tom ponders names for trees and Fran unleashes his Million Dollar idea. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow The...
Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 25
Welcome back to The Buzz. On this episode, hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with another round of "That's Hot!", they discuss their favorite native plants websites and revisit our listener's favorite books about native plants, Tom gives his reasons why Fran is the cause for their first one star review while Fran agrees and adds more to the list. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow these Websites - USDA Native Plant Database / Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center / Duke Farms / Taxinomic Dat...
Oct 09, 2020•48 min•Ep. 24
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Carleton Montgomery (Executive Director) and Ryan Rebozo Ph.D. (Director of Conservation Science) from The Pinelands Preservation Alliance. They discuss the unique importance of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, how this area effects local water quality, recreation in the pines, major challenges of protecting this land and how you can help. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow The Pinelands Preservation Alliance - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTu...
Sep 25, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 23
Welcome to The Buzz. A new monthly segment where hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick discuss a topic concerning native plants. On this episode, Fran and Tom discuss their favorite books about native plants, books that are not directly related to ecology but share a common thread, and the books they are most excited to read. Fran introduces the jingle to one of their newest features. Music by Stephen Mahar. Buy These Books - Bringing Nature Home / A New Garden Ethic / A Sand County Almanac / The N...
Sep 18, 2020•33 min•Ep. 22
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Maura Duffy (Conservation Project Manager) from The National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD. They discuss what happens beyond the physical walls at the aquarium, what their mission statement and conservation goals are, the big picture on plastic pollution, and how you can help. Tom talks about one of his favorite Instagram accounts and Fran tries to sidetrack Maura by discussing music. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow The National Aquarium - Website / Facebo...
Sep 11, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 21
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Dr. Dwayne Estes (Professor and Curator of Herbarium at Austin Peay State University and Executive Director of SGI). They discuss debunking the myth of the mighty squirrel, the misconception of forests along the east coast, historical documentation about our lands, our undeniable connections with nature and why 25 years may be too late. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Southeastern Grasslands Initiative - Website / Facebook / Twitter Have a question or ...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 20
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with our listeners, including Richard McCoy (Owner, Richard A. McCoy Horticultural Services, Inc.), Rosalind Doremus, Skip Byrnes, and James Davis. They discussed how everyone got the native bug, the hardest part of gardening native, our favorite apps, and what tips we would give to others looking to rewild. The tables get turned on Fran and Tom at the end as they are the ones fielding the questions. Fran gets stumped. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow The Na...
Aug 21, 2020•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 19
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Dr. Enric Sala (Author, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Founder of Pristine Seas) about his new book, The Nature of Nature: Why We Need The Wild. They tackle the difficult issues facing our global ecosystems today and approach them with solutions. Topics include reclaiming our oceans, an organic approach to economic growth, re-balancing nature, and things that you can do to help. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Dr. Enric Sala - Website / Fac...
Aug 14, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 18
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Kathy Salisbury (Director) from the Temple University Ambler Arboretum about a range of topics including the legacy of hands on learning at the arboretum, the importance of education, women in horticulture, and inclusivity in nature and our industry. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Temple University Ambler Arboretum - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Websit...
Aug 07, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 17
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Kate Tallon-O'Callaghan (Director) from the Crafts Creek Spring Hill Brook Watershed Associations about starting a watershed association, the local significance of watersheds, the importance of education, and getting involved in local politics. Fran also learns he cannot name a body of water after himself while he is still alive. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Crafts Creek & Spring Hill Brook Watershed Association - Website / Facebook Have a quest...
Jul 31, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 16
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with John Parke (Stewardship Project Director) from New Jersey Audubon. They discuss the decline of the Northern Bobwhite Quail and the plan to bring them back, local farm stewardship, the importance of partnerships, and the best cheesesteak in Philly. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow New Jersey Audubon - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram Follow Working Lands For Wildlife - Website Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plant...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 15
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Kip Adams (Director of Conservation) from The Quality Deer Management Association in this Part 2 of a 2 part series on Deer and Native Plants. They discuss a new merger, building a healthy ecosystem for quality deer herds, native plants that are essential for healthy deer, and the "locavore" movement and the QDMA "Field to Fork" program. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow QDMA - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube Have a question or a comme...
Jul 17, 2020•46 min•Ep. 14
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Dr. Jay Kelly (Professor of Biology) from Raritan Valley Community College in this Part 1 of a 2 part series on Deer and Native Plants. They discuss the rising deer populations and how they relate to forest health, Predator vs. Prey, what is needed for a healthy ecosystem, and native plants that deer may or may not eat. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Dr. Jay Kelly - ResearchGate Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants H...
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 13
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Carolyn Klaube (Stewardship Program Coordinator) from Sourland Conservancy. Happy Pollinator Week! They discuss the distinct region in New Jersey known as the Sourlands and what makes it special, its very unique history, education in numbers, and thinking outside of the box in today's world to keep community involvement. Fran, Tom and Carolyn (well, Tom and Carolyn) answer our listener's Pollinator questions. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Sourland Co...
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 12
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Suzanne (President) and Don Knezick from Pinelands Nursery. It's the Secret Episode! They discuss their humble beginnings and how Pinelands Nursery started in the early 80's as a simple "side-hustle" and grew to be one of the largest native plant nurseries in the country. Tom shares his big news and Fran reveals what happens at the nursery when the owners are away. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Pinelands Nursery - Facebook / Twitter / Instagram Have ...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 11
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Kelly Gill (Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Region) from the Xerces Society. They discuss the roots of the Xerces Society, what they do for invertebrates, how the society got its interesting name, creating pollinator habitat, how agriculture is helping and hurting pollinators, art degrees, Tom goes off topic and uses big words, and Kelly tells us her spirit animal. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow The Xerces Society - W...
May 26, 2020•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 10
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Benjamin Vogt (Author - A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future) of Monarch Gardens LLC. They discuss the heart of gardening ethics and native plants, exploring your local eco-types, reception to a not-so-radical idea and...a new book? Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Benjamin Vogt - Website / Twitter / Instagram / Buy The Book Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Web...
May 12, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 9
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Lou Gambale (President, NJ Chapter) from The National Wild Turkey Federation. They discuss the decline new Native Plants Healthy Planet Facebook Group, The rise and fall of wild turkey, the importance of habitat, organisational partnerships for restoration, and delicious recipes. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow National Wild Turkey Federation - Website / Facebook / Twitter Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy ...
May 05, 2020•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 8
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Sam Droege (Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center) from The Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab. They discuss the decline of native bees, the importance of native flora and fauna, recognizing the significance of specialist bees, if dandelions have merit, and unpopular opinions on honey bees. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab - Website / Tumblr / Flickr / Facebook / Twitter Have a question o...
Apr 28, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 7
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Marcus Gray from Audubon International. They discuss the program Monarchs in the Rough, thinking outside the box, what can be done to reverse the decline of the Monarch population, and how you can help. Music by Stephen Mahar. Follow Audubon International - Website / Facebook / Twitter Follow Monarchs in the Rough - Website / Facebook / Twitter Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagram...
Apr 21, 2020•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 6
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Karen Walzer and Becky Laboy of Jersey-Friendly Yards. They discuss that fact that if you build it (native gardens), they will come (wildlife and pollinators). Learn about the Jersey-Friendly Yard concept, their events, and how to get involved. Music by Stephen Maher. Follow Jersey-Friendly Yards - Website / Facebook / Twitter Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouT...
Apr 14, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 5
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Jen Bulava (Lead Naturalist) from Burlington County Parks in New Jersey. Their discussion topics cover coping with park closures during the pandemic, the diversity of programs and events the parks offer throughout the year, ways you can get involved with the parks, and the best birding spots in the park system including a Blue Heron rookery. Music by Stephen Maher. Follow Burlington County Parks - Website / Facebook Have a question or a comment? Call ...
Apr 09, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 4
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick decide to keep it safe and do a show without a guest. It's a serious time, but they add just the right amount of levity to get you through the day. Subjects include a big thank you to our fans, and native plants that can be used as food, medicine, and toilet paper. Music by contest winner Stephen Maher. Recipes - Elderflower Fritters / Elderberry Juice / Buffalo Milkweed / Milkweed Shoots / Acorn Cake / Beachplum Sorbet Have a question or a comment? Call (215) ...
Mar 17, 2020•52 min•Ep. 3
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick talk with Thomas Almendinger (Director of Natural Resources and AgroEcology) and Charles Barreca (Ecological Research Manager) from Duke Farms. Their discussion covers a wide array of topics including their integrated message of sustainability and knowledge, how you can get involved and help with their mission, as well as their ever popular eagle cam. Follow Duke Farms - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Eagle Cam Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189....
Mar 05, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 2
Welcome to our first podcast. Meet your hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick and find out what to expect in the future. 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, spread the message, and do some good. Visit Here ....
Feb 25, 2020•8 min•Ep. 1
