Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dr. Michael Curran (Owner - Abnova Ecological Solutions) to talk about land management and restoration ecology as it pertains to the energy industry in Wyoming. Topics include theories of land management, the importance of data collection, technology advances in restoration, and leaving nature in a better shape than how it was found. Dr. Curran also shares his intriguing path into ecology. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Abnova Ecological S...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 148
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Tom and Fran celebrate three years of the podcast! "That's Hot" may appear to be recycled. "This or That" discusses the loss of habitat and how to improve habitat. We hear from a new listener on the Question and Comment line before "Take it or Leaf it" has Tom and Fran figuring out what they cannot live without. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? There is new merch! Music by RJ Comer. Read Fr...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 147
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dr. Daniela Shebitz (Chair and Professor, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences - Kean University) to talk about land management and our connections with nature. Topics include theories of land management throughout different cultures, the importance of succession, the practice of prescribed burns, and our responsibility to reach a wider audience. Also discussed is the one native plant you should have on your property for its medicinal value. D...
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 146
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. "That's Hot" is a precursor to A Native Plant Every Day with Tom and Fran this week. "This or That" has Tom and Fran on the same page this week after Fran makes amends with his losing ways. We hear from an old friend on the Question and Comment line before "Take it or Leaf it" has Tom and Fran questioning themselves. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? There is new merch! Music by RJ Comer. Re...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 145
The Secret Tapes are back! Tom Knezick and Fran Chismar take this episode on the road by taking advantage of their drive time while attending the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Tradeshow (MANTS) in Baltimore, MD. On the way to the show Fran and Tom share their expectations and are able to compare them to the results on the way home. *Spoiler Alert* - The Buzz word was "Native". Music by Andorra. Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189. Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet - Website / Instagram / ...
Feb 10, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 144
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. "That's Hot" follow the blight of the ghost forest as well as offering an all-star sedge. "This or That" takes a good look protecting cougars as they trek towards the east and protecting native plants from the threat of extinction "Take it or Leaf it" offers solutions this week. Tom's Petty gets theme music treatment. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? There is new merch! Music by RJ Comer. R...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 143
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick welcome back Sam Hoadley (Horticultural Research Manager) from the Mt. Cuba Center about the results of their newly published Carex trials. It's time to get excited about Carex! They discuss Carex that responded well to mowing, surprise value of many of the Carex species, How species rated for flower and seed pod, as well as the buzz generated by this timely research. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow Mt. Cuba Center - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Insta...
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 142
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. "That's Hot" takes some interesting turns this episode. "This or That" takes a good look protecting native wildlife and street tree diversity. "Take it or Leaf it" ends without and answer. Tom and Fran discuss an industry tradeshow before reflecting on their conversation with the National Wildlife Federation. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? There is new merch! Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran'...
Jan 20, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 141
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick sit down with Mary Phillips (Head of Garden for Wildlife / Certified Wildlife Habitat) from The National Wildlife Federation to talk about the multitude of programs offered by the NWF that support native plants, wildlife, and healthy ecosystems. Topics include Garden for Wildlife, Certified Wildlife Habitats, The Wildlife Native Plants Collection, The National Pollinator Garden Network, and much more. Also discussed is the social aspect of nature and gardening ...
Jan 13, 2023•54 min•Ep. 140
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. We have a old "new" "That's Hot" this week. "This or That" takes a good look at Invasive plant legislation and bee biodiversity. "Take it or Leaf it" focuses on something most nurseries of guilty of doing. Tom and Fran discuss the their favorite Native Plants Healthy Planet Episodes of All-Time and Fran notices an underlying theme. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? There is new merch! Music ...
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 139
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share two of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast to help bring you into the New Year. First is 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, r...
Dec 30, 2022•2 hr 11 min•Ep. 138
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Fran gets a mystery Christmas Present. We have a new "That's Hot" this week. "This or That" takes a good look at California in both articles. "Take it or Leaf it" is just in time for Christmas. Tom and Fran get sidetracked a million times while discussing the Top 10 Native Plants Healthy Planet Episodes of All-Time. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? There is new merch! Music by RJ Comer. Rea...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 137
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick sit back down with Dr. Peter Groffman (Microbial Ecologist - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Professor - City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, Professor - Brooklyn College Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences) to finish their talk about social ecology. Topics include the effects of climate change and a shift of biodiversity, a new landmark case of lawns and HOA's , and encouraging words for you and y...
Dec 16, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 136
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Will Tom finally get to go on vacation - find out before "Grow Read A Book." We have a new "That's Hot" this week. "This or That" looks at native recipes and a farmer's take on Common Milkweed. "Take it or Leaf it" highlights a presidential tradition. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? There is new merch! Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 135
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dr. Peter Groffman (Microbial Ecologist - Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Professor - City University of New York Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center, Professor - Brooklyn College Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences) to talk about the social aspect of urban ecology. Topics include why we have lawns and a brief history of the drivers that encourage the use of chemicals. Also discussed are the long term effects fro...
Dec 02, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 134
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Tom and Fran are grateful for Thanksgiving this episode before a new round of "That's Hot". This week "This or That" discusses native lawn substitutes and the effects of fertilizer. "Take it or Leaf it" highlights one of our keystone species. Tom and Fran tackle the question and comment line while sharing their thoughts on the classic villain. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? Music by RJ Co...
Nov 25, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 133
Tom Knezick hosts the inaugural episode of Native Plants Healthy Planet Trivia. The trivia game that pits three native plant people against each other to see who will reign supreme! This episode's guests are Daryl Kobesky (Co-Owner) from Sunset Farmstead, Steve Knezick (Seed Propagation Manager) of Pinelands Nursery, and Co-Host Fran Chismar is in the center square. There can be only one winner but we will find out if there are any sore losers. Play at home and let us know how you did! Music by ...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 132
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is a new round of "That's Hot" this episode. "This or That" discusses tick control an inclusivity. "Take it or Leaf it" discusses the pros and cons of bee houses. Tom and Fran complain, er...talk at length about topics they are not educated on. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189...
Nov 11, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 131
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick bring The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast to a live audience for the first time ever hosted by the Hudson County Chapter of The Native Plant Society of New Jersey at The Nature's Park Café in James Braddock Park in Bergen County! Tom and Fran reconnect with Dr. Randi Eckel from Toadshade Wildflower Farm to discuss Randi's journey through ecology. Also discussed is the importance of The Native Plant Society and Randi outlines some of her favorite native pla...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 130
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. How did the live podcast go? Find out here. There is a new round of "That's Hot" this episode. "This or That" revisits Hawaii and also discusses native fruits. Tom and Fran revisit the Milkweed Contamination Conundrum and share their thoughts on the topic. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 34...
Oct 28, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 129
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 Aimee Code (Pesticide Program Director) and Sharon Selvaggio (Pesticide Program Specialist Parks, Nurseries & Natural Areas Lead) of the Xerces Society. Conversations include a recently published study about milkweed plants purchased from retail nurseries across the country and the pesticides found in these plants, h...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 128
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is a lot of housekeeping this week before a new round of "That's Hot". "This or That" tackles invasives and climate change while "Take it or Leaf it" involves hiking courtesy. Find out the details on the next Native Plants Healthy Planet live Podcast Event. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? Tom and Fran get way off topic. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have...
Oct 14, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 127
Tom is in Louisville at the Eastern Native Grassland Symposium. He sits down with two fan favorites, Shannon Trimboli from Backyard Ecology and Southeastern Grasslands Institute and Kyle Lybarger from Native Habitat Project. They discuss how they started spreading the message of native plants, meeting for the first time in person, their thoughts on cultivars, and how they garden at home. Music by RJ Comer. Follow Native Habitat Project - Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / TikTok / Patreo...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 126
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is a lot of housekeeping this week before a new round of "That's Hot". "This or That" debates the reasons for doing the right thing. "Take it or Leaf it" gets a little complicated. In a surprise twist, "Grow Read A Book" is not a book. Find out the details on the next Native Plants Healthy Planet live Podcast Event. Are you listening all the way to the end for our secrets? Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Artic...
Sep 30, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 125
Tom Knezick flies solo in a new feature called the Secret Tapes. Tom goes out in the field for a Moth Night with Blaine Rothhauser, Bill Young, and Steve Knezick. Why Moths? First, they're pretty cool. Second, they are a great reflection of the health of your habitat. There are thousands of different types of moths, and while many are generalist feeding species, some are specialists. Certain moths will only feed as caterpillars on walnuts, or cottonwoods, or another single genus. This means that...
Sep 23, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 124
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is a lot of housekeeping this week before a new round of "That's Hot". A new "This or That" spills over into "Take it or Leaf it". "Grow Read A Book" takes us into circle time. Find out the details on the next Native Plants Healthy Planet live Podcast Event. 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 - Webs...
Sep 16, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 123
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Terry Doss (Co-Director of Meadowlands Research & Restoration Institute) from The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Topics include the history of the NJSEA as well as the Meadowlands of NJ. Also discussed are the importance and diversity of the Meadowlands, the research being done in this grassland ecosystem, as well as what the future holds for the The Meadowlands. Terry describes her road to finding what she wanted to be. Music by E...
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 122
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Fran and Tom start off the episode with a little housekeeping before a new round of "That's Hot" & "This or That" that have Tom and Fran biting off more than they can chew while "Take it or Leaf it" turns out to be a much larger topic then they realized. Find out the details on the next Native Plants Healthy Planet live Podcast Event. Music by RJ Comer. Read Fran's Article / Read Tom's Article Have a question o...
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 121
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Dr. Johnny Quispe (Cities Program Manager) from The Nature Conservancy. Topics include the challenges of ecological restorations in urban environments, successes and lessons learned along the journey, achieving involvement and stewardship from the community, as well as what the future holds for the Cities Program. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men. Follow the TNC Cities Program - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Newark Greenprint ...
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 120
Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. We have not one, but TWO contest winners. There's a new round of "That's Hot" & "This or That" this episode. Tom has a new "Grow Read A Book" and "Take it or Leaf it" turns out to be enlightening. Find out the details on the next Native Plants Healthy Planet live Podcast Event. 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 Hea...
Aug 19, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 119
