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Project Understory

Central Wisconsin Environmental Stationprojectunderstory.buzzsprout.com
Project Understory is a personal, non-fiction, story-based podcast brought to you by the students, faculty, and friends of the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, a field station for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. Forests have layers, from the sun-bathed upper canopy, to the dappled understory, to the deeply shaded forest floor. So also, our adventures in the outdoors are multi-layered and complex. Here, we strive to tell stories of not just what happened to us in the wilds, but what it meant and how it changed us. We hope our adventures will inspire you as well, to head for the woods and find your own Understory.
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Episodes

Canoeing Adventure

A relaxing canoe trip turns into a rolling adventure full of twists and turns. Find out what happens when laughter turns to panicked screams.

May 09, 20258 minSeason 7Ep. 5

Dinner in the Dark

A routine night shift turns into a wild encounter at an Australian animal sanctuary.

May 08, 20259 minSeason 7Ep. 4

Urban Eyes: A Birding Origin Story

In this episode, Rae Henneman shares her journey from growing up in urban Chicago with little exposure to nature to discovering a passion for birding in college. A chance encounter with a white-breasted nuthatch sparked her curiosity and transformed how she sees the natural world—both in the forest and back home in the city. Join Rae as she reflects on how awareness can open our eyes to the wildlife around us, one bird at a time.

May 07, 20258 minSeason 7Ep. 3

The Curious Case of the Flying Flock

This episode follows the story of a child curious about bird migration and his journey on becoming a nature detective and solving his case

May 06, 20257 minSeason 7Ep. 2

The Importance of Trees

In this special episode, you will hear stories about the importance of trees. The stories come from multiple storytellers including a classroom of 4th graders and a classroom of Master Naturalists.

Mar 21, 20258 minSeason 7Ep. 1

Reflections From a Summit

In this episode, Kate shares how a mountain summit inspired her to engage in all the fleeting opportunities that life has to offer.

Dec 18, 202413 minSeason 6Ep. 5

Falling in Love With Kayaking

This is a story by Alaina Allen about her passion for kayaking. It embodies the sentiment "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again".

Dec 16, 20249 minSeason 6Ep. 4

A Raccoon Took My Mallows

Join Phil White as he shares a short story about an encounter with a troupe of raccoons as they attempt to steal his sweet treats during a camping trip, and the strange connection with one which he still thinks about to this day.

Dec 15, 202410 minSeason 6Ep. 3

Backpacking the Porcupine Mountains

This episode describes an adventurous 23-mile backpacking trip through the Porcupine Mountains with views of waterfalls, trees galore, a whole lot of water, and countless memories.

Dec 14, 202411 minSeason 6Ep. 2

Apostle Islands

Practicum student Logan Buress shares a story about his trip to the Apostle Islands and how him and his family were unprepared for their trip there.

Dec 13, 20245 minSeason 6Ep. 1

Spark Bird

CWES graduate assistant Sarah Wood shares a chance encounter with a forest bird that opens up a whole new world to her in the outdoors.

Oct 30, 20249 minSeason 5Ep. 5

Too Close for Comfort

Working as a camp counselor in Wolf Ridge Environmental Center, Nate was lucky to receive a day off on his 18th birthday. Taking the day for himself, he soon finds that his solo stroll in the woods turns to an interesting interaction with a mama and her cubs. As Nate mentions, make sure you know what wildlife are in your area before your next walk!

Dec 14, 202312 minSeason 5Ep. 3

Peak Memories

We're back with Season 5 of Project Understory! Join Maverick as his adventure with jets and magical donuts bring his senses to life, but in the end, he realizes nature conquers all.

Dec 11, 202311 minSeason 5Ep. 1

Yellowstone: Making a Lasting Impact

Some of you may have an experience that changed your life - and for the better. Join Lauryn as she shares how making a trip to Yellowstone National Park secured her future in the career and world of environmental education.

May 18, 20237 minSeason 4Ep. 8

Not All Camping Trips Go as Planned

As a Wilderness Guide, you never know what can be right around the next bend. Listen in on Clarah's exhilarating story while on the Namekagon River in northern Wisconsin!

May 05, 20239 minSeason 4Ep. 7

Reeling in Rain

If you haven't been to Hayward, WI yet, put it on your list! Maddie shares a memory while fishing with her Dad - a story where the fishing is too good to be true, with a little help from the sky.

May 05, 20236 minSeason 4Ep. 6

A Squirrely Experience

In this podcast, Lauren shares how a even a smaller critter like a squirrel can make make an impact on your nature experience - and get your heart racing, too!

May 05, 20238 minSeason 4Ep. 5

Love for Nature

Sometimes it's the experience that makes you grow as a person, and it all could start with someone that gives you that extra push that allows you to grow as a individual. Delaney explains how her Grandpa's love and support helped push her to her career path in Environmental Education today.

May 04, 202312 minSeason 4Ep. 4

The Reward of Patience

Katie shares her experience of hunting her first white-tail deer in Iowa, showcasing that being patient is worth the wait.

May 03, 202312 minSeason 4Ep. 2

Buck Up

Rheya shares how, even a lost opportunity in a solo hunting adventure, nature can give you a different perspective to gain memorable experiences.

May 03, 202313 minSeason 4Ep. 2

The Magic of Hope

Join Jordan as she takes you through an experience while at Disney that restored her hope in the importance and magic of pursing Wildlife Education.

Apr 04, 202316 minSeason 4Ep. 1

Top of the Mountain

Alyson shares her story climbing the Tatra Mountains of Poland. Sometimes the journey you choose doesn't matter. What you take from it is what matters.

Feb 09, 20239 minSeason 3Ep. 10

Interview with a Naturalist

Join Jimmy as in interviews someone who created nature programs for youth in the suburbs of Chicago, his own mom! They talk about creating connections with nature, what they meant for them, and what it can mean for future naturalists.

Feb 02, 202315 minSeason 3Ep. 9

Windows to Nature

Fox share their experiences with the natural world and what helped shape their relationship to nature and their career path.

Jan 26, 20239 minSeason 3Ep. 8

A Saltwater Struggle

Follow 7 year old Cinna as they have their first snorkeling experience and the mistake of following someone else's advice.

Jan 19, 20239 minSeason 3Ep. 7

Mischievous Mosquitos of Maquoketa

Kindra shares her adventures searching for caves in Maquoketa, and the journey which took her there. Sometimes the struggle can be the reward.

Jan 12, 202313 minSeason 3Ep. 6

We're Not So Different

Elena shares stories of growing up in the woods, creating games, and encountering a creature who shares the same environment.

Jan 05, 20238 minSeason 3Ep. 5

The buck of a lifetime

Join Eric with his favorite memory hunting for an elusive buck, and what hunting means to him, his family, and his connection to nature.

Dec 29, 20228 minSeason 3Ep. 4

Adventures in Backpacking

Carly shares her story backpacking in Michigan and the challenges with poor weather, strange insects, and mysterious tapping in the woods.

Dec 21, 202210 minSeason 3Ep. 3

Encountering Dwarfs and Giants

Aaron shares his experiences in the Florida Keyes and the adventures that bring him face to face with drawfs and giants.

Dec 15, 202210 minSeason 3Ep. 3
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