Show Notes
Summary Amanda shares the journey she and her husband have taken to transform their small, suburban yard into a vibrant habitat for birds and pollinators. We discuss the various projects they've undertaken, the challenges of DIY landscaping, the importance of community support, and the positive reactions from neighbors and family. Their story shows how creating wildlife habitat can benefit both the environment and the property owners' well-being. Amanda encourages others to start small, focus on native plants, and seek community support to achieve similar successes. Today's guest Amanda is a mom, medical writer, former biomedical researcher, and nature enthusiast who lives in middle Tennessee on a small, suburban lot. I met Amanda about a year ago when she joined a small group coaching program we were offering in the Backyard Ecology™ Community. She dove right in and continued as community member after the coaching program was done. 3 things you'll learn from this episode The practical steps Amanda took and challenges she and her husband faced while transforming their small, suburban yard into a thriving ecosystem. How her involvement with supportive groups such as her local Wild Ones chapter and the Backyard Ecology™ Community were instrumental in her success. The positive impact creating backyard ecosystems can have on personal well-being, friends and family, and the local biodiversity. Bonus content Amanda's Checklist for Creating a Thriving Backyard Ecosystem Resources Amanda mentioned Backyard Ecology Community Wild Ones The Habitat Connection Other Backyard Ecology resources Attract Backyard Birds with an Ecosystem Approach! Discover Your Next Steps Thank you Thank you to our amazing Patrons who go above and beyond every month to provide financial support which helps us create so much free content for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
More from Backyard Ecology
Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about the results of Mt. Cuba's Solidago Trials which evaluated how approximately 50 different goldenrod species performed in a garden setting.
Summary In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about how goldenrods (Solidago sp.) are keystone species and all the ecological roles that they play. We also touch on some of the evolving discussions and potential unintended consequences related to the native plant movement.
Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss simple ways that anyone can help eastern bluebirds. Our discussion is based off her recently published research looking at the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. You can find our discussion of her research and its results in episode 115.
Summary In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss the results of her research on the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. Ashley used GoPro cameras located on active bluebird nestboxes to take pictures of what eastern bluebirds were bringing back to the nest to feed their young. Over the course of several seasons, she obtained over 8,000 pictures which clearly showed food being brought back to the nest.
Summary The general impression that many people have is that prior to European settlement the whole eastern U.S. was one giant old growth forest. But that wasn't the case. Using an interdisciplinary approach, researchers over the last several decades have discovered that the eastern U.S. was instead interspersed with a surprising number of diverse ecosystems – only one of which was old growth forest.