This episode delves into the journey of Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. Paula discusses her transformation from a nature enthusiast to a dedicated ecological restorer. The conversation touches on the diverse challenges and rewarding experiences of managing invasive species, the necessity of well-considered ecological interventions, and the intricate balance required to support native plants and wildlife. Through her personal anecdotes and expert insights, Paula illustrates the importance of connecting with nature right where you are and the impact of slow, deliberate efforts in ecological restoration.
00:00 Discovering Nature Close to Home
01:30 Traveling with a Baby: Tips and Experiences
04:19 Gardening Adventures and Native Landscaping
05:29 The Irony of Mowing Less
07:54 Introducing Paula Wyman and Her Book
09:35 Paula Whyman's Journey to Becoming a 'Bad Naturalist'
10:34 Challenges and Rewards of Land Restoration
24:46 The Importance of Native Plants and Ecological Balance
33:55 Invasive Species Statistics
35:09 Tree of Heaven: A Persistent Problem
39:10 Spotted Lantern Fly Invasion
40:15 The Origin and Spread of Tree of Heaven
42:49 Autumn Olive: A Regrettable Introduction
45:45 Challenges with Multiflora Rose
48:20 The Importance of Native Plants
50:13 Creating Habitats for Declining Bird Species
52:07 The Concept of Slow Living
01:00:08 The Good Dirt: Restoring Soil Health
01:01:04 Ongoing Projects and Future Plans
01:03:06 Final Thoughts and Resources
Resources:
Wilding by Isabella Tree
Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy
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🌻 About Lady Farmer:
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Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer.
The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network.
🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:
• Wendy Gray
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