The Backyard Naturalists

The Backyard Naturalists podcasts is geared toward nature lovers of all kinds, from beginners to those with more experience. We have a very diverse lineup of topics planned for you, such as what you can do in your own yard to enhance the habitat for the creatures who live there, participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count as a citizen scientist, using native plants, which snakes live in our area, how to attract specific birds, common and uncommon raptors in the greater Charlotte region, spring and fall migration season for birds, plants for butterflies and much more!

Wildlife Bridges and Crossings

Jun 6, 2026

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne explore the fascinating world of wildlife bridges, wildlife crossings, green bridges, and ecoducts — structures designed to help animals safely move across fragmented habitats caused by highways, railroads, canals, and other human-made barriers....

What Bird Built That?

May 30, 2026

It’s nesting season in the Carolinas, and this week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne take a fun, award-show-style look at the many ways birds build — or sometimes barely build — their nests. From the lightning-fast Carolina wren to the ground-nesting killdeer, the late-arriving

Encore Episode: Tiny Habitats — Big Nature in Small Spaces

May 23, 2026

Think you need a big backyard to help wildlife? Think again! In this encore episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie prove that even the tiniest patio, balcony, porch, apartment landing, condo space, or HOA-approved corner can become a welcoming wildlife habitat. With a little creativity — and maybe a...

Plant This, Not That

May 16, 2026

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne celebrate spring planting season with a practical conversation about choosing plants that support wildlife and strengthen local ecosystems. Using the idea of “Plant This, Not That,” they compare native plants that thrive in the Carolinas...

What’s Happening in Your Habitat

May 9, 2026

Spring is finally making itself known, and that means our backyard habitats are changing fast. In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie talk about what listeners may be seeing, hearing, and experiencing in their own outdoor spaces — from nesting bluebirds, Carolina wrens, catbirds,...