Oct 18, 2025
In this week’s episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take listeners on a fascinating update tour of several topics previously featured on the show, all of which continue to evolve in the natural world. From hopeful signs of recovery to growing ecological concerns, this episode is packed with new developments and ways for citizen scientists to get involved.
You’ll hear encouraging news about the Red Wolf Recovery Project, where careful management and breeding efforts in North Carolina are giving this critically endangered species a better shot at survival. Then, the hosts revisit the ongoing battle against Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer, often dubbed the “zombie disease.” Learn about the latest testing results, updated hunting restrictions, and why understanding this issue matters beyond state lines.
The team also checks in on two invasive species making headlines: the striking but destructive Spotted Lanternfly, now spreading across the Southeast, and the large, brightly patterned Joro Spider, whose range has expanded into the Carolinas. You’ll discover how to spot, report, and help manage these species using simple tools like iNaturalist, proving that everyone can play a role in conservation.
Tune in for science, stories, and a few laughs (especially from those less-than-fond of spiders)! This episode reminds us that nature is always changing, and so is our understanding of it.