The Backyard Naturalists

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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!

Snake Deterrents: What Works, What Doesn’t

Jun 28, 2025

Summer is heating up across the Carolinas, and that means snakes are on the move — and stirring up plenty of conversation. In this episode, Debbie and Laurie bust myths and tackle misinformation about snake deterrents, exploring what truly works (and what absolutely doesn’t) to keep these fascinating reptiles out of...

Catching Up – Monarchs, Lanternflies, and Zombie Deer? Oh My!

Jun 21, 2025

It’s time to catch up with The Backyard Naturalists, your weekly dose of everything wild and wonderful in the natural world! This week, Debbie and Laurie are taking a look back—and a hopeful step forward—as they revisit three important topics that continue to affect our backyards and beyond: the...

🎧 Frogs, Toads & Backyard Choruses

Jun 14, 2025

In this episode of The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie take a fun and fascinating leap into the world of frogs and toads—those small but mighty voices you hear rising from ponds, ditches, and backyards as spring turns into summer.

You’ll learn how to spot (and hear!) some of North Carolina’s most common...

🐍 Snakes, Safety, and a Python Named Norm

Jun 7, 2025

This week on The Backyard Naturalists, we’re welcoming a cold-blooded guest — and we mean that in the best way possible.

Reptile educator Jay Bell joins Debbie and Laurie in the studio, bringing along his unforgettable companion: Norm, a Burmese python who stretches over 6 feet long (and still growing!). Together,...