Best Walnut Creek Fire Protection Podcasts (2025)

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 515 - Phenology is Important 50:17

a day ago50:17

50:17

The emergence of leaves, the blooming of flowers, the arrival of pollinators... these are all biological events that are closely tied to the changing seasons. The study of this linkage is called Phenology and my guest today wants to share her passion for this wonderful world of inquiry. Join me and Dr. Theresa Crimmins as we discuss the USA Nationa…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 514 - Parent/Offspring Conflicts in Moss 56:37

8 days ago56:37

56:37

Parents and children don't always get along. Sometimes they can even be competitors. Conflicts often lead to interesting evolutionary adaptations and mosses are no stranger to this. Join me and Dr. Jessica Budke as we explore a familial tug of war going on all around us. This episode was produced in part by Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, S…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 513 - The Enigma of the Galax Genome 45:08

15 days ago45:08

45:08

Spend any time in the southern Appalachian Mountains and you are bound to cross paths with Galax urceolata. This wonderful little evergreen herb seems to be at home in a variety of habitats from forest streams to granite outcrops and everywhere in between. It is also culturally significant and even suffers from poaching in some areas. Despite its p…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 512 - The Complexity of Mangrove Ecosystems 48:11

22 days ago48:11

48:11

Mangrove forests are dynamic places and so too are the people that study them. From carbon capture and peat formation, to restoration and hydrology, these coastal habitats offer curious minds plenty to ponder. Join me and Dr. Luke Lamb-Wotton as we explore the wonderfully complex world of these coastal ecosystems. This episode was produced in part …

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 511 - Paw Paw Randomness 55:42

29 days ago55:42

55:42

Paw paw (Asimina triloba) is a charismatic and special species. It is the most northerly growing member of a mostly tropical family. It also has considerable influence on its herbaceous neighbors. Join me and PhD student Anna Wassel as we explore the random world of pawpaw and understory herb community assembly. This episode was produced in part by…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 510 - Epiphytes & Phorophytes 58:42

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about a year ago58:42

58:42

Mosses, liverworts, and lichens live in a world of their own. Not unlike the trees they grow on, these tiny organisms must play out the dramas of obtaining the water, nutrients, and light they need to survive, they are just doing so on a much smaller scale. At the same time, they are supporting their own food webs that scale far bigger than their o…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 509 - The Power of Biotic Resistance 51:48

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about a year ago51:48

51:48

Invasive species reduce native biodiversity and hinder an ecosystem's ability to support life, including our own. Managing invasive species can be very challenging, but that doesn't intimidate people like Dr. Mike Schuster. Learn how he and his colleagues are using the ecological principal of biotic resistance to study how some native plants such a…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 508 - The Cashew Family Revisited 50:04

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about a year ago50:04

50:04

What do cashews (Anacardium spp.), mangoes (Mangifera spp.), pistachios (Pistacia spp.), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron spp.) have in common? They are all members of the family Anacardiaceae! Revisit this conversation with Executive Director at the United States Botanic Garden, Dr. Susan Pell, who has devoted her career to understanding this incredi…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 507 - The Beginning Revisited 14:26

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about a year ago14:26

14:26

January 2025 marks the 10 year anniversary (!!!) of the In Defense of Plants Podcast. To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to revisit the first episode of the podcast. Travel back a decade to a tiny, old Buffalo NY apartment where a young and naive Matt waxes poetic about his love for jewel orchids (Ludisia discolor) as a blizzard rages outside.…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 506 - The Digital Future of Herbaria

about a year ago

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The herbarium world is a fascinating one. These botanical repositories are goldmines of data and help us understand the present by looking at the past. But what kind of future questions can herbaria help solve? Experts say the opportunities are endless, but we will need new technologies to take full advantage. Join me and Curator and Director of th…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 505 - Leave the Dang Leaves! 48:56

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about a year ago48:56

48:56

Leave the leaves! It is a phrase you hear a lot these days, but why is it so important to keep leaves and other plant debris on your landscape? These are the questions that drive Dr. Max Ferlato. Leaf litter and other plant debris provides vitally important habitat for myriad organisms including species important for pollination and pest control. M…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 504 - The Genetic Mysteries of Creosote Bush 59:18

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about a year ago59:18

59:18

What is a species? On the surface, this seems like an easy question to answer. Get a bunch of biologists in the room together and you will quickly see it can be a bit of a loaded question. Questions like this are what drive scientists like Dr. Robert Laport. By looking at genome duplication events in plants like creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), h…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 503 - Pollen Specialization

about a year ago

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Bees run the gamut from generalists to specialists. Whereas the generalists visit a variety of plants for the resources they need, many specialists exist on a single species. Such is the case for at least 20 different bees living in Southwestern North America who specialize on the pollen of the creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). In geologic terms, …

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 502 - Unearthing the Mysteries of Underground Storage Organs

about a year ago

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Tubers, corms, taproots, bulbs... There are many different kinds of underground storage organs in the plant world. Moreover, they form from many different kinds of plant tissues. This begs the question, why are there so many variations on the theme of energy storage? Join me and Dr. Carrie Tribble as we explore phylogenetic and trait-based approach…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 501 - Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives 59:49

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about a year ago59:49

59:49

Domestication is a spectrum, especially for botanical crops. Regardless of where a plant is on that spectrum, it nevertheless has a wild origin. Understanding those origins can not only help us understand the plants better, but also our history as a species as well as open the door to future possibilities. Sadly, many of the wild relatives of crops…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 500 - 500?! 31:40

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about a year ago31:40

31:40

It is hard to believe, but you are about to listen to the 500th episode of the In Defense of Plants Podcast. So much has happened over the nearly 10 years this podcast has been running, and none of it would be what it is today without YOU, the listener. So, in celebration of the big 5 0 0, the wonderful Sara Johnson turns the tables and sits down t…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 499 - Aspen & Forest Health 48:43

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about a year ago48:43

48:43

Aspen (Populus tremuloides) are synonymous with many habitats throughout North America. This tree is a species of superlatives, but its grandeur doesn't mean it is immune to threats. In fact, in many areas of its range, aspen is in decline. Join me and Dr. Connor Crouch as we explore what he and his colleagues are learning about aspen health and ho…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 498 - Planting a Future for Ecuadorian Biodiversity 43:38

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about a year ago43:38

43:38

Protecting and restoring biodiversity in a place as biodiverse as Ecuador is no small task. You have to work hard and collaborate and that is exactly what the folks at Jocotoco Conservation Foundation. From protecting land and engaging communities, to research and restoration, their multifaceted efforts stand as a glorious example that conservation…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 497 - Understanding the Bewildering Diversity of Plant/Pollinator Interactions 52:42

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about a year ago52:42

52:42

One cannot overemphasize the importance of plant/pollinator interactions. The world as we know it would not exist without these complex components of ecology. Getting good data, and more importantly, making those data useful is important in conserving and restoring plants and their pollinators. Join my and Dr. Chris Cosma of Conservation Biology In…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 496 - Tree Rings Revisited 43:21

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about a year ago43:21

43:21

Counting the rings of a tree can be so much fun. In the temperate zone, each ring marks a year in that tree's life. However, if you know what to look for, tree rings can tell you so much more. Dr. Valerie Trouet has made a career out of counting and measuring tree rings. Tree rings offer a surprisingly detailed window back in time and allows scient…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 495 - Pack Rats & Paleoclimates Revisited 31:40

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about a year ago31:40

31:40

Novel approaches are always fun. Nowhere is this more apparent than in today's podcast. We revisit a conversation with Dr. Camille Holmgren from SUNY Buffalo State about her research reconstructing ancient desert climates using pack rat middens. Join us for a fun and interesting discussion that will take you back thousands of years in the past. Thi…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 494 - The Botanical Mysteries of the Mazon Creek Formation 49:40

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about a year ago49:40

49:40

The Mazon Creek Fossil Formation is famous the world over for the exquisite preservation of soft tissues in animals. These rocks provide pristine snapshots of everything from extinct worms and jellyfish to sharks and even the mysterious Tully Monster. For all that these fossils have taught us about the animals of this long extinct ecosystem, we kno…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 493 - Being Friendly to Bees 51:51

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about a year ago51:51

51:51

"Benefitting pollinators" is a phrase that gets used a lot, especially in gardening circles. While most of us will agree with the sentiment, what does it mean in practice? How does one "benefit" pollinators in their community? There are a lot of great ways to do this, especially when it comes to native plants, but finding good, digestible informati…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 492 - Hope in Wetland Restoration 59:00

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about a year ago59:00

59:00

Restoring healthy wetlands isn't an easy task. Often times, altered hydrologic cycles means wetlands no long act like they once did. Nevertheless, the many ecological and cultural benefits of functioning wetlands means that wetland restoration is certainly worth the time, money, and effort. Join me and Dr. Gary Sullivan of The Wetlands Initiative a…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 491 - Plants & Wetland Restoration 53:40

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about a year ago53:40

53:40

Healthy wetlands are vital to maintaining biodiversity and a healthy way of life for us. Sadly, we haven't always treated wetlands like the essential habitats that they are. While protecting natural wetlands is a must, we also need to understand how to restore them and plants play a major role in such efforts. Join me and Katie Kucera of The Wetlan…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 490 - Pinesap: A Parasitic Mystery 57:14

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about a year ago57:14

57:14

Pinesap (Monotropa hypopitys) produces no leaves nor any chlorophyl. It “eats” fungi and can be found growing in many areas around the globe. It flowers in spring, fall, and summer and noby really knows if it is a single species or many. Despite its uniqueness, relatively little scientific attention has been paid to this little parasitic plant. Joi…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 489 - Protecting Peak Plants Revisited 46:14

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about a year ago46:14

46:14

The Adirondack Mountains are home to a remarkable diversity of plant species. Situated in northern New York, these mountains are harsh enough that they foster a thriving alpine community. Despite their ability to handle some of the worst weather conditions, alpine plants can be quite sensitive to human traffic. With more and more people flocking to…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 488 - An Interesting Case of Variegation 1:02:38

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about a year ago1:02:38

1:02:38

Variegation among leaves is a fascinating phenomenon. Though plant breeders have accentuated this trait in a variety of cultivated plants, variegation does occur naturally as well. Its function isn't well understood for most species either. Such is the case for two species of wild ginger in the genus Hexastylis. Join me and Dr. Cierra Sullivan as w…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 487 - Fossil Seeds & Past Plant Diversity 53:58

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about a year ago53:58

53:58

Fossils offer some of the best evidence of how diverse various branches of the tree of life once were. They help us understand speciation and extinction as well as biogeography. Dr. Steve Manchester has spent much of his career using fossilized seeds to understand the ancient histories of flowering plants such as the walnut family (Juglandaceae). J…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 486 - Sedge Diversity Gone Wild 54:52

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about a year ago54:52

54:52

Sedges are a complex group of plants in the family Cyperaceae. Within this family lies the genus Carex, which boasts ~2000 species found in all kinds of habitats. From specialists to generalists, there seems to be no lifestyle the sedges have not experimented with. But how did all this sedge diversity come to be? That is the question Dr. Andrew Hip…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 485 - Paleo Grapes 1:00:28

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about a year ago1:00:28

1:00:28

The grape family (Vitaceae) is known and appreciated the world over, largely for their culinary value. Ecologically speaking, they are very important plants as well. However, we know very little about their origin, evolution, and rates of extinction. Thanks to some lucky paleobotanical finds, that story has become a bit clearer in recent times. Joi…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 484 - From Dune to Desert: Adventures in Plant Conservation 43:21

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about a year ago43:21

43:21

Plant conservation isn't easy work, but it is vital to maintaining ecosystem health. Nowhere is this more apparent than in extreme environments like beach dunes and deserts. Join me and plant conservationist Emily Guinan as we explore some of her adventures in plant conservation. This episode was produced in part by David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, …

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 483 - When Palms Grew in Wyoming Revisited 48:44

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about a year ago48:44

48:44

Join Dr. Sarah Allen and me as we journey back in time to the Eocene. Earth was a very different planet some 49 million years ago. Though we may recognize some Eocene flora, the combination of various plant lineages would be enough to make your head spin. Earth was experiencing a warming period and the plants had responded accordingly. Tropical spe…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 482 - Walnuts Above the Arctic Circle? 54:02

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about a year ago54:02

54:02

The High Arctic is not a place you go looking for forests today. It is extremely harsh, cold, and nearly void of most forms of plant life. However, that has not always been the case. The Eocene Epoch was a period where Earth was much hotter than it is today and forests flourished at the poles. This is also when much of the flora we know and love to…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 481 - Borderlands Restoration in Action 1:00:38

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about a year ago1:00:38

1:00:38

Deserts are difficult places for any organism to survive, let alone plants. Despite the challenges, rich a unique floras have evolved in deserts all over the world which support myriad other forms of life. Restoring these communities in human-disturbed areas is critical in solving so many ecological and cultural issues and that is exactly what we a…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 480 - Understanding Bark Beetles 50:41

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about a year ago50:41

50:41

Bark beetles may be small, but they can have major impacts on forests around the globe. It may be easy to think of these insects as always a bad thing, but what if they aren't? Simple stories rarely apply in ecology and nowhere is that more apparent than in the work of scientists like Dr. Seth Davis. Join is as we take dive into the complex relatio…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 479 - Insights into Nightshade Defenses 1:08:00

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about a year ago1:08:00

1:08:00

Plants cannot run away from the herbivores that eat them, therefore plants have evolved numerous strategies to defend themselves from being consumed. Plant defenses are as varied as the plant kingdom and the ways in which they operate will blow your mind. We are joined by Dr. Rupesh Kariyat who studies plant defenses in a variety of nightshade rela…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 478 - Milkweed Defense De-Escalation 1:01:08

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about a year ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Plant defense compounds are great for the plants that produce them as they can ward off herbivore attacks. But what happens when a group of specialists evolves a way to utilize said compounds? Such is the case for milkweeds (Apocynaceae) and milkweed butterflies (Danaina). A long evolutionary history together kicked off an evolutionary arms race dr…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 477 - Juncus, What a Rush! 53:45

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about a year ago53:45

53:45

Join Chief Botanist for NatureServe Wes Knapp and me as we take a deep dive into an all-too-often overlooked group of plants - the rushes (genus Juncus). Rushes are fascinating and beautiful plants when you get to know them, and the genus has a lot of secrets waiting to be revealed. From their unique morphological characters to what it takes to des…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 476 - Ashes, Roses, and the Great Southern Brood 29:26

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about a year ago29:26

29:26

Conservation Biologist Sara Johnson returns to the podcast to talk about some of the botanical rabbit holes we have been exploring in recent weeks. We discuss ash (Fraxinus spp.) and rose (Rosa spp.) diversity and wax poetic about our time experiencing the majesty of the Great Southern Brood of periodical cicadas. This episode was produced in part …

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 475 - Island Restoration Needs Plants 47:26

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about a year ago47:26

47:26

Islands are hotbeds for unique biodiversity. Strange and unique island plants form the foundation of strange and unique ecosystems. Sadly, the human hand has not been kind to Earth's island ecosystems, especially in recent times. The introduction of invasive species like rats, cats, and goats have brought many islands to the brink of collapse and t…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 474 - Untangling Cryptic Diversity 58:31

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about a year ago58:31

58:31

Sometimes the differences between species are vast (e.g., a maple and an oak) but other times they are subtle to the point of requiring a trained eye and essentially learning a new language. So-called cryptic species are extremely challenging to understand, but that is why spending time in the field can be so rewarding. Moreover, to understand cryp…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 473 - Root Evolution Revisited 39:49

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about a year ago39:49

39:49

There is no denying that roots are one of the most important organs on a plant. However, unless its an epiphyte, root activity takes place underground, largely out of site and out of mind. This has not stopped my guest today from trying to understand the origin and evolution of these amazing structures. We revisit a conversation with plant evolutio…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 472 - Snorkelwort & Friends are X-Treme! 53:15

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about a year ago53:15

53:15

Any organism that ephemeral gravel puddles home must be ready to deal with extremes. That is what makes snorkelwort (Gratiola amphiantha) and its aquatic neighbors so darn cool. It's what also makes it so very rare. Join me and Anna Wyngaarden as we take a deep dive into how she is trying to solve some of the many mysteries surrounding how plants l…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 471 - Chasing Rare Oaks 44:52

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about a year ago44:52

44:52

Boynton/Alabama sandstone (Quercus boyntonii) and Georgia oaks (Q. georgiana) are among the rarest oaks in North America and yet we know so little about them. This paucity of knowledge can make conservation difficult, but that doesn't stop people like Patrick Thompson from trying. Join us as we discuss the multifaceted efforts aimed at keeping thes…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 470 - Rethinking Water Lettuce 51:05

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about a year ago51:05

51:05

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) has long been maligned for its invasive tendencies. This floating aquatic aroid grows fast and responds well to poor water quality, and because of this, states like Florida spend lots of time and money on trying to eradicate it. However, a combination of fossil end recent genetic evidence suggests that we should re…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 469 - Blue Butterworts & Friends 42:54

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about a year ago42:54

42:54

The Southeast is one of North America's biodiversity hotspots. Any trip through this region will be rewarded with lots of botanical splendor if you know where to look. Join Conservation Biologist Sara Johnson and me as we reminisce about a recent botanical excursion and learn about a fraction of the botanical diversity we met along the way. This ep…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 468 - Plants, Structure, and Habitat 41:25

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about a year ago41:25

41:25

I have said it before, and I will say it again: plants ARE habitat. Nowhere is this fact more apparent than in the field of wildlife ecology. From food to shelter, one simply can't understand the innerworkings of nature without understanding plants. Join me and Wildlife Ecologist Dr. Chris Moorman as we look at why plants are so important to conser…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 467 - Roots & the Struggle for Nutrients 55:09

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about a year ago55:09

55:09

Competition for nutrients is a major driver of plant evolution, especially in nutrient-poor soils. As such, plants have evolved myriad ways of getting a "root up" on the competition. Dr. Jim Dalling joins us to discuss two recent discoveries related to two species with distinct and incredible root adaptations aimed at maximizing nutrient capture in…

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In Defense of Plants Podcast

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Ep. 466 - Fire in the Mountains 48:57

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about a year ago48:57

48:57

The Appalachian region may not readily seem like a fire-prone region, but parts of it certainly are. Fire can be an important tool in sustaining biodiversity, but modern understanding of its role is limited. That is why people like Dr. Don Hagan study the effects of prescribed fire in the Appalachian Mountains and beyond. Join me and Dr. Hagan as w…

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