Naturally Speaking

Hear what we have coming up in season 6 of Naturally Speaking!

In this podcast, join Digital Media Intern AJ DiFranco as he speaks with local farmer Kia Beth-Bennett of the Bittersweet-Milkweed Collaborative Farm and master horticulturist Erica LaFountain from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County. Learn more about the hidden world of pollinators living in the North Country, the threats facing them, and the things we can do to help make the North Country a more welcoming place for our pollinators. 

When we left off in Part 1 with Kaitlin Lawless, she had just finished telling us about Birch Boys Incorporated, her path to the vice presidency, and what it takes to be a sustainable harvester of chaga and other mushrooms here in the North Country. In Part 2, we're going to continue that conversation by getting into the habitat that these mushrooms rely on, what impact the short-term changes in weather are having on that habitat, and what the outlook is for the health of these mushrooms and the longer-term trends of climate, and what Birch Boys Incorporated is doing to help with their harvesting practices to alleviate that pressure.

This is part one of a two part podcast with the Vice President of Birch Boys Inc. Kaitlin Lawless. Birch Boys is a local business based in Tupper Lake on the sustainable harvest and manufacture of various mushroom-based medicines. In this part, join Project Manager Dan French as he picks Kaitlin’s brain about how Birch Boys got started, how they picked their selection of mushrooms, and how they’ve sourced their mushrooms in the past and present.

In this podcast, join Nature Up North Summer Naturalist Will as he talks with St. Lawrence University professor Sue Wilson, an ornithologist, about the fall bird migration taking place in the North Country. Listen carefully for notes about bird species to keep an eye out for, their peak migratory times, tips and tricks on identifying some of these birds, and some of the threats these birds face as the fly through our part of the world. Sue even shares a few tips for helping them out.

In this episode of Naturally Speaking, Zakithi explores the growing threat of invasive water chestnut in Northern New York’s rivers and lakes. Joined by researchers Brad Baldwin and Peyton Robbins, and Megan Pistolese-Shaw from SLELO PRISM, we dive into how this plant spreads, its impact on local ecosystems and communities, and the ongoing efforts to control it. Whether you're a paddler, angler, or nature lover, find out how you can help protect our waters. Get involved with SLELO PRISM at sleloinvasives.org/events, or sleloinvasives.org/pledge-to-protect. You can also learn more about the DEC’s Protect Our Waters work at https://dec.ny.gov/nature/invasive-species/aquatic/prevent-spread-of-aquatic-invasive-species 

On this episode of Naturally Speaking, join host Marina Garlick in a conversation with a Conservation Biology fellow, Jessica Harmen, discussing her research on bats in the North Country. Specifically, they dive into the intricacies of how bats are researched, as well as the different types of calls that they make. Through this conversation, they highlight how bats are interesting animals that are facing real conservation challenges and are not as intimidating as the media makes them out to be.

Join Nature Up North Digital Media Intern Donatella DeFazio as she walks us through some tips and tricks for starting your North Country hiking journey. Included in this podcast are suggestions on hiking equipment you may want to consider, some strategies for dealing with bugs, and a conversation with the founder of Grasse River Outfitters, Brooke Rouse. If you've considered getting outdoors but haven't taken the leap, this is the podcast for you!

Join Nature Up North Digital Media Intern Liz Anderson as she shares the history of bald eages in New York with us! Learn about why eagles became endangered in the first place, what threats they're facing now, and how they're beating the odds to recover their population.

In this episode of Naturally Speaking, join Digital Media Intern Donatella DeFazio as she speaks with Judy Fuhr and Aaron Kellet about winter recreation and how it's responding to the North Country climate. Judy is a volunteer with the Friends of Higley Flow and helps with their winter grooming operations in the state park. Listen to hear how the groomers at Higley Flow are keeping trails open through the winter season. Aaron is a General Manager at Whiteface Mountain and shares how the mountain has been improving its snowmaking over the past few years. All this and more on this episode of Naturally Speaking.

In this podcast, join Nature Up North's Digital Media Intern Liz Anderson as she speaks with local expert, Clarkson professor, and community member Tom Langen. Learn about local wetlands, the role they play in our ecosystem, and how they're managed. In particular, they discuss the Upper and Lower Lakes Wilderness Management Area and the water drawdown that occurred this fall. For more information on this project, visit the websites below. General wetland management at Upper and Lower Lakes: https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/yfiupperhmp.pdf The drawdown project: https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2024/8/dec-announces-water-level-drawdown-at-upper-and-lower-lakes-wildlife-management-area

On this episode of Naturally Speaking, join host Dan French in a discussion with local artist Sara Lynch as they talk about art in the North Country. In particular, you'll hear them discuss Sara's events on Falls Island in Potsdam this past summer and the artwork that the community created as a result of those events, as well as the potential for a similar series of events on Fall Island in Canton next year. If you want to see more of Sara's work after the podcast, you can find her on Instagram @ihavesmallhands, or on her website saraelynch.com.

Have you ever seen loons gathering in small social groups? Come with us on today's episode of naturally speaking as we talk to experts from the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation and Ohio Northern University to learn about loons, why they display this social behavior, and even learn a little bit about ourselves. 

On this episode of Naturally Speaking, join summer naturalist intern Tadd Ledoux and tick expert Dr. Stephen Rich as they discuss tick season 2024. Tune in to learn tick behaviors, the risks associated with bites, and preventative measures you can use this tick season!

Enter the wonderful world of wetlands in this episode of Naturally Speaking! Join host Liz on an exploration of the unique features of wetlands. Delve into the biodiversity of wetlands and marshes, then learn about peatlands and bog bodies in the brief Nature Nugget. This episode features a conversation with Dr. Jessica Pearson, a professor with SUNY Potsdam’s environmental studies department. She explains more about the benefits of wetlands, threats they are facing in the North Country, and her work to mitigate one of those threats - the invasive plant called purple loosestrife. Next time you’re looking to get outside, consider a trail that features a wetland! For more information and supplemental resources about species mentioned in this podcast, check out this podcast's page on our website, natureupnorth.org!

In this episode, Nature Up North Digital Media Intern Pat Chase has a conversation with the former president of the Ducks Unlimited St. Lawrence University chapter Nate Serlin. They discuss hunting, conservation, and the important role that hunters can play in supporting conservation efforts.

In this installment of Naturally Speaking, Digital Media interns Patrick Chase and Roisin Creedon-Carey discuss Snowflake Bentley: The first person to take a detailed photo of a snowflake and determine no two were alike. Our hosts tell the story of Bentley’s work while also sharing how he impacted the world of meteorology. In this podcast, they will cover Bentley’s life story, how to capture an image of your own snowflake, and even share some fun writings about the snowflake man himself. 

Did you know wild parsnips can burn your skin when exposed to the sun? That raspberries can relieve your menstrual cramps? That motherwort can help with your digestive problems? Listen in to learn the powerful properties of plants found here in the North Country as Satieokwen Bucktooth, owner and founder of Snipe Clan Botanicals, takes us through her own backyard.

The rich history of water transportation in the North Country is meandering and exciting. Join Nature up North Interns Roisin Creedon-Carey and Patrick Chase as they guide you through the ups and downs of canoeing in the North Country. Not only do they review the anatomy of a canoe and how the purpose of the canoe has changed over time, they also share some of George Washington Sears canoeing Poetry!  Roisin and Patrick share personal anecdotes as well as opportunities for education and involvement this coming spring. So come along for the ride (or paddle!)

Who doesn’t love tiny creatures? Those of differing colors? Living in our own backyards?! Nature Up North student interns and environmentalists Aurora Hager and Darlenne Cazarin are joined together to introduce salamanders, who they are, where they live, and how they survive the North Country winters. This stirring episode explores the ins and outs of the slimy, but wonderful, salamanders crawling through the leaf litter right beneath our feet; an episode you don’t want to miss. With a focus on the Blue-spotted salamander, Aurora and Darlenne go into detail about the importance of these amphibians, the impacts from climate change on their species, and what we can do to help. 

Anastasia George, Interim Executive Director of the Onkwehón:we Midwives Collective (OMC) joins Nature Up North’s student interns Abigail Lateer and Langley Sieve to discuss the role of the OMC in “bringing birth back to our (Mohawk) community.” Anastasia discusses why cultural birthing practices are so important, how the OMC is working to raise awareness of their work in and outside of the community, and the challenges the Akwesasne people are facing from decades of pollution.

Welcome back intrepid Naturally Speaking listeners for a new season of North Country podcasting! In August we released a special North Country Voices episode with Len Mackey, but we’re excited to begin Season 3 in earnest - starting with an episode on the Onkwehon:we Midwives Collective. Following the first episode, you can expect an episode a month on a plethora of different topics! Plus, a new "bite-sized" form of podcasts will be coming soon - listen to the trailer for more info on both! 

Have you ever wanted to see the North Country through the eyes of someone truly connected to the earth? On the first episode of North Country Voices, Liz sits down with Len Mackey to discuss his lifestyle and career in the North Country. They discuss hunting, providing for the community, and the persistent buck-skin suit. The first installment of our new series, North Country Voices, is one you won't want to miss! 

Have you ever heard mention of the “wood wide web”? For the final episode in the St. Lawrence University Forest Ecology students podcast series, Rae takes us on a journey through the network right below our feet. In discussion with Claire Burkum, St. Lawrence General Biology Course Manager, they discuss tree communication and intelligence - do trees talk to each other like humans, animals, or something else entirely? This episode is sure to make you think differently of the towering trunks on your next walk through the woods, and as the series finale it’s one you don’t want to miss!

Fungi - the future of the food industry? From locally grown shiitake mushrooms to wild chicken of the woods and giant puffballs, St. Lawrence University student Aidan takes us on a journey of delicious proportions. Aidan begins by introducing us to local mushroom producer Bob Wagner, and giving the listener just the right information if you’re interested in growing your own mushrooms. From there we venture into the forest to harvest wild mushrooms and turn them into quesadillas, pizza, and more. This episode of our Forest Ecology series is sure to make you hungry for some wild delicacies!

As a resident of the North Country it's hard to have not at least heard of the small, shiny green insects known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), or at the very least have seen the purple boxes used to survey for the pests hanging from trees. Join St. Lawrence University Forest Ecology student and Angello Johnson, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Forestry Resource Program Technician and Mohawk basket maker as they explore a local black ash stand and discuss the importance of black ash trees to the community. Learn why black ash is so important to the Akwesasne culture, the history of EAB and the area, and what you can do to help protect the black ash populations from this invasive pests. 

New York State maple weekends have passed, but sugar shacks across the North Country will be collecting and boiling sap until the temperatures rise and trees stop producing. In our most recent episode we learned about the life of a sugar maple, now Peter takes us through the sugaring process with local small business owner John Newman. They cover how John, of Newmanzone Maple, got started with sugaring, some of the challenges that are involved, and what the future of North Country maple sugaring could look like. If you enjoy a hearty plate of pancakes with local maple syrup, this is one podcast you don’t want to miss!

Have you ever wondered what life is like for a sugar maple?  Wonder no more! For the first episode of our Forest Ecology series, Olivia takes us through how a sugar maple experiences the four seasons. This episode will make you want to find the closest sugar maple, give it a pat on the trunk, and say “good job,” because they sure lead an impressive life!

Naturally Speaking is back for Season 2, kicking off with a mini-series from St. Lawrence University Forest Ecology students! With this short overview we’ll introduce the five upcoming podcasts, where students explore a variety of different topics pertaining to North Country forests and trees. Maple sugaring, emerald ash borer, edible fungus, and tree communication are all on the table. This is a series sure to have something for everybody!

In this episode of Naturally Speaking, host Kayla Edmunds is joined by Mark Manske, ornithologist and owner of Adirondack Raptors. Together, they discuss a few things such as what exactly a raptor is and what Mark's business, Adirondack Raptors, does. Plus, learn how that big colorful bird Kevin from the movie Up relate to the study of raptors. Stay tuned! 

Did you know that New York is a continental hub and on the front lines in the fight against invasive species? Have you been wondering what exactly an invasive species is? In this episode, Kayla and Val speak with  Rob Williams and Megan Pistolese from the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Invasive Species Management and Dr. Linda Auker, invasive species biologist and a professor of biology at Misericordia University in Pennsylvania. The focus of this episode is invasive species in the North Country and what we can do about them!

Just in time for Halloween, Erika Barthelmess, Nature Up North project director, speaks with bat expert Carl Herzog, wildlife biologist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. They discuss bat diversity and conservation here in New York, and bust common myths about bats. Ever wondered if bats are picky eaters? Do they really control mosquito populations? Do they drink blood?  And what should you do if you have bats living in your house? These questions and more are answered in this podcast episode. Plus, Carl describes the best and worst parts of his job and gives some tips on becoming a wildlife biologist.

Alyssa Watson, a Nature Up North naturalist intern, is joined by Dr. Aileen O’Donoghue, a St. Lawrence University professor of physics and lifelong astronomer. Aileen brings the sky to life through her passionate storytelling as she blends the lines between science and culture. Their conversation touches on the historical naming of stars, the night sky as the original clock and calendar, time in space, and the evolution of the human connection with stars. Aileen also gives her advice to beginner stargazers and an interactive way to create your own sundial right at home. Join us in listening to Alyssa and Aileen as  they begin to unpack the wilderness above. Please note, the interview took place on July 14th, 2020. Many references to the constellations,  planets, and position of the stars may only be applicable to the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere around the time of the interview. While this episode had several references to St. Lawrence University campus, we note that many areas in the North Country are excellent for stargazing. We encourage you to find someplace dark that is comfortable for you or to take advantage of public spaces around the University. A full transcription of the episode audio can be found below for accessibility. Podcast Timeline 8:30 History of stars 9:00 Arabic Influence on star naming 12:00 The original clock and calendar 12:38 The original cultural storybook 15 ?  Time in space, explosions 17:06 Ursa major and The Big Dipper; The Loss of  the tail 20:00 Symbolism and stories of the sky (storybook) 22:15 Technology and our connection to the sky 26;58 Aileen’s suggestions for beginner stargazers -  365 Starry Nights by Chet Raymo 28:30 Making mental maps of the sky 31:20 Accessibility and stargazing

Welcome to Naturally Speaking, a podcast from Nature Up North.  Nature Up North is an environmental education and outreach project based at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. In this first episode, host Kayla Edmunds, intern with Nature Up North, talks with Nature Up North director Dr. Erika Barthelmess and Nature Up North project manager Madison O'Shea about the Nature Up North project and our desire to start a new podcast series.  Listeners will learn about the history and mission of Nature Up North, place-based environmental education, community science projects, and what we hope to do with our podcast, Naturally Speaking.  We also give an overview of what's to come and highlight some of the goings-on at Nature Up North to take place in the next month.