BIRD HUGGER

TRIGGER WARNING: SOME OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS INTERVIEW MAY PROVE VERY DISTURBING. Join us today as we speak with Dallas and Drew Huggins, the founders and directors of New Hampshire Turtle Rescue in Nottingham, New Hampshire, and Josh Megysys, Turtle Biologist for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, as we talk about the recent arrest and conviction of a man for wantonly attacking and killing turtles in a protected marsh habitat. Just a warning that some of the details of this show will be extremely difficult to listen to.

On September 1st, Drew and Dallas submitted “Oka’s Rule”, a petition to NH Fish & Game under RSA 541-A:4 and Fis 214.01 to initiate rulemaking proceedings to amend the Fish & Game rules to close the gap in protections for non-listed native turtle species.

Here is the link to "Oka's Rule": https://nhturtlerescue.org/info/legislation/2026/okas-rule

Turtles are extremely long lived compared to other wildlife and take a very long time to reach reproductive age. The stability of their populations is heavily reliant on adults remaining in the wild long-term. Allowing the “take” of these species has far reaching negative impacts.

Let NH Fish & Game know that you support stronger protections for our native turtles!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

- Reach out to NHFG’s Executive Director at [email protected]
- Let them know you support the petition for “Oka’s Rule”
- Share this podcast and ask your friends to lend their support as well.

Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

THIS IS A REPLAY OF A PAST EPISODE: In today's episode, we talk to Becky Brewer from Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota about the many benefits of bare-root natives and how to plant them. (prairiemoon.com) Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

THIS IS A REPLAY OF A PREVIOUS SHOW: In today's episode, we speak with renowned ecological landscape designer and gardening consultant Kathy Connolly about the best way to prepare your site and soil for a native garden. Plants mentioned in the show: Carolina Rhodedendron; low-growing Juniper; Northern Sea Oats; Big Bluestem; Little Bluestem; Switchgrass; Prairie Dropseed. Go to: The Magical World of Moss Gardens by Annie Martin at: https://www.amazon.com/Magical-World-Moss-Gardening/dp/1604695609. Conway School of Landscape Design: https://csld.edu/. Reddit HOA: https://www.reddit.com/r/NativePlantGardening/comments/t3luin/hoa_anger/. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to [email protected]. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us as we speak with ornithologist David Wiedenfeld from the American Bird Conservancy about the formation and the importance of the Habitats Watch List -- a list that keeps track of specialized habitats and the bird species each habitat supports throughout the United States. David received his PhD from Florida State University. His work has focused on bird population ecology and conservation biology. He served for five years as Director of Research at the Sutton Avian Research Center, working primarily on prairie-chickens. He was also Head of the Department of Vertebrate Ecology at the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos Islands. His work was primarily with bird populations, but also included projects on invasive species, including predators, diseases, and parasites. .Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with Judy Cardin about the best plants to grow in your garden for attracting bumblebees. Her plant recommendations: Dutchman's Breeches; Virginia Bluebells; Giant Lavender Hyssop; Giant Yellow Hyssop; Joe Pye Weed; Culver's Root; Thistle; Great Blue Lobelia; Bottle Gentian; Asters; Goldenrod; Virginia Waterleaf; Jacob's Ladder; Wild Geranium; Wld Bergamot; Mountain Mint; Anise Hyssop. Shrub recommendations: American Plum; Dwarfbush Honeysuckle; Shrubby St. Johnswort; Lead Plant; and New Jersey Tea. We also discuss the concern about the vanishing Rusty-Patched bumblebee. Judy Cardin is a bumble bee expert and educator with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource's community science program Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade. When Judy retired as Bureau Director with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection 7 years ago, she transitioned her 50 year passion for nature and gardening into her retirement career: sharing her knowledge of bumble bees, how to restore yard and community spaces to native habitat that will support native wildlife, in particular bumble bees and pollinators. She has trained a wide range of audiences, including Master Gardener and Master Naturalist classes, school teachers, and the PBS Garden expo. Judy is also the administrator of the Wisconsin/Midwest Bumble Bee Observers Facebook page.

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Educator, WDNR Bumble Bee Brigade Citizen Science Program

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UW-Madison Arboretum volunteer, mentored on native plants by Susan Carpenter, Arboretum Native Plant Curator

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Chair, Friends of the UW-Madison Arboretum Grass to Garden Program, Co-chair FOA Native Plant Sale

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Wild Ones Native Plant Certification Instructor

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Converted her urban yard to over 350 native plant species and 25,000 native plants.

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She is a Bee surveyor: conducted hundreds of surveys for Bumble Bee Brigade, UW
Arboretum, and the USGS. Contributing author, Nature Magazine research article on finding Rusty patched bumble bees:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-46861-8

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Author "Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Floral Phenology" https://online.flippingbook.com/view/810946527/

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Administrator, Wisconsin/Midwest Bumble Bee Observers Facebook page.

Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with Sarah Belles from the American Bird Conservancy about how to keep shorebirds protected while enjoying the beach this summer. Sarah Belles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology for Environmental Science from the University of North Texas and has dedicated almost six years to avian monitoring and research. Sarah’s experience and expertise spans across a variety of bird species of conservation concern in different places and habitat types across the country. Sarah has served as American Bird Conservancy’s Gulf Coast Avian Ecologist since January of 2024 and works with local and regional partners to monitor and protect nesting shorebirds and seabirds, such as Wilson’s Plovers, Snowy Plovers, Least Terns, and Black Skimmers. She also helps promote and implement local Bird City Texas initiatives and conservation efforts on Galveston Island. .Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

THIS IS A RE-BROADCAST OF AN EARLIER SHOW. Today our guest is Judith Schwartz, award-winning author of the incredible book, Water In Plain Sight: Hope For A Thirsty World. Judith explains to us how trapping, slowing down and absorbing water on your property contributes to healthy small-water systems and helps decrease out-of-control flood and drought cycles in your region. To read more about Judith and her book go to https://www.judithdschwartz.com. For further information on the work of hydrologist Michael Kravcik, go to Water For The Recovery Of The Climate: The New Water Paradigm at: https://tinyurl.com/7xbukx5z. For more info on water literacy, go to: https://tinyurl.com/3xsutxwn. To become a water restoration specialist, go to waterstories.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured birds, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we talk to Dan Jaffe Wilder, chief ecologist of the 8,400-acre native oasis, Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts. Dan is the Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross and he tells us all about the historic gardens, walking trails, lakes, ponds, picnic areas, native plants and trees, birds and pollinators you can see while visiting. Located at 30 Peck Road, Wales, MA. For more information go to their website at www.norcrosswildlife.org. Child friendly. Admission is free. Open daily from dusk to dawn. Dan Jaffe Wilder is an ecologist, horticulturist, and botanist with over twenty years’ experience working with native plants and their associated ecology. His work has ranged from classrooms to nurseries to botanical gardens to wildlife refuges and specializes in native plant ecology, propagation, wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement, and native edible landscapes. The Norcross Wildlife Foundation's mission is to protect, enhance, and expand wildlife through conservation, education, and support. Dan’s book Native Plants for New England Gardens was released in 2018. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with John Price, Associate Director and Seed Collection Coordinator of Mid-Atlantic Restoration Seed Bank. John and his colleagues collect and save native seeds which are then made available to native growers and sellers. He tells us all about the process. MARSB’s mission is to conserve and wisely manage the Mid-Atlantic Region’s wild seed resources, through scientific sampling, ethical collection, banking, and curation, and to encourage and actively contribute to the development of the native plant material supply chain throughout the region. Go to http://MARSB.org for more information. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with Esther Vallejo, a bird biologist who is attempting to create a raptor observation and education center in Colombia. Nearly five million raptors migrate through Colombia to spend the winter in South America. But raptors are being shot by hunters in the thousands every year. She is working hard to end hawk persecution in Colombia. For more information go to:

https://www.instagram.com/tropicoscolombia

https://www.facebook.com/migracionrapacesco/

https://gofund.me/38d406617

Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with celebrated author and ornithologist Scott Weidensaul about the many success stories regarding bird conservation and about his brand-new book, The Return of the Oystercatcher: Saving Birds To Save The Planet. Weidensaul, the New York Times bestselling author of A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Living on the Wind: Across the Hemisphere with Migratory Birds, has despaired over the numbers and reckoned with the loss of so much beauty and majesty in the natural world.
(W. W. Norton & Company; April 21, 2026; $32.99, Hardcover). His new book chronicles the prodigious, life-affirming efforts of scientists, conservationists, and Indigenous peoples to shelter, heal, and foster bird populations across the globe. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Gina Kent is back on the show to continue our discussion about the magnificent Swallow-Tailed Kite. Gina is a senior scientist with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute in Gainesville, Florida. She is going to tell us all about the Eyes On Kites program and its efforts to document the nesting locations of Swallow-Tailed Kites throughout Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Find out more by going to: www.arcinst.org. For the ARCI Eyes On Kites program, go to: https://www.arcinst.org/eyes-on-kites. For more info on the Swallow-Tailed Kite go to https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swallow-tailed_Kite/id#. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with Steven Riley of the American Bird Conservancy to talk about the omnibus Farm Bill. While the Farm Bill is extremely controversial and contains numerous amendments that could prove harmful to conservation efforts, the Bill does carry big benefits for birds. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with Brett Thelen, director of the Big Night Salamander Brigades for the Harris Center in Hancock, New Hampshire. We learn how the Big Nights are conducted and we also talk about the new tunnel project that allows amphibians to cross roads safely. Brett has been directing community science programming for more than twenty years at the Harris Center. She has an MS in Environmental Studies: Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England and a BA in Literary & Cultural Studies from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Prior to and during her graduate studies, she held a variety of ecological research and environmental education roles with Cape Cod National Seashore.
In addition to her work with the Harris Center, Brett writes for Northern Woodlands and other publications. Find out how you can help at: harriscenter.org. For more info about Big Nights, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXKT6mL-fSo. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED IN 2023: Did you know Burrowing Owls raise their young in underground tunnels? In today's episode, we talk about the fascinating Burrowing Owl with Brittany Piersma, a field biologist with the Audubon of the Western Everglades. Brittany is conducting important research of the Burrowing Owl on Marco Island in Florida. She also helps to run the Owl Watch Program, Seabird Stewardship Program and the Gopher Tortoise Program. Go to the Owl Watch Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/about-1-1. Learn more about the Starter Burrow Program at https://www.audubon.org/news/where-burrowing-owls-are-your-neighbors. Go to the Seabird Stewardship Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/about-1. Go to the Gopher Tortoise Program at https://www.audubonwe.org/copy-of-owl-watch. Go to Conservation Collier at https://www.colliercountyfl.gov/government/public-services/divisions/conservation-collier?locale=ht. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 20 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Access the BIRD HUGGER Newsletter here: www.birdhuggerpodcast.com. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with Heather Holm, author of the award-winning book Wasps and creator of the brand-new free public resource website www.beesmn.org. You don't have to live in Minnesota to benefit from this great new resource. Learn about the bees in your region and what native plants to grow by using this handy website. Hit the donor button on the front page to contribute. Plants mentioned in this episode: Willow trees; Red Maple; Cherry trees: Plum trees; Pussy Willows; Virginia Waterleaf; Virginia Bluebells; Bloodroot; Wild Geranium; Beardtongue; Fleabane; Golden Alexander; and Black Raspberry. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we discuss Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve in the Catskills with owner Carolyn Summers. Carolyn turned an abandoned 220-acre farm into a gorgeous native garden and forest preserve. The gardens are open to visitors by appointment. Go to www.flyingtrillium.com for tour appointment times and driving directions. Native plants discussed in this episode: Joe Pye Weed, Ironweed, Baptisia, Rudbeckia, Heuchera, and Jacob's Ladder. Go to GoNativeU at the Native Plant Center, Westchester Community College at https://tinyurl.com/3h7ka6c5. Also check out Kate Brittenham's (Carolyn's daughter) website at www.frontstoopgardens.com. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we welcome back Dave Crawford, co-creator of Animal Help Now.org (AHNOW.org) and Pet Help And Rescue.org (PHAR.org). Dave gives us the latest update on the rebuilding of his home after the tragic Marshall Fire of Colorado in 2021. We discuss how to plan ahead for your pet in the case of a disaster with the Pet Help and Rescue app (PHAR.ORG). Dave also tells us about the Animal Help Now app and the many species of wildlife this device is helping worldwide. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us today as we speak with author Ryan Goldberg about his new book, Bird City: Adventures in New York's Urban Wilds. We discuss some controversial subjects regarding birding in New York City. For more information on Ryan, go to www.ryangoldberg.net. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.

Join us as we speak with Dexter Patterson, author of the new book, Birds Of The Great Lakes. Join Catherine Greenleaf, a certified wildlife rehabilitator with 25 years of experience rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife, for twice-monthly discussions about restoring native habitat and helping the birds in your backyard. Send your questions about birds and native gardening to birdhuggerpodcast@gmail.com. (PG-13) St. Dymphna Press, LLC.