The WildStory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants by The Native Plant Society of New Jersey

Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD

Co-host Kim Correro

Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel

Ann and Kim have a special Emily Dickinson-themed episode for you this month. Dickinson was known for her keen observation of the natural world, as well as for her garden. And we are all the beneficiaries, as the life she observed and cultivated animates her poetry. Indeed, Elizabeth Sylvia—guest poet from Episode 18—and Ann had the beautiful opportunity to lead a WildStory poetry workshop in Dickinson’s garden at The Homestead in Amherst, Massachusetts, last fall, and as they sat on the ground studying an apple tree or watched over a bee landing on an aster, collectively, they knew they were creating art in a sacred space. It is fitting that we now invite you, our listeners, into the world of Emily Dickinson. We hope you are as inspired by her legacy as we have been.

We begin our episode by welcoming multi-Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, one of the most celebrated artists of our time, to our poetry segment.

Joyce joins us to discuss her latest album and touring project, Emily – No Prisoner Be (Platoon), a collaboration with the Grammy Award-winning string trio Time for Three—comprised of violinists Nick Kendalland Charles Yang, and double bassist Ranaan Meyer—composed by Pulitzer Prize- and Grammy Award-winning composer Kevin Puts. Together, they bring new life to the extraordinary poetry of Emily Dickinson, whose nearly 1,800 poems would forever change American poetry. Listeners, you are in for a treat because throughout the episode, we will be sharing selections from the album.



In that vein, our Ask Randi segment is introduced by “A Bee I Personally Knew (Scherzo No. 1)” from Emily – No Prisoner Be. This month, listener Laurie asks which pollinators are attracted to different native wildflowers. In her response, Dr. Randi Eckel explores the remarkable diversity of garden visitors, including butterflies, wasps, flies, beetles, and some of the roughly 400 native bee species found in New Jersey.

“I Dwell in Possibility” from Emily – No Prisoner Be is a fitting introduction to our next guest, Peter Grima. Peter is a botanist specializing in rare plants and an Emily Dickinson scholar based in western Massachusetts. Described as a walking encyclopedia of botanical knowledge, Peter has contributed to regional floras and lectured internationally on Dickinson’s renowned herbarium. He joins Kim and Ann to explore Dickinson as a botanist and how her understanding of the natural world shaped her poetry.

Leading into our final guest, we selected “Her Face” from Emily – No Prisoner Be, a beautiful reflection on nature and the passage of time. Kate Irvineis a Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, mixed media artist, and Creative Director of Pleasant Run Nursery. Her work explores how native plants and nature can help us navigate grief and find healing. She also leads workshops at Laurel Hill West Cemetery in PA,home to a natural burial sanctuary where green burials and sustainable practices allow the body to return to the earth while supporting conservation and ecological restoration.

And as we close the episode, please be sure to listen all the way to the end, as we leave you with our final selection from Emily – No Prisoner Be, “Hope is the Thing,” one of Dickinson’s most beloved poems, and a beautiful reminder of the enduring power of hope and resilience.

The entire album of Emily – No Prisoner Be is available on streaming services.

Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD

Co-host Kim Correro

Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel

The Wildstory returns after a longer summer hiatus than we had planned. In May, Ann's father Vern Wallacesuffered a devastating stroke and Ann was in Massachusetts for several weeks helping with his care. Sadly, he passed away in late June, just shy of his 90th birthday and of her parents’ 70th anniversary.

Before we introduce this episode’s guests, NPSNJ has just announced its fall classes and workshops—from birding and botany in the field, to tree care, land management, plant reproduction, and designing with natives. The free Wednesday Webinar series also returns Sept. 16th with Dr. Jared Barnes.Visit NPSNJ.org/programsand keep an eye on the events calendar for everything ahead.

We also invite you to join NPSNJ on Sunday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland Park Native Plant Sanctuaryto remember Mary Denver, a devoted land steward, native plant advocate, and valued member of the NPSNJ community whose commitment to protecting and caring for the natural world inspired many.

Now, about this episode!

Gabrielle Myersjoins us as our guest poet, speaking with Ann about her new collection: Go Forth, Lose Yourself into Life, from Finishing Line Press. This is a book of healing and renewal, and Gabrielle reminds us that life has the power to astonish to us, especially when we allow ourselves to depart from our expected path and take a different one.

In this episode's Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel of Toadshade Wildflower Farmintroduces us to the fascinating Eastern Carpenter Bee—she tells us how to identify them, why they nest in wood, what attracts them to your property, and she reminds us why these impressive native pollinators deserve a little more understanding.

Then Kim catches up with Rachel Mackow, co-owner of Wild Ridge Plants, a nursery dedicated to restoring native plant communities that sustain people and wildlife. Rachel shares the realities of running a native plant nursery, why the location a plant is grown matters, and her experience as a leading woman in the industry—including a few words about the women who inspired her along the way.

Ann and Kim close the episode with a long-awaited conversation with Bill Youngand Bob Swain, pioneers in restoring some of New Jersey’s most disturbed landscapes—from landfills and Superfund sites to brownfields and mines. They reflect on the early days of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, their respective years serving as president, and Bob’s remarkable legacy, now honored through the Bob Swain Native Plant Leadership Award—inaugurally presented to John and Susan Landau this past spring. Meet up with Bob and Bill Sept. 24th and 25th at the Society of Ecological Restoration Mid Atlantic Chapter Regional Conference.

Be sure to listen right up to the end of this month’s show. We close the episode with “Plant People FTW,” a new song by Dr. Chris Martine and Billy Kelly celebrating all of us who love plants. And don’t skip the ending—the final minute features 25 different lab groups joining in as the Botaneers. Chris Martine, President of the Botanical Society of America, will also be teaching for NPSNJ this fall, so stay tuned for more!

We have a very special episode for you this month, featuring an inspiring lineup of guests who invite us to lean into curiosity and reflect on reciprocity, history, and the connections to one another found within the natural world.

We open with our guest poetAimee Nezhukumatathil (0:03:15), who joins Ann in conversation about her stunning new poetry collection Night Owl (Ecco). Aimee shares her sense of wonder and joy, as she reminds us to stay inquisitive and to take care of the life–in all its forms–found on this planet.

In this month’s Ask Randi, entomologist and Toadshade Wildflower Farm owner Randi Eckel (0:34:27) tackles a listener's question about insect hotels. Are they actually helpful for pollinators — or could they do more harm than good? Listen in to hear what Randi recommends and why.

We then speak with best-selling author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer (0:42:39) in a powerful conversation about Plant Baby Plant — a grassroots movement she founded that is rooted in restoration, reciprocity, and resistance.

We welcome back celebrated writer Margaret Renkl(0:57:11) to talk about her beautiful new children’s book,The Weedy Garden(Greenwillow Books), featuring gorgeous collage illustrations by her brother, Billy Renkl. A celebration of biodiversity and curiosity, the book invites young readers to see the wonder, wildness, and importance of the plants we too often overlook right outside our doors.

We close this episode of The WildStory in conversation with acclaimed botanist, professor, and authorBeronda L. Montgomery(1:13:17), speaking about her important new book,When Trees Testify(Henry Holt and Co.). Beronda explores the deep connections between black botanical history and the living landscape, revealing how trees and plants hold stories of resilience, survival, and wisdom.



This episode of The WildStory Podcast is dedicated to the memory of Megan Andrejco, a beloved member of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey’s Hudson Chapter. Megan was a Master Gardener, passionate land steward, and generous volunteer who devoted countless hours to caring for gardens and green spaces throughout Hudson County. Megan recently died from ovarian cancer, which was diagnosed late and was untreated due to the profound injustice of inadequate access to healthcare. Megan’s loss is felt deeply first by her family, friends from NYBG, clients here in NJ and many communities she nurtured with her knowledge, kindness and care for the living world.

The WildStory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants

by the Native Plant Society of New Jersey

Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD

Poet Laureate Emeritus of Jersey City

Author of Keeping Room

Co-host Kim Correro

Director of State Programs

Co-owner ofhttps://wildflowercity.com/Wildflower City

Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel

Vice President of Membership

Owner ofhttps://www.toadshade.com/Toadshade Wildflower Farm

Do you have a question about native plants for Randi?

Email: TheWildStory@npsnj.org

Questions: Email Thewildstory@npsnj.org

This month, our guest poet is Rebecca Hart Olander (0:02:28), of Singing from the Deep End, published in 2026 by CavanKerry Press. Rebecca and Ann discuss walking as a way of being in the world as a poet, inviting us to observe closely and stay in the moment, even as we look back and forward in time. This is a collection in which nature holds a steady presence as Rebecca reflects on childhood, friendship, motherhood, grief, and more.

In this episode’s Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:33:52) answers a common homeowner question: what should you do when a large tree dies—remove it or let it stand? Responding to a listener, she explains the powerful role of “snags” in supporting wildlife and how to manage them, from how much to leave to whether branches and stubs matter.

Next, Kim talks with Elise Howard (0:46:42), author of Plant This, Not That,about how thoughtful plant choices can create meaningful habitat. Elise shares practical, inspiring guidance for turning any space into a resilient native plant garden with over two hundred native plant swaps. Don't miss a chance to meet Elise in person on April 20th when she partners with the Nature of Reading Bookshopand the Madison Environmental Commission, and on April 22nd at the Maplewood Library.



In our final segment, we sit down with Dr. Linda Rohleder (1:09:06), founder of the Wild Woods Restoration Project, whose work is rooted in restoring the health and resilience of our forests. Linda shares what first drew her to ecological restoration, why growing her own native plants is central to her mission, and how a dedicated community of land stewards and volunteers makes this work possible. Sign up for their popular newsletter,The Understory,to learn more!

This month, our guest poet is Dorsia Smith Silva (0:02:51), whose collection In Inheritance of Drowning, published by CavanKerry Press, bears witness to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico. Dorsia speaks with Ann about the long recovery process and the power of the community, both in moments of crisis and in the extended aftermath of extreme weather events.

On Ask Randi (0:34:13), Randi Eckel, entomologist and owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, introduces one of spring’s quiet treasures: Spring Beauty. After hearing Randi speak about this tiny native wildflower at a Wildstory event a few years ago, Ann wrote a poem, included in her new book Keeping Room, titled “Such a Perfect Ecosystem,” celebrating the delicate beauty of this often-overlooked plant and the rich web of life it supports. So we asked Randi to tell us more about Spring Beauty for all of you.

Next, in celebration of Women's History Month, Kim sits down with Tedor Whitman (0:45:42), longtime birder and Executive Director of the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary in Short Hills, NJ. Tedor shares what makes the arboretum so special, from protecting native plants and local wildlife to inspiring the next generation—and gives us a preview of Beak Week, happening April 17–24.

To close the episode, Kim and Ann chat with Joe Lamp’l(1:01:17), host of the Emmy-winning PBS series Growing a Greener World, founder of joegardener.com, and creator of The Joe Gardener Show podcast. Joe shares how he got started, reflects on a time when birds and butterflies were everywhere, and reminds us why native plants pack a powerful punch—and why planting them matters now more than ever.

Plus, Joe shares the story behind theUltimate Gardening Sheath he co-designed with Wheeler Munroe, a wildly popular tool that keeps your pruners and essentials within easy reach and makes life in the garden a whole lot easier. Keep reading to learn how you can find one.

Welcome to Season 4 of the WildStory! We have a wonderful, jam-packed season opener, and we hope you enjoy all that we have in store for you this episode!

To open, Award winning poet James Crews (0:3:15), author of the forthcoming book Breathing Room(Battenkill Books, March 17th), and our featured poet in Episode 19, is back! This time as our guest host, speaking with Ann E. Wallace about her new poetry collection Keeping Room,out this month from Nixes Mate Books. James and Ann have a lovely conversation about holding space—for pain and disruption, but also nature, love, and unexpected joy.

In Ask Randi, Randi Eckel (0:28:47), owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, spills some inside details about the NPSNJ Annual Meeting on March 7th—and trust us, you won’t want to miss what she’s teasing. Then she jumps into listener questions, breaking down the mysteries of native seed stratification.

We’re joined by Samuel Pott (0:39:27), Founding Artistic Director of Nimbus Dance, to explore ANIMA, a powerful new trilogy confronting environmental crisis and reimagining our place in the natural world. There will be a special performance on Friday, February 27, at 8 pm at theBickford Theatre at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New Jersey.

We catch up with N. West Moss (0:49:51) to talk about her new middle-grade novelBirdy (Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown, Feb. 17), the story of an 11-year-old girl who, after her mother’s death, spends a summer in the country where the natural world helps her protect her little brother, heal her grief, and discover that family and belonging can take root in unexpected places.

We wrap the episode with legendary ecological landscape designer Larry Weaner (1:14:47), founder of Larry Weaner Landscape Associates and New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL) and keynote speaker for NPSNJ’s Planning for the Unplanned, where ecological restoration meets bold landscape design. For tickets visit NPSNJ.org

Questions or guest ideas: Email Thewildstory@npsnj.org

In the season three finale of The WildStory, poet Han VanderHart (0:2:29) joins Ann to discuss their collection Larks, which was published in 2025 by Ohio University Press. Han and Ann talk about the uncertainty and mutability of knowledge and the ordering of the natural world, and about the poet’s work of observation—not only of what we can see and hear, but of all that we can’t.

In the Ask Randi segment (0:29:05), Dr. Randi Eckel, owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, answers a question from Rikki and takes a deep dive into native versus non-native wisteria, explaining why invasive wisteria overwhelms ecosystems, resists competition, and is notoriously hard to remove. She closes with practical resources for controlling invasive vines.

Kim then talks withMare McClellan, (0:39:15) artist and nursery manager at Gino’s in Newtown, PA about her upcoming spring show of multi-media artwork at Morpeth Contemporary. Mare shares how the Dogbane Tiger Moth caterpillars sparked her imagination and how she keeps a quiet promise to a Cecropia moth, whose emergence you can watch on Instagram.

Hyalophora Cecropia, Cecropia Giant Silk Moth

Dogbane Tiger Moth, Delicate Cycnia, and their larval host plant, Dogbane, Apocynum cannibinum

Cecropia, Giant Silk Moths, emerged from their cocoons on June 20,2025

To close the season, Kim and Ann talk withBenjamin Vogt, (0:58:04) author of Prairie Up about how social and cultural pressures and affordability shape our gardens and landscapes. Ben reflects on the “happy accidents” that have guided his work, talks about his forthcoming Timber Press book, Unlawning America, and offers advice for navigating weed management, local ordinances, and the design of public space.

Thank you for joining us during season 3 of The WildStory. We look forward to bringing you a brand new season in 2026.

In this episode of The Wildstory, Ann Wallace and Kim Correrohttps://www.instagram.com/kimcorrerosit down with the incomparable JulieZickefoose (0:2:39), beloved writer, birder, and wildlife rehabilitator. Julie shares a first listen of her unpublished nature poetry and dives into the brand-new edition of Birdwatching for Dummies, co-written withhttps://bwdmagazine.com/bwdeditors Jessica Vaughan and Dawn Hewitt. And don’t miss the finale: Julie reveals how you can create her popular Warbler Falland gives an exclusive sneak peek at the updated Enjoying Bluebirds More, returning this spring after selling over half a million copies.

Next up, Dr. Randi Eckel, owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm (0:42:02), tackles a listener's question by demystifying the confusion around Purple Giant Hyssop. She also breaks down the fundamentals of proper plant naming and offers a quick guide to reading nursery labels so you can tell whether you’re choosing a true native species or a cultivar.

In our final segment, we are thrilled to talk with Dr. Lea Johnson (0:53:03), Director of Conservation at the Native Plant Trust, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. A plant ecologist specializing in community ecology, ecological restoration, and urban forestry, Dr. Johnson bridges foundational research with real-world land management and design. Her work brings together multiple disciplines to better understand human-altered environments and to strengthen the science that guides effective ecological restoration in a rapidly changing world.

This month’s featured poet isHolli Carrell, whose debut collection Apostasies was recently published by Perugia Press. Holli speaks about her personal process of reflection and discovery—including an intentional turn toward the natural world—after leaving the Mormon church of her upbringing.

In Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel, Owner of ToadShade Wildflower Farm,tackles a listener’s question about Oleander aphids and explains why buying ladybugs isn’t the best approach to eliminating them.

In Five Questions, President of the Native Plant Society of NJ, Kazys Varnelis, shares the lineup for Weird NJ, this fall’s virtual conference, happening Saturday, November 1. From parasitic plants to carnivorous, aquatic, and fungal species, discover how these fascinating natives play vital roles in our ecosystems.

And to close out the episode, we speak with Mary Anne Borge, editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine,a publication of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), and a naturalist at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. Mary Anne talks with us about how we can each make a difference for butterflies, the connection between the Sleepy Orange butterfly and Wild Senna, and why ants deserve a spot on every gardener’s “thank you” list.

This episode features poet Lynne Shapiro (0:2:29) of Hoboken, New Jersey, who speaks with Ann about her collection To Set Right, published in 2021 by WordTech Editions, and about her work in progress. Lynne’s work holds space for the life we can and cannot see. She talks with Ann about the importance of returns, learning to see, and the persistence of nature, and reminds us that, to truly know a place, we must look upward and study the sky.

In this Ask Randi segment, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:33:10) answers a question from Eilika about native alternatives to the ecologically harmful Barberry (Berberis thunbergii), particularly options that still provide distinctive purple or burgundy foliage with vibrant red stems.

Later, we debut our new segment, Five Questions With. Kim sits down with Chris Martine, (0:45:35), who is the President-Elect of the Botanical Society of America and the David Burpee Professor of Plant Genetics and Research at Bucknell University. He shares stories behind his newly re-published field guides from the NJ Forest Service, Trees of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic States, and Shrubs and Vines of New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic States.

In our final segment, Kim and Ann talk with Jean Epiphan, (1:03:05) Associate Professor of Ecology at Rutgers University and the newly appointed arborist on the NPSNJ board. Jean reminds us that the future of our forests begins in our own backyards, underscoring how true forest stewardship starts with the everyday choices we make as caretakers of our own land. Jean is also a Coordinator for Region 1 (Northern NJ) for the Rutgers Environmental Steward program with an extensive background in forestry, ecology, and landscape restoration, as well as garden design, landscape management, tree care, and land stewardship.

Today’s featured poet is Charise Hoge (0:03:35) whose latest collection, Inheritance of Flowers, came out this spring from Kelsay Books. Reflecting on her grandmother’s legacy as a southern flower shop owner, Charise speaks with Ann about ancestry, belonging, and our internal connections with nature that are sustaining even in times of upheaval and hibernation.

In the Ask Randi segment, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:29:27) dives into New Jersey’s game-changing Bill S1029, which was just passed by the State Senate. This bill tackles the sale of invasive plants and creates an Invasive Species Council—huge wins for our native ecosystems. But this bill is not law yet. The New Jersey State Assembly still needs to pass Bill A4137 to seal the deal. So now is the moment to act: Call or email your State Assembly member and urge them to support A4137 or reach out to NPSNJ Advocacy with questions. Your voice can help protect the landscapes we love! Plus, Randi answers a listener question about living native Christmas trees—sharing her top picks for outdoor planting after the holiday season.



Kim then talks with Ken Chaya (0:43:43) celebrated artist and New York-based urban naturalist. Ken shares why Central Park has become one of the premier birding spots in the United States. With its unique geography and rich canopy of over 20,000 trees, the park is a vital oasis for migratory birds—and a paradise for birders. Ken was instrumental in creating the Central Park Entire App, is the past President of the Linnaean Societyand teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, where he helped design the Urban Naturalist Certificate Program. Most recently, he led a four-week deep dive into The Natural History of Birds for NPSNJ.

Kim and Ann close the episode in conversation with the remarkable Mélina Mangal (1:11:32)—author of children's books that explore our deep connections between nature and culture. Her latest works, Birds Sing Their Words and Trees Stand Tall, are lyrical board books for young readers, published by Free Spirit Publishing. Mélina is also a school library teacher in Minneapolis, where she champions the joy of reading every day. Together, we discuss book censorship, the vital role of storytelling, and why the freedom to read and access information is essential to the health of our democracy.

Announcement from The WildStory: We will take a short hiatus this summer—offering regenerative time for gardening, writing, family, and more. We will be back with a new episode in September!

Today’s featured poet is Ibe Liebenberg (0:03:51) who joins Ann Wallace to talk about his new collection,Birds at Night, published in 2025 by Texas Tech University Press. Ibe is a member of the Chickasaw nation, as well as a firefighter from Paradise, California. With wildfires causing increasing destruction across the nation in recent years, we have wanted to speak with a firefighter on The WildStory—and this conversation with Ibe does not disappoint. It is a reflective one, highlighting the intertwining threads—of land, migration, and ancestry, of family and memory, of fire, loss and healing—contained within his poetry.

Spring is here, and in this month’s segment of "Ask Randi," Randi Eckel (0:31:47), owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm encourages listeners to take a gentle approach when tidying up their gardens this season. She explains that because insects and other wildlife rely on leaf litter, stems, and decaying wood throughout the year, plant debris is essential for the survival of many creatures.

Next, Kim Correro is joined by guest host Susan Landau, one of the people behind theFoote’s Pond Wood Park restoration project in Morristown, New Jersey. Susan has also been instrumental in creating the "Going Native" planting guide for Northern New Jersey, and she collaborates each year on the popular Great Swamp Watershed Native Plant Sale, which is open online through April 18th. More information can be found at http://greatswamp.org/.

Together, Kim and Susan interview William Cullina (0:41:10), the F. Otto Haas Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens at the University of Pennsylvania. Cullina is a well-known author and recognized authority on North American native plants. During their conversation, he shares his long-term goals for the Morris Arboretum and discusses his research in tree genetics and soil microbiology, as well as an exciting new exhibition titled "Bees, Butterflies, and Blooms: A Pollinator Paradise," which will run this year from May 23 to September 30.

In the final segment, Kim and Ann speak with award-winning author and designer Kelly D. Norris(1:08:39), one of the leading ecological horticulturists of his generation. Kelly’s new book, Your Natural Garden, is a page-by-page guide through the seasons of a naturalistic garden’s life, and the tasks that come with each stage. Kelly explores the connections between people, plants, and place through ecological, site-specific design and art. He talks with Kim and me about the history of natural places, the value of abundance—in life and in planting—and the importance of becoming familiar, beyond the limited information contained on labels, with the plants we have in our gardens and parks.

Follow The Wildstory on Instagram at Thewildstory_podcast

In this episode, featured poet Theta Pavis (0:03:00) speaks with Ann Wallace about her new chapbook, The Red Strobe, which just came out from Finishing Line Press. Theta’s work is marked by grief and pain, but also love, family, protection, and a fierce kind of resilience—as can be seen in the garden her mother created many years ago, a garden which is now Theta’s, in her Jersey City yard. Follow Theta online at https://thetapavis.com/

Randi Eckel returns for a brand-new Ask Randi segment aboutNPSNJ's upcoming BioBlitz, (0:34:31) to celebrate National Native Plant Month. Randi describes how volunteers, scientists, and naturalists collaborate to document as many native species as possible in a specific area within a set timeframe.

Kim Correro is then joined by Bobbie Herbs, (0:41:36) co-leader of the NPSNJ Southwest Chapter. Bobbie has played a crucial role in establishing the IGC Committee, which aims to encourage independent nurseries throughout New Jersey to stock native plants. Together, Kim and Bobbie talk with award-winning author and pollinator conservationist Heather Holm. Heather is an expert on the interactions between native pollinators and native plants, and she will teach a four-week course for NPSNJ beginning in April.

In the final segment, Kim and Ann speak with Paula Whyman (1:09:57) about her new book, Bad Naturalist: One Woman’s Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop, which was released this winter by Timber Press. Blending memoir, natural history, and conservation science, the book chronicles her efforts to restore a former mountaintop farm to its natural habitat. If you enjoy the book, you can continue following Paula's journey by signing up for her popular newsletter, Bad Naturalist at PaulaWhyman.com.



Thank you for joining us on The WildStory. Follow us on Instagram @Thewildstory_podcast

The WildStory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants

by the Native Plant Society of New Jersey

Hosted byAnn E. Wallace, PhD

Poet Laureate Emeritus of Jersey City

Co-hostKim Correro,

Rutgers Master Gardener and Director of State Programs

Special ContributorDr. Randi Eckel

Entomologist and Vice President of Membership NPSNJ

Do you have a question about native plants for Randi?

Email: TheWildStory@npsnj.org

The WildStory presents a special episode this month in celebration of Black History. We have three amazing guests, who share the stories of Black Americans who wrote poetry, created gardens, advanced the field of horticulture, and inspired others—and who are each doing important work themselves today. An unexpected throughline in these conversations is the influence of W.E.B. DuBois, the Black leader, visionary and author of the 1903 book The Souls of Black Folk, which inspired generations of Black Americans toward self-realization and liberty through education, the arts and culture, and more.

The first guest is Shaun Spencer-Hester (0:04:43), granddaughter of the poet, gardener, and community leader Anne Spencer. Anne Spencer’s home and garden in Lynchburg, Virginia was a gathering place for Black intellectuals of the Harlem Renaissance, offering a garden refuge and retreat at a time when many Black Americans had migrated north to urban centers for new opportunities. Shaun shares family stories about her grandmother’s life, garden, and poetry, and brings us inside theAnne Spencer House and Garden Museum, where she is the Executive Director and Curator.

In lieu of our usual Ask Randi segment, this month, Kim and Ann take the mic and dive into the exciting opportunities on the horizon for NPSNJ members (0:41:10)! Mark your calendars for the highly anticipatedSpring Annual Meeting and Conference on March 1st, where we’re proud to welcome the esteemed keynote speaker Doug Tallamy. NPSNJ is rolling outsix brand new classes that explore a range of captivating topics, and is thrilled to introduce a Spanish language version of the helpful brochure, "Going Native: A Guide to Landscaping with Native Plants in Northern New Jersey.” Don’t miss these incredible chances to elevate your knowledge and skills!

In the second interview, Jerri Mitchell-Lee of Newark, NJ speaks with us about her remarkable great-aunt,Effie Lee Newsome (0:50:33) a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Newsome was the editor of the children's column "Little Page" in W.E.B. Du Bois's influential publication, The Crisis, where she showcased several of her own children's poems. An avid lover of the outdoors, Effie Lee Newsome possessed an extraordinary talent for connecting people—especially children—with the wonders of nature. Whether she was marveling at a spider, a goldfinch, a snowflake, or a violet, she made the natural world come alive. In 1940, she published Gladiola Garden: Poems of Outdoors and Indoors, which was reprinted in 2020, making her work accessible to a brand new audience.

In the final segment, horticulturalistAbra Lee (1:10:01) tells us about her highly anticipated book, Conquer The Soil: Black America and the Untold Stories of Our Country's Gardeners, Farmers, and Growers (Timber Press, 2026). This remarkable work is set to inspire readers and shed light on the profound history and culture of Black growers across our nation. Abra serves as the Director of Horticulture at the historicOakland Cemetery in Atlanta, GA. During our conversation, we delve into Abra’s impressive career path and explore the influential figures in her life, particularly her parents, who encouraged her curiosity and ambition.

Thank you for joining us on The WildStory. Follow us on Instagram@Thewildstory_podcast

Our featured poet is James Crews, (0:3:54) who speaks with Ann Wallace about his new book, Unlocking the Heart: Writing for Mindfulness, Courage, and Compassion from Mandala Publishing. James offers wisdom about all that we can learn from the natural world, when we allow ourselves to quiet the ever-present din, open our senses, and refocus our attention. Knowing this is easier said than done, James generously offers a prompt for mindfulness and writing after every poem in his collection, inviting each of us to develop our own observational and reflective practice. Trust us, this is a conversation you need to calm your anxieties and appreciate the awe and wonder that accompany us, always.

In Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel, (0:35:52) our native plant expert and owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, answers questions from listeners about the iconic American Holly, the Winterberry Holly, and the Inkberry Holly. She clears up some confusion about straight species vs. cultivars and talks about the crucial role these plants play in the ecosystem, as they provide vital food and shelter for wildlife, particularly during winter.

Also in this episode, Ann and Kim talk with Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick (0:48:24) of Pinelands Nursery, one of the largest native plant nurseries in the country, about their popular podcast Native Plants Healthy Planet. They tell us how creating the podcast has offered the best ecological education they ever could have imagined. Coming up on their 250th episode, Fran and Tom remind us that being approachable, curious, and joyful is the best way to bring people together to create a healthier planet.

In our final segment, Ann and Kim are joined by urban naturalist and author Joanna Brichetto (1:14:44) Joanna talks with us from her home in Nashville, Tennessee about her new book, This Is How A Robin Drinks: Urban Essays on Nature recently published by Trinity University Press. Joanna also writes the popular urban nature blog Sidewalk Nature: Everyday Wonders in Everyday Habitat Loss. She shares how observing the local wildlife just outside her door has impacted her in so many ways, even helping her cope with debilitating migraines. At the end of our conversation, she leaves us with a lovely observation about New Jersey’s state flower the Common Blue Violet.

In celebration of the holidays, listeners of The WildStory will receive 20% off Unlocking the Heart by James Crews and This Is How A Robin Drinks by Joanna Brichetto. To access the discount codes go towww.npsnj.org/Thewildstoryor follow the podcast on Instagram at @TheWildStory_Podcast.

Today’s featured poet is Elizabeth Sylvia, (03:39) who speaks with Ann Wallace about her new manuscript Eating Cake in the Garden with Marie Antoinette, as well as her 2022 collection, None But Witches: Poems on Shakespeare’s Women (Three Mile Harbor Press). They spoke about Marie Antoinette’s model farm, a product of opulent privilege but also a site of refuge at a time of revolution, and the unexpected connections to our current moment of climate crisis. Elizabeth’s pastoral poems are tender and intimate, inviting us to walk around the garden, lay in the meadow, and feed the bees with her. Follow Elizabeth on Instagram here.

In Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel, (0:35:40) a native plant expert for NPSNJ and owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, offers important advice for fall and winter clean-up. She reminds us that our gardens are not dead but very much alive in winter, which is why it is so crucial to leave the stems and leaves in our gardens as a habitat for wildlife to overwinter.

Kim Correro and Ann Wallace then speak with critically acclaimed food writer and memoirist Elissa Altman (0:44:40) about her writing, garden, and caring for her fiercely determined elderly mother, Rita. Elissa shares the complexities of her relationship with her mother, who is at the center of Motherland: A Memoir of Love, Loathing, and Longing (Ballantine Books, 2019). Throughout the conversation, Elissa discusses the perennial garden she shares with her wife, Susan Turner, as a space where she often finds inspiration and solace. We close by hearing about her new book, Permission: The New Memoirist and the Courage to Create (forthcoming in March 2025 from Godine Press and available for pre-order now), on the craft of memoir and transcending the fear that keeps vital stories from being written. Follow Elissa on Instagram here.

In the final segment, Margaret Roach, (1:11:45) the New York Times garden columnist and host of the award-winning podcast A Way to Garden joins Ann and Kim. In 2007, Margaret left New York City and her job as Executive Vice President and Editorial Director of Martha Stewart because she craved completely different rewards: solitude, a return to the personal creativity of writing, a closer connection to nature, and her first passion, the 2.3-acre garden in the Hudson Valley where, as she says, the birds taught her how to garden. Follow Margaret on Instagram here.

Thank you for joining us on The WildStory. Follow us on Instagram @Thewildstory_podcast

Episode 17 features poet Nadia Colburn (03:47), who joins Ann Wallace from Massachusetts to speak about her new collection, I Say the Sky, published this year by University of Kentucky Press. Nadia’s collection is a work of meditative healing, moving from silence into power. She invites us to see ourselves reflected in nature, and that poetry, in the words of Audre Lorde, indeed is not a luxury.

Next up, Kim Correro speaks with Sarah F. Jayne (0:37:29)about her new book Nature’s Action Guide: How to Support Biodiversity and Your Local Ecosystem.Sarah’s book, a companion to Doug Tallamy’s Nature’s Best Hope, outlines fifteen actions we can and must take for creating healthy, functioning ecosystems where we live, work, and play. Each action includes a checklist, step-by-step instructions, recommended resources, and informative tips.

And in our final segment, Kim and Ann talk with Doug Tallamy, (057:39)bestselling author and co-founder of Homegrown National Park, about his new book, How Can I Help: Saving the World with Your Yard, forthcoming from Timber Press on April 8, 2025. In the new book, Doug shares compelling and actionable answers to questions he most often receives from gardeners and homeowners. Topics range from ecology and biodiversity, conservation and restoration, native plants and invasive species, to pest control and support of wildlife at home. Doug offers important advice on what we can do as individuals to support biodiversity. He also stresses the importance of voting and making our values known to public officials.

Thank you for joining us on The WildStory. Follow us on Instagram @Thewildstory_podcast

This episode of The WildStory is all about the southernmost point in New Jersey—beautiful Cape May, known to beachgoers as a summer destination. But for nature lovers, September is migration season and the very best time to head to Cape May. Which is exactly what many of us from the Native Plant Society of New Jersey will be doing, for a special trip to Cape May the weekend of September 27th through the 29th. The retreat sold out faster than we anticipated, but we wanted to share some of the wonders of the area with you in this episode, which includes an inspiring roster of guests from South Jersey.

Our featured poet ishttps://www.pennyharterpoet.com/Penny Harter (4:00), who has lived and written in May’s Landing for the past dozen years. Penny and Ann spoke about memory, grief, and the everyday creatures and objects that become the imagery that fills her poetry. Penny also offers a mini-lesson on haibun, a beloved Japanese form near to her heart, a form that allows ideas to ripple and expand, like rings upon a lake,

In Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:32:00), a native plant expert for NPSNJ and owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, talks about entering fall, when the many species of goldenrod come into their glory. She clears up the confusion between goldenrod and ragweed and shares why Seaside Goldenrod, which grows along the seashore, is one of her favorites.

We then hear from naturalist Mark Garland (0:44:54) the Director Emeritus of the Cape May Monarch Monitoring Project. Mark has lived and worked in Cape May for more than 20 years and is the author of Watching Nature: A Mid-Atlantic Natural History. Mark talks with Kim about the Monarch butterfly and why its migration is unlike any other that we know of on this planet.

In our final segment, Kim and Ann catch up with naturalist Pat Sutton (01:09:04), who has lived and worked in the Cape May area for over 40 years. Pat shares her knowledge of Cape May Island, one of the top spots in the world to see butterfly and bird migration. She points out her favorite places to visit and tells us about her film, "The UNFOLDING of Pat Sutton’s WILDLIFE GARDEN,” which features her 1/2 acre home wildlife habitat which encompasses 202 native plants, 61 trees, shrubs, and vines, 9 grasses, 5 ferns, 213 bird species, 79 butterfly species and 113 other pollinators.

Thank you for joining us on The WildStory. Follow us on Instagram Here to see clips.

Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD

Poet Laureate of Jersey City

Co-host Kim Correro,

Rutgers Master Gardener and Director of State Programs

Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel

Entomologist and Vice President of Membership NPSNJ

This episode features an interview with best-selling author Barbara Kingsolver(0:04:34) from 2022. It was recorded for The WildStory’s predecessor, an Instagram series called Saturday Morning Poetry, hosted by the Hudson County Chapter of NPSNJ. Barbara Kingsolver is of course most widely known for her brilliant novels, but she is also a poet with two published collections. In this interview, recorded a week before the release of the internationally acclaimed novel Demon Copperhead, we talked about Barbara’s 2020 poetry collection How to Fly (in Ten Thousand Easy Lessons), leaning into poetry’s capacity for delight and whimsy with a conversation about trees as good people, followed by a more sobering discussion about climate change and the need to cherish and protect the natural places on this earth. We reprise this interview here on The WildStory with special permission from Barbara Kingsolver.

In Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:25:35), the native plant expert for NPSNJ and owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm, talks about the impact ecologically damaging plants have on the environment, with a focus on the Butterfly Bush. Although eye-catching, hardy, and seemingly helpful to butterflies and other pollinators, Butterfly Bush is actually an invasive species that can impair the health of our local ecosystems.

We then hear from Katie Bliss (0:39:28), the Director of Horticulture for the Cape May Point Science Center, formerly known as St. Mary by the Sea retreat house. The Center is located in the middle of the Atlantic flyway and is the location for this year's NPSNJ retreat for membership in late September. Katie talks with Kim about the center's rich history and the pollinator garden she created with her husband, which is a recipient of a 2024 NPSNJ mini-grant.

In our final segment, Kim and Ann chat with naturalist Nancy Lawson (0:58:27), author of The Humane Gardener, about her newest book, WildScape (Princeton Architectural Press 2023), which takes readers on an insightful and fascinating exploration of the secret lives of animals and native plants at her wildlife habitat. She shares memories of her father, who died suddenly but left her with curiosity, patience, and the ability to appreciate small details. Nancy also talks about the repercussions of chronic noise from gas-powered leaf blowers and the impacts of artificial feeders on plants and animals.

To close the episode, we leave you with a short reading by Nancy from WildScape (1:27:30) about the awe and childhood memories awakened within her by a yellow-billed cuckoo on a rainy day as her father was dying, grief and love sitting side by side, together in this passage. For more information about Nancy Lawson, visit her website athttps://www.humanegardener.com/events-and-talks/humanegardener.com

Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD

Poet Laureate of Jersey City

Co-host Kim Correro,

Rutgers Master Gardener and Director of State Programs

Special Contributor Dr. Randi Eckel

Entomologist and Vice President of Membership NPSNJ

In episode 14, Kai Coggin, Poet Laureate of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and host of Wednesday Night Poetry (0:02:56), talks with Ann Wallace about her new book Mother of Other Kingdoms, published in April 2024 by Harbor Editions. Kai speaks about the many ways in which the tender act of mothering living things, whether wild or human, has enriched her life and provides sustaining lessons on finding joy and wonder through difficult times.

In Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel, the native plant expert for NPSNJ and owner of Toadshade Wildflower Farm⁠ (0:35:34), explains why native Jewelweed is hard to find for sale. She then answers a listener question from Maude about how we define local when purchasing native plants. Randi also makes a special announcement about the September trip to Cape May for NPSNJ members.

Kim Correro then speaks with Rebecca McMackin (0:45:41) about the power of ecological horticulture in creating a more just and equitable world. Rebecca discusses the emotional and physical benefits of living in a thriving ecosystem and suggests that access to beauty should be a human right. She wraps up by sharing tips on the importance of knowing how to water your plants and why fall is the ideal planting season. We encourage you to sign up for Rebecca's freehttps://www.rebeccamcmackin.com/newsletterNEWSLETTER, which is filled with valuable information for gardeners. Don't forget to check out her TED Talk "Let Your Garden Grow Wild" with almost one million views!

To close out the episode, Kim and Ann talk with Jared Rosenbaum, botanist and co-owner of Wild Ridge Plants in New Jersey (1:09:24). We speak about cultural ecology and Jared’s YouTube series ROOTED. Each episode features one wild plant species, sparking stories about place, history, and future prospects. In the upcoming season, they span the state of New Jersey to feature Prickly Pear Cactus, Purple Milkweed, and more. Rooted is a recipient of a 2024 NPSNJ Mini-Grant.