Podcast on Natural Dallas (The P.O.N.D.)

Greg Browder is a founding member of the P.O.N.D. podcast and after serving the City of Dallas and the Dallas Public Library for 21 years, he's hung up his headphones to enjoy retirement! This episode takes a listen back through some of Greg's highlights during his time hosting the P.O.N.D.

Would you like to grow beautiful, healthy trees in your North Texas yard? Who better to take advice from than “The Dirt Doctor” Howard Garrett? An arborist, landscape architect, nationally syndicated organic gardening talk show host, and author of such books as Howard Garrett’s Texas Trees and Plants of the Metroplex, Howard shares his expertise in the form of an informal Q&A in this episode of The P.O.N.D.

What do hawks, owls, vultures, kites, and falcons have in common? They are all raptors, of course! Join us as the staff members of the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center tell us all about their work with raptors, from education and rehabilitation to conservation and preservation.

Chris Runk, one of Dallas’s top birders and a reviewer for the eBird app, stops by for a conversation about this popular hobby/citizen science activity. Among the topics Chris shares his thoughts on are the appeal of birding, when and where to see birds in Dallas County, and what he as a reviewer is looking for when bird sightings are reported on eBird.

The presence of a frog can elicit a variety of reactions from people, ranging from squeamishness to curiosity to delight. Listen in as herpetologist and Texas Master Naturalist Jessie Crowley chats with us about frogs, and IDs a few of our local frogs and toads from the calls they make.

Cities are increasingly recognizing the benefits of having an urban forest. In this episode Karen Woodard, Forester for the City of Dallas, joins us via Zoom to discuss initiatives in Dallas to expand our tree canopy.

We sat down with Texas Parks and Wildlife's Urban Biologist Sam Kieschnick in early March 2020 for a chat about the annual Challenge, scheduled for Friday, April 24th thru Monday, April 27th. While the bioblitzes and other group activities referenced in the interview will no longer occur due to COVID-19 concerns, City Nature Challenge lives on as a non-competitive, citizen science collaboration! Tune in to learn why our observations matter, and be ready come April 24th to capture photos from whatever outdoor space you can permissibly access. Observations of "wild things" photographed in backyards or from apartment patios contribute too!

Big Spring is considered to be one of Dallas's natural treasures. Join us for a conversation with Ben Sandifer, Texas Stream Team's 2019 "Citizen Scientist of the Year" and champion of the spring.

Texas Wildlife Association's Gwen Eishen explores the wonderful and minute world of mosses and lichens.

Master Naturalist Amy Martin spent years turning a human-impacted country property into a wildlife haven. Listen in for how she did it.