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| Episode 27 is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Amazon Listen Here! The WildStory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants by the Native Plant Society of New Jersey Share this podcast with your friends and family. The Wildstory is a FREE resource to learn from and available to everyone! Hosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhD Poet Laureate Emeritus 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 Do you have a question about native plants for Randi? Email: TheWildStory@npsnj.org In 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, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:29:05), 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 with Mare McClellan, (0:39:15) artist and nursery manager at Gino’s Nursery 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 our 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 with Benjamin 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 practical 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. Questions: Email Thewildstory@npsnj.org |
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| Only 2 spots left for the upcoming four week Zoom course with Sara F. Jayne! Design Your Wildlife Habitat: A Hands-On Workshop Based On the Popular Book Nature’s Action Guide Begins February 2, 2026 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Learn more here |