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Artwork for Backyard Ecology

Backyard Ecology

Shannon Trimboli
Native Plants
Pollinators
Biodiversity
Wildlife Habitat
Ground Nesting Bees
Ecosystems
Gardening
Eastern US Forest Ecosystems
Light Pollution
Community Science
Bird Migration
Short's Aster
Native Bees
Black-Eyed Susan
Caterpillars
Microbial Interactions
Birdcast
Virginia Strawberry
Invasive Species
Backyard Ecology

Nature isn't just "out there" in some pristine, far-off location. It's all around us, including right outside our doors. Hi, my name is Shannon Trimboli and I'm here to help people in the eastern U.S. create thriving ecosystems where they live, work, and play. Join us as we ignite our curiosity and natural wonder, explore our yards and communities, and improve our local pollinator and wildlife hab... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes119Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Home & GardenLeisureNatureScience

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Artwork for Backyard Ecology

Latest Episodes

Summary

In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about the results of Mt. Cuba's Solidago Trials which evaluated how approximately 50 different goldenrod species performed in a garden setting.

3 things you'll learn from this episode:

• Some of ... more

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Summary

In this episode, Sam Hoadley and I talk about how goldenrods (Solidago sp.) are keystone species and all the ecological roles that they play. We also touch on some of the evolving discussions and potential unintended consequences related to... more

YouTube

Summary

In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss simple ways that anyone can help eastern bluebirds. Our discussion is based off her recently published research looking at the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. You can find our discussion of... more

Summary

In this episode, Ashley Kennedy and I discuss the results of her research on the diets of nestling eastern bluebirds. Ashley used GoPro cameras located on active bluebird nestboxes to take pictures of what eastern bluebirds were bringing ba... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Ashley Kennedy
Entomologist who studied bluebird nestling diets
(mentioned)
Episode: Simple Ways to Help Eastern Bluebirds
Max Ferlauto
State Entomologist for the Maryland Natural Heritage Program
Maryland Natural Heritage Program
Episode: The Science Behind "Leave the Leaves"
Paula Whyman
Avid nature enthusiast and author of 'Bad Naturalist, One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop'
Episode: A Bad Naturalist's Journey to Restore a Mountaintop Meadow
Jim McCormac
Author of Gardening for Moths, a photographer and conservationist
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Episode: Gardening for Moths: Why It's Important for Backyard Conservation
Sam Hoadley
Manager of horticultural research at Mt. Cuba Center
Mt. Cuba Center
Episode: Ironweed's Beauty and Ecological Value in Your Garden: Mt. Cuba's Vernonia Trial
Doug Tallamy
Entomologist at the University of Delaware, author of Bringing Nature Home, Nature's Best Hope, and The Nature of Oaks.
University of Delaware
Episode: Doug Tallamy's Habitat Restoration Story and How You Can Help Save Nature
Dr. Andrew Farnsworth
Visiting scientist at Cornell Lab of Ornithology and member of the BirdCast Team
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Episode: BirdCast: Revealing the Mysteries of Bird Migration
Dr. Jordan Kueneman
Beekeeper and researcher focusing on Ground Nesting Bees
Episode: Exploring the Fascinating World of Ground Nesting Bees

Host

Shannon Trimboli
Host of Backyard Ecology Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 156 ratings
  • Best podcast!

    This is my favorite podcast, Shannon is super cute and friendly and all her guests are specialists in their fields. She’s able to blend deep scientific info into easily digestible content for your basic lay person. She brings in these highly educated scientists to discuss a variety of topics and somehow make the dullest of topics (worms) entertaining. There’s plenty of great tips for you to take that help benefit the native species in your own yards and community. Thanks Shannon and guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rattles508
    United States9 months ago
  • Episode 75 is amazing

    I love episode 75 about the Mt. Cuba carex (sedges) trials. This is information all homeowners or land managers need!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hoosier Nikki
    United States3 years ago
  • loved listening to them talk about invasives and how different the removal methods can be

    Audible
    5
    Debra De La Torre
    United States3 years ago
  • very informative

    loved listening to them talk about invasives and how different the removal methods can be

    Audible
    5
    Debra De La Torre
    United States3 years ago
  • A podcast that deserves to be sown widely

    For people interested in learning how to play an active, personal and meaningful role in preserving and restoring the natural environment around us, this podcast is superb.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NORG!
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback highlights how topics translate to real-world yard improvements and community action.
Show is described as polished, relatable, and great for ecologists or nature enthusiasts alike.
Audience enjoys actionable tips for native plants and insect-friendly yards.
Listeners praise the host's approachable delivery and the high quality, evidence-based guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Best Goldenrods for Home Gardens: Mount Cuba Trial Results Tell All
Q: Did you have a favorite?
The presenter noted that favorites change with the season, but highlighted Soledeggo fischulosa and Soledeggo ogiensis as personal favorites at different times, illustrating how personal preference can shift with what is blooming and observed in the trials.
Best Goldenrods for Home Gardens: Mount Cuba Trial Results Tell All
Q: Which ones did really, really well?
The top performers included a juxtaposition between a long-established cultivar and a locally native species that wasn't widely represented in trade, both performing neck-and-neck in trials. Fireworks (Soledega rugosa fireworks) was highlighted as a standout, with strong ornamental and ecological traits, and Soledega fistulosa was also repeatedly praised for its garden performance and late-season bloom. The discussion emphasized that the best choices depend on habitat and site conditions.
Best Goldenrods for Home Gardens: Mount Cuba Trial Results Tell All
Q: So how did you choose the different species?
The team started by surveying commercially available goldenrods and, when gaps were found, expanded into lesser-known native species through seed they ethically sourced or sourced from local botanists. They evaluated roughly 70 taxa overall, narrowed to about 12 top performers based on three years of performance in common garden conditions, and complemented this with ecotype and provenance considerations to understand variation across the genus.
Goldenrod Geek-out! What You Need to Know About This Ecological Powerhouse!
Q: Quick question. Do you think Backyard Ecology content is at least as valuable as one bottle of soda per month?
Yes—support from listeners helps sustain free, educational content that explores plants, pollinators, and wildlife; even small monthly contributions can fund a year of content.
New Research Reveals Diet of Baby Eastern Bluebirds
Q: Did the researchers test whether bluebirds actually prefer certain prey, or just eat them more because they're abundant?
Initial results suggested preferences in controlled trials (e.g., waxworms preferred over stink bugs), indicating bluebirds do exercise prey preferences beyond availability.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Backyard Ecology

What is Backyard Ecology about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A nature-forward show helping busy homeowners in the eastern U.S. build thriving backyard ecosystems through practical, plant-forward actions, community science, and insect-rich habitats. Episodes center on native plants, caterpillar-rich diets for local birds, and hands-on guidance for yards, parks, and even policy-level landscaping choices. Notable is the strong emphasis on accessible, evidence-based practices, guest experts from entomology to conservation, and a clear focus on turning research into actionable backyard improvements for wildlife and pollinators.

Where can I find podcast stats for Backyard Ecology?

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How many listeners does Backyard Ecology get?

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What are the audience demographics for Backyard Ecology?

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How many subscribers and views does Backyard Ecology have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Backyard Ecology has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Backyard Ecology are there?

Backyard Ecology launched 6 years ago and published 119 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Backyard Ecology?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Backyard Ecology?

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What guests have appeared on Backyard Ecology?

Recent guests on Backyard Ecology include:

1. Ashley Kennedy
2. Max Ferlauto
3. Paula Whyman
4. Jim McCormac
5. Sam Hoadley
6. Doug Tallamy
7. Dr. Andrew Farnsworth
8. Dr. Jordan Kueneman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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