Outdoor Musings Podcast

Outdoor Musings is made available by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe and Seneca counties. This is the local podcast where educators from Cornell Cooperative Extension explore a wide variety of outdoor topics relevant to all of us, expanding our knowledge of the natural world around us. Thanks for tuning-in!

Hosted by the Soundcloud, Central Casting at Rochester Public Library. 

Listen to Outdoor Musings Here

Or see a list view here:

1. Vernal Pools - explore vernal pools and their importance for providing habitat for wildlife, plants, and amphibians.
2. Releasing Wild Apple Trees
3. Moles And Voles - learn the difference between Moles and Voles in appearance, behavior and habitat
4. New York's Compost Awareness Week - learn the ecological importance of composting, beneficial techniques you can follow, and common materials you can use during New York's Compost Awareness Week
5. Nature Trail Journal - Marci takes us around her property in Ontario County and gives us an incredible description of the natural changes that she has witnessed over 40 years and the current transformation of the landscape and spring flora
6. The Importance of Trees - Susan discusses the importance of the myriad trees around us, their diverse age, size and biology. Trees provide fruit, spices, syrup and wood for furniture and homes and are a vital part of every ecosystem
7. Poison Ivy - Susan discusses the identification, growing period, allergic reactions and control of poison ivy
8. Nature Trail Journal II - Marci continues her Nature Trail Journal with updates on the season`s unusual weather and its effects on the trail's flora and fauna. Late blooms from the cold weather bring late abundance and the splendor of wildflowers, fruit trees, full creek beds, blue herons, kingfishers and ducks.
9. The History of Ground Ivy - Jessica Reid, 4-H Educator, tells us about a common weed (Creeping Charlie/Ground Ivy) found in our area, and tells about its history prior to coming to the US as an invasive, obnoxious weed!
10. Emerald Ash Borer - The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), also known by the acronym EAB, is a green buprestid or jewel beetle native to north-eastern Asia that feeds on ash species.Outside its native range, it is an invasive species and is highly destructive to ash trees native to Europe and North America.
11. Nature Trail Journal III -  In this episode of the Nature Trail Journey, Marci take us along the summer trail: dry weather, short blooms and a dry wet-meadow. Wild flowers are still out, and wild trees and large shade trees along the old farm field. The shaded woods are a welcomed and the annoying, biting deer-fly and its biology is discussed.
12. Nature Trail Journal IV - Marci takes us through the midsummer dry spell
13. The Great Blue Heron - Jessica discusses the Great Blue Heron and its majestic prevalence around lakes and other bodies of water throughout New York State.
14. Nature Trail Journal V (Blackberry Picking) - Marci discusses blackberry season and the fruit's biology, harvest and the summer scenery along the property with the family dog. Moving from plant to plant and fingers stained they return home to wash the berries picked. The property shows flowering plants and wildflowers including Chicory, Black-Eyed Susans and Queens Anne's Lace.
15. The Peregrine Falcon - Jessica describes the Peregrine Falcon's physiology, biology, habits and habitat. The falcon is seen on high perches, ready for an aerial assault. They are seen on cliffs and in cities on tall office buildings. They have successfully adapted to the urban environment and Rochester has been a home to the falcons since 1995.
16. Lawns - Susan Coyle, 4-H Educator, helps homeowners think about if they need to mow as much grass as many do. What are the benefits of decreasing lawn size?
17. The Blue Jay - Jessica finds a blue jay feather and this leads to a great discussion of the ubiquitous New York bird and its distinctive behavior, call and intelligence.
18. Nature Trail Journal VI (Reproduction & Allelopathy) - Marci explores the trail in early August and spots wild turkey marks in the soil. Plants like the shrub dogwood and thimble berry are busy reproducing through a natural process of evolution that has mastered their chance for survival over thousands of years. Marci describes allelopathy used by hickory and black walnuts trees to maximize the survival of their offspring at the expense of other plant species.
19. Nature Trail Journal VII - Marci takes back on the trail and we head into September evenings. Plants are sensing the shorter daylight hours and build their root starch instead of flowering. A light frost is possible from the middle of the month on and daily high temperatures continue to drop. Goldenrod is out. The ducks are on the pond. There is a pool in the creek where young perch are growing to swim downstream toward the Genesee River.

Last updated September 28, 2020