Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Latest Episodes:

Leaving the Land Better Than We Found it with Kyle Wendtland Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Kyle Wendtland (Wyoming Energy Authority Director of Fossil Fuel Development) to discuss reclamation work in the state of Wyoming. Topics include the biggest threats to Wyoming's ecosystems, the challenges of recreating sagebrush ecosystems and the presence of large animals, how the reclamation industry has changed over the decades, the role reclamation plays toward Wyoming's youth, and examining what the future of reclamation might look like. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Kyle Wendtland Here.

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The Buzz - Growing Together Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” highlights some backyard favorites. “This or That” speaks to Darwin and Gauwane. “Listener Shoutouts” gives gratitude and respect and "This or That" makes a triumphant return. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

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Follow Fran Chismar Here.

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The Beasts from the East with Andrew Moore Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Andrew More (Author Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit) to discuss his new book The Beasts of the East: The Fall and Rise of America’s Eastern Wilderness. Topics include doing justice to ecological events through research, collaboration in the field of restoration ecology, the importance of large animals to our ecological web, and signs of hope in our ecological future. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Andrew Moore Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

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The Buzz - Thanks For Your Comments May 29, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” highlights a memorial and a tribute. “This or That” questions how we look at restoration. “Listener Shoutouts” spark some great questions and “Grow Read A Book” makes a triumphant return! Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Skype a Scientist with Sarah McAnulty May 22, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Sarah McAnulty (Biologist and Executive Director of Skype a Scientist) to discuss Squid and Native Plants in urban setting. Topics include making science accessible to schools, getting the idea of native plants to an unsuspecting patron, marketing in unconventional ways, and the connection between education and art. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Skype a Scientist Here.

Follow Sarah McAnulty Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

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Remembering Captain Al Modjeski May 15, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share one of their favorite episodes from the Native Plants Healthy Planet Archives by remembering Captain Al Modjeski of the American Littoral Society. In this episode, Tom and Fran talk with Captain Al about coastal resiliency. Topics include the history of the American Littoral Society, how oysters and Christmas Trees both help in coastal resiliency, the importance of collaboration and community, as well as how you can make a difference. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men.

Follow American Littoral Society - Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

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Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit Here.

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Land Stewardship Planning with Charlotte Lorick May 08, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Charlotte Lorick (Head of Biodiversity Conservation at Oak Spring Garden Foundation) to discuss collaboration in Land Stewardship Planning. Topics include finding your inner Plant Whisperer, misconceptions about land stewarship planning, plant blindness, and tips on starting your own land stewardship plan. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Oak Spring Garden Foundation Here.

Follow Charlotte Lorick on Instagram Here.

View Charlotte Lorick's Tedx Talk Here Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buzz - The Trees Have Eyes May 01, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. What is the demographic this month and does it include jokes?. “That’s Hot” highlights some great spring blooms. “This or That” both feature how plants interact. We have plenty of "Listener Shoutouts" and "This or That" makes a triumphant return! Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Collaboration in Ecology with Douglas Tallamy, Michael Curran, and Timothy Robinson Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Doug Tallamy (Author, Homegrown National Park, and Professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware), Michael Curran (CEO Abnova Ecological Solutions) and Timothy Robinson (Professor in the University of Wyoming Department of Mathematics and Statistics) to discuss collaboration in ecology. Topics include the collaboration between our guests, influence and legacy, the importance of funding and results, Climate Change, and AI in research. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Doug Tallamy Here.

Join A Homegrown National Park Here.

Follow Abnova Ecological Solutions Here.

Follow Timothy J Robinson Here.

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189.

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good. Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Buzz - Native Plant Month Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Is there a new host?!? Welcome to Native Plant Month. “That’s Hot” highlights a listener suggestion. “This or That” highlights a community that hurts and a community that helps. Tom and Fran are boots to the ground with a new Mt. Rushmore. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

That’s Hot – Fran’s Plant / Tom’s Plant

Read Fran’s Article / Read Tom’s Article

Have a question or a comment? Call (215) 346-6189

Have a comment? Email info@nativeplantshealthyplanet.com

Follow Native Plants Healthy Planet – Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube

Follow Fran Chismar Here.

Buy a T-shirt, spread the message, and do some good.

Visit our store Here!

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.