Native Plants, Healthy Planet

Latest Episodes:

Planning for the Future with David McKinney Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with David McKinney, Curator of Collections and Grounds at Iowa Arboretum and Gardens, to discuss the future of our natural ecosystems. Topics include how David found his love for native plants, stewardship of natural lands at the arboretum, what climate change means for pollinators, non-native plants in urban environments, and it wouldn’t be a show without favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow David's Instagram Here.

Follow Iowa Arboretum and Gardens Here.

Learn More about Trees in Peril Here.

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The Buzz - Green Friday Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Check out our Black Friday Promo!!! Where in the World is Tom Knezick? “That’s Hot” is all in the fall color. Why did “This or That” cross the Highway - It's all in our memory. Did we give you a shoutout this week? Want to see Roots So Deep with us? "Take it or Leave it" makes a triumphant return. Are you listening to the end for our secret? Intro music by RJ Comer, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Black Friday 10% Promo Code BFPLANTS - Order Here.

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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Cues to Care with Katie Fisk Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with environmental educator Katie Fisk to discuss Cues to Care. Topics include Katie's journey into environmental stewardship, tips for creating biodiversity on your own property, creating habitat affordably, the value of environmental education, and it wouldn't be a show without favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Katie's Native Garden Here.

Join A Journey to Backyard Biodiversity 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.

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Replaying the Hits with Andrew the Arborist and Griff Griffith Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick share two of their favorite episodes of The Native Plants Healthy Planet Podcast that highlight Native Plant Influencers. First is Andrew Conboy (Andrew The Arborist) to discuss native plants and social media. Topics include Andrew's path to becoming an arborist, inspirations along the way, blowing up on social media, Andrew's nonprofit Community Canopy Project, and tips for the budding influencer. Up second is Griff Griffith of Redwoods Rising and the Jumpstart Nature Podcast to talk about spreading the good word on native plants. Topics include Griff's journey into ecology, different ways to start conversations about native plants, the history and importance of the Redwood forest, equity in nature, and the story about Griff's first viral video. Intro music by Egocentric Plastic Men, outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Andrew Conboy - Instagram / TikTok / YouTube

Follow Community Canopy Project - Website / Facebook / Instagram

Follow Griff Griffith - Website / Facebook / TikTok / YouTube

Follow Redwoods Rising - Website / Facebook / TikTok

Follow Jumpstart Nature - Website

Learn which Indigenous tribes lived where 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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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/r/nativeplantgardening with Rob and Friend Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Rob and Skunk (Moderators of the subreddit Native Plant Gardening) to discuss the consequences that led to this episode of the podcast. Topics include the Native Plant Gardening Community, adding cues to care in gardens, advice for the native plant beginner, and favorite native plants. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow the Native Plant Gardening Subreddit 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - Frankenshrub Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is plenty of follow up this episode. “That’s Hot” feels like fall in the air and the scent of salt. “This or That” pits conservation vs conservation. Did we give you a shoutout this week? There is a brand new segment this episode just in time for Halloween. 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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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

Painting the Landscape with Philip Juras Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with artist Philip Juras to discuss painting the natural world. Topics include allowing yourself to be moved by our natural environments, inviting the audience into your perspective, historical significance of the landscapes that Philip paints, and favorite places to get inspired. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Philip Juras 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - Remember the Moths Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is plenty of follow up this episode. “That’s Hot” visits the south and appeals to the foragers. “This or That” pits butterflies against moths. Did we give you a shoutout this week? There is a brand new segment this episode so get your list ready. Are you listening to the end for Fran's Listener Shoutout? 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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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

Community Stewardship with Robert Aluck of Sourland Conservancy Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Pull up a chair and grab a Pawpaw Ale as Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Robert Aluck (Stewardship Director) of Sourland Conservancy . Topics include engaging the community and partners to maximize your efforts, finding purpose in native plants, achieving organizational goals, and and the importance of ecological outreach. Music by Egocentric Plastic Men, Outro music by Dave Bennett.

Follow Sourland Conservancy 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 Old store Here.

Visit New 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 - Mt Rush-More Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. There is plenty of follow up this episode. “That’s Hot” is something old and something new. “This or That” goes into the weeds with messaging and survival. Did we give you a shoutout this week? There is a brand new segment this episode so get your list ready. Are you listening to the end for a 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 Old store Here.

Visit New store Here!

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