Native Plants, Healthy Planet

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...

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”...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with ecological landscape architect Preston Montague. Topics include adding human elements to ecological landscapes, finding your niche in the ecological world, doing justice...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. “That’s Hot” is both black and white and gray. “This or That” researches ticks and introduces bison. Did we give you a shoutout this...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick reconnect with Rebecca McMackin. Topics include what has happened in Rebecca's world since her last visit to the podcast such as Ted Talks and discussing environmentalism with Neko...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about the Land Ethic Symposium. “That’s Hot” is both near and far. “This or That” talks about hope for both birds and trees...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with environmentalist, activist, and author Summer Rayne Oakes. Topics include Summer's path into ecological landscaping, the importance of education and storytelling...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. How many magazine covers has Tom been on? “That’s Hot” is nothing to sneeze about. “This or That” talks about shapes and connections. A...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Amy Martin (Executive Producer, Threshold Podcast) to talk about Listening to Nature. Topics include Amy's path from a fam in Iowa to creating Threshold Podcast, adding...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Let's talk about Ireland and Iowa - and how much cheese is too much? Tom goes to PPA. “That’s Hot” is home and away. “This or That” deals...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Todd Bittner (Director of Natural Areas, Cornell Botanic Gardens) to talk about Native Lawns. Topics include the history of Native Lawn 1.0 and its advantages, New York...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. The burning question is are there more voices??? Listen to find out. Tom and Fran go to Cultivate “That’s Hot” brings The Chop! “This or...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Ben Goldfarb (Author of Crossings, Eager) to talk about road ecology. Topics include the history of road ecology, how our highway systems impact wildlife, how have...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. Find out what it is like to record the same episode twice. Tom wins a prestigious award!!! “That’s Hot” discusses dye and drugs. “This or...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Paula Whyman (Author of Bad Naturalist) to talk about creating change and finding ecological peace. Topics include collecting professional advice, figuring out the best...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick are back with a brand new episode of The Buzz. We have a little Reddit Follow Up this week. “That’s Hot” discusses spines and spikes, “This or That” debates lists and sizes, and “Take...

Hosts Fran Chismar and Tom Knezick connect with Edwina von Gal (Founder at Edwina von Gal + Co. and Founder at Perfect Earth Project) to talk about making real ecological change in our gardens. Topics include global...