This podcast series is for educational purposes only. The opinions, ideas, or data presented in this podcast series do not represent FWS policy or constitute an endorsem*nt by FWS. Some of the materials may be protected by copyright or may have been licensed to us by a third party and are restricted in their use. Mention of any product names, companies, weblinks, textbooks, or other references does not imply Federal endorsem*nt.
Thoughts From Home is your conservation podcast from the National Conservation Training Center, which is known as the home of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Thoughts From Home is an educational podcast offering short episodes on topics including wildlife biology, nature, conservation, NCTC programs and initiatives. (The Podcast Team)
Image Details
Latest Podcast Episodes
Have you ever been up close and personal with an endangered freshwater mussel? Matthew Patterson, Fish and Wildlife Biologist and NCTC Course Leader, gives Mike McAllister the inside scoop on endangered freshwater mussels. Listen to where mussels live, why they’re important, what their role is in the ecosystem, and why they are declining. You also will hear all about the brand new and incredible 3D mussel shell project. Matthew has partnered with the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to create 3D scans of all 300 species of freshwater mussel in the U.S. in an effort to help folks identify different species. You are sure to learn many fascinating things about the very unique and very cool freshwater mussels that live in the waters of the U.S. as well as why you should bring along a mask and snorkel the next time you head down to the river!
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, Jim Siegel, Ecology Curriculum Manager, and Randy Robinson, Education and Outreach Coordinator, discuss the successful recovery of the bald eagle and review the history of the NCTC eagle nest on its 20th anniversary. The NCTC eagles are a conservation success story right here on campus! Recorded on National American Eagle Day, hear the interesting details of how the bald eagle population has grown all over the United States and the challenges the species still faces today!
For 50 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected America's imperiled plants and animals. Mark Madison, Historian for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shares about the history of the Endangered Species Act during its 50th Anniversary year. All Americans can take pride in the fact that, under the ESA, the California condor, grizzly bear, Okaloosa darter, whooping crane, and black-footed ferret have all been brought back from the brink of extinction. It has helped to create a better understanding of how human activities can impact the environment and how we can work together to protect it. We can also celebrate that many other species no longer need ESA protection and have been removed from the list of endangered and threatened species, including the bald eagle—the very symbol of our nation's strength.
Pollinator gardens can be a beautiful, natural addition to our landscapes! But do you know why they are so important? Using native species to create a robust habitat, we can give pollinators their three basic needs: food, water, and shelter. By doing so, we can help create a virtual highway that gives pollinators rest stops! In this episode of the Sustainability series, Mike McAllister talks with Casey Johnson, an Ecologist at NCTC, about the importance of pollinator gardens and how you can create one, even on your deck or patio!
Prescribed burns. Most of us have heard the term or have seen the smoke floating above the NCTC in the spring. Have you ever wondered exactly what a prescribed burn prescribed burn Learn more about prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.
When we think of scuba diving, our minds go to clear water and marine life. That is not always the case and in this two part podcast series, Dr. Jim Siegel talks with Ryan Hagerty, FWS Regional Diving Safety Officer, and Matthew Patterson, FWS Certified Diver, about their scientific river dives. As a FWS photographer and videographer, Ryan talks about his experiences capturing mesmerizing images in the depths of rivers and other dark places! Matthew talks about his experiences diving for the coolest animal ever, freshwater mussels! Sit back, relax, and enjoy visualizing the depths of these waters through the experiences of our FWS divers!
In Part 2 of the Scientific River Diving series, Dr. Jim Siegel talks with Ryan Hagerty, FWS Regional Diving Safety Officer, and Matthew Patterson, FWS Certified Diver, about their scientific river dives. As a FWS photographer and videographer, Ryan talks about his experiences capturing mesmerizing images in the depths of rivers and other dark places! Matthew talks about his experiences diving for the coolest animal ever, freshwater mussels! Sit back, relax, and enjoy visualizing the depths of these waters through the experiences of our FWS divers!
The USFWS Library is celebrating 60 years of Silent Spring! This April, we're reading Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, the classic that launched the environmental movement for America's Wild Read. Conservation hero Rachel Carson (1907–1964) was a renowned author and one of the first female biologists to work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She became one of the most celebrated and beloved science writers in America, but it is easy to forget how controversial Silent Spring was when it was released despite now being a classic of conservation literature.
The NCTC is celebrating its 25th Anniversary! In this podcast, Steve Chase, NCTC Director, and Mark Madison, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Historian, reflect on the past and speculate the future moving into NCTC’s next 25 years.
In this episode of Thoughts From Home, Mark Madison, our Fish and Wildlife Historian, talks with the NCTC Director, Steve Chase, about NCTC, who we are, what we do and other information you may not know.
Find us also on Apple Podcasts.
Back to the nctc Podcast Collection
