{"podcast":{"title":"The Backyard Naturalists","slug":"the-backyard-naturalists-4262914","podcast_index_feed_id":4262914,"rss_url":"https://thebackyardnaturalists.libsyn.com/rss","website_url":"http://www.thebackyardnaturalists.com","image_url":"https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/1/5/2/d/152d5a4c8d405dd7bafc7308ab683e82/BYN_ARTWORK.png","author":"Downtown Podcasting","episode_count":100,"summary":"Embark on a magical adventure into the wonders of your backyard with 'The Backyard Naturalists' podcast. Whether you're a curious nature lover or a seasoned enthusiast, our show is your ticket to discovering the enchanting world of your own outdoor space. Join us on a journey of discovery as we celebrate the beauty of your backyard and explore a wide range of fascinating topics. Learn how to transform your little piece of nature into a haven for local wildlife, and discover the joy of citizen science by participating in events like the Great Backyard Bird Count. We'll guide you in creating a thriving ecosystem right at home by using native plants. Discover which fascinating creatures share your area, and learn how to attract specific bird species to your garden. We'll also delve into the world of raptors, both common and rare, that inhabit the Greater Charlotte region, and witness the mesmerizing spectacle of spring and fall bird migrations. But that's not all! We'll also introduce you to the magical world of plants that attract butterflies and so much more. Join us in unlocking the hidden treasures within your very own backyard and nurturing a deeper connection with the natural w…","last_synced_at":"2026-08-02T12:20:28.343915+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914"},"episode":{"title":"iNaturalist – Connecting People, Nature, and Science","slug":"inaturalist-connecting-people-nature-and-science","published_at":"2026-08-01T13:14:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/inaturalist-connecting-people-nature-and-science","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914","url":"https://thebackyardnaturalists.libsyn.com/inaturalist-connecting-people-nature-and-science-0","audio_url":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thebackyardnaturalists/BYN_S4E46_-_iNaturalist_Mixdown_11.mp3?dest-id=3015305","summary":"This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Allison Young, Director of Outreach Programs for iNaturalist, the global platform that's changing the way people experience nature. Whether you're snapping a photo of a butterfly in your backyard, spotting a rare bird on a hike, or identifying tracks in the mud, iNaturalist turns those moments into data that helps fuel research, conservation, and environmental education worldwide. Allison takes us behind the scenes of iNaturalist, from its humble beginnings as a grad school project at UC Berkeley in 2008 to a thriving community of over 3.5 million users who have contributed 260+ million observations from more than 130 countries. She shares amazing success stories—like the rediscovery of species thought extinct, surprising range expansions, and new species discoveries—proving that every observation matters. You'll also learn how easy it is to get started, why common species are just as valuable to document as rare ones, and how iNaturalist's unique mix of technology and community makes it \"the friendliest place on the internet.\" Plus, Debbie and Laurie swap a few of their own backyard sightings and ideas for using iNaturalist in guided walks and local nature events.","meta_description":"This week on The Backyard Naturalists, Debbie and Laurie welcome Allison Young, Director of Outreach Programs for iNaturalist, the global platform that's…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1675,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/episodes/inaturalist-connecting-people-nature-and-science/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/inaturalist-connecting-people-nature-and-science.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}