{"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":"Wildlife Bridges and Crossings","slug":"wildlife-bridges-and-crossings","published_at":"2026-06-06T10:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/wildlife-bridges-and-crossings","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914","url":"https://thebackyardnaturalists.libsyn.com/wildlife-bridges-and-crossings","audio_url":"https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/thebackyardnaturalists/BYN_S5E34_-_Bridges_and_Crossings_Mixdown_1.mp3?dest-id=3015305","summary":"This week on The Backyard Naturalists , Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne explore the fascinating world of wildlife bridges, wildlife crossings, green bridges, and ecoducts — structures designed to help animals safely move across fragmented habitats caused by highways, railroads, canals, and other human-made barriers. From deer, elk, badgers, mountain lions, alligators, amphibians, turtles, and even endangered red wolves, these crossings are becoming an increasingly important tool for protecting wildlife and people alike. Debbie and Laurie discuss how wildlife crossings have been used in Europe since the 1950s, why places like the Netherlands and Banff National Park in Canada have become models for large-scale wildlife passage, and how thoughtful design — including native plants, fencing, underpasses, overpasses, and species-specific construction — can dramatically reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. The episode also highlights current and future projects in North Carolina , including work along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge and US 64 near Alligator River , where crossings may benefit black bears, bobcats, turtles, snakes, and the critically endangered red wolf . Whether you're a longtime nature lover or just learning about the hidden ways wildlife moves through our landscapes, this episode offers a hopeful look at how smart planning and conservation can make roads safer for everyone — humans and animals included.","meta_description":"This week on The Backyard Naturalists , Debbie Foster and Laurie Horne explore the fascinating world of wildlife bridges, wildlife crossings, green bridge…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1338,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-backyard-naturalists-4262914/episodes/wildlife-bridges-and-crossings/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/wildlife-bridges-and-crossings.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}