As recent headlines celebrate a 64% increase in monarch butterfly populations, many may wonder: is this the turning point for these vital pollinators? In this episode, host Rick Schwartz explores what this increase means, the ongoing challenges monarchs face, and how you can take action to support their conservation.

While the increase in monarch populations is encouraging, it is critical to remain vigilant in conservation efforts. Monarchs are still at risk, and their recovery requires ongoing support and action from all of us. It’s not time to celebrate and move on but rather to continue our efforts to protect these vital pollinators.

Animals Nature & You on Instagram: @AnimalsNatureandYou

Connect with Rick:

ZoologyRick.com

Social media:

Instagram

Threads

Facebook

YouTube

Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop

Artist: Burgberg

Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

In this episode Rick speaks with Griff Griffith about forest restoration, the power of curiosity and why having native plants in your yard (or on your patio) is so important to local ecosystems. Griff is a powerhouse of knowledge and experience when it comes to ecology, wildlife conservation and empowering others to participate.

During their conversation, Griff also shares the importance of many different groups of people coming together to make a difference for the planet. He even shares how you can help too – Get curious, get to know your local flora & fauna and maybe even volunteer to help with habitat restoration. After all, supporting your local ecosystems supports pollinators, birds, and insects, especially caterpillars that feed our songbirds.

This episode is essential listening for anyone who cares about the planet—whether you're a seasoned conservationist or just starting to glimpse the power of native plants and habitat restoration. Griff’s hopeful message: the more curious you are, the more you'll want to learn, do, and share, igniting a movement to heal our earth—one native seed at a time.

Animals, Nature, and You on Instagram

Connect wth Griff:

Website: GriffGriffith.info

Instagram: @TheNatureNut

TikTok: @GriffWild

Other sites mentioned:

Jumpstart Nature

Redwoods Rising

Home Gown National Park

Redwood Parks Conservancy

Connect with Rick:

ZoologyRick.com

Social media:

Instagram

Threads

Facebook

YouTube

Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop

Artist: Burgberg

Used with Full Music Standard Lic.

In this episode, Rick explores the fascinating world of quills and spines in mammals, debunking myths and explaining the differences between various species like porcupines, hedgehogs, echidnas, and tenrecs. Discover how these adaptations evolved and their unique functions in animal defense mechanisms.

Animals Nature & You on Instagram: @AnimalsNatureandYou

Connect with Rick:

ZoologyRick.com

Social media:

Instagram

Threads

Facebook

YouTube

Music: Positive Carefree Folk Pop

Artist: Burgberg

Used with Full Music Standard Lic.