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Nature's Archive

Nature's Archive

Written by: Michael Hawk
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Nature’s Archive, hosted by Michael Hawk, delves into the beauty and complexity of the natural world through interviews with ecologists, naturalists, educators, authors, and researchers. Each episode inspires curiosity and reveals nature’s surprising nuances. Part of Jumpstart Nature, a movement empowering everyone to support the environment, this podcast invites you to connect with nature like never before.

© 2026 Nature's Archive
Biological Sciences Earth Sciences Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • #124: The Moving Target of Climate: The Future of Stewardship with Dr. Zac Cannizzo
    Jan 8 2026

    Land stewards face a constant, high-stakes puzzle: Do you protect a single at-risk species, or do you optimize for total biodiversity? Do you fight to hold back the tide of natural succession, or do you step back and let nature take the lead?

    Stewardship has always been about trade-offs, but climate change has shifted the very ground we stand on. It’s no longer just about maintaining what we have; it’s about navigating a target that is constantly moving. We are moving past the era of 'restoring the past' and entering an era of 'designing for the future.' In some cases, it may mean accepting that ecosystems we hold dear may permanently change —but it also means we have the tools to ensure they don't lose their soul, their function, or their life-sustaining power.

    Joining us today is Dr. Zac Cannizzo, a specialist in climate-informed conservation across both marine and terrestrial systems. Zac is here to pull back the curtain on how we manage hope in a warming world. He’ll explain why these shifts are so hard for us to accept, and more importantly, he’ll walk us through the practical framework he uses to help ecosystems thrive, even when the climate says they shouldn't.

    From the bleaching heat of coral reefs to the migrating treelines of Alaska, Zac shows us that while we can’t stop the wind from changing, we can certainly change how we set the sails.

    FULL SHOW NOTES

    Links

    McHenry County Conservation District

    Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Climate Vulnerability Assessments

    Press release about the threatened fish translocation

    Support Us On Patreon!
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    Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz Music
    License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
    Artist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com

    Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.

    Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

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    55 mins
  • #123: A Look at Biodiversity
    Dec 11 2025

    2025 has been an exciting and diverse year for Jumpstart Nature and Nature's Archive, and to celebrate, we're bringing you a special compilation centered on the critical theme of biodiversity. Today, we look back at two of our most fascinating episodes from the year, featuring species and habitats that are essential—yet often overlooked—components of the global ecosystem. From the subtle, but powerful, impact of a parasitic plant that acts as a keystone species in its habitat to the amazing, unseen diversity thriving in dynamic marine environments, prepare to explore the complex web of life.

    To round things out, we offer a preview from an upcoming episode focused on the fascinating world of aphids. Often dismissed as simple garden pests, these tiny insects are sometimes called the "plankton of the land" due to their sheer numbers and critical role in the food chain. Join us as we re-listen to the stories of life’s intricate connections and get a tantalizing glimpse into the world of aphids, all through the lens of biodiversity.

    And thanks so much for being part of our community, and a listener to our podcast! We're excited to share more with you in 2026, covering topics from climate-informed conservation, to exciting discoveries on the road to recovering the sunflower sea star, to incredible aphids (yes, you read that right!), and the ecology of salt lakes.

    A big thank you to Amelia Heintz-Botz for helping to put today's episode together!

    FULL SHOW NOTES

    Support Us On Patreon!
    Buy our Merch!

    Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz Music
    License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
    Artist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com

    Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.

    Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • #122: Leave the Leaves: Hidden Layers of Benefit with David Mizejewski
    Nov 11 2025

    If you’ve been following Nature’s Archive for a while, you might be familiar with the idea of “leave the leaves”. It represents one simple act of omission - not raking, blowing, or mulching leaf fall - that is resoundingly positive for the environment.

    But even if you think you know why leaving the leaves is helpful, I invite you to listen to today’s guest, National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski.

    If you are unfamiliar with David - let me just tell you his skill and enthusiasm for nature interpretation is second to none.

    Today, David walks us through all the ways leaves help the environment - and how bagging them up and sending them to a landfill makes a bad situation much worse.

    We also discuss useful tips for keeping leaves even if you have an HOA or difficult neighbors who might think you are neglecting your space.

    So if you still have leaves in your yard, please listen and take NWF’s pledge to leave the leaves, and reap the rewards for years to come.

    Be sure to follow David on instagram, and get David's Book "Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife".

    FULL SHOW NOTES

    People and Organizations

    NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat

    NWF’s Pledge to Leave the Leaves

    Books and Other Things

    Attracting Birds, Butterflies, and Other Backyard Wildlife - by David Mizejewski

    Support Us On Patreon!
    Buy our Merch!

    Music: Spellbound by Brian Holtz Music
    License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
    Artist site: https://brianholtzmusic.com

    Discover the Jumpstart Nature Podcast - entertaining and immersive, it's the nature fix we all need.

    Check past Nature's Archive episodes for amazing guests like Doug Tallamy, Elaine Ingham, and Rae Wynn-Grant, covering topics from bird migration to fungi to frogs and bats!

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
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