The Field Guides

Nature nerds rejoice! The Field Guides is a monthly podcast that will bring you out on the trail, focusing on the science of our North American wildlife.

Listen in PodNod RSS feed Show website

100 episodes
Updated June 30

Episodes100

Newest first

June 30 · 1 hr 30 min
Ep. 82 - Wild Ideas: Resurrected! (feat. Gordon Maupin)
Reited co-host of The Wild Ideas podcast joins the guys for a wetland hike, with each person bringing a topic to share!
June 1 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep. 81 - Keepin' Wetlands Wet: The Western NY Land Conservancy's Mission to Save Bear Lake
The guys hit the trail with Josh Balisteri, Stewardship Director at the Western NY Land Conservancy to highlight the Conservancy's efforts to save Bear Lake and its surrounding wetlands,
April 30
Ep. 80 - The Deer Are NOT Alright: Chronic Wasting Disease
Something’s off in the woods. In this episode, we break down chronic wasting disease (CWD)—a strange, persistent prion disease affecting deer—and what it means for wildlife, ecosystems, and the way we see the animals around us. The deer are not alright.
April 1 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep. 79 - The Brown Tree Snake on Guam: Using Genetics to Unlock the Secrets of an Invasive Species
The guys look at the Brown Tree Snake, an invasive species that's decimated the ecology of Guam and how genetics might hold the keys to how this species gained a foothold and what to do about it.
January 31 · 1 hr 15 min
Ep. 78 - 3 Guys and A Gator (featuring Chip Campbell)
The guys are deep in the Florida Everglades on a multi-day paddling trip, and they take a break at camp to talk with Chip about all things alligator — with a special focus on separating gator myths from reality.
Nov 1, 2025
Ep. 77 - Mite-y Cool: The Amazing, Unseen World of Feather Mites
Bill and Steve dive into the unseen world of feather mites with researcher Dr. Alix Matthews.
Oct 15, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Ep. 76 - The Insect Apocalypse! (Part 2)
It’s part 2 of our dive into the Insect Apocalypse, with our good friend Dr. Jason Dombroskie from the Cornell University Insect Collection! In this part, Jason fills us in on the drivers of the Insect Apocalypse and - most importantly - what we can do about it.
Sep 30, 2025 · 56 min
Ep. 76 - The Insect Apocalypse! (Part 1)
Have you heard of the Insect Apocalypse?! Are insect populations really collapsing worldwide? What do the numbers say? How bad is it, and—most importantly—what can we do about it?
Sep 15, 2025 · 42 min
Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 2) - A "Hike" with Sandy Geffner
Part 2 of our time in the woods with naturalist Sandy Geffner.
Aug 31, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 1) - A Conversation with Sandy Geffner
Bill and Steve take a hike with naturalist Sandy Geffner.
Jul 31, 2025 · 48 min
Ep. 74 - Like A Sturgeon
Strap in as the guys touch on Sturgeon, for the very first time.
Jun 9, 2025 · 56 min
Bonus - The Spark Bird Podcast x The Field Guides Podcast
In this bonus episode we're crossing over with The Spark Bird Podcast! Bill joins Jenn Lodi-Smith to go birding in Buffalo’s historic Forest Lawn Cemetery, sharing spark bird stories, conservation efforts for migration, and the joy of birding in community.
May 30, 2025 · 56 min
Ep. 73 - The Dawn Chorus (Part 2)
Bill and Steve return for the second part of their look into the Dawn Chrous, that early morning explosion of bird song that refuses to let you sleep in.
Apr 30, 2025 · 51 min
Ep. 73 - The Dawn Chorus (Part 1)
Bill and Steve look into the Dawn Chrous, that early morning explosion of bird song that refuses to let you sleep in.
Apr 1, 2025 · 56 min
Ep. 72 - Grass Carp: A Reel Problem
Steve leads a discussion on the invasive Grass Carp.
Jan 31, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep. 71 - The Field Guides Go Crikey!
The guys return to Everglades National Park, again looking for a predator that Daniel wants to get too close to: the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)..
Dec 31, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep. 70 - Saving the Blue Iguana
This month, Bill travels to the Cayman Islands to meet Fred Burton, the man many credit with saving the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana, an endemic endangered species..
Nov 27, 2024 · 1 hr
Ep. 69 - Rewilding Floreana (with Fundación Jocotoco)
The guys find out about the effort to restore locally extinct species to the island of Floreana in the Galapagos.
Oct 31, 2024 · 1 hr 18 min
Ep. 68 - All Hail the King (Salmon)
This month, Daniel leads the guys into uncharted waters for the podcast…that’s right, it’s our first-ever episode about fish! The guys venture to a popular salmon fishing spot near Lake Ontario and reel in the story of one of the most consequential actions in fisheries management history.
Aug 31, 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep. 67 - Fishers in the Field: A Hike with Fisher Researcher Dr. Scott LaPoint
Daniel and Bill journey to the Hudson Highlands to interview fisher researcher Dr. Scott LaPoint.

The Field Guides

Ep. 82 - Wild Ideas: Resurrected! (feat. Gordon Maupin)

Ep. 81 - Keepin' Wetlands Wet: The Western NY Land Conservancy's Mission to Save Bear Lake

Ep. 80 - The Deer Are NOT Alright: Chronic Wasting Disease

Ep. 79 - The Brown Tree Snake on Guam: Using Genetics to Unlock the Secrets of an Invasive Species

Ep. 78 - 3 Guys and A Gator (featuring Chip Campbell)

Ep. 77 - Mite-y Cool: The Amazing, Unseen World of Feather Mites

Ep. 76 - The Insect Apocalypse! (Part 2)

Ep. 76 - The Insect Apocalypse! (Part 1)

Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 2) - A "Hike" with Sandy Geffner

Ep. 75 - A Naturalist's Life (Part 1) - A Conversation with Sandy Geffner

Ep. 74 - Like A Sturgeon

Bonus - The Spark Bird Podcast x The Field Guides Podcast

Ep. 73 - The Dawn Chorus (Part 2)

Ep. 73 - The Dawn Chorus (Part 1)

Ep. 72 - Grass Carp: A Reel Problem

Ep. 71 - The Field Guides Go Crikey!

Ep. 70 - Saving the Blue Iguana

Ep. 69 - Rewilding Floreana (with Fundación Jocotoco)

Ep. 68 - All Hail the King (Salmon)

Ep. 67 - Fishers in the Field: A Hike with Fisher Researcher Dr. Scott LaPoint