Shows
Crossing StreamsPrairie Partnerships Part Two: Pheasants Forever and Quail ForeverTabitha Panas, wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, joins Cass and Tony to talk about the collaborations you could be having with two phenomenal organizations- Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever! Tabitha talks about her role as a wildlife biologist and why you should care as much as we do about your local ecology.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2024-01-3158 minCrossing StreamsPrairie Partnerships Part One: Tallgrass Prairie CenterLaura Fischer Walter joins Critter Cass and Tallgrass Tony for part one of our prairie partnership series! Learn all about efforts the Tallgrass Prairie Center, located in Cedar Falls (Iowa), has made to restore our native landscape. Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2024-01-3155 minCrossing StreamsEating Pokeweed, jaguars, and other classic naturalist talesCass and Tony are joined by several influential members of the Iowa Association of Naturalists. Hear funny tales of perseverance, wild encounters, and deep connections all foraged by the hands of our local naturalists. Special guests include Mike Krebill, Matt Crayne, Chris Atkins, Jen Stroyan, Jess Wagner, and Alison Nodurft.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-12-1548 minCrossing StreamsSunday's Best GriffonsNaturalist Sunday Ford joins Cass and Tony to share her knowledge and expertise on wire-hair pointing griffons. She is a licensed breeder and has deep connections with each liter. Join us to learn about pedigrees, bird dogs, and good upland game hunting.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-11-2251 minCrossing StreamsForest Therapy and Shinrin-YokuOwner of Forest Spirit LLC., Karen Johlas-Szalkowski joins Cass and Tony to talk about her journey with forest therapy/ forest bathing. Karen is a certified forest therapy guide and invites all to find themselves using nature as a medium. Learn all about the process, ritual, and tea ceremony in this week's episode. Want to give forest bathing a try? Connect with Karen at forestspiritwalks.com or email her at forestspiritwalks@gmail.com.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-10-0647 minCrossing StreamsThrough the lens of a conservation photographerJacob Pitzenberger joins Cass and Tony to share his wealth of knowledge on conservation photography. Dedicating years of service to the land, Jacob manages a private wildlife refuge and has found his voice through photography. Capturing the practices that heal the land, Jacob exhibits his work as a medium to preach restorative efforts of native species. Tune in to learn about his beginnings, the lessons learned, and his future goals as he shares his passions.Follow him on Instagram @jacob.pitzenbergerThanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy...2023-09-0853 minCrossing StreamsThe only draft Cass cares about and special guestsComing back from a short break, Cass and Tony are joined by their spouses to draft the best line up of mammals, birds, herps, and plants. Who do you think drafted best? Special guests: Michael Barbosa (soon-to-be husband of @crittercass) and Emily Vorwald (Ton'y wife).#what'syoursmell #crossingstreamsThanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-08-0853 minCrossing StreamsThe marsh muck reclamation story of eastern IowaAllison Nodurft with Nahant Marsh in Davenport hops on with Cass and Tony to share the history of eastern Iowa's most iconic marsh. Learn how Nahant went from a lead-ridden gun range to a thriving, diverse network of ecosystems. Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-06-2949 minCrossing StreamsThe Science of Being HumanDale Easley, geology professor at the University of Dubuque and good friend of Tony's, joins Cass and Tony to talk about the complexity of simply being human and communicating science. Through the art of listening, processing, and connecting, Dale explains his approach to effectively discussing science. Sit, listen with us, and take away something meaningful as you leave.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-06-1355 minCrossing StreamsSearch & Rescue, Flaming lawn mowers, timber rattlers- oh, my!Marti Sutton, park ranger for Lake Icaria in Adams County, joins Cass and Tony to exchange crazy and wild field stories. Marti has extensive experience in various states and loads of stories to share. We discuss odd things kids say, bartering for beloved pets, flaming mowers, timber rattlers, and more...Have a good listener story? Email us at thecrossingstreamspodcast@gmail.com with your stories!Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-05-121h 13Crossing StreamsMowing 2 Monarchs & the Return of the Rusty Patched Bumble BeeKaytlan Moeller with Dubuque County Conservation joins Cass and Tony to talk about local success reestablishing pocket prairies across Dubuque and Northeast Iowa. With over 60 volunteer participants and partners, Kaytlan has been able to make conservation look glamorous with 130 square foot flower beds that are filled with native treasures. The success of this program has led to endangered species to visit urban landscapes for the bountiful resources they provided. Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-04-2144 minCrossing StreamsGolden Hills RC & D and Iowa's backcountryDid you Iowa has backcountry? Well, not really but the Loess Hills are almost there! Lance Brisbois joins hosts Cassandra "Critter Cass" Alfstad and (Tallgrass) Tony Vorwald to share his wealth of knowledge about native landscaping. Lance is deputy director with Golden Hills Resource Conservation & Development and has been working in western Iowa for 9+ years. Learn about ways to support the local ecology right there in your backyard.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-04-0752 minCrossing StreamsWaking up is hard & Spring EphemeralsWaking up is hard... Winter blues get you... But have you seen those turkey vultures coming back? Spring is coming! Animals and plants native to the Midwest have some stellar adaptations for successful transitions to warmer days. This episode covers those sure-signs of spring and the early spring ephemerals that are characteristic of our native wildlife areas. Tune in to learn some key identification tips to help you find these short-lived wonders.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-03-2354 minCrossing StreamsEasy Gear for Easy GoersJoin Critter Cass and Tallgrass Tony to talk about how easy, and affordable, getting outdoors can truly be. Find out what equipment you need for fishing, kayaking, and camping/ backpacking. Shout out to Crawdaddy Outdoors (out of Waverly Iowa), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and Iowa's County Conservation for the support and fueling outdoor recreation oppportunities.Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-03-0359 minCrossing StreamsCorvid conversations and Osprey WildsSavannah Maiers from Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center joins Cass and Tony for this week's episode. Cross streams with the crew as they discuss the learning center in Minnesota, animal husbandry, demestid beetles, and more!Thanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to always cross streams with a buddy and leave only footprints.2023-02-1657 min
Crossing StreamsEpisode 1- (PILOT) How did we get here & "hickster" adventuresCritter Cass (Cassandra Alfstad) , naturalist with Montgomery County Conservation, crosses streams with Jackson County Conservation's naturalist, Tallgrass Tony (Tony Vorwald) for this introduction to the rabbit hole we call "Crossing Streams". Cass and Tony are Iowa-based naturalist and serve the Northeast and Southwest corners of Iowa. Learn about their backgrounds and how they came to be involved in the field of conservation.Follow us on Instagram @thecrossingstreamspodcastCritter Cass @crittercass42Tallgrass Tony @tallgrasstonyYou can reach us via email at thecrossingstreamspodcast@gmail.comThanks for crossing streams with us! Remember to...2023-02-021h 19