Feed Editor 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT The Southern Appalachian Creature Feature provides a glimpse into the fascinating world of plants and animals in the Southern Appalachians, one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions in the world. Beyond that it also examines the pressing conservation issues of the region that affect those plants and animals - from invasive species, to growth management, to engaging people in the ourdooors. The program is presented through a partnership between the Asheville Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and WNCW, 88.7, at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, North Carolina. http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html en Southern Appalachian Creature Feature The Southern Appalachian Creature Feature provides a glimpse into the fascinating world of plants and animals in the Southern Appalachians, one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions in the world. Beyond that it also examines the pressing conservation issues of the region that affect those plants and animals - from invasive species, to growth management, to engaging people in the ourdooors. The program is presented through a partnership between the Asheville Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and WNCW, 88.7, at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, North Carolina. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, plants, wildlife, conservation, Appalachians no Gary Peeples gary_peeples@fws.gov http://www.fws.gov/asheville/rss/creature_feature_logo.jpg http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html The Southern Appalachian Creature Feature provides a glimpse into the fascinating world of plants and animals in the Southern Appalachians, one of the most biologically diverse temperate regions in the world. Beyond that it also examines the pressing conservation issues of the region that affect those plants and animals - from invasive species, to growth management, to engaging people in the ourdooors. The program is presented through a partnership between the Asheville Field Office of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and WNCW, 88.7, at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, North Carolina. 600 600 no The Little Tennessee River between Franklin, North Carolina, and Fontana Reservoir is one of the best examples of a warm, Southern Appalachian river, with a surprising amount of its native fauna intact. Indeed, this stretch is home to three federally-protected animals- the Appalachian elktoe mussel, littlewing pearly mussel, and the spotfin chub, a tiny fish. 23 Nov 2009 15:09:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 43166E3D-73AA-4DBC-8979-C846C378AFFE Asian mussels in the Little Tennessee River The Little Tennessee River between Franklin, North Carolina, and Fontana Reservoir is one of the best examples of a warm, Southern Appalachian river, with a surprising amount of its native fauna intact. Indeed, this stretch is home to three federally-protected animals- the Appalachian elktoe mussel, littlewing pearly mussel, and the spotfin chub, a tiny fish. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service corbicula, spotfin, chub, elktoe 01:32 no no As efforts to address climate change build steam, several questions loom about how this phenomenon will affect the Southern Appalachians and how local land managers can respond. That conversation is about to reach a whole new level. 23 Nov 2009 15:07:34 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html DA9F859A-706F-4372-909D-30B58082E0B9 SAMAB Fall Conference As efforts to address climate change build steam, several questions loom about how this phenomenon will affect the Southern Appalachians and how local land managers can respond. That conversation is about to reach a whole new level. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service climate, change 01:35 no no No animal seems to catch the imagination, and flare the passions, of people in the Southern Appalachians like mountain lions. 23 Nov 2009 15:05:42 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A84FD0B1-1AB4-42FF-9801-10D9FBCAE8DB Mountain lion hoaxes No animal seems to catch the imagination, and flare the passions, of people in the Southern Appalachians like mountain lions. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mountain, lion 01:32 no no National Wildlife Refuge week is October 11-17. In the Southern Appalachians, where public lands are likely National Forests or National Park Service lands, it’s important to remember wildlife refuges, administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, for they are the only system of federal lands devoted to wildlife. 23 Nov 2009 15:00:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 87BEF4E4-3986-441C-9A71-B01D60B0DE71 National Wildlife Refuge Week National Wildlife Refuge week is October 11-17. In the Southern Appalachians, where public lands are likely National Forests or National Park Service lands, it’s important to remember wildlife refuges, administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, for they are the only system of federal lands devoted to wildlife. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wildlife, refuge, endangered 01:37 no no “This is not the same animal I saw flying around this morning, is it?” asked one teacher, standing knee-deep in the South Toe River, looking at an insect crawling around an ice cube tray. The animal in question was a dragonfly. Nearly all of us have seen a dragonfly, but what most of us probably don’t know is that large flying insect lived the early part of its life looking entirely different and crawling along the bottom of a stream or pond. 16 Oct 2009 21:28:29 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 56857CD9-25AE-4A10-9035-EDD30B1B4F99 Aquatic macroinvertebrates “This is not the same animal I saw flying around this morning, is it?” asked one teacher, standing knee-deep in the South Toe River, looking at an insect crawling around an ice cube tray. The animal in question was a dragonfly. Nearly all of us have seen a dragonfly, but what most of us probably don’t know is that large flying insect lived the early part of its life looking entirely different and crawling along the bottom of a stream or pond. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service dragonfly, macroinvertebrate, aquatic, Mills River 01:33 no no The North Mills River, in North Carolina’s Henderson County, is one of Western North Carolina’s most popular trout rivers. I took some time one Friday to enjoy the river and as I was getting ready to head home, I struck up a conversation with another man in the parking area who was arriving. The man was from Texas. His wife had come to the area on business, and when he saw you could trout fish here, he decided to tag along with her. 16 Oct 2009 21:27:03 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6F251D5F-2526-48F3-9210-AAA96D61F311 The trout economy of western North Carolina The North Mills River, in North Carolina’s Henderson County, is one of Western North Carolina’s most popular trout rivers. I took some time one Friday to enjoy the river and as I was getting ready to head home, I struck up a conversation with another man in the parking area who was arriving. The man was from Texas. His wife had come to the area on business, and when he saw you could trout fish here, he decided to tag along with her. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service North Mills River, trout, economy, western North Carolina 01:41 no no Having studied a little photojournalism in college, photography has become a resurgent interest of mine and I was caught by a recent cover of the Mountain Xpress, Asheville’s alternative weekly newspaper. It has a striking image of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, taken by George Masa. 16 Oct 2009 21:25:20 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 60727FFC-0B00-4135-ACBE-8B34DD570160 George Masa demonstrates the difference one person can make Having studied a little photojournalism in college, photography has become a resurgent interest of mine and I was caught by a recent cover of the Mountain Xpress, Asheville’s alternative weekly newspaper. It has a striking image of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, taken by George Masa. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service George, Masa, Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville 01:32 no no The view from Jane Bald is impressive. On a good day. The day I was there, the fog was socked in, accompanied by a constant strong wind. Although the beautiful views were missing, we were able to watch the wind rush the fog through the neighboring gap as if we were watching a stream squeeze between a pair of rocks. Jane Bald is one of the peaks of Roan Mountain on the North Carolina-Tennessee state line - one of the most biologically important areas in the Southern Appalachians. 16 Oct 2009 21:23:36 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 533905D6-301D-45CE-9680-B525EF792723 Roan Mountain - a biological gem The view from Jane Bald is impressive. On a good day. The day I was there, the fog was socked in, accompanied by a constant strong wind. Although the beautiful views were missing, we were able to watch the wind rush the fog through the neighboring gap as if we were watching a stream squeeze between a pair of rocks. Jane Bald is one of the peaks of Roan Mountain on the North Carolina-Tennessee state line - one of the most biologically important areas in the Southern Appalachians. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Roan, mountain, biodiversity 01:41 no no For several years biologists were noticing fairly widespread malformations among amphibians - frogs missing legs or having extra legs. There was much speculation about the cause of this disfigurement, including heightened suspicion of pesticides and other chemicals. Researchers have recently uncovered what may be at least part of the explanation for legless frogs – dragonflies. 16 Oct 2009 21:21:55 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2E93FB8D-9651-46BB-91ED-C8EC924BAA78 A reason for at least some of the amphibian deformities For several years biologists were noticing fairly widespread malformations among amphibians - frogs missing legs or having extra legs. There was much speculation about the cause of this disfigurement, including heightened suspicion of pesticides and other chemicals. Researchers have recently uncovered what may be at least part of the explanation for legless frogs – dragonflies. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service amphibian, frogn, dragonfly, deformity 01:27 no no The Southern Appalachians is a region known for its salamander diversity, the most famous of which is probably the hellbender, North America’s largest salamander, occasionally reaching lengths greater than 30 inches. However, it’s a very small salamander that has been getting some recent attention. 16 Oct 2009 21:20:19 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 452E29C8-A271-443E-91C5-4DE2B8DF363C New salamander discovered in north Georgia The Southern Appalachians is a region known for its salamander diversity, the most famous of which is probably the hellbender, North America’s largest salamander, occasionally reaching lengths greater than 30 inches. However, it’s a very small salamander that has been getting some recent attention. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southern Appalachians, salamander, University of Georgia 01:32 no no A little bit of river history was recently made in western North Carolina as a decrepit dam was removed from the North Toe River in Mitchell County. 16 Oct 2009 21:17:48 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 004FAFB9-FA2A-4832-B08A-44A33C85C0B7 Spruce Pine dam finally comes down A little bit of river history was recently made in western North Carolina as a decrepit dam was removed from the North Toe River in Mitchell County. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Spruce Pine, dam, Appalachian elktoe 01:32 no no The final leg of a birding trail across the state of North Carolina is now complete. 16 Oct 2009 21:13:41 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 25F7ED08-227A-4F69-BE73-A5FEB69B6FCB North Carolina birding trail enters the mountains The final leg of a birding trail across the state of North Carolina is now complete. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service birding, North Carolina, trail 01:31 no no I’ve often spoken of white nose syndrome, the mysterious ailment killing thousands of bats in the northeast which is working its way southward. One of the myriad questions surrounding this affliction is what the death of thousands of bats means for the greater natural community, including human health, considering the volume of insects bats consume and that an impact on one part of a community can reverberate throughout, possibly with serious unforeseen consequences. 14 Aug 2009 19:08:25 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 1549956A-6F42-4A84-935B-5D6D4ED8C7A9 The passenger pigeon and unforeseen consequences I’ve often spoken of white nose syndrome, the mysterious ailment killing thousands of bats in the northeast which is working its way southward. One of the myriad questions surrounding this affliction is what the death of thousands of bats means for the greater natural community, including human health, considering the volume of insects bats consume and that an impact on one part of a community can reverberate throughout, possibly with serious unforeseen consequences. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service passenger, pigeon, deer, tick 01:43 no no The Cradle of Forestry in America, in North Carolina’s Transylvania County, was the site of the nation’s first forestry school and you can still visit the one-room school house the students used. It’s appropriate then, that beside this schoolhouse is planted a young chestnut tree. The American chestnut was once the most abundant tree in Eastern hardwood forests, and was functionally eliminated by an Asian fungus, the chestnut blight. The tree beside the schoolhouse isn’t a pure American chestnut, but a hybrid – 15/16ths American chestnut, and 1/16th Chinese chestnut, which affords it resistance to the blight. There’s hope this hybrid is the key to returning the chestnut to Eastern forests. 14 Aug 2009 19:05:33 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 28F392C1-A791-4423-B608-9809A092CAE5 Return of the chestnut The Cradle of Forestry in America, in North Carolina’s Transylvania County, was the site of the nation’s first forestry school and you can still visit the one-room school house the students used. It’s appropriate then, that beside this schoolhouse is planted a young chestnut tree. The American chestnut was once the most abundant tree in Eastern hardwood forests, and was functionally eliminated by an Asian fungus, the chestnut blight. The tree beside the schoolhouse isn’t a pure American chestnut, but a hybrid – 15/16ths American chestnut, and 1/16th Chinese chestnut, which affords it resistance to the blight. There’s hope this hybrid is the key to returning the chestnut to Eastern forests. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service chestnut 01:32 no no Summertime is upon us. Grab the sunscreen, grab the fishing pole, grab the digital camera. As part of an ongoing and widespread effort to encourage people to spend more time outside, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service invites you to submit your summer photos of friends and family enjoying the outdoors to become part of a photomosaic of nearly 10,000 images. 14 Aug 2009 19:02:48 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 3CA72CBE-504D-4BD6-AC13-6D22DD650EE3 Help create a photomosaic Summertime is upon us. Grab the sunscreen, grab the fishing pole, grab the digital camera. As part of an ongoing and widespread effort to encourage people to spend more time outside, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service invites you to submit your summer photos of friends and family enjoying the outdoors to become part of a photomosaic of nearly 10,000 images. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service children, outdoors, outside, summer 01:29 no no It’s the telephone call a biologist never wants to get – the chemical spill, the fish kill, the accident that makes you stop everything else. The most recent was a train wreck along the North Toe River in Mitchell County. Fortunately no one was hurt. 14 Aug 2009 19:00:22 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts BA643717-03C3-4A27-8F4E-67E92F1F1BC9 Train wreck on the North Toe River It’s the telephone call a biologist never wants to get – the chemical spill, the fish kill, the accident that makes you stop everything else. The most recent was a train wreck along the North Toe River in Mitchell County. Fortunately no one was hurt. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service train, wreck, north, toe, river, elktoe 01:30 no no The chucky madtom is one of Southern Appalachia’s rarest fish, found only from a single stream in a single county in Eastern Tennessee. Only 14 specimens of the fish have ever been documented, the last sighting in 2004. This comes despite regular, and sometimes exhaustive, searches by biologists. 14 Aug 2009 18:57:48 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts 087A7DF8-1B7B-4F33-A4AE-317DCCC2138D Efforts to help the chucky madtom fish The chucky madtom is one of Southern Appalachia’s rarest fish, found only from a single stream in a single county in Eastern Tennessee. Only 14 specimens of the fish have ever been documented, the last sighting in 2004. This comes despite regular, and sometimes exhaustive, searches by biologists. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service chucky, madtom 01:27 no no If anyone has first hand experience with a reptile, it’s probably a box turtle, the state reptile of North Carolina. While box turtles may grace numerous classrooms or home terrariums, the truth is scientists don’t know a lot about the status of box turtle populations and fear they may be declining. 14 Aug 2009 18:56:11 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D50D913E-57DB-4D44-A2F0-3C0B4C970908 Box turtles If anyone has first hand experience with a reptile, it’s probably a box turtle, the state reptile of North Carolina. While box turtles may grace numerous classrooms or home terrariums, the truth is scientists don’t know a lot about the status of box turtle populations and fear they may be declining. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service box, turtles 01:33 no no The death of hemlock trees from the hemlock woolly adelgid is an increasingly widespread and well-known phenomena, but what remains a mystery is exactly how this will impact the future of Southern Appalachian forests. 14 Aug 2009 18:53:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 3DF4DCD3-0C8B-45FC-82BE-5E2C685602E1 Recent research into hemlock mortality The death of hemlock trees from the hemlock woolly adelgid is an increasingly widespread and well-known phenomena, but what remains a mystery is exactly how this will impact the future of Southern Appalachian forests. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hemlock, woolly, adelgid 01:31 no no The children on our street often congregate in the yard with the best play set, but recently the bright yellow slide in the yard was ruled off limits. Not because it isn’t safe, rather a chickadee made a nest in a birch stump next to the base of the slide. 14 Aug 2009 18:51:57 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D1322600-63D2-4D52-95FC-D61E693802C7 State of the birds The children on our street often congregate in the yard with the best play set, but recently the bright yellow slide in the yard was ruled off limits. Not because it isn’t safe, rather a chickadee made a nest in a birch stump next to the base of the slide. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service birds, conservation 01:28 no no White nose syndrome, an affliction of unknown origin that is fatal to bats, has been confirmed in two Virginia counties, the first cases in the Southern Appalachians. First documented in New York in 2006, WNS has killed tens of thousands of bats as it spread north and south. 14 Aug 2009 18:48:56 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F7982604-410F-403A-84F8-0BD07D51E2C5 Southern Appalachians face white nose syndrome White nose syndrome, an affliction of unknown origin that is fatal to bats, has been confirmed in two Virginia counties, the first cases in the Southern Appalachians. First documented in New York in 2006, WNS has killed tens of thousands of bats as it spread north and south. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service white nose syndrome 01:42 no no The Rafinesque's big-eared bat is the subject of concern for biologists. State biologists in North Carolina are looking at innovative ways to provide shelter for them. 5 Jun 2009 18:55:03 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6F32C58A-44DE-458A-A382-2075282F36FB Biologists try artificial roosts for a rare bat The Rafinesque's big-eared bat is the subject of concern for biologists. State biologists in North Carolina are looking at innovative ways to provide shelter for them. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, Rafinesque's 01:45 no no Warblers are a popular group of birds among bird watchers, what makes them so special? 5 Jun 2009 18:53:11 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 12DF2A6B-25C2-4B0D-982C-600A96F6B0C0 Warblers - birdwatches' delight Warblers are a popular group of birds among bird watchers, what makes them so special? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service warblers 01:41 no no The Eastern small-footed bat is one of the smallest in the U.S., how is this uncommon bat doing in Western North Carolina? 5 Jun 2009 18:46:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F35C975A-DA41-492F-B3D6-EA1239722D83 Eastern small-footed bats The Eastern small-footed bat is one of the smallest in the U.S., how is this uncommon bat doing in Western North Carolina? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, Eastern small-footed bats 01:27 no no Frogs are suffering around the globe and this special days seeks to bring attention to their plight. 5 Jun 2009 18:43:07 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 34B107F8-2E08-46A6-BAC2-B1D7A9BE3247 Day of the Frog Frogs are suffering around the globe and this special days seeks to bring attention to their plight. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service frog, chytrid 01:36 no no This lichen is one of two on the federal endangered species list. Learn more about it and the threats it faces. 5 Jun 2009 18:41:12 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html BA4B5133-6EEE-46C9-BAFE-B3769F51F5E3 Rock gnome lichen This lichen is one of two on the federal endangered species list. Learn more about it and the threats it faces. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service rock gnome lichen, endangered 01:36 no no This plant with the horrible reputation is actually quite valuable to wildlife. 5 Jun 2009 18:38:15 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 2ADC5A91-B5E5-4B15-B068-30D314295601 Ragweed - bane of noses, boon to wildlife This plant with the horrible reputation is actually quite valuable to wildlife. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ragweed 01:32 no no Crows show themselves to be extremely clever animals 5 Jun 2009 18:36:54 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html D333E652-E0C5-439D-9517-9D0532061159 Crows Crows show themselves to be extremely clever animals U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service crows 01:33 no no A look at gulls in the Southern Appalachians and across America. 5 Jun 2009 18:33:38 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 0A522988-B996-4F83-8A11-7635753314FA Gulls A look at gulls in the Southern Appalachians and across America. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service gulls, Southern Appalachians, sea gulls 01:16 no no White nose syndrome, a mysterious afflication fatal to bats, is spreading north and south killing bats along the way. 10 Mar 2009 21:15:11 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html ECDA4D23-B1DA-4713-8561-23F99B01A823 White nose syndrome, a fatal bat condition, spreads White nose syndrome, a mysterious afflication fatal to bats, is spreading north and south killing bats along the way. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, white nose syndrome 01:22 no no This year, the peregrine falcon celebrates ten years off the endangered species list, but it still needs help to continue its recovery 10 Mar 2009 21:12:32 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html EBBFC366-5822-41AF-8265-D27257FDEC67 The peregrine falcon celebrates ten years off the endangered species list This year, the peregrine falcon celebrates ten years off the endangered species list, but it still needs help to continue its recovery U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service peregrine, rock climbers 01:12 no no Wind turbines are known for their impacts to birds, less so for impacts to bats. However, some of the bats killed by wind turbines never even touch the blades. 10 Mar 2009 21:09:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 37AD754F-74E0-4828-B22A-57DF6FA351B7 Research shows it isn't just impacts that kill bats at wind turbines Wind turbines are known for their impacts to birds, less so for impacts to bats. However, some of the bats killed by wind turbines never even touch the blades. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bat, wind turbine, baurotrauma 01:36 no no This common insect, builder of the round, paper nests we see in trees, has a fascinating annual life cycle. 10 Mar 2009 21:06:47 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 092D894C-2A3F-4808-B277-263AE8D351DD The bald-faced hornet is one of the South's most famous and feared insects. This common insect, builder of the round, paper nests we see in trees, has a fascinating annual life cycle. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wasp, hornet 01:23 no no The McElrath family's property sits at the headwaters of the Mills River, surrounded by national forest. Now that land has been protected under a conservation easement, protecting the river and the forest. 10 Mar 2009 21:02:50 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html E39A3581-AECF-4272-A817-66A1D1B6E74B Protection of the McElrath property helps protect an important stream and national forest The McElrath family's property sits at the headwaters of the Mills River, surrounded by national forest. Now that land has been protected under a conservation easement, protecting the river and the forest. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service McElrath, conservation easement, Mills River 01:34 no no The drought that continues to strike much of the Southern Appalachians complicates work to restore the biodiversity of the Pigeon River. 10 Mar 2009 20:57:23 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A0316973-F548-4C3B-9D4D-39D51B7E3572 Drought impedes recovery of the Pigeon River The drought that continues to strike much of the Southern Appalachians complicates work to restore the biodiversity of the Pigeon River. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service drought, Pigeon River, biodiversity 01:27 no no East Tennessee's Rocky fork Track, one of the region's most significant pieces of unprotected land, has indeed been protected. 10 Mar 2009 20:54:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html AE708DD5-3FC6-4508-AB6F-221DBDEBD013 Rocky Fork Protected East Tennessee's Rocky fork Track, one of the region's most significant pieces of unprotected land, has indeed been protected. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rocky Fork 01:28 no no Tearthumb is a relatively common plant in wetland areas, but one you want to avoid if possible. 10 Mar 2009 20:50:21 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1BEE60D5-E189-4E4A-A0BC-35DB7D4518B3 Tearthumb - a fascinating if painful wetland plant Tearthumb is a relatively common plant in wetland areas, but one you want to avoid if possible. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wetland, bog, tearthumb 01:20 no no In the face of drought across much of the Southeastern United States, this report by the non-profit American Rivers points out ways communities can save water on a large scale without having to turn to building new large-scale reservoirs to meet water demand. 28 Jan 2009 20:37:28 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 73BB3E93-2E6B-4CA3-A35F-386E60148F19 The Hidden Reservoir - a new report looks at ways to save water on a large scale In the face of drought across much of the Southeastern United States, this report by the non-profit American Rivers points out ways communities can save water on a large scale without having to turn to building new large-scale reservoirs to meet water demand. drought, dam, water 01:33 no no Research from the University of Pittsburgh demonstrates that just because a pesticide may not kill a frog directly, doesn't mean it doesn't have a major impact. 28 Jan 2009 20:34:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6F615D1F-476F-4428-BFEA-EF140DB2CA68 A new study looks at pesticide and frog deaths Research from the University of Pittsburgh demonstrates that just because a pesticide may not kill a frog directly, doesn't mean it doesn't have a major impact. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service malathion, frog, mortality 01:35 no no Biologists discovered that the rare Carolina northern flying squirrel wasn't crossing the Cherola Skyway, a 36-mile road in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, leading to an innovative solution. 28 Jan 2009 20:30:04 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 5F2FA5D7-0C26-4423-992B-3E48A9714D41 Getting rare flying squirrels across the Cherohala Skyway road Biologists discovered that the rare Carolina northern flying squirrel wasn't crossing the Cherola Skyway, a 36-mile road in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, leading to an innovative solution. Cherohala, Carolina northern flying squirrel 01:37 no no Daddy longlegs are one of our most common animals, and one that children key in on at an early age. Learn more about this fascinating arachnid. 28 Jan 2009 20:25:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 6D466698-68AC-461C-A6D4-7C7D82DA3EFF Daddy longlegs Daddy longlegs are one of our most common animals, and one that children key in on at an early age. Learn more about this fascinating arachnid. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service daddy longlegs 01:31 no no Southern Appalachian bogs are one of the rarest habitats in the United States, and key to their protection is protecting the flow of water upon which they depend. 28 Jan 2009 20:22:40 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html ADFB9A8E-7F25-4DEA-B5F9-773ED6C56B0A Protecting rare bogs means protecting their water flow Southern Appalachian bogs are one of the rarest habitats in the United States, and key to their protection is protecting the flow of water upon which they depend. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog, Bog turtle, snapping turtle, hydrology 01:28 no no Bog turtles are but one species of turtles able to spend long amounts of time underwater. The key to that ability is their ability to breathe using their cloaca. 28 Jan 2009 20:20:05 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html F9AD76FE-A4EE-42F4-ABD1-8BF6993B35FD Cloacoal breathing - how do bog turtles stay under water for so long? Bog turtles are but one species of turtles able to spend long amounts of time underwater. The key to that ability is their ability to breathe using their cloaca. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bog turtle, cloaca 01:28 no no Students from Dr. Scott Pearson's GIS class at Mars Hill College have teamed up with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help conserve a rare plant by creating GIS databases showing biologists where the plants are and providing them with a wealth of information about each population. 27 Jan 2009 20:22:20 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html C965A21F-3D16-4E2B-9E11-4FB83980A0B7 Mars Hill College students help conserve a rare plant Students from Dr. Scott Pearson's GIS class at Mars Hill College have teamed up with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help conserve a rare plant by creating GIS databases showing biologists where the plants are and providing them with a wealth of information about each population. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mars Hill College, Roan Mountain bluet 01:29 no no What is the story behind these top-level carnivores, the largest turtle in the Southern Appalachians 27 Jan 2009 20:03:53 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1300137C-1BDD-4096-9E2D-F38F4DED46B2 Snapping turtles What is the story behind these top-level carnivores, the largest turtle in the Southern Appalachians U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service snapping turtle 01:36 no no One of the first animals a child has intimate contact with is the ladybug. Learn more about these little insects. 27 Jan 2009 20:01:05 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A1F9D390-B0F7-4F4B-9FE2-BDB077F66009 The lowdown on ladybugs One of the first animals a child has intimate contact with is the ladybug. Learn more about these little insects. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ladybug, lady bug 01:24 no no An agreement between a host of partners will help move migratory fish llike American shad and AMerican eels up and down the Santee River basin and across the Carolinas. 27 Jan 2009 19:56:32 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 80339D42-91B4-46BD-9DD3-BB1E7EE2A6BD Santee-Cooper Accord helps move migratory fish across the Carolinas An agreement between a host of partners will help move migratory fish llike American shad and AMerican eels up and down the Santee River basin and across the Carolinas. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service migratory fish, eel, shad, herring, Santee 01:34 no no Recognizing that a developing landscape could permanently degrade or even destroy some of the most important natural areas and working lands in the region, ten land conservancies working across Western North Carolina banded together to form the Blue Ridge Forever coalition, identifying 28 of the most important unprotected areas where they’ll concentrate their land protection efforts. 2 Jan 2009 12:55:29 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 51447B89-7EB6-464A-BE2B-E151C9B7FE81 Blue Ridge Forever Recognizing that a developing landscape could permanently degrade or even destroy some of the most important natural areas and working lands in the region, ten land conservancies working across Western North Carolina banded together to form the Blue Ridge Forever coalition, identifying 28 of the most important unprotected areas where they’ll concentrate their land protection efforts. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service blue ridge, conserve, development 01:38 no no The plight of American fish is growing more and more grave, according to a recently released report from the American Fisheries Socieity, the nation's premier organization of fisheries biologists 15 Dec 2008 19:49:02 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html ACEA4880-614A-4BB8-AE5F-D711381205D5 New report looks at the state of American fish The plight of American fish is growing more and more grave, according to a recently released report from the American Fisheries Socieity, the nation's premier organization of fisheries biologists U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, north america, sturgeon, slender chub 01:34 no no Kids In the Creek program takes 8th graders on a search for aquatic insects, fish, and an understanding of Southern Appalachian streams, and compels one 8th grade teacher to start kissing fish. 2 Dec 2008 16:36:04 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1174737A-2F71-468C-A801-A0FBF0A9CEC3 Kids in the Creek gets 8th graders' feet wet Kids In the Creek program takes 8th graders on a search for aquatic insects, fish, and an understanding of Southern Appalachian streams, and compels one 8th grade teacher to start kissing fish. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, insects, invertebrates,streams, Appalachians 01:29 no no A new program in Western North Carolina, Muddy Sneakers, is an effort to get kids outside throughout the school year to learn science, language arts, math and other subject by studying the natural world 8 Oct 2008 19:42:49 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html A8D97F61-4B5A-4AAC-AB1A-6705962A6072 Muddy Sneakers program aims to get kids outside A new program in Western North Carolina, Muddy Sneakers, is an effort to get kids outside throughout the school year to learn science, language arts, math and other subject by studying the natural world kids, outside, Appalachians, nature, deficit 01:30 no no A team of botanists from across the Southern Appalachians join in an effort to document spreading avens, a rare plant found on some of the roughest terrain in the region. 8 Oct 2008 19:38:30 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 72BA9105-C9FE-4CC3-A6E3-871DF95FBC14 Botanists hit area cliffs for rare plant A team of botanists from across the Southern Appalachians join in an effort to document spreading avens, a rare plant found on some of the roughest terrain in the region. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service spreading, avens, conservation, botanists, endangered 01:25 no no To mark Endangered Species Day this year, biologists with the Asheville Field Office joined students from Mountain Heritage High School on the Toe River in a search for the endangered Appalachian elktoe. 24 Sep 2008 21:11:59 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 8EBAE55A-6859-4A76-9B0B-3A155D689DB8 Endangered Species Day To mark Endangered Species Day this year, biologists with the Asheville Field Office joined students from Mountain Heritage High School on the Toe River in a search for the endangered Appalachian elktoe. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service endangered, species, elktoe, toe, Appalachians 01:30 no no A local watershed group in the Toe River Valley is working to create a river trail that will give boaters easy access to rivers of the Toe River Valley in North Carolina's Yancy and Mitchell Counties. 24 Sep 2008 21:10:40 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 08188019-3827-49D4-BF61-2A20B66B5BB2 Toe River Valley River Trail A local watershed group in the Toe River Valley is working to create a river trail that will give boaters easy access to rivers of the Toe River Valley in North Carolina's Yancy and Mitchell Counties. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service toe, river, paddle, Appalachians, trail 01:30 no no State, federal, tribal, and private biologists have all come together in an effort to improve the plight of the rare sicklefin redhorse fish, hopefully keeping it from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. 24 Sep 2008 21:08:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 3B7EC391-0EB1-47D9-9465-A1DA1AD84ACA Sicklefin redhorse conservation State, federal, tribal, and private biologists have all come together in an effort to improve the plight of the rare sicklefin redhorse fish, hopefully keeping it from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sicklefin, redhorse, endangered, Appalachians, Tuckasegee, Hiwasee 03:00 no no A recent search along the Little Tennessee river for the threatened Virginia spiraea plant turned up a happy discovery. 24 Sep 2008 21:06:43 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 38ADE732-0465-45B3-958C-7BD75FC45E70 Virginia spiraea search A recent search along the Little Tennessee river for the threatened Virginia spiraea plant turned up a happy discovery. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Virginia, spiraea, endangered, Appalachians 03:00 no no Recent incidents - one on the Cane River in Yancey County, the other on the Davidson River in Transylvania County, highlight the fragility of our water quality. 24 Sep 2008 21:04:44 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 1DE720B1-69BE-45A0-A200-1C6F8F83FECA Water Quality Woes Recent incidents - one on the Cane River in Yancey County, the other on the Davidson River in Transylvania County, highlight the fragility of our water quality. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Cane, river, Yancey, elktoe, Appalachians, Davidson 03:00 no no There's a growing conern in America that children are spending less and less time outdoors, and that this will have a negative impact, both on their health and well-being, and on how they view and value the natural world on which we all depend. 24 Sep 2008 21:03:03 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 5774E872-675B-4E65-BE44-9C4D99A100E0 Kids outside There's a growing conern in America that children are spending less and less time outdoors, and that this will have a negative impact, both on their health and well-being, and on how they view and value the natural world on which we all depend. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service kids, outside, Appalachians, nature, deficit 03:00 no no Roan Mountian, on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, is home to a concentration of imperiled plants and animals and a conglomeration of every high elevation natural community found in the Southern Appalachians. However, some of those communities are threatened by the growth of woody vegetation, something a herd of goats might help change. 24 Sep 2008 21:01:33 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html DFB4C6F6-2709-4DCD-812C-94A69A2C894B Goats aid in the conservation of one of the Southern Appalachians most important areas Roan Mountian, on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, is home to a concentration of imperiled plants and animals and a conglomeration of every high elevation natural community found in the Southern Appalachians. However, some of those communities are threatened by the growth of woody vegetation, something a herd of goats might help change. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Roan, mountain, goats, Appalachians 03:00 no no The Cane and North Toe Rivers, each in the Toe River Valley of Western North Carolina, are both saddled with decrepit dams which are slated for removal. 24 Sep 2008 20:59:27 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html 20EAA87B-ED89-4006-8605-E131978B066A Dam removal in the Toe River Valley The Cane and North Toe Rivers, each in the Toe River Valley of Western North Carolina, are both saddled with decrepit dams which are slated for removal. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Toe, river, dam, removal, Appalachian, elktoe 03:00 no no As the emerald ash borer, an exotic invasive insect that kills native ash trees, spreads around the Great Lakes, land managers in the Southern Appalachians take steps to safeguard their forests. 24 Sep 2008 20:55:45 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html BC7F6C14-7E42-4A7E-A81F-1CAA3B97A56A Emerald ash borer As the emerald ash borer, an exotic invasive insect that kills native ash trees, spreads around the Great Lakes, land managers in the Southern Appalachians take steps to safeguard their forests. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service emerald, ash, borer, invasive, exotic 03:00 no no Bats are dying in the Northeast, struck by a mysterious affliction biologists are calling white nose syndrome for the tuft of white that often appears around the muzzle of the infected bats. 24 Sep 2008 20:52:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html White nose syndrome Bats are dying in the Northeast, struck by a mysterious affliction biologists are calling white nose syndrome for the tuft of white that often appears around the muzzle of the infected bats. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service bats, Indiana, white, nose, syndrome 03:00 no no Commonly seen off Southern beaches, few realize that there are freshwater jellyfish in the Southern Appalachians, perhaps in your favorite swimming hole. 24 Sep 2008 20:48:54 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Freshwater jellyfish Commonly seen off Southern beaches, few realize that there are freshwater jellyfish in the Southern Appalachians, perhaps in your favorite swimming hole. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service jellyfish, Appalachians 03:00 no no Plans to build a retirement community in this Western North Carolina town touched off the ire of local wildlife enthusiasts, until the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helped broker a deal that would improve and permanently protect part of the adjoining wetland. 24 Sep 2008 20:43:58 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Saving, and Improving, a Hendersonville wetland Plans to build a retirement community in this Western North Carolina town touched off the ire of local wildlife enthusiasts, until the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helped broker a deal that would improve and permanently protect part of the adjoining wetland. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wetland, conservation 03:00 no no An algae long known from the northern latitudes is being found in places never-before seen, like New Zealand and the Southern Appalachians. Why is this algae spreading so aggressively and what does it mean for our streams? 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Didymo An algae long known from the northern latitudes is being found in places never-before seen, like New Zealand and the Southern Appalachians. Why is this algae spreading so aggressively and what does it mean for our streams? U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service fish, wildlife, conservation, Appalachians 03:00 no no As many communities wrestle with development and its impacts to precious natural resources, Haywood County, North Carolina, is becoming proactive, looking into the future to help determine what their community will look like in the coming years. 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Planning for Growth in Haywood County As many communities wrestle with development and its impacts to precious natural resources, Haywood County, North Carolina, is becoming proactive, looking into the future to help determine what their community will look like in the coming years. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Haywood, development, wildlife, growth, planniing 03:00 no no While many water conservation techniques focus on outdoor uses of water, such as watering lawns and gardens, many steps can be taken indoors to help ease the demand on strained water supplies. 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html Bringing Water Conservation Into the Home for Winter While many water conservation techniques focus on outdoor uses of water, such as watering lawns and gardens, many steps can be taken indoors to help ease the demand on strained water supplies. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service water, conservation, home 03:00 no no The new maps of Western North Carolina floodplains have been unveiled. 22 Sep 2008 21:18:14 GMT http://www.fws.gov/asheville/htmls/generalinfo/podcasts.html New Floodplain Maps for Western North Carolina The new maps of Western North Carolina floodplains have been unveiled. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service floodplain, maps, development 03:00 no