Phenology as a Retirement Hobby

Phenology as a Retirement Hobby

Author: Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett January 30, 2024 Duration: 45:47

Ever think about what will captivate you in retirement? You don’t want to just sit around but you don’t want to over-commit now that you have your own time. Phenology could be a retirement hobby. Join Peggy Doty to talk about how phenology offers an activity for your mind and just enough commitment to wake up interested in this new idea. Phenology is a meeting of people and the wild living things around them, and you can schedule your meeting any time you like.


Books referenced:

  • The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne & A Garden Kalendar by Gilbert White
  • Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold (and definitely look into Nina Leopold)
  • The Nature of Oaks: The rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Tree by Doug Tallamy
  • Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey
  • The Geese of Beaver Bog by Bernd Heinrich


Community Science Projects:


Hosted by Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, and Erin Garrett, Everyday Environment Podcast is a conversation about the natural systems that shape daily life in Illinois. It’s not just about distant wilderness; it’s about the water from your tap, the trees on your street, the birds at your feeder, and the energy powering your home. Each episode pulls on a single thread-be it soil health, local wildlife, or sustainable practices-to reveal the whole intricate web we’re a part of. You’ll hear clear explanations and practical insights that make the science of our surroundings accessible and immediately relevant. The goal is to move beyond abstract concepts and foster a tangible, deeper understanding of how these environmental connections work right outside our doors. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that equip you with knowledge about the air, land, and water in your own community, making the complexities of our shared ecosystem feel a little more familiar and a lot more connected to the choices we make every day. This podcast is one part of a broader educational effort, designed to engage curious residents who want to look a bit closer at the world around them.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Everyday Environment Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Value of Biodiversity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:40
Biodiversity - such a buzzword these days. But what is biodiversity and why does everyone seem to be talking about it? Extension Educator Abigail Garofalo will break down this scientific concept and give you insights int…
Nature at Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:49
Don’t count out nighttime when it comes to exploring. Each season brings a different “night” whether it be the long winter nights with clear skies or the late sunsets in summer, there is always something to discover in n…
Spring Ephemerals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:48
Spring is here, and one of the best places to enjoy the season is hiking through a forest. In spring you can find the forest floor bursting with life. Many of the spring-blooming flowers you see when out on a hike are fr…
Maple Syrup Season in Illinois [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:01
Complete information soon to be posted on the Everyday Environments Webinar Series on YouTube go.illinois.edu/everydayenvironmentrecordings
The Wildlife We Live With [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:48
When people get excited about supporting wildlife on their property, they are usually referring to the ones bring us joy or whimsy or the ones that bring us some function such as pollination. But that sense of awe and wo…
Garter Snakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:58
American Songbirds benefit from Livestock Grazing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:10
Resources: https://learningstore.extension.wisc.edu/products/grassland-birds-fostering-habitats-using-rotational-grazing-p103https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GrasslandBirdsWorkbook.pdfhttps://ww…
Soft Landings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
Discussing the soft landings concept by Heather Holm and Leslie Pilgrim