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.
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Nature is a very broad term, and as we often discuss on this show, everything is connected. Geology impacts soil, which dictates what plants can grow. But if we pull back even further, the ultimate engine driving our planet's systems is the Sun. So when I think of Nature’s Archive—and that big concept of "Nature"—I love bringing these grand, foundational subjects into our scope. Today is one such…
From the archive... It’s summertime, and around the globe record heat is dominating, from Europe to the midwest, and across the oceans as well. As you know, heat is a key driver to wildfires. In fact, it is one of the three key ingredients, along with fuel and oxygen. Global oxygen levels, at least within our lifetimes, aren’t going to change much. But heat and fuel can and will change. Obviously,…
Have you ever noticed how certain sounds, voices, or songs can instantaneously transport you to another world? Whether it’s a track from high school or the specific creak of a childhood porch, audio has a unique "backdoor" into our deepest memories and emotions. In this episode, we explore how to tap into that same principle to radically deepen our connection to nature. While we are biologically…
Long time listeners know that I’m a huge fan of iNaturalist . Their app literally changed my life by dramatically improving my relationship with, and knowledge of nature. And iNaturalist is much more than just a nature identification app. When you use iNaturalist, yes, you get a helping hand in identifying plants, animals and fungi. But you’re also contributing to perhaps the largest community…
What comes to your mind when you hear “Salt Lake”? If you’re like many people, perhaps you think of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Or perhaps the Dead Sea or the Caspian Sea. But there are over 100 perennial salt lakes around the globe, and hundreds of seasonal ones. Each of these lakes have amazing histories and support unique ecosystems, making them a precious resource for biodiversity. My guest…
Some of the most consistent feedback I get about the podcast is the message of hope that rings through. Today’s episode takes the message of hope up a level by revisiting the folks at the Sunflower Star Lab. Sunflower sea stars are amazing creatures - not your typical sea star. They can reach over three feet, live for decades, they are highly mobile, and function as keystone species in kelp forest…
Imagine a creature that is born already pregnant with its own grandchildren. No mating, no waiting—just a continuous, telescopic unfolding of life. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi novel, but it’s likely happening on the underside of a leaf in your backyard. Today, we’re looking past the 'pest' label to discover the mind-bending biology of the aphid. Our guest today is aphidologist Natalie…
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;…
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…
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…