Hemlocks to Hellbenders

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Hemlocks to Hellbenders A biweekly podcast hosted by Christian Alexandersen highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks and forests.
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You never know what you’re going to run into while visiting our wonderful state parks and forests! This little guy/gal w...
12/07/2024

You never know what you’re going to run into while visiting our wonderful state parks and forests!

This little guy/gal was seen at Beltzville State Park - the latest subject of our podcast. We learn more about the popular park, trails, historic covered bridge and - of course - wildlife watching opportunities.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
Friends of Beltzville State Park

A wonderful area of Beltzville State Park is Wild Creek Cove! Located off of Beltzville Lake and nearby Wild Creek Reser...
11/07/2024

A wonderful area of Beltzville State Park is Wild Creek Cove!

Located off of Beltzville Lake and nearby Wild Creek Reservoir, this area offers visitors beautiful sights - including a waterfall.

Check out our latest podcast episode to learn more about the park and help you plan your next visit.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
Friends of Beltzville State Park

10/07/2024
On our latest episode, I spoke with Diane Szwajkowski. Diane is the Chair of the Friends of Beltzville State Park. Durin...
09/07/2024

On our latest episode, I spoke with Diane Szwajkowski. Diane is the Chair of the Friends of Beltzville State Park.

During the interview, she offered a lot of great recommendations, suggestions and activities for first time or long time visitors to Beltzville State Park.

Listen to the our newest episode to help plan your trip!

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

With over 16 miles of hiking trails, there’s plenty to see at Beltzville State Park. You can hike through mixed forests ...
08/07/2024

With over 16 miles of hiking trails, there’s plenty to see at Beltzville State Park.

You can hike through mixed forests and old farm fields, past an old orchard and hemlock fields and much more!

Check out our newest episode to learn more about the park and its many outdoor activities.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

Had a lazy day of driving to state parks that are kinda located in the middle of nowhere so that we can check some off o...
07/07/2024

Had a lazy day of driving to state parks that are kinda located in the middle of nowhere so that we can check some off our lists (again in my case).

Mont Alto State Park - our first state park in Pennsylvania - then over to Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park!

Fun easy day of driving around and exploring some parks.

There are so many incredible programs offered either through Beltzville State Park or the Friends of Beltzville State Pa...
05/07/2024

There are so many incredible programs offered either through Beltzville State Park or the Friends of Beltzville State Park.

These programs - like Yoga in the Park - provide visitors with different opportunities to enjoy nature. Check out our latest episode on the park to learn more!

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

Soaking up the sun, picnicking and swimming are a few of the most popular activities at Beltzville State Park in the Poc...
04/07/2024

Soaking up the sun, picnicking and swimming are a few of the most popular activities at Beltzville State Park in the Pocono Mountains.

Listen to our newest episode about this wonderful park, the incredible Friends of Beltzville State Park and so much more.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

You can now download our newest podcast episode on Beltzville State Park! For this episode, I spoke with Diane Szwajkows...
03/07/2024

You can now download our newest podcast episode on Beltzville State Park!

For this episode, I spoke with Diane Szwajkowski - Chair of the Friends of Beltzville State Park. I learned more about the popular lake and beach, great trails, scenic areas, wildlife watching opportunities, the historic covered bridge and lots more!

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

I’m excited to announce that our newest episode premiering on Wednesday is on the beautiful Beltzville State Park! Locat...
02/07/2024

I’m excited to announce that our newest episode premiering on Wednesday is on the beautiful Beltzville State Park!

Located in Carbon County, this wonderful park has a lot to offer - including a big lake, sandy beach, trails, wildlife watching, an historic covered bridge and so much more!

On this episode I speak with Diane Szwajkowski. Diane is the Chair of the Friends of Beltzville State Park.

🎧 Listen to our latest episode beginning Wednesday on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

Friends of Beltzville State Park
Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation

Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University is working to understand fireflies in Pennsylvania - the species, the cause for...
01/07/2024

Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University is working to understand fireflies in Pennsylvania - the species, the cause for their decreasing populations and much more.

Check out our newest episode of the podcast to learn more about lightning bugs - the state insect of Pennsylvania - and what we’re learning about these wonderful beetles.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

📷 Credit: Emily Paine, Bucknell University

Fireflies. Lightning bugs. Glow worms. No matter what you call them, we got a whole episode about them! Check out our la...
30/06/2024

Fireflies. Lightning bugs. Glow worms. No matter what you call them, we got a whole episode about them!

Check out our latest episode with biologist and Assistant Bucknell University Professor Dr. Sarah Lower to learn more about these wonderful creatures.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

This weekend is the 2024 Pennsylvania Firefly Festival - which coincides with the mating displays of over fifteen differ...
29/06/2024

This weekend is the 2024 Pennsylvania Firefly Festival - which coincides with the mating displays of over fifteen different species of firefly in the Allegheny National Forest area.

The festival provides mesmerizing views of the Synchronous firefly. This firefly is unique in that its flash patterns are in sync with each other, so they appear to be a string of Christmas lights hanging in the forest.

Synchronous species of fireflies are rare, and can only be seen in a handful of places throughout the world. How special is that?!

Learn more about how you can enter a lottery to attend this unique festival by listening to our latest episode on fireflies.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

PA Firefly Festival

Dr. Sarah Lower (bottom)from Bucknell University was part of a team of researchers studying the state of firefly populat...
28/06/2024

Dr. Sarah Lower (bottom)from Bucknell University was part of a team of researchers studying the state of firefly populations in North America.

We spoke to her for the latest episode of the podcast to learn more about some solutions biologists are discovering to keep lightning bug populations alive.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

📷 Credit: Emily Paine, Bucknell University

Bucknell University

Early bird registration for the Keystone Trails Association’s 2024 Trail Challenge 25K ends June 30!Whether you're a sea...
27/06/2024

Early bird registration for the Keystone Trails Association’s 2024 Trail Challenge 25K ends June 30!

Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or a first-timer, the event will test your limits.

With a challenging course, stunning scenery, and a great cause to support, this is an opportunity that you won't want to miss!

Signup today at https://www.kta-hike.org/kta-trail-challenge.html

26/06/2024

In this clip from our most recent podcast episode, Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University tells us what we can do to help protect fireflies and build a sustainable habitat in our own backyards.

Without your help, we will continue to see fewer and fewer lightning bugs in Pennsylvania.

Listen to the full podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University to learn about the work she and others are doing to increase thei...
25/06/2024

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University to learn about the work she and others are doing to increase their understanding of the firefly - the state insect of Pennsylvania.

Our latest episode explores everything about these wonderful creatures - from their colored bioluminescent light to environmental dangers.

🎧 Listen to our latest episode on your favorite podcasting platform or by clicking the link in the bio!

📷 Credit: Emily Paine, Bucknell University

Did you know that fireflies emit different colored light depending on their species? Here in Pennsylvania - where the li...
24/06/2024

Did you know that fireflies emit different colored light depending on their species?

Here in Pennsylvania - where the lightning bug is outlet official state insect - we play host to a number of species with different colored bioluminescent light. We got green, yellow AND orange!

Learn more about these incredible beetles by listening to our latest episode with biologist Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

While fireflies aren’t endangered, scientists are worried about them. In recent years, fewer of the insects have been sp...
23/06/2024

While fireflies aren’t endangered, scientists are worried about them. In recent years, fewer of the insects have been spotted during the summer.

On our newest episode about fireflies, Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University said pesticide use, loss of habitat, climate change and light pollution are contributing factors.

For fireflies, light pollution interferes with their attempts to signal each other.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University about the fascinating and surprisingly short lives of fireflies -...
22/06/2024

We spoke with Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University about the fascinating and surprisingly short lives of fireflies - the state insect of Pennsylvania.

She spoke to us about different lightning bug species, life cycles, bioluminescent light and much more!

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

📷 Credit: Emily Paine, Bucknell University

We’re officially an AWARD WINNING podcast! Thanks to the PA Outdoor Writers Association for the award. And thanks to the...
21/06/2024

We’re officially an AWARD WINNING podcast! Thanks to the PA Outdoor Writers Association for the award.

And thanks to the Old-Growth Forest Network for allowing me to do an episode about their amazing organization!

While fireflies have been studied for years, scientists continue to look for answers regarding how many species there ar...
21/06/2024

While fireflies have been studied for years, scientists continue to look for answers regarding how many species there are, their eating habits, how they’re impacted by climate change and a lot more.

I spoke with Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University to learn more about the state insect of Pennsylvania.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

For generations, people have had special connections to fireflies. Cultures around the world have stories and myths surr...
20/06/2024

For generations, people have had special connections to fireflies. Cultures around the world have stories and myths surrounding these stunning creatures.

They’ve represented everything from the souls of dead relatives to ladies of the night. Really!

Dr. Sarah Lower (pictured here) spoke to us about these incredible insects and her pursuit to understand these still-mysterious beetles.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

📷 Credit: Emily Paine, Bucknell University

The wonderful world of fireflies is the topic of our newest podcast episode released today! I don’t know what it is abou...
19/06/2024

The wonderful world of fireflies is the topic of our newest podcast episode released today!

I don’t know what it is about fireflies bugs – the state insect of Pennsylvania – but people have a connection to them. Cultures around the world have stories and myths surrounding these stunning creatures.

Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University joins us to explore these unique insects. We talk about their brilliant bioluminescent lights, life stages, species, mating behaviors, cultural significance and so much more!

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

I’m excited to announce that our new podcast episode coming out on Wednesday will be all about the magnificent firefly -...
18/06/2024

I’m excited to announce that our new podcast episode coming out on Wednesday will be all about the magnificent firefly - the state insect of Pennsylvania!

With Dr. Sarah Lower from Bucknell University, we will be talking about lightning bugs’ life stages, species, mating behaviors and stunning bioluminescent displays.

We will also talk about what we can all do to help minimize negative effects to this wonderful beetle.

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website starting Wednesday at HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

Presque Isle State Park has some incredibly beautiful scenes you can catch - whether it be at Sunset Point, Flash Lighth...
17/06/2024

Presque Isle State Park has some incredibly beautiful scenes you can catch - whether it be at Sunset Point, Flash Lighthouse or in the park’s lagoons.

I interviewed the park’s environmental education specialist for the newest episode of the podcast to learn what sort of beauty this wonderful state park has to offer. Spoiler alert: There’s a lot!

Listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform or on our website HemlocksToHellbenders.com/episodes

📷 Credit: Megs Harrison

Do you love Pennsylvania’s state parks, forests and public lands? If you do, I highly recommend these incredible Pennsyl...
15/06/2024

Do you love Pennsylvania’s state parks, forests and public lands? If you do, I highly recommend these incredible Pennsylvania content creators!

We here at believe in lifting up fellow content creators that are working hard to celebrate Pennsylvania’s great outdoors. Be sure to check out these amazing, local creators.

:Michele loves all things exploration and adventure, big and small, and she’s thrilled to share the journey with everyone! Her outdoor adventures take her everywhere from Pennsylvania state parks to Guatamala and everywhere in between. Check out her travel blog dedicated to inspiring others to find the adventures that are out there.
otaku : Brett is an outdoor educator, part-time vanlifer, Youtuber and author. With engaging and interesting videos, he brings his audience along on his kayaking adventures around the world. Head over to his Youtube channel for gear reviews, skills and adventures.
trails.pa: Julia wants to help you get outside with your kids. Follow her account to learn more about exciting outdoor adventures and educational activities with your little ones. On her blog, she offers a variety of family-friendly recreation, hiking, and park recommendations for toddlers and young children in Pennsylvania and its surrounding states.

: Brett is an avid outdoorsmen bringing his followers along on outdoor adventures in and out of Pennsylvania. He shares his experience with hunting, fly fishing, parenting, teaching and more on his blog.

: Kait shares her adventures in hiking, camping and all things outdoorsy in Pennsylvania. Let her travels inspire you to seek out your own adventures in the Commonwealth

: Bill takes his viewers on his journey to visit all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. His videos - which cover unique locations across the US - bring views on hikes, camping trips and much more in the outdoors. Make sure you subscribe to his YouTube channel to never miss a video.

14/06/2024

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