@@AMankstudio We very much appreciate your support! Thanks for the kind feedback. We’ll just keep on keeping on and see where it takes us. I know we’re having a lot of fun while doing it. Cheers!
Gorgeous! That's how kids should get to grow up - surrounded by nature and learning by doing. I'm going to be a biology teacher, but I'm looking into conservation work during the summers. I hope your wildlife homestead is everything you dream of!
@@hvn03 thanks very much for your kind and encouraging comment. That’s awesome that you will be starting a career in education…best of luck in your endeavors! Also, regarding your summers, many seasonal and volunteer positions are available that you might find rewarding. Some of my best memories were conducting field work as a volunteer or seasonal. If you haven’t already explored the field, search USA Jobs or local state or provincial employment sites. Usually hiring managers will be advertising or interviewing those positions for the summer in late winter/early spring; so keep an eye out. Cheers!
@@destinyhenderson-hudgins3776 I have native wildflower seed for roughly 2,000 sq ft of meadow ready to go in the ground after our first rain. I plan to prep and plant two areas this fall and we’ll see what comes of it in the spring. And a food forest, now that’s not something I was thinking of; just more of a conventional garden. I’ll have to ponder that idea some more. Thanks for your comment and great suggestions!
@@Biodiversity-Institute thank again for the very nice comments. I’m really hopeful to make all those dreams into a reality. I don’t want to get stuck in the dreamer phase without any positive beneficial actions, yet also don’t want to rush into anything ether that I later regret or worse, has an unintentional negative impact. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know. Thanks again for joining in the community. I’ve really enjoyed your insights!
@@BackyardBiologyBoys I think I'm in a very similar phase as you, perhaps (mid-career, mid-life). I was an environmental science professor for 11 years at a small liberal arts college (no longer there now)...now starting up an environmental non-profit, and a TH-cam channel, with a vision of pursuing and leaning into my scholarship/research, which has been ongoing, on the Pacific Crest Trail, since my PhD research almost 20 years ago. At some point, we need to stop putting things on hold and pursue the vison. Just take it in steps (you are making great videos)...perhaps at some point we could collaborate as our channels grow (I've just started my channel, you are much further along than I am). I'm very knowledgeable of the ecology of your area, especially birds.
@@Biodiversity-Institute yes that would be great. I’ve only hiked the JMT portion of the PCT, and very much admired the PCTers we got to know along the way. Your work and channel sound very interesting! I’ll definitely check it out. My background since grad school has mainly focused in aquatic biology and fisheries so this has been a fun endeavor because it’s an area of interest I don’t professionally get to work in but have a personal interest in and enjoyment for the sheer fun of it. TH-cam has also been a creative outlet, in the script writing, video production, and learning curve for editing and TH-cam in general. I just hit my one year anniversary for the channel and can say it’s been fun, rewarding, and a lot of work. I’ve really enjoyed the process but it’s definitely difficult at times. Best of luck in your endeavors, and just keep plugging away at your content one video at a time; keeping a steady, realistic pace (like a marathon), and I imagine good results will follow.
@@amsyah95 Thanks very much for the positive response. If you haven’t seen our latest video, check it out here: th-cam.com/video/hwmaYJYbX8g/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MO3fCCjAKAJZkYvc. Glad to have you as part of the BBB community!
I'm very curious to see what's in the pond! Do you watch your cats while they're outside? They will prey on the birds that you're working to attract. I really like the idea of a monarch way station. I miss seeing their migration back home!
@@inorganicjoe thanks for reaching out, and that’s awesome to hear. I’m hoping to get the pond survey video out next weekend! And yes, the cats…They have always been a contentious issue in our family for just that reason. That’s why I keep them indoors for the most part. However, with the boys in and out of the house, it’s inevitable that they get out. But to your point, I’m very much mindful of that reality, and for the most part I’ve only witnessed a pocket gopher mortality. I’m excited for all the possibilities including the monarch way station. I’ve enjoyed seeing them overwinter in the Santa Cruz area each year. Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks again for your interest and insights!
@@mattheweanfeldman Awesome, sounds like plan! I have 2,000 sq ft of native wildflower seed on its way. I plan to prep and plant two areas this fall and we’ll see what comes of it in the spring in a new video. Thanks for reaching out!
@@Austins0asis that’s a great idea! And maybe I could incorporate that into the design of a bee hotel or at least have them match and/or coordinate. I did a very low tech version of this in my past yard (th-cam.com/video/BVzZtUw-0G4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MRAEylO9T-DzVzXy), but this would be more fun! Thanks for sharing your idea!
That’s awesome man congrats! As an environmental scientist myself on the east coast aren’t you worried about living in a high fire area? I would love to move out west but it seems all wooded areas are in high fire danger, is it really that bad? I’d love to see what life the pond holds and perhaps a wetlands overview of the property
@@ryanbarretta3010 Thanks Ryan! It’s a pleasure to meet you, and very cool that we have a similar background. Unfortunately, yes, the fire danger is a real threat; and associated homeowners insurance rates are painfully high as a result. We have had at least one close friend move out of state because of fire concerns and associated stress from it. Pretty much during fire season, which seems to be ever longer, I’m holding my breath. It’s not a matter of if it will happen but when. And I think this is largely the reality for most of the rural west and mountain west areas because of climate change and years of fire suppression. Fire has always been an important part of a healthy landscape, so I’m excepting of it and happy to see more low intensity prescribed burns beings used in our management of forested areas. As far as our property, I just need to be diligent about keeping a defensible space, limbing up trees, and reduce fuel lows in the winter and spring with burn piles. I’m interested in trying to incorporate some fire ecology to our property, but don’t feel comfortable with any prescribed burn; maybe just experimenting with trimming down an area and spreading small amounts of extinguished leftover ash from our burn pile to perhaps fertilize a future wildflower meadow area. Doing a test plot to see if an area does better with the ash than an area without; a little experiment. I’m not totally sure, but I am always impressed and amazed by the wildflowers the form in a burn area. Let me know if you have any thoughts on that and thanks for your suggestion about the pond and wetlands overview. Cheers!
@@ClassAves-hv4ps I couldn’t agree more, and that’s half the reason why I like dogs better! But they found us. And the way I see it is we prevented 7 more community cats out on the landscape by taking them in, having them spayed and neutered, and rehoming them. The two we kept are indoor cats but the one is more adventurous and often joins us outside or escapes given the chance. Not to be graphic, but the reality is we are motivated to keep them indoors for the shared concerns you expressed for smaller wildlife and because outdoor pets don’t last long in these parts. They are part of the food web, per say, and are preyed upon by coyotes; which we have many. Thanks for sharing your comment and concern.
Highly underrated channel
Love you guys
@@AMankstudio We very much appreciate your support! Thanks for the kind feedback. We’ll just keep on keeping on and see where it takes us. I know we’re having a lot of fun while doing it. Cheers!
May you and your family may be abundantly BLESSED forever and ever!
@@IsabelRodriguez-nv2ue Thanks Isabel! That would be my prayer for you too, and anyone else reading this message for that matter.
Gorgeous! That's how kids should get to grow up - surrounded by nature and learning by doing. I'm going to be a biology teacher, but I'm looking into conservation work during the summers. I hope your wildlife homestead is everything you dream of!
@@hvn03 thanks very much for your kind and encouraging comment. That’s awesome that you will be starting a career in education…best of luck in your endeavors! Also, regarding your summers, many seasonal and volunteer positions are available that you might find rewarding. Some of my best memories were conducting field work as a volunteer or seasonal. If you haven’t already explored the field, search USA Jobs or local state or provincial employment sites. Usually hiring managers will be advertising or interviewing those positions for the summer in late winter/early spring; so keep an eye out. Cheers!
I think a wildflower meadow and a food forest would be amazing
@@destinyhenderson-hudgins3776 I have native wildflower seed for roughly 2,000 sq ft of meadow ready to go in the ground after our first rain. I plan to prep and plant two areas this fall and we’ll see what comes of it in the spring. And a food forest, now that’s not something I was thinking of; just more of a conventional garden. I’ll have to ponder that idea some more. Thanks for your comment and great suggestions!
Love it...beautiful family and wonderful vision.
@@Biodiversity-Institute thank again for the very nice comments. I’m really hopeful to make all those dreams into a reality. I don’t want to get stuck in the dreamer phase without any positive beneficial actions, yet also don’t want to rush into anything ether that I later regret or worse, has an unintentional negative impact. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please let me know. Thanks again for joining in the community. I’ve really enjoyed your insights!
@@BackyardBiologyBoys I think I'm in a very similar phase as you, perhaps (mid-career, mid-life). I was an environmental science professor for 11 years at a small liberal arts college (no longer there now)...now starting up an environmental non-profit, and a TH-cam channel, with a vision of pursuing and leaning into my scholarship/research, which has been ongoing, on the Pacific Crest Trail, since my PhD research almost 20 years ago. At some point, we need to stop putting things on hold and pursue the vison. Just take it in steps (you are making great videos)...perhaps at some point we could collaborate as our channels grow (I've just started my channel, you are much further along than I am). I'm very knowledgeable of the ecology of your area, especially birds.
@@Biodiversity-Institute yes that would be great. I’ve only hiked the JMT portion of the PCT, and very much admired the PCTers we got to know along the way. Your work and channel sound very interesting! I’ll definitely check it out. My background since grad school has mainly focused in aquatic biology and fisheries so this has been a fun endeavor because it’s an area of interest I don’t professionally get to work in but have a personal interest in and enjoyment for the sheer fun of it. TH-cam has also been a creative outlet, in the script writing, video production, and learning curve for editing and TH-cam in general. I just hit my one year anniversary for the channel and can say it’s been fun, rewarding, and a lot of work. I’ve really enjoyed the process but it’s definitely difficult at times. Best of luck in your endeavors, and just keep plugging away at your content one video at a time; keeping a steady, realistic pace (like a marathon), and I imagine good results will follow.
Yes, I love the video❤❤ and waiting for future video😊😊
@@amsyah95 Thanks very much for the positive response. If you haven’t seen our latest video, check it out here: th-cam.com/video/hwmaYJYbX8g/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MO3fCCjAKAJZkYvc. Glad to have you as part of the BBB community!
I'm very curious to see what's in the pond! Do you watch your cats while they're outside? They will prey on the birds that you're working to attract. I really like the idea of a monarch way station. I miss seeing their migration back home!
@@inorganicjoe thanks for reaching out, and that’s awesome to hear. I’m hoping to get the pond survey video out next weekend! And yes, the cats…They have always been a contentious issue in our family for just that reason. That’s why I keep them indoors for the most part. However, with the boys in and out of the house, it’s inevitable that they get out. But to your point, I’m very much mindful of that reality, and for the most part I’ve only witnessed a pocket gopher mortality. I’m excited for all the possibilities including the monarch way station. I’ve enjoyed seeing them overwinter in the Santa Cruz area each year. Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks again for your interest and insights!
wild flower meadow with camera
@@mattheweanfeldman Awesome, sounds like plan! I have 2,000 sq ft of native wildflower seed on its way. I plan to prep and plant two areas this fall and we’ll see what comes of it in the spring in a new video. Thanks for reaching out!
Could you do some bug hotels? Just found out about them and they seem like a cool idea.
@@Austins0asis that’s a great idea! And maybe I could incorporate that into the design of a bee hotel or at least have them match and/or coordinate. I did a very low tech version of this in my past yard (th-cam.com/video/BVzZtUw-0G4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=MRAEylO9T-DzVzXy), but this would be more fun! Thanks for sharing your idea!
That’s awesome man congrats! As an environmental scientist myself on the east coast aren’t you worried about living in a high fire area? I would love to move out west but it seems all wooded areas are in high fire danger, is it really that bad? I’d love to see what life the pond holds and perhaps a wetlands overview of the property
@@ryanbarretta3010 Thanks Ryan! It’s a pleasure to meet you, and very cool that we have a similar background. Unfortunately, yes, the fire danger is a real threat; and associated homeowners insurance rates are painfully high as a result. We have had at least one close friend move out of state because of fire concerns and associated stress from it. Pretty much during fire season, which seems to be ever longer, I’m holding my breath. It’s not a matter of if it will happen but when. And I think this is largely the reality for most of the rural west and mountain west areas because of climate change and years of fire suppression. Fire has always been an important part of a healthy landscape, so I’m excepting of it and happy to see more low intensity prescribed burns beings used in our management of forested areas. As far as our property, I just need to be diligent about keeping a defensible space, limbing up trees, and reduce fuel lows in the winter and spring with burn piles. I’m interested in trying to incorporate some fire ecology to our property, but don’t feel comfortable with any prescribed burn; maybe just experimenting with trimming down an area and spreading small amounts of extinguished leftover ash from our burn pile to perhaps fertilize a future wildflower meadow area. Doing a test plot to see if an area does better with the ash than an area without; a little experiment. I’m not totally sure, but I am always impressed and amazed by the wildflowers the form in a burn area. Let me know if you have any thoughts on that and thanks for your suggestion about the pond and wetlands overview. Cheers!
Not very wildlife-friendly to have cats roaming free
@@ClassAves-hv4ps I couldn’t agree more, and that’s half the reason why I like dogs better! But they found us. And the way I see it is we prevented 7 more community cats out on the landscape by taking them in, having them spayed and neutered, and rehoming them. The two we kept are indoor cats but the one is more adventurous and often joins us outside or escapes given the chance. Not to be graphic, but the reality is we are motivated to keep them indoors for the shared concerns you expressed for smaller wildlife and because outdoor pets don’t last long in these parts. They are part of the food web, per say, and are preyed upon by coyotes; which we have many. Thanks for sharing your comment and concern.
You need to keep an eye on your Cats, they Will kill a Lot of native animals, You shouldnt take them out without a leash
@@christophermunoz2491 thanks for expressing your concern and for the suggestion of a leash for the cats.