Episode 30: Poet Rebecca Hart Olander, Author Elise Howard of Plant This, Not That and Dr. Linda Rohleder, Founder of Wild Woods Restoration Project

The WildStory: A Podcast of Poetry and Plants by the Native Plant Society of New JerseyHosted by Ann E. Wallace, PhDPoet Laureate Emeritus of Jersey CityAuthor of Keeping RoomCo-host Kim CorreroDirector of State Programs Co-owner of Wildflower City Special Contributor Dr. Randi EckelVice President of MembershipOwner of Toadshade Wildflower FarmDo you have a question about native plants for Randi? Email: TheWildStory@npsnj.orgQuestions: Email Thewildstory@npsnj.orgThis month, our guest poet is Rebecca Hart Olander (0:02:28), of Singing from the Deep End, published in 2026 by CavanKerry Press. Rebecca and Ann discuss walking as a way of being in the world as a poet, inviting us to observe closely and stay in the moment, even as we look back and forward in time. This is a collection in which nature holds a steady presence as Rebecca reflects on childhood, friendship, motherhood, grief, and more.  In this episode’s Ask Randi, Dr. Randi Eckel (0:33:52) answers a common homeowner question: what should you do when a large tree dies—remove it or let it stand? Responding to a listener, she explains the powerful role of “snags” in supporting wildlife and how to manage them, from how much to leave to whether branches and stubs matter.Next, Kim talks with Elise Howard (0:46:42), author of Plant This, Not That, about how thoughtful plant choices can create meaningful habitat. Elise shares practical, inspiring guidance for turning any space into a resilient native plant garden with over two hundred native plant swaps. Don't miss a chance to meet Elise in person on April 20th when she partners with the Nature of Reading Bookshop and the Madison Environmental Commission, and on April 22nd at the Maplewood Library. In our final segment, we sit down with Dr. Linda Rohleder (1:09:06), founder of the Wild Woods Restoration Project, whose work is rooted in restoring the health and resilience of our forests. Linda shares what first drew her to ecological restoration, why growing her own native plants is central to her mission, and how a dedicated community of land stewards and volunteers makes this work possible. Sign up for their popular newsletter, The Understory, to learn more!