Ep. 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers

Ep. 594 - Of Orchids & Woodpeckers

September 6, 2026 · 46 min · Episode 594

About this episode

This episode discusses the connection between the white fringeless orchid and the red-cockaded woodpecker in southern Tennessee, highlighting habitat management lessons learned from a logging mistake.

What do the white fringeless orchid ( Platanthera integrilabia ) and the red-cockaded woodpecker ( Leuconotopicus borealis ) have in common? Habitat preferences! This is becoming increasingly apparent on the Cumberland Plateau of southern Tennessee. Natural Areas Program Manager for the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Sam King joins us for a story about how a chance logging mistake is teaching them how to manage white fringless orchid habitat for the better and has even unlocked new inroads into red-cockaded woodpecker conservation. This episode was produced in part by Atis, Sarracenia, Chris, Gerald, Elise, Maggie, Mamie, A.J., Dallas, Channele, KC, Joe, Diane, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda, Sylvan, Austin, Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon…

People in this episode

Guest: Sam King

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation

Products: white fringeless orchid, red-cockaded woodpecker

Places: Cumberland Plateau, southern Tennessee

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