Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature. “The Bradford pear tree is an ornamental commonly planted tree in North Carolina. Sure, it has pretty blossoms, but it’s also structurally weak, stinky, and harmful to our native ecosystems! Bradford pears can breed with other varieties of pear trees and spread in natural forests, replacing native trees and creating “food deserts” for birds.” – NC Cooperative Extension This week, Debbie and Laurie talk to Leslie Moorman, Executive Director of the NC Urban Forest Council on two upcoming events in Matthews and Monroe, NC to help eliminate these invasive species in our area. While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company in Matthews, North Carolina.  Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market this Saturday morning.  Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram. Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte. Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast. Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.