Once a year they come out, by the thousands. Fireflies. But these aren’t just any fireflies. These are Photinus Carolinas, also known as synchronous fireflies They blink on and off together. It’s an amazing site. On this episode, I head to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to experience the synchronous fireflies and learn how light from human development is threatening the future of these delicate, glowing insects and what the park is doing to try to protect them.

This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by donating at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

For some great photographs and clips from our journey through the national parks, check out our Instagram @thewildpod and @chrismorganwildlife.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW, Chris Morgan Wildlife, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by Matt Martin and edited by Jim Gates. THE WILD is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Once a year they come out, by the thousands. Fireflies. But these aren’t just any fireflies. These are Photinus Carolinas, also known as synchronous fireflies They blink on and off together. It’s an amazing site. On this episode, I head to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to experience the synchronous fireflies and learn how light from human development is threatening the future of these delicate, glowing insects and what the park is doing to try to protect them.
This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by donating at <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
For some great photographs and clips from our journey through the national parks, check out our Instagram @thewildpod and @chrismorganwildlife.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW, <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/">Chris Morgan Wildlife</a>, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin">Matt Martin</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates">Jim Gates</a>. THE WILD is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by <a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/">Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by <a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/">Michael Parker</a>.

"THE WILD with Chris Morgan" explores how nature survives and thrives alongside (and often despite) humans. Taking listeners across the Pacific Northwest and around the world, host Chris Morgan explores wildlife and the complex web of ecosystems they inhabit. He also tells the stories of people working in and protecting the wild around us.

The Wild with Chris Morgan

"THE WILD" with Chris Morgan brings stories from the natural world right to your ears in a beautifully immersive way. You’ll feel like you are right there with Chris in wild places all over the world, alongside wildlife ecologists, researchers, and colorful characters on the front line. On every episode we set out to tell inspiring stories that carry you away, and fascinate you. As one listener put it “THE WILD is the Planet Earth of podcasts!”. Listen on the go, or as many fans tell us - in the wild. But don't forget to take time to listen to the wilderness, wherever you are. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and enjoy stories of hope for the planet we all share.

"THE WILD" with Chris Morgan brings stories from the natural world right to your ears in a beautifully immersive way. You’ll feel like you are right there with Chris in wild places all over the world, alongside wildlife ecologists, researchers, and colorful characters on the front line. On every episode we set out to tell inspiring stories that carry you away, and fascinate you. As one listener put it “THE WILD is the Planet Earth of podcasts!”. Listen on the go, or as many fans tell us - in the wild. But don't forget to take time to listen to the wilderness, wherever you are. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and enjoy stories of hope for the planet we all share.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Fireflies in synchrony

We are taking a break over the holidays in order to finish up our series about national parks. We’ll be back in your feed on January 7 with a visit to Glacier Bay National Park in southeast Alaska. We’ll learn how the trickles of chilly glacial meltwater are creating a flourishing ecosystem. 

But in the meantime, I wanted to share an episode from a podcast I think you’ll really like called How Wild. It’s from our friends at KALW Public Media and the NPR Network. The podcast looks at the meaning of wilderness, sixty years since the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964. 

The law set aside areas within national parks and forests and other federal public lands for an extra level of protection. These wilderness areas have to be “undeveloped” and “natural” and they have to have opportunities for “primitive, unconfined recreation” and “solitude.” 

But so much has changed since the passage of the Wilderness Act. In this episode, host Marissa Ortega-Welch looks at solitude and what that means these days with so many people hitting the trails. 

We are taking a break over the holidays in order to finish up our series about national parks. We&rsquo;ll be back in your feed on January 7 with a visit to Glacier Bay National Park in southeast Alaska. We&rsquo;ll learn how the trickles of chilly glacial meltwater are creating a flourishing ecosystem.&nbsp;
But in the meantime, I wanted to share an episode from a podcast I think you&rsquo;ll really like called <a href="https://www.kalw.org/podcast/how-wild">How Wild</a>. It&rsquo;s from our friends at KALW Public Media and the NPR Network. The podcast looks at the meaning of wilderness, sixty years since the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964.&nbsp;
The law set aside areas within national parks and forests and other federal public lands for an extra level of protection. These wilderness areas have to be &ldquo;undeveloped&rdquo; and &ldquo;natural&rdquo; and they have to have opportunities for &ldquo;primitive, unconfined recreation&rdquo; and &ldquo;solitude.&rdquo;&nbsp;
But so much has changed since the passage of the Wilderness Act. In this episode, host Marissa Ortega-Welch looks at solitude and what that means these days with so many people hitting the trails.&nbsp;

The Wild presents How Wild: Solitude

It started as a glacier. Then, about 13,000 years ago, it was a trickle, then a stream, and eventually a rushing river meandering through the Olympic Peninsula. For thousands of years, life thrived off the ecosystem served by the Elwha River that fed into to the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Then it stopped. A century ago, a dam was built to harness the power of the water and convert it into electricity. The salmon that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe relied on were cut off from their spawning grounds.

Ten years ago, that dam was taken down. In this special reprise episode, we look at the impact of the dam removal and how life in and around the Elwha is fighting its way back. 

This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by donating at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW, Chris Morgan Wildlife, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by Matt Martin and edited by Jim Gates. THE WILD is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

It started as a glacier. Then, about 13,000 years ago, it was a trickle, then a stream, and eventually a rushing river meandering through the Olympic Peninsula. For thousands of years, life thrived off the ecosystem served by the Elwha River that fed into to the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Then it stopped. A century ago, a dam was built to harness the power of the water and convert it into electricity. The salmon that the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe relied on were cut off from their spawning grounds.
Ten years ago, that dam was taken down. In this special reprise episode, we look at the impact of the dam removal and how life in and around the Elwha is fighting its way back. 
This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by donating at <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW, <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/">Chris Morgan Wildlife</a>, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/matt-martin">Matt Martin</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates">Jim Gates</a>. THE WILD is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by <a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/">Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by <a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/">Michael Parker</a>.

A river runs through it ... once again (reprise)

Nature writer Leigh Ann Henion has spent countless hours uncovering mysteries of the darkness that unfold while we’re asleep. She’s explored bats, moths, glow worms, spotted salamanders, and she’s written a new book about it called Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark.

Today, Chris talks with Leigh Ann Henion about what we can find in the darkness and how we can preserve it, even from our own back porch.

This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special storytelling by donating at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW, Chris Morgan Wildlife, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by Lucy Soucek and edited by Jim Gates. The Wild is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

Nature writer Leigh Ann Henion has spent countless hours uncovering mysteries of the darkness that unfold while we’re asleep. She’s explored bats, moths, glow worms, spotted salamanders, and she’s written a new book about it called Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark. 
Today, Chris talks with Leigh Ann Henion about what we can find in the darkness and how we can preserve it, even from our own back porch.
This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special storytelling by donating at <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/thewild">kuow.org/donate/thewild</a>. Thank you.
THE WILD is a production of KUOW, <a href="https://www.chrismorganwildlife.org/">Chris Morgan Wildlife</a>, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/lucy-soucek">Lucy Soucek</a> and edited by <a href="https://www.kuow.org/authors/jim-gates">Jim Gates</a>. The Wild is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by <a href="https://apryledcraig.wordpress.com/">Apryle Craig</a>. Our theme music is by <a href="https://www.michaeltparker.com/">Michael Parker</a>.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Fireflies in synchrony

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