Project Understory
Project Understory is a personal, non-fiction, story-based podcast brought to you by the students, faculty, and friends of the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, a field station for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources. Forests have layers, from the sun-bathed upper canopy, to the dappled understory, to the deeply shaded forest floor. So also, our adventures in the outdoors are multi-layered and complex. Here, we strive to tell stories of not just what happened to us in the wilds, but what it meant and how it changed us. We hope our adventures will inspire you as well, to head for the woods and find your own Understory.
Episodes
63 episodes
Canoeing Adventure
A relaxing canoe trip turns into a rolling adventure full of twists and turns. Find out what happens when laughter turns to panicked screams.
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Season 7
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Episode 5
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8:19
Dinner in the Dark
A routine night shift turns into a wild encounter at an Australian animal sanctuary.
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Season 7
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Episode 4
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9:20
Urban Eyes: A Birding Origin Story
In this episode, Rae Henneman shares her journey from growing up in urban Chicago with little exposure to nature to discovering a passion for birding in college. A chance encounter with a white-breasted nuthatch sparked her curiosity and transf...
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Season 7
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Episode 3
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8:24
The Curious Case of the Flying Flock
This episode follows the story of a child curious about bird migration and his journey on becoming a nature detective and solving his case
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Season 7
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Episode 2
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6:44
The Importance of Trees
In this special episode, you will hear stories about the importance of trees. The stories come from multiple storytellers including a classroom of 4th graders and a classroom of Master Naturalists.
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Season 7
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Episode 1
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8:13
Reflections From a Summit
In this episode, Kate shares how a mountain summit inspired her to engage in all the fleeting opportunities that life has to offer.
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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12:57
Falling in Love With Kayaking
This is a story by Alaina Allen about her passion for kayaking. It embodies the sentiment "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again".
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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8:33
A Raccoon Took My Mallows
Join Phil White as he shares a short story about an encounter with a troupe of raccoons as they attempt to steal his sweet treats during a camping trip, and the strange connection with one which he still thinks about to this day.
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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10:05
Backpacking the Porcupine Mountains
This episode describes an adventurous 23-mile backpacking trip through the Porcupine Mountains with views of waterfalls, trees galore, a whole lot of water, and countless memories.
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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10:52
Apostle Islands
Practicum student Logan Buress shares a story about his trip to the Apostle Islands and how him and his family were unprepared for their trip there.
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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5:15
Spark Bird
CWES graduate assistant Sarah Wood shares a chance encounter with a forest bird that opens up a whole new world to her in the outdoors.
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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9:14
Too Close for Comfort
Working as a camp counselor in Wolf Ridge Environmental Center, Nate was lucky to receive a day off on his 18th birthday. Taking the day for himself, he soon finds that his solo stroll in the woods turns to an interesting interaction with a mam...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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11:43
Peak Memories
We're back with Season 5 of Project Understory! Join Maverick as his adventure with jets and magical donuts bring his senses to life, but in the end, he realizes nature conquers all.
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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11:14
Yellowstone: Making a Lasting Impact
Some of you may have an experience that changed your life - and for the better. Join Lauryn as she shares how making a trip to Yellowstone National Park secured her future in the career and world of environmental education.
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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7:07
Not All Camping Trips Go as Planned
As a Wilderness Guide, you never know what can be right around the next bend. Listen in on Clarah's exhilarating story while on the Namekagon River in northern Wisconsin!
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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9:25
Reeling in Rain
If you haven't been to Hayward, WI yet, put it on your list! Maddie shares a memory while fishing with her Dad - a story where the fishing is too good to be true, with a little help from the sky.
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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5:49
A Squirrely Experience
In this podcast, Lauren shares how a even a smaller critter like a squirrel can make make an impact on your nature experience - and get your heart racing, too!
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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7:47
Love for Nature
Sometimes it's the experience that makes you grow as a person, and it all could start with someone that gives you that extra push that allows you to grow as a individual. Delaney explains how her Grandpa's love and support helped push her to he...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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11:58
The Reward of Patience
Katie shares her experience of hunting her first white-tail deer in Iowa, showcasing that being patient is worth the wait.
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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12:21
Buck Up
Rheya shares how, even a lost opportunity in a solo hunting adventure, nature can give you a different perspective to gain memorable experiences.
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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13:25
The Magic of Hope
Join Jordan as she takes you through an experience while at Disney that restored her hope in the importance and magic of pursing Wildlife Education.
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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16:08
Top of the Mountain
Alyson shares her story climbing the Tatra Mountains of Poland. Sometimes the journey you choose doesn't matter. What you take from it is what matters.
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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8:56
Interview with a Naturalist
Join Jimmy as in interviews someone who created nature programs for youth in the suburbs of Chicago, his own mom! They talk about creating connections with nature, what they meant for them, and what it can mean for future naturalists.
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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15:12