The fourth season of UNTAMED: Life is Wild aired in spring 2022 and explored a wide variety of conservation and environmental issues, including citizen science, land management, predators, and watersheds. Each episode discussed how our actions impact wildlife and the landscape around us.
The video library for this season offers a compendium of materials that support each episode, including worksheets and activities for students who are watching UNTAMED as a part of classroom learning on biology, natural history, and the environment.
Season 4 Episodes
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The Greater Impact of Wildlife Patients
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Predators
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Citizen Science
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Land Management
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Invasive Species
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Protecting our Watersheds
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Pollinators
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Wild Winter Worlds
Episode 401: The Greater Impact of Wildlife Patients
Since its founding in 1982, the Wildlife Center of Virginia—a hospital for native wildlife—has treated more than 85,000 patients, including 3,804 in 2021 alone. Every patient is offered state-of-the-art veterinary medical care; some are treated and released, while others may be too seriously injured to recover. Every single animal has a story to share, a story that illustrates the wider problems wildlife face—litter, pesticides, free-roaming domestic animals, habitat loss, and diseases. Even patients that don’t make it live on by helping us shape our conservation education and research as we challenge people of all ages to take action to protect wildlife.
Learn More About Episode 401
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our staff and guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
Inside the Episode
- Check out the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services' Forensics Laboratory and utilize their Feather Atlas to practice your feather identification skills!
- One Health is a concept that connects the health of animals, people, and the environment. Each aspect is equal, important, and delicately intertwined. One Health comes up often in our Untamed series; learn more about the concept here through an episode in Season 2.
- Earlier this year, the property at Fones Cliffs, the ‘Yosemite of the Chesapeake,’ was returned to the Rappahannock Tribe. This important piece of habitat is home to many Bald Eagles in Virginia, including an eagle released in 2018 by the Wildlife Center. Check out the article here!
- Interested in getting started in the world of wildlife rehabilitation? Check out our free orientation with the Wildlife Care Academy, then sign up for courses.
- Volunteer with the Wildlife Center of Virginia—join our animal care team, help us teach people through our outreach docent program, or sign up to be a transporter to get injured patients where they need to go. Interested in a more in-depth hands-on opportunity? Learn more about the Center's externship training programs here.
- Donate! Your contribution will help provide life-saving emergency medical care to sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals.
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each UNTAMED episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Episode 402: Predators
Humans have long had a complicated relationship with native wild carnivores, often with attempts to actively eliminate these animals, leaving behind ecosystems in dire need of that natural control mechanism. With the absence of large apex predators, smaller mesopredators, such as bobcats, foxes, and coyotes, have begun to fill that ecological role. And with certain recovered carnivores moving back into their historic ranges, predator management is a highly contentious issue, now more than ever. Finding a way to coexist with these species is essential, not only for human safety and animal welfare but also for habitat and ecosystem health.
Learn More About Episode 402:
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our special guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
- Dr. Marcella Kelly, Department of Fish & Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech
- Mike Fies, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Dr. Michelle Lute, Project Coyote
- Leo and Aaron Tammi, Shamoka Run Farm
- Waldo, Guard Dog
Inside the Episode
- Learn more about Dr. Marcella Kelly's research and publications on carnivores, including research at Virginia Tech which seeks to understand interactions between predators and White-tailed Deer.
- Need help with a wildlife conflict issue? Call Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 1-855-571-9003.
- Interested in learning more about "America's songdog", the coyote? Check out a previous Wildlife Center Book Club selection, Coyote America: A Natural and Supernatural History by Dan Flores. Attend a webinar with Project Coyote and learn more about being a part of a coyote-friendly community.
- Be informed about important issues—like what impact coyotes have on Virginia's deer, and the problem with killing contests and bounties. Read more about effective means of predator control—like what Waldo does at Shamoka Run Farm!
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each UNTAMED episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Episode 403: Citizen Science
Citizen science is known as the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world by members of the public. Those participating in citizen science projects and activities are not professional scientists; rather, this collaborative research is done by everyday people in a wide variety of settings around the world to help answer questions that scientists can’t answer by themselves. Whether participating in bird counts, water sampling, frog watches, butterfly monitoring, plant data, or other projects, anyone can find a fun and meaningful way to contribute to the scientific community, often providing valid insights into the natural world.
Learn More About Episode 403:
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our staff and guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
- Michelle Prysby, Virginia Master Naturalists
- Yohn Sutton, Norfolk Zoo and FrogWatch USA
- Devin Jefferson, Science Museum of Virginia
- Connor Gillespie, Wildlife Center of Virginia
- Rick and Krista Weatherford
Inside the Episode
Interested in understanding what citizen science is, and how you can get involved?
- Check out the Citizen Science Association website, read the 10 Principles of Citizen Science, and take a deeper dive into the subject through the Handbook of Citizen Science in Ecology and Conservation.
- Find a project that suits your skills and interests! There are several large-scale, national projects to which you can contribute, including The Great Backyard Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, Globe Observer, or join iNaturalist to record observations on your favorite species. Or, find a project that suits your particular skills and interests through SciStarter.
- Looking for a local or regional project in Virginia? Several of these community science projects were featured in the episode of UNTAMED, including Throwing Shade, RVAir, and box turtle monitoring through the Virginia Herpetological Society.
- Get involved with more local bird counts through Hopewell Christmas Bird Count, Larry Robinson James River Winter Count, Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch, or your own local birding chapter.
- Learn more about data collection and check out these recorded webinars about Citizen Science: How Volunteers are Making a Difference and Birds, Birders, and Bias.
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each UNTAMED episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Episode 404: Land Management
As humans continue to move across and dominate the open landscapes of North America, transforming diverse native ecosystems into managed areas for crops, livestock, or even simply for aesthetics, our native resident and transient wildlife lose habitat. That is why it is up to all of us—landowners and managers, farmers, and homeowners—to make decisions to oversee a multi-use landscape, one which both wildlife and humans can utilize for the benefit of all.
Learn More About Episode 404:
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our staff and guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
- Kathryn and Tony Everett, Chancellors Rock Farm
- Devin Floyd, Center for Urban Habitats
- Jordan Herring, Virginia Department of Forestry
- Brent Wills, Bramble Hollow Farm and Virginia Association for Biological Farming
- Dr. Eric Wiseman, Virginia Tech
Inside the Episode
- Interested in working on your own property, creating backyard habitats and corridors? If you’re unsure where to start, read one of the Wildlife Center’s book club selections, Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Doug Tallamy. Our book clubbers were inspired by this manageable approach to transforming lawns into useful habitats! There are many online resources that walk homeowners through building a wildlife corridor in their own backyards. Corridors help wildlife “connect the dots” with enough critical resources with food, water, shelter, and places to breed.
- Fire management is an important part of managing our landscape; learn more about wildfire prevention as well as how the Department of Forestry and Department of Wildlife Resources are using “good fire” and prescribed fire to help restore habitat. These methods are particularly useful for creating early successional habitat for a wide variety of native wildlife species.
- Understand where your food comes from—find a local farmer’s market near you, learn what’s in season for your area, and learn more about farms near you that utilize biological farming practices.
- Learn more about trees (and other nature) in the city—ways that make our urban environments healthier, more climate-resilient, and just better for our brains! Learn more about toolkits and other ways to get started in your own city. If you're in Virginia, learn more at the Virginia Tech Urban and Community Forestry Program, Virginia Dept. of Forestry Urban and Community Forestry Program, and Trees Virginia.
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each Untamed episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Episode 405: Invasive Species
Although world ecosystems are in danger from a whole host of varied and distinct threats, there are few issues more difficult to tackle or more complex to understand than invasive species control. These species arrive in an ecosystem in which they are not native and have not evolved, with no existing space within the habitat. Invasive species may outcompete, overtake, or cause general harm and disruption to their new ecosystems. Elimination and control is a necessary part of conservation, everywhere from Virginia to the world’s most remote island.
Learn More About Episode 405:
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our staff and guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
Inside the Episode
According to the National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC), “Invasive species are plants, animals, or pathogens that are non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm.” Learn what determines if a species is invasive on the NISIC website.
Learn more about some of the problematic invasive species in this episode:
- Spotted Lanternflies: These agricultural pests are causing serious problems in a variety of crops and currently have been found in 11 states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Learn how dogs are helping to sniff out the problem!
- Japanese Stiltgrass: This aggressively invasive plant is found in nearly every county in Virginia and is impacting food availability and resources for native plants and animals.
- Zebra mussels: These organisms are considered one of the most destructive invasive species in North America; they've been detected in a variety of moss ball products intended for use in aquariums.
Love gardening? Make sure you choose native plants! The National Wildlife Federation and National Audubon Society both have a native plants database, perfect for finding suggestions for your immediate area. And don't forget to play the Wildlife Center of Virginia's pollinator bingo—each card is designed for specific regions throughout the United States, with only native plants listed.
Learn more about particularly problematic invasive species in your state, along with what you can do. Many agencies have tools for reporting invasive species -- a nice way to get involved in citizen science, too! In Virginia, check out the Virginia Invasive Species Working Group and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Map and Report. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has more information on the "most wanted" invasive species in our state. Wildlife trafficking is also a very problematic issue, which can help further the spread of invasive species.
Remember, prevention can be a critical first step in managing invasive species. If you have an unwanted pet—including fish, reptiles, and amphibians—don't let it loose! Responsible pet ownership means protecting animals and the environment. If you're backpacking, paddling, caving, or having other outdoor recreational adventures, visit PlayCleanGo and take action.
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each UNTAMED episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Episode 406: Protecting our Watersheds
Water is the great architect of Earth and a defining factor for the location and movement of life on this planet. Without water, our world would look very different; without the watersheds which capture, coalesce, move, and recycle water throughout a natural system, human and wildlife habitats would not be the same. Freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes are some of the most heavily utilized and pressured natural systems on the planet; these critical habitats that have taken the brunt of negative human actions for years. Now, more than ever, we must learn to safeguard our watersheds for the protection of all life that depend on them.
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
Inside the Episode
Just what is a watershed? Take a deep dive into the water from the mountains to the bay in this VPM article.
The Clean Water Act was established in 1972 for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. 2022 marks the 5-year anniversary! Learn more about this important piece of legislation, and take an even deeper dive into the EPA’s Watershed Academy for webcasts, learning modules, and other resources.
Do you know what watershed you live in? Check out Know your Watershed and learn more about your particular region on this interactive website. Continue your exploration in Project Wet’s interactive website, and use this runoff simulation website to see how your actions at home affect your watershed. Your local soil and water conservation districts are also an excellent way to get involved and learn more about your particular area. In our Chesapeake Bay watershed? Check out this new collaborative project that shows the changes in land use and land cover throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Depending on your particular home habitat, there are a number of ways you can help your watershed.
- Have land near a waterway? Plant a riparian buffer to protect water quality.
- If you have cattle on your property, fence them out of waterways to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution.
- Help your home "soak up the rain" and reduce runoff from your property.
- Take advantage of designated hazardous waste days in your community to properly dispose of paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides.
- Remember to scoop the poop! Picking up waste from your dog helps overall water quality in your community. It's a small act that makes a big difference!
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each UNTAMED episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Episode 407: Pollinators
Pollinators are a vital part of our world and are essential for creating and maintaining habitats that many animals – including us! – rely on for food and shelter. The diversity of pollinators in a particular area is a key indicator of the health of an overall ecosystem. Unfortunately, many pollinators are in trouble, with populations declining significantly around the world. This episode highlights the importance and function of pollinators, with an emphasis on what we can do in our homes and communities to ensure the survival of these important species.
This episode won a Bronze Telly award in 2023!
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our staff and guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
- Amber Buck, Wildlife Center of Virginia
- Jason Hallacher, Shenandoah Valley Beekeepers Association
- T’ai Roulston, State Arboretum of Virginia and University of Virginia Environmental Sciences Department
- Leslie Sturges, Bat Conservation & Rescue of Virginia
- Stacey Moulds, Virginia Department of Transportation Pollinator Habitat Program
Inside the Episode
This episode ties together many themes discussed this season of UNTAMED—the importance of eliminating invasive species and going native, making changes to help the health of our watersheds, and choosing sustainable ways to manage the land around us.
Pollinator habitats start with native plants that are specific to your area!
- Need recommendations? If you’re in Virginia, check out the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Native Plant Finder. The National Wildlife Federation and National Audubon Society also have native plant databases, perfect for finding suggestions for your immediate area.
- In the fall and winter, leave seed heads and leaves to help wildlife. Leaves and winter seed heads not only feed wildlife and provide habitat but also complete an important cycle for next year’s growth!
Learn more about pollinating bats in one of the previous Wildlife Center book club selections, The Secret Lives of Bats by Merlin Tuttle.
Driving through Virginia? Take a break at one of the VDOT pollinator gardens featured in this episode.
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each UNTAMED episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
Episode 408: Wild Winter Worlds
How do wildlife survive the tougher winter months? With cold temperatures and fewer food resources, the winter season can be challenging for a variety of wild animals. Some animals migrate to different areas, some hunker down for a long winter’s nap, and some simply continue their daily activities. This episode highlights how a variety of wildlife species adapt to winter and discusses a number of additional challenges wildlife face due to their human neighbors—including issues like climate change. Learn how we can minimize our impact on wildlife in an already difficult time of year.
Learn More About Episode 408:
Featured Guests
A special thanks to all of our staff and guests in this episode of UNTAMED!
- Steve Living, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Michael Adkins, Wildlife Center of Virginia
- Kelsey Pleasants, Wildlife Center of Virginia
- Jeremy Hoffman, Science Museum of Virginia
Inside the Episode
Wildlife species are adapted differently for the winter weather. Some may stay put and remain active year-round, while others may hunker down and hibernate or brumate. Other species may simply leave the area for the season and return in the spring. Learn more about Virginia wildlife in winter:
- Interested in which birds migrate and which are year-round residents? Check out the Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
- Watch episode 211 of UNTAMED to take a deeper dive into the world of bird migration. In Virginia, we have many bird species that migrate to Central and South America every winter, but we also have many species, including Bald Eagles, that migrate to Virginia!
- Does sleeping through winter sound appealing? Learn more here about the nuances of hibernation vs. brumation vs estivation.
As our climate continues to change, we're learning more about how this impacts wildlife and their habitats:
- Emerging research suggests that some species of birds are laying eggs as much as a month earlier.
- Warming waters could pose problems for species like the brook trout -- who rely on healthy cold water streams.
- Emerging wildlife diseases and pathogens are other factors that affect humans, animals, and the environment.
Interested in learning more about how to help wildlife in winter? While many people want to help wildlife find food resources, one of the best things you can do is skip the food handouts and provide habitat. The Department of Wildlife Resources has more information on providing habitats in a variety of landscapes.
For Classrooms
Take the learning experience for your classroom or student group one step further with our specialized activity packets. These interactive resources combine summative reading sheets with writing and critical thinking exercises related to the topics and themes covered in each UNTAMED episode. Each page is designed to be used individually or as a complete workbook, making this activity packet perfect for educators looking to customize the lessons that can be learned from UNTAMED.
What You Can Do
Each episode of UNTAMED leaves viewers with steps all of us can take to help protect wildlife and the environment.
