Audio Recording

Tancig, M.*¹,
¹ EA I - Comm & Res Hort, UF/IFAS Leon Co. Extension, Tallahassee, FL, 32301

Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is a common interest story during the holiday season due to the lore surrounding it, yet many people are still unaware of its presence or biology. This native hemi-parasitic plant can commonly be found on hardwood trees and is a valuable food source for local wildlife. The objective of creating this audio recording was to provide science-based information regarding the biology of this common, yet often misunderstood, plant to a broad-range of public radio listeners.

As the UF/IFAS Extension Leon County Horticulture Agent, I provide evidence-based horticulture information to citizens of Leon County that reinforce the nine Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles. Through various educational materials and methods, such as conducting presentations, writing newspaper articles, and answering calls and emails, audio recordings for a radio audience are another way to reinforce promotion of science-based practices for sustainable landscape management, including increasing knowledge of local native plant species.

Evidence that this audio recording resulted in knowledge comes from several personal emails commenting on the timeliness of the piece and several comments from members of the public stating they enjoyed learning more about mistletoe.

I was contacted by the local public radio station (WFSU) to provide information about mistletoe and asked if I could participate in the production of a short video. I arrived at the radio station with necessary tools where I was interviewed and filmed on site. WFSU staff used the audio portion for an on-air news segment. WFSU staff did all the post-processing, editing, and playback of the audio recording. The recording was played during the local news segments on December 20, 2019 and posted to WFSU’s News webpage. At least one other local public radio station replayed the audio recording (WUSF on December 21, 2019). The audio recording can be heard here - https://news.wfsu.org/post/did-you-know-mistletoe-grows-trees-we-didnt-until-we-went-outside-and-looked.

WFSU radio reaches 70,400 listeners a week on four different channels that are broadcast in Tallahassee, Fl., Carrabelle, Fl., Panama City, Fl., and Thomasville, Ga.