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Description

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.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Project Understory podcast

Canoeing Adventure

2025/05/09

A relaxing canoe trip turns into a rolling adventure full of twists and turns. Find out what happens when laughter turns to panicked screams.

Dinner in the Dark

2025/05/08

A routine night shift turns into a wild encounter at an Australian animal sanctuary.

Urban Eyes: A Birding Origin Story

2025/05/07

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 transformed how she sees the natural world—both in the forest and back home in the city. Join Rae as she reflects on how awareness can open our eyes to the wildlife around us, one bird at a time.

The Curious Case of the Flying Flock

2025/05/06

This episode follows the story of a child curious about bird migration and his journey on becoming a nature detective and solving his case

The Importance of Trees

2025/03/21

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.

Reflections From a Summit

2024/12/18

In this episode, Kate shares how a mountain summit inspired her to engage in all the fleeting opportunities that life has to offer.

Falling in Love With Kayaking

2024/12/16

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".

A Raccoon Took My Mallows

2024/12/15

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.

Backpacking the Porcupine Mountains

2024/12/14

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.

Apostle Islands

2024/12/13

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.

Spark Bird

2024/10/30

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.

Too Close for Comfort

2023/12/14

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 mama and her cubs. As Nate mentions, make sure you know what wildlife are in your area before your next walk!

Peak Memories

2023/12/11

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.

Yellowstone: Making a Lasting Impact

2023/05/18

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.

Not All Camping Trips Go as Planned

2023/05/05

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!