Once in a blue moon

The next blue moon isn’t until May 2026, but luckily for you, you won’t have to wait that long to hear the Outside/In team answering listeners’ questions. This time, we’re exploring why blue moons are cool (or even what the heck a blue moon even is) and other seasonably appropriate curiosities.

• What’s all the fuss about a blue moon?

• Should we leave the leaves? (nhpr.org/environment/2024-11-22/outside-inbox-…)

• Which is a more sustainable choice: real or fake Christmas trees?

• What happens to Christmas tree stumps? (nhpr.org/environment/2024-12-06/outside-inbox-…)

• What does all that road salt do to the environment? (nhpr.org/environment/2024-12-20/outside-inbox-…)

Featuring Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Tim Gaudreau, Victoria Meert, and Sujay Kaushal.
Thanks to Outside/In listeners Zoe, Janet, Gio, Alexi, Prudence, Wendy, Mo, and Devon for their questions and contributions.

SUPPORT
Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In. (secure3.convio.net/nhpr/site/Donation2?df_id=4…)
Follow Outside/In on Instagram (instagram.com/outsideinradio) or join our private discussion group on Facebook (facebook.com/groups/304367553631852).

LINKS
Check out this study (nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/p…) on the long-term impacts of leaf litter removal in suburban yards.
Looking for a creative and cute way to keep leaves in your lawn or garden? Consider building a “bug snug.” (youtube.com/watch?v=NvNbs5I9ANI)
Read about the mad dash for salt (nytimes.com/2014/02/17/sports/olympics/emergen…) that rescued the 2014 Sochi Olympics’ ski events (NYT).
Learn more about the turn to beet juice and beer-based de-icers (apnews.com/article/science-bb34e41bb95a4dfa853…) to reduce the harm of excess salt to the environment (AP News)

CREDITS
Host: Nate Hegyi
Reported, produced, and mixed by Felix Poon, Justine Paradis, and Marina Henke.
Edited by Taylor Quimby, Rebecca Lavoie, and Justine Paradis.
Our staff includes Kate Dario.
Executive producer: Taylor Quimby
Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio
Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Jules Gaia, and Jharee.
Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.
Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio
Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).

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