By Heather Bell
When schools closed for the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, retired Radford High School biology
teacher started producing Facebook Live videos featuring different subjects from the local natural world.
After six months on the Facebook platform, Taylor launched Nature at Your Door, a YouTube channel
that continued his mission of “engaging children and families in learning about Nature/Biology/Life
science that is just outside your door,” Taylor explains on his channel.
Taylor, who has been an educator for 40 years, says his videos are designed to be fun and engaging but
also teach some serious science. Subjects include everything from the origin of the use of Frasier Firs as
Christmas trees to red-backed salamanders, black snakes versus rattle snakes, assassin beetles, lady bugs,
fungi and more.
“My videos are created to inspire and stimulate curiosity and discussion between children, families and
teachers,” he said.
Recently, Taylor received his official congratulations from YouTube for reaching 10,000 subscribers,
and today he has surpassed 12,000 subscribers and is close to reaching one million views on his 160-plus
videos. He said the experience has been life-changing and enriching.
“I have made new friends and message with people from around the world everyday,” he said earlier this
week. “I respond personally to every single comment I get, and answer every question to the best of my
ability.”
“I like thinking this is my new classroom, beyond the confines of public school cinder block walls,” he
continued. “It is such a privilege to me to meet and interact with people around the world! The comments
have been overwhelmingly positive. I still can’t get over or comprehend people thanking me for sharing
and making videos. I can even articulate how much that means to me.”
The YouTube platform has given him worldwide reach.
“I have heard from indigenous peoples inside the Arctic Circle, compared centipedes with folks in
Nigeria, discussed harvesting stink bugs to eat in India, Osage Orange occurring in Australia, water
conservation in Kenya and so much more on a daily basis. It’s incredibly rewarding and fascinating and
enriching for me.”
Comments from subscribers show how much the channel means to viewers.
“This is my first video of yours that I’ve watched,” writes one commentator. “I love how you really dive
into what you are focusing on and help explain as much as you can where anyone can understand. You
keep your audience engaged. I would have loved to have you as a teacher in high school or a professor in
college.”
“Thank you for this wonderful, educational video,” writes another. “You do a great job bringing your
passion and enthusiasm to all your videos. I would love to learn more about subjects like this. Maybe
invasive species and what we can do about them. Thank you again for what you do.”
“I loved your intro,” says another subscriber. “Your smile can light up a room. I enjoyed learning from
you.”
The channel even has Nature at Your Door merchandise, or “merch” as it is called colloquially, including
tee-shirts, mugs, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags and more. Taylor said these days, “when I find something
new I can’t wait to complete the video and tell the story!”
“Best of all, I am doing and sharing what I love most – nature.”
Taylor’s YouTube channel can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fvx_fwuQ2E or by
logging into YouTube and searching Nature At Your Door Frank Taylor.
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