Everyday Environment Podcast

When people think about ‘contaminants of emerging concern’ in our waters, it sounds like a scary, complicated thing. But in truth, it’s not. There are a number of things in our everyday lives that can pollute our water –  even medicine, clothing, and what we use to keep our homes safe and beautiful can become contaminants. In this podcast episode, we’ll discuss how to keep these everyday materials...

Illinois RiverWatch is a statewide community science (i.e. citizen science) program that trains volunteers to monitor water quality in their local streams. Learn how volunteers across the state use small water bugs, called macroinvertebrates, to look at stream health. Check out the blog post on this topic for more information. Illinois RiverWatch: Check out upcoming volunteer trainings and subscri...

Watersheds are everywhere, adjusting and reforming all the time - they are not static. Watersheds are a reflection of natural and human activities: as activities change so do watersheds as well as the waterways within them. Whatever happens upstream goes downstream. Hear from State Hydrologist and Interim Director of the Illinois State Water Survey, Laura Keefer, about how movement of water and se...

Preview what to expect from season two of Everyday Environment. Abigail, Erin, and Amy give listeners a peak behind the scenes of how the podcast is produced and what to expect in our upcoming season on water. Subscribe to our Newsletter Check out our Blog See the Everyday Environment Archives

In the final episode of our Everyday Environment season focused on climate change, we chat with Duane Friend, Illinois Extension Climate Change Specialist to explore practical ways to get involved in climate action. Whether you're looking to make a difference in your own life or in your community, we discuss climate solutions that fit your lifestyle, share inspiring community success stories, and...

This week we welcome guests Sue Gasper and Gemini Bhalsod with Illinois Extension to chat about composting and how we can use this process to divert food waste from the landfill, where it often releases greenhouse gases as it decomposes, into backyard composts that reduce the greenhouse gases released. Join us to explore how to compost, its benefits, and its challenges. Learn more on the Everyday...

This week we’re joined by Dennis Bowman, Extension Digital Agriculture Specialist with Illinois Extension. Our team was fascinated by our discussion with Dennis about agrivoltaics and University of Illinois’ major research project within this field.  Discover what agrivoltaics is all about, why agricultural land is such an attractive target for solar development, and the challenges and opportuniti...

This week we’re joined by Sarah Sellars, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Sustainable Farm and Food Systems at South Dakota State University. We’re chatting with Sarah about agricultural carbon markets and their potential as one piece of the puzzle to meeting climate goals. Learn more on the blog .  Resources to learn more:   The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities   Voluntar...

Join us this week as we chat with Peggy Anesi about her career in empowering youth about climate change. By keeping it local and empowering them with realistic options for addressing climate change, we can build a citizenry that is equipped face the many challenges presented by our changing climate. 

This week we’re chatting with Elena Grossman from GTI Energy about how climate change is impacting us – our health and our communities – and what we can do about it. We’ll discuss existing health concerns that are exacerbated by climate change, leading to overall increased risk of health issues. Elena will break down how climate change affects different populations disproportionately. Then, we’ll...

Join us as we talk with Brodie Dunn, Outreach Associate in Biodiversity and Pollinators for Illinois Extension, about how pollinators are expected to respond to climate change. Learn more on the blog .  Resources to learn more:   If you’d like to hear more from Brodie, check out his wildlife sound ID podcast “ Voice of the Wild ” Pollinator-friendly garden designs can be found at  https://illinois...

This week we welcome Chris Evans to the podcast. Chris is an Extension Forestry and Research Specialist with Illinois Extension based in southern Illinois. We chat about what invasive species are, how their characteristics may make them more resilient to climate change, and what we can do to help slow their spread. Learn more on the blog . Resources for learning more: iNaturalist - tool for identi...

This week we chat with Michelle Wander, Emeritus Soil Scientist in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences department at University of Illinois. We go belowground to explore the importance of soil health, threats to that health, and practices to mitigate negative impacts on soil. Learn more on the blog .  Helpful resources for homeowners:  Soils website from Illinois Extension Web Soil Su...

This week we welcome Justin Vozzo to the podcast. Justin is an Extension Forestry Specialist with Illinois Extension based in Urbana, and he shares with us what an urban forest is and how they play a role in mitigating climate change. Learn more on the Everyday Environment Blog .

Join us as we chat with Karla Griesbaum, NREE Educator with Illinois Extension, about how plants are expected to respond to climate change. While plants may experience some short-term benefits, overall increased stress is expected for plants with our changing climate. Take a listen as we discuss all things plants and climate change! Learn more on the Everyday Environment blog .   Resources for lea...

Join us as we talk with Dr. Justin Schoof about the basics of climate change and what we are already seeing happen in Illinois. Justin is the Director of the School of Earth Systems and Sustainability at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. We’ll break down climate change, discuss current trends, and talk about what it all means for the future. Learn more on the Everyday Environment blog . 

Welcome to the new Everyday Environment Podcast! Your hosts Abigail, Erin, and Amy are here to talk all about the switch from Spotlight on Natural Resources to a new podcast, Everyday Environment. But wait, there's more! No longer just a podcast, we have more learning opportunities for you, including a blog, webinars, and short videos. Take a listen to hear about our plans for this podcast, and st...

Join us as we talk with Sarah Zack, Pollution Prevention Extension Specialist, about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Commonly found in a wide variety of consumer products like non-stick cookware, cosmetics, and cleaners, PFAS are an emerging contaminant that has recently become newsworthy due to its widespread discovery in waterbodies across the country. In this podcast episode, we’l...

Clam, Mollusk, Mussel, or Muscle? Let's unravel the mystery! Join us in this podcast episode as we delve into the captivating world of Illinois freshwater mussels. Whether you're gliding along a river or strolling by a stream, the remarkable underwater life beneath the surface may surprise you. These unsung heroes play a vital role in purifying our aquatic ecosystems and deliver Oscar-worthy perfo...

Join us as we chat with Kerri Taylor from Safe Electricity about tips for electrical safety month. We cover electrical safety tips for our homes and yards, as well as tips to talk about with your kids.

These Illinoisians and ecology-minded podcast hosts discuss the nuances of No Mow May and why it may not be the best fit for Illinois. Erin, Amy, and Abigail talk about the true goals behind No May May and how Illinois residents can achieve those goals when considering the ecology of our landscapes. Check out our friends at Good Growing and their blog on No Mow May

Join the Spotlight on Natural Resources Podcast team for a Research Bite!   Within each Research Bite segment, we delve into groundbreaking research conducted at University of Illinois, offering listeners exclusive insights into the innovative discoveries and advancements shaping the future of applied science.  During this episode, we hear from the student Bird Strike Survey at University of Illin...

The cicadas are emerging, times two! Join us as we explore the upcoming periodical cicada emergence in Illinois with entomologist Kacie Athey. In this episode, we discuss the 17-year and 13-year life cycle of these insects, their impact on the local ecosystem, and what Illinois residents can expect during this natural event.  Visit these sites to learn more about Periodical Cicadas:  Community Sci...

Dive into the swirling world of tornado trends in Illinois with our latest podcast episode. Join us as we explore how a tornado forms, the recent patterns of tornado occurrences in the Prairie State, and what you can do to improve your resiliency to tornado hazards.  Come away with a deeper understanding of this powerful natural phenomenon. Learn more! Tornado Trends (blog article) Is Illinois a p...

Early spring is a wonderful time to view wildlife in Illinois. Woodcock, one of the earliest of the migrating birds, return to the state and start displaying to attract mates and set up territories. Mole salamanders will head to breeding pools, even when ice is still on. Crawfish frogs and spring peepers can be heard in full chorus on warm nights. Whitetail deer lose their antlers. This month on t...