KMSU Every Day Is Earth Day

July 9, 2026 - Minnesota's Prairies are in severe decline, with less than 1% of their original 18 million acres remaining today. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Eric Steinmetz and Genevieve Miles, both with "Save the Kasota" Prairie about on-going efforts to preserve this important resource. The group is hosting its annual meeting on Tues. July 14, 6 pm at the Caledonia Curling Club in Mankato...

July 2, 2026 - The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is rallying for pollinator conservation by building relationships through its new Center for Pollinator Conservation. The new (and first) director of the center, Nicole Alt, talked with EDED host Karen Wright about the organization's effort  to address the declining pollinator populations in the nation, as well as discusses practical tips the averag...

June 18, 2026 - The application period has just opened for a new MN Dept. of Agriculture program designed to encourage producers to implement sustainable agricultural practices with known, quantifiable greenhouse gas emission reductions. EDED host Karen Wright spoke with Megan Moland, Conservation Programs Administrator for the MN Water Quality Certification Program, about the Climate-friendly Agr...

June 11, 2026 - The USA wastes nearly 40% of its food supply, amounting to around 60 million tons per year, or 325 pounds per person. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Tom Polich, Regional Food Rescue Coordinator at Reg. 9, about the unique program for rescuing tons of food in southern Minnesota.

May 28, 2026 -  Nutrient pollution from agriculture and other sources persists in many U.S. waterways, affecting both drinking water and the natural environment. Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, talked with a panel of experts on the issue: Dr. Gurpal Toor, University of Maryland, Dr. Vera Trainer, University of Washington, and Dr. Sandra McLellan, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

May 21, 2026 - As Climate is changing, the prevalence of wildfires is increasing across the world - with increasing heat, drought and winds - even in Minnesota. Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, spoke with Wildland Firefighter and founder of SAFE SOSS (a fire mitigation company), about ways to prepare for the upcoming fire season.

May 7, 2026 - Science and Environmental Groups sent a letter this week to ask the EPA and HHS to take emergency action as nitrate pollution in water has reached crisis levels. Karen Wright spoke with Dr. Stacy Woods, a co-author of the letter and the research director for the Food & Environment Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists about what action citizens can take this week to addres...

April 23, 2026 - The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 to overturn a 20-year ban on mining in the Superior National Forest, threatening to expose the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to potential pollution.   Karen Wright talked with Sam Chadwick, Associate Director of Save the Boundary Waters on what this vote means and how the state may need to step in to protect these pristine waters. 

April 9, 2026 - Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, talks with soil scientist, chef and author of Between Farm and Fork , Dr. Janell Ohletz about her journey from subsistence farming to culinary entrepreneurship and finding her  path to regenerative practices for Mother Earth.

April 16, 2026 - What can you put in your Recycling bin and your Waste bin? How do you know what goes in which bin? J Winkowski, WM Senior District Manager, Zach Anderson, WM District Manager for Mankato and Fairmont, and Taylor Piotter, Blue Earth County Waste & Recycling Planner take us on the journey from bin to new product, and how you can make the most of your recycling efforts.

April 8, 2026 - Dr. Janel Ohletz believes Earth is on life-support and we need to take steps to save it. EDED Host Karen Wright talks with Ohletz, as former chef and current soil scientist and author with expertise in regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems. She discusses the difference between regenerative and sustainable and ideas of what we can do to improve the health of the ecos...

March 19. 2026-The MPCA released a report that says the costs of not adapting to the warming climate are higher than if the state began to make necessary changes now. In addition, Hippo Insights released a similar study showing economic benefits for investing in a range of climate adaptation actions. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Hippo Insurance Home Insights representative Courtney Klosterma...

March 12, 2026 - PFAs are a group of thousands of human-made chemicals that do not break down over time. Every Day is Earth Day host Karen Wright talked with MPCA environmental scientist, Andria Kurbondski about PFAs which are found everywhere and are harmful to our health and the environment. Kubondski discussed plans to end nonessential use of PFAs in new products by 2032.

February 26, 2026 - The mount Simon- Hinckley aquifer spans south-central and southeastern Minnesota, providing essential water for over one-million people in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. EDED host Karen Wright talked with retired DNR Hydrologist, Jim Berg about the uses and abuses of the aquifer and actions we can take to protect it. 

Feb. 19, 2026 - Nitrogen management is crucial to climate change mitigation as well as reducing water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss. The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting free "Nitrogen Colleges" in Mankato (Feb. 25-26) and Hutchinson (Feb 23-24) for farmers to learn nitrogen management strategies to save money, improve crop results, learn new technologies and to mitigate cli...

Feb. 12, 2026 - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently completed two wetland quality surveys. EDED host, Karen Wright, talked with MPCA Wetlands Research Scientist Michael Bourdaghs who said the overall statewide outlook is encouraging in the 10+ years the organization has been doing this work, however, the news isn't as great for southern Minnesota wetlands. 

February 5, 2026 - What does the Winter OIympics look like in a warming world? Every Day is Earth Day host Karen Wright spoke with Climate Central's Senior Research Associate Kaitlyn Trudeau about the impact climate change will have on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. An analysis shows that climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is reshaping the conditions required for winter com...

January 29, 2026 - The South Central Minnesota Clean Energy Council is hosting an informational session about the North Mankato Data Center Lawsuit on Thurs. Jan. 29, 2026, 6:30 p.m. at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato. Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, spoke with Luke Norquist, an attorney with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) about Data Centers and...

January 22, 2026 - If you have a passion for recycling and managing waste, Blue Earth County's Waste & Recycling Department wants YOU! Karen Wright talks with Mark Manderfeld and Taylor Piotter about the establishment of a new Recycling and Waste Reduction Committee which will be made up of community members who provide insight into solid waste challenges in the county, and to provide addition...

Jan. 8, 2026 - Dr. Kim Cobb, an American Climate Scientist who is the director for the Institute of Environment and Society at Brown University provides a Year in Review to Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright. She discusses the good, the bad and the ugly. 

Dec. 18, 2025 - Salt deicing is crucial for winter safety but significantly harms the environment by polluting water, killing plants, damaging infrastructure and harming wildlife. The key is responsible application, according to MPCA Chloride Reduction coordinator, Brooke Asleson. KMSU's Karen Wright talks with Alsleson about alternatives to salt and how we can reduce its environmental toll.

December 11, 2025 -" Fix-It Clinics" will soon be coming to southern Minnesota thanks to Julie Dempster who is forming a non-profit that will support residents with repairing their items, reducing waste and sharing skills within the community. She talked with KMSU's Karen Wright about the need for individuals to volunteer their skills, businesses to provide support, and those  who wish to make rep...

December 4, 2025 - Noise is more than just a nuisance. Studies link noise pollution to higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues. Dr. Rick Neitzel, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan, shares his research on noise pollution with KMSU's Karen Wright, and discusses how you can protect yourself and reduce this type of pollution.

Nov. 20, 2025 - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently released the latest report on Minnnesota's Lake and Rivers Water Quality Trends. Minnesota Morning host, Karen Wright, talked with MPCA Surface Water Monitoring Manager, Kim Laing, about the results which showed some good news and areas that need improvement. The MPCA is seeking volunteers to help with the state's water monitoring pro...