KMSU Every Day Is Earth Day

Nov. 12, 2026 - Think you can't afford solar? Think again. Non-profit organization Bright Saver, led by Co-founder and Co-CEO Cora Stryker is working to capture audiences who think they can't afford renewable energy. It could be as easy as going to your local box store an ordering a plug-in appliance to bring solar energy to your home. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Stryker about the new plug-...

October 5, 2026 - The Land Stewardship Project is dedicated to creating transformational change in our food and farming systems. EDED host Karen Wright spoke with Brian Devore, communications coordinator of the Land Stewardship Project of what it will take to change policy and processes to move toward regenerative farming systems.

October 29, 2026 - Two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to climate change , threatening their long-term survival as the planet overheats. EDED Host Karen Wright spoke with Al Batt, a naturalist, writer, and humorist from Hartland, Minnesota, about how climate change and environmental shifts impact wildlife, particularly birds and local ecosystems.

Oct. 15, 2026 - The public is invited to a free community event to be held on Sat. Oct. 24, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Minnesota State University, Mankato. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Coalition of Care members Paul Prew and Deb Groebner who are co-chairing the event titled, "Co-designing a Coalition of Care: A Gathering for Collaborative Action in Greater Mankato." The gathering is for any indi...

October 8, 2026 - If you regularly listen to "Every Day is Earth Day", you are likely someone who cares about clean energy. If so, the CERTs program is for you. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Jennifer Lindahl, Southeast MN CERT Coordinator, and Keely Rau, CERT Statewide Ambassador Program manager. Learn how you can gain access to the knowledge and skills needed to help others meaningfully part...

Oct. 1, 2026 - The South Central Minnesota Clean Energy Council is hosting its 2nd Annual Mankato Area Solar & Clean Energy Tour on Sat. Oct. 3, 1-4 pm. Meet at the Blue Earth County Library at 1 pm for locations and travel via Car-avan. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Sabri Fair, Chair of the South Central Minnesota Clean Energy Council about the tour and about ideas to be more energy effi...

September 24, 2026 - "Thriving with Electrified Lives: Recharge Mankato Roadmap" is a presentation that will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, 6:30 pm at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 501 2nd St. Mankato, by Kirk Brown, a founding member of Recharge America. EDED host Karen Wright talks with Kirk about the benefits of electrification for Mankato and how our community is a leader in this area...

Sept. 17, 2026 - It's the epitome of learning about ways to save our environment. It's "Zero Waste Day in the Park", on Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 am to 1 pm, at the Sibley Park Pavilion, Mankato. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Mankato Area Zero Waste volunteers Jane Dow and Stephanie Putzier about the many activities at the event - including a clothing swap, a fix-it clinic, clothing repair, elec...

September 10, 2026 - GreenSeam is an ag-focused regional economic development initiative based in Mankato, Minnesota. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Holly Callaghan, GreenSeam Economic Development Specialist about the organization and the importance of agriculture in Southern Minnesota and how it can be sustainable and resilient in today's environment.

September 3, 2026 - A must-see at the Minnesota State Fair in 2026 are the new displays at the MPCA's Eco Experience. Britt Gangeness, Environmental Education & Outreach Supervisor, shares the history of clean-up efforts of the mighty Mississippi over the past 100 years and how you can learn more through this year's Eco-Experience theme, "A River Runs Through Us."  EDED Host Karen Wright share...

August 28, 2926 - Community members are invited to share their thoughts in a community-wide energy survey to help identify energy priorities and strategies that support energy savings and renewables for the City of North Mankato. EDED Host Karen Wright spoke with North Mankato City Planner Matt Lassonde about the survey for the community to provide input to help inform the development of energy st...

August 13, 2026  - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has just released its Impaired MN Waters List. The good news: several waters have been removed from that list, but much more work remains to be done as there are nearly 3,000 impaired lakes, rivers and streams which are considered impaired in the state. EDED Host Karen Wright spoke with MPCA Watershed Project Manager Amy Timm about the rece...

August 8, 2026 - Green River Greening representative will be at Schell's Brewery in New Ulm tonight (Aug. 8) to discuss innovative tools and science-backed conservation practices the non-profit is working on in Southern Minnnesota, including BioChar, Kernza and silvopasture. Every Day is Earth Day Host Karen Wright visited with Jennifer Grommes, Greet River Greening's Southern MN Program Manager a...

July 30, 2026 - Arsenic has been found in 48 to 84% of wells in Southern Minnesota. Minnesota non-profit, Freshwater, has teamed up with Mayo Clinic and is using a grant to conduct free water testing for arsenic in eight counties in southern Minnesota. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Freshwater programs manager, Chyann Mosey, and Chris O'Brien, Public Affairs Director about the Rural Health and...

July 23, 2026 - Minnesota is experiencing an unprecedented and elevated fire risk due to an extended extreme heat wave, exceptionally dry conditions, and a severe lightning event that occurred earlier in the month. There are currently at least 25 active fires in northern Minnesota, requiring significant national and state support to manage incident objectives. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Wi...

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.