KMSU Every Day Is Earth Day

July 19, 2023 Climate Scientist, Dr. Heidi Roop, who is the director of the University of Minnesota's Climate Adaptation Partnership, talks about her research and how it drove her to write a new book, The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions for Everyone. The highly-rated book details actions to fight climate change.

July 6, 2023 The Friends of the Mississippi River organization has been around for decades. Executive Director Whitney Clark talks about the non-profits mission and what it has accomplished and how the public can get involved in preserving one of the state's greatest treasures.

June 28, 2023 The 2023 State Transportation Electrification Score Card evaluates U.S. states on their policies to encourage electric vehicle adoption. The American Council for an Energy--Efficient Economy (ACEEE)released the second edition which showed Minnesota dropped from 12th to 17th in the ranking, but still is a leader in the Midwest. Researcher Peter Huether explains.

June 22, 2023 We often think of weatherizing our homes to get ready for winter to save on energy costs. It's equally important to prepare for the summer cooling season. Minnesota Valley Action Council Energy Auditor, Brianna Parr-Baker, provides tips on saving energy and the new legislation which can provide rebates to save $$.

June 15, 2023 Just about anything with metal in it can be recycled. New Ulm Steel & Recycling Manager Rocky Bernard talks about the process and how you can earn some extra cash and prevent items containing metal from going into the landfill.

June 8, 2023 The legislature just passed an historic Climate Action framework last week totaling over $700 million for more than 40 climate initiatives in energy, environment, agriculture, health, transportation and construction. Frank Kohlasch, Asst. Commissioner of Air & Climate Policy talks about the significance of this new legislation.

May 18, 2023 The Living Earth Center in Mankato operates community gardens in a sustainable manner and takes into account social justice. LEC Director Laura Marsala Peterson talks about the expanding programs and special events to connect the community to the earth in a meaningful way.

May 4, 2023 New battery storage technology is helping make renewable energy sources like solar and wind power more attractive due to new technology. Excel Energy VP of Regulatory, Bria Shea, talks about iron-air batteries which can provide 100-hour, multi-day storage of energy.

May 11, 2023 Know your local farmer. Dan Zimmerli of Cedar Crate Farm near Waldorf talks about his sustainable produce and its availability at the local Farmer's Market. Zimmerli is on the board of the Mankato Farmers Market and provides insight into Farmer's Market Shopping 101.

Minnesota is reportedly the 8th Greenest State in the nation. WalletHub today (Wednesday) released its report on 2023's Greenest States. They compared the 50 states in terms of 25 key metrics that speak to the current health of the environment and residents' environmental-friendliness. WaletHub Analyst Jill Gonzalez explains.

April 20, 2023 It's Earth Week. Plastic pollution is a growing global environmental crisis. Mankato Area ZeroWaste Co-founder, Jane Dow, talks about this problem and how it impacting our environment and our health. Mankato ZeroWaste is a grassroots organization focused on reducing waste in all forms. This weekend, it is sponsoring a first-of-its-kind Styrofoam Recycling event.

April 13, 2023 The Recycling Partnership is a national non-profit solving for "circularity". Kathryn Huded, VP of Recyclability Solutions defines a circular economy and how The Recycling Partnership is working to address gaps in the U.S. Recycling System

April 6, 2023 Regenerative Poultry Farming. It's a "State of Mind" and is much different from how farming has typically been done. Internationally-renowned farming pioneer Reginald Haslett-Marroquin shares his model for regenerative poultry farming. He is keynote speaker, sponsored by the MNSU Water Resources Center, on Tues. April 11, 7-8:30 p.m. in Ostrander Auditorium.

March 30,2023 When it comes to water, there may be over 10,000 lakes, but it's all interconnected. That's why the state Board of Water & Soil Resources is supporting local governments in developing prioritized, targeted and measurable implementation plans to address the largest threats to water resources which provide the greatest environmental benefit. 1W1P Coordinator, Julie Westerlund expla...

March 23, 2023 How does Climate Change exacerbate flood risk and what should Congress do?  Shana Udvardy, Dr. Climate Resiliency Policy Analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists talks about the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Spring weather outlook and the recently released UN Climate Report.

March 9, 2023  Stephanie Dorman, National Program Director for Recharge America discusses the state of electric vehicles in the U.S. and the upcoming Mobilizing Minnesota Symposium sponsored by Recharge Minnesota. She discusses why Minnesota is a leader in this area - because of Recharge Minnesota.

March 9, 2023 Is my home a candidate to have solar panels installed? Megan Spears, Project Manager at All Energy Solar talks about how to find out if you could benefit from solar energy on your home or business. It's a long-term investment she says will pay for itself.

March 2, 2023 No Mow May is on the Way! How can you create a resilient lawn to protect the bees and other pollinators so essential to a healthy ecosystem? KMSU'S Karen Wright talks with Becky Rice with the BlueThumb/Metro Blooms organization, a non-profit devoted to improving water quality and protecting the environment. Included are ideas on where to get seed and plants, as well as on-line resour...

Feb. 9, 2023 Madison, Minnesota Regenerative farming pioneer Carmen Fernholz shares insights on his decades  of experience with organic farming.  Fernholz is the 2022 winner of the "Organic  Pioneer Award" from the Rodale Institute. He spoke at MNSU on behalf of the Water Resources Center on Feb. 9, 2023.

Your questions answered about whether to join a Community Solar Garden.  Feb. 2, 2023 Can you save money by subscribing to a Community Solar Garden? Minnesota Morning host Karen Wright wanted to learn more how it works, so she talked with Timothy Denherder-Thomas and Toya Lopez from Community Energy Futures (CEF). CEF is a new solar garden cooperative seeking subscribers in the Blue Earth County/M...

Jan. 26, 2023 Dr. Luca Zullo, senior director of science and technology at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute explains anaerobic digestion, its benefits and how it can be used for renewable energy. With the updates in technology to harvest gas from manure, sewage, food and other waste, Zullo says anaerobic digestion could become a bigger player in renewable energy.

Jan. 19, 2022 Trees and Shrubs are being affected by climate change, and that means we are going to have to make new choices when selecting their replacements. U of MN Extension agroforestry educator Gary Wyatt talks about what trees and shrubs look favorable for Minnesota in the future, and how a new list for tree and shrub recommendations for Minnesota is being developed.

January 12, 2023 Sabri Fair was among a delegation from Region Nine who participated in a week-long learning exchange in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.  Fair talks about the exchange which provided an opportunity for the two groups to share ideas on creating inclusive communities and climate initiatives as both regions work towards a welcoming, clean energy economy.

Dec. 28, 2022 What can one person do to protect the environment? Retired Minnesota State Mankato Professor Lee Tesdell is doing plenty on "Tesdell Century Farm" in Polk County, Iowa. He has embraced new farming methods to conserve the environment; improve water quality, added solar power;  drives an electric car, and more. Tesdell says it's never too late to change your ways to  help the earth.