This week we chat with Peggy Anesi, Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator for Illinois Extension in northern Illinois. Peggy brings a wealth of experience in environmental education and shares her experiences working to engage different audiences all about water. From Watershed Stewards to a Paddle and Learn program to youth educational offerings, Peggy discusses the importance of engaging communities at multiple levels to become advocates for clean water in their communities. Chec...
May 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 160
In this episode of Everyday Environment , hosts Amy and Abigail explore the puzzle of water pricing with guest Margaret Schneemann, Water Resource Economics Specialist with Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. From aging infrastructure and economic planning to affordability and policy decisions, Margaret helps piece together the many factors that influence what we pay for water. Tune in for a deep dive into the hidden systems—and tough choices—behind every drop from your tap. Resou...
May 15, 2025•45 min•Ep. 159
While the City of Chicago and many of its surrounding communities have access to water from Lake Michigan, the rest of Northeast Illinois relies primarily on groundwater aquifers for all its drinking water. These groundwater aquifers provide a wide range of opportunities for drinking water…as well as a variety of challenges. Tune in as we talk to Scott Kuykendall , McHenry County Water Resource Specialist, about our water resources. You'll learn all about Illinois geology, its aquifers, and what...
May 08, 2025•52 min•Ep. 158
This week we chat with Kara Salazar from Purdue Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant about how communities approach sustainable development around their water resources. Kara discusses the challenges of managing stormwater, green infrastructure solutions like bioswales and permeable pavements, how you can become involved in learning more about your community’s water, and how climate change is impacting water resource planning. Check out our blog on this topic here . Resources: EDEN – Extensi...
May 01, 2025•34 min•Ep. 157
The history books often referred to the reversal of the Chicago River as an engineering marvel, but how did they do it? Why did they do it? and Why is it important to learn about it? Join Phil Nicodemus from Urban Rivers as he discusses the history of the Chicago River and the historical and current work done on the Chicago River to support humans and biodiversity. To read about it, check out the Everyday Environment Blog Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Abigail Garofalo aeg9@illinois.edu ...
Apr 24, 2025•54 min•Ep. 156
Join the Everyday Environment team as we chat with Layne Knoche, Stormwater Outreach Associate, to explore the importance of rain gardens and how they help manage stormwater, support biodiversity, and improve water quality. We chat about some good design tips and ideas, the basic make-up of a rain garden and spend some extra time really diving into our obsession with native plants. Resources mentioned in the pod: CoCoRaHS community science project Red Oak Rain Garden Red Oak Rain Garden Resource...
Apr 17, 2025•56 min•Ep. 155
Everybody has a part to play in protecting the valuable resource that is water. So what is the part of farmers? As producers of our food, fiber, and fuel, farmers are essential to our economy, our plates, and our way of life. Learn from Rachel Curry about the options farmers have to protect water quality and the challenges they face in doing so. Check out the blog post on this topic for more information. Resources: Check out Illinois Extension’s nutrient loss reduction website to learn more abou...
Apr 10, 2025•31 min•Ep. 154
From the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan, Illinois’ waters are incredible environmental and economic resources, supporting a diversity of plants and animals, providing drinking water for millions of people, and allowing for transportation and recreation. However, aquatic invasive species can threaten these resources. These organisms cause harm to native species and collectively costing humans millions of dollars annually in impacts and control. Join the Everyday Environment team as they chat ...
Apr 03, 2025•47 min•Ep. 153
In this episode, we talk with Eliana Brown, Water Quality and Stormwater Specialist with University of Illinois Extension. Eliana explains how we can do simple things that improve lakes and rivers and why it's important to do so. This podcast complements Extension's Stormwater@Home video series. With Eliana, we define stormwater, explore the challenges and solutions of stormwater management, and discuss innovative technologies being implemented within Illinois communities. Erin and Amy both serv...
Mar 27, 2025•53 min•Ep. 152
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 from becoming something that pollutes our water. Check out the blog post on this topic for more info...
Mar 20, 2025•37 min•Ep. 151
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 subscribe to their newsletter Podcast: The Science Behind Fall Color, Good Growing . Abigail mentioned this...
Mar 13, 2025•40 min•Ep. 150
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 sediment in a watershed shows we all live downstream. Check out the blog post on this topic for more i...
Mar 06, 2025•36 min•Ep. 149
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...
Feb 28, 2025•12 min•Ep. 148
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 help you navigate conversations about climate change. We also highlight the Illinois Extension Clima...
Oct 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 147
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 Environment blog ....
Oct 17, 2024•39 min•Ep. 146
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 opportunities that arise when combining agriculture and renewable energy. We'll also discuss how researchers are...
Oct 09, 2024•39 min•Ep. 145
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 Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles...
Oct 02, 2024•29 min•Ep. 144
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.
Sep 24, 2024•43 min•Ep. 143
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 discuss solutions that could be implemented in our communities through the built environment, social...
Sep 19, 2024•42 min•Ep. 142
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://illinoispollinators.org/pollinator-habitat-design/ and https://illinoispollinators.org/pollinator-plant-selector...
Sep 12, 2024•43 min•Ep. 141
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 identification and reporting EDDMapS - tool for reporting where you see invasives and looking at up to dat...
Sep 05, 2024•42 min•Ep. 140
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 Survey UC Davis SoilWebs App Helpful resources for farmers: Idea Farm Network Midwest Cover Crops Counci...
Aug 29, 2024•41 min•Ep. 139
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 .
Aug 22, 2024•35 min•Ep. 138
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 learning more: Explore carbon levels across the globe Learn about how plants experience heat stress Clima...
Aug 14, 2024•40 min•Ep. 137
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 ....
Aug 07, 2024•53 min•Ep. 136
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 stay tuned for the launch of our first season on August 8, all about climate change. Learn more at go....
Jul 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 135
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’ll learn what PFAS are, where they are found, and how they can affect our health, as well as what’s b...
Jun 20, 2024•30 min•Ep. 134
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 performances in their struggle for survival. Discover how they interact with other aquatic species, inclu...
Jun 06, 2024•24 min•Ep. 133
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.
May 23, 2024•24 min•Ep. 132
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
May 09, 2024•40 min•Ep. 131
