Everyday Environment Podcast

ERNEST THOMPSON SETON -Naturalist

Which Plant Makes Me Sneeze? Goldenrod vs Ragweed

The end of summer is approaching and that means fall allergies will be ramping up. How many of us blame the beautiful yellow blooming plants on the roadsides for our allergies? Goldenrod gets all the blame, but ragweed is the culprit! Learn how to identify both plants and information about why one is an allergen and the other is not – hint, it has to do with pollination!

Invasive Plant Management

Description: Fall is the time to work on controlling woody invasive plants. While often associated with timber areas, woody invasive plants can be a problem along fence rows, native prairies, and even home landscapes. Join us to explore why fall management provides better control.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant

A “sea” focused program in the Midwest? Join us and learn not only how Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant got its name, but also how it’s connecting people with science to strengthen and preserve ecosystems and communities in southern Lake Michigan and beyond.

Wild Spring Babies

It is April so could we be seeing wildlife babies soon? Are wildlife of the same species born at the same time in Illinois? (the point of this question, or one like it, is to point out the length of our state and that wildlife births could differ because of timing of “spring”) What are the first considerations a person should have when they find what seems to be a wild baby animal in need? What is one of the most common wild species people are concerned about each spring? What are other animals ...

Landscape Water Conservation

Conserving water on your property is all reducing runoff and there are a lot of big and small ways you can do that. Learn ways you can do help improve water quality for yourself, your neighbors, and all Illinoisans.

Bird Feeding

Extension Educator Peggy Doty talks about how to select a good bird food seed mix, and selecting a bird feeder. She also corrects a couple of common misconceptions about feeding birds.

Bats

Bats have been at the top of news headlines with concerns about health and safety. Learn more about these creatures with Extension’s Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator, Abigail Garofalo, and find out why bats are important to our ecosystems, how we can stay safe around bats, and how we can support these flying mammals.

Disposal of Unwanted Medicine

Extension Educator Ashley Belle explains how you can help to protect our natural environment by properly disposing of unwanted medicines.

Toxic Algae in Illinois

There have been scattered reports of toxic algae blooms in some small ponds in Illinois. Extension Educator Duane Friend talks about what steps can be taken to prevent these in the future and how to know if your algae is toxic.

The Wonderful World of Wetlands

Today’s podcast is on Wetlands, with Erin Garrett. Wetlands provide numerous invaluable ecosystem services, yet their value is often overlooked. Seen as breeding grounds for mosquitos or places to be drained, historical wetland habitat loss in Illinois is about 85%. Luckily, the value of wetlands has been recognized in recent decades and work has been done to protect them.

Invasive Plant Species

In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources. Extension Educator Jay Solomon explains how invasive plant species affect ecosystems in Illinois and what to do when you recognize those plants in your yard or on your property.

Ecological Footprint

In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Extension Educator Ashley Belle explains how everyday choices have an effect on our Ecological Footprint. Everything from the places we live to the foods we eat directly impact our natural environment.

Home Energy Efficiency Tips

Extension Educator Erin Garrett describes how to save money on your Home Energy costs. She has tips about using energy saving thermostats and powering off equipment that isn’t actively being used.

Conservation Practices for Residential Properties

Now is a great time of year to be thinking about how to make your yard more environmentally friendly. Extension Educator Abigale Garofalo talks about how plantings of native plants can help the look and environmental friendliness of your yard.

Bluebirds in Illinois

Extension Educator Peggy Doty talks about the types of Bluebirds in Illinois and how you can change your yard to attract and protect them.

New Study on Insects in Cover Crops

Extension Educator Duane Friend explains preliminary results from a study on the potential for insects carrying over from a cover crop to the main crop.

Wild Turkeys in Illinois

In this episode of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Extension Educator Peggy Doty explains why wild turkeys have made a comeback in Illinois and how they fit into our ecology.

Soils- Where Biology meets Geology

There is a lot to know about soils and in this episode Extension Educator Abigail Garofalo explains why you don't say "dirt" to a soil scientist.

Radon Gas

In today's edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Extension Educator Ashley Belle explains how you can test your home for radon gas and what can be done if it is found.

Illinois Solar Power

Extension Educator, Jay Solomon talks about progress being made with Solar Power in Illinois and resources available for evaluating solar in your circustances.

Getting Involved in Master Naturalists

In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Extension Educator Duane Friend explains what it takes to be involved in Master Naturalists. It is a nationwide organization that provides science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards.

Natural Lawn Care Survey

In this podcast Sarah Zack, Pollution Prevention Specialist for University of Illinois Extension, requests listeners take the survey located at http://go.illinois.edu/lawn.

Managing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

In this podcast Extension Educator, Environmental and Energy Stewardship, Ashley Belle explains the importance of reducing our Municipal Solid Waste. She also points out some ways that we can make those reductions.

Native Plant Selection

In this podcast Extension Educator in Natural Resources, Erin Medvecz explains what to look for in plants to add your landscaping this spring. Native plants are not all the same.

Natural Lawn Care

In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Allison Neubauer from University of Illinois Extension talks about early spring natural lawn care. She covers weed suppression and aeration.

Owls in Illinois

In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Extension Educator Peggy Doty describes owls in Illinois and in particular the Great Horned Owl.

Wind Chill

In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Extension Eductor Duane Friend explains why Wind Chill was created and what it really tells us.

Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Now is a good time to invest some time and money into making your home more winter-ready. Duane Friend, Extension Educator in Natural Resources for University of Illinois Extension, explains how to take some simple steps toward energy savings.

Giant Puffballs

Peggy Doty, Extension Educator in Natural Resources, explains this large white mushroom that appears this time of year.