Everyday Environment Podcast

This episode features an interview with pollution prevention specialist Sarah Zak discussing PFAS chemicals, their prevalence in the environment, and why they're called 'forever chemicals'.

This episode features an interview with extension educator Peggy Anisey about her work engaging communities in learning about water and natural resources through accessible science communication.

This episode features an interview with Brodie Dunn, an Extension Outreach Associate, discussing his work on Illinois wildlife sounds and his podcast Voice of the Wild.

This episode features an interview with Nathan Alexander, a postdoctoral researcher, discussing his work on the Plains Pocket Gopher and related environmental projects.

This episode explores trends in fish and wildlife recreation, focusing on hunting and fishing license sales in Illinois and their role in conservation funding.

This episode features an interview with Joy O'Keefe, an Extension Wildlife Specialist, discussing her role in addressing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting positive interactions with nature in Illinois.

This episode concludes a season on climate change by featuring a climate specialist to discuss hopeful messages and actionable steps for listeners to get involved in environmental work.

This episode features climate expert Justin Schoaf explaining the basics of climate change, including the difference between weather and climate, as part of a season-long deep dive into environmental impacts.

This episode features an interview with water resources economist Margaret Schneemann about her work in urban planning and economic analysis for sustainable water supply in the Chicago region.

This episode explores how composting addresses food waste and climate change by reducing methane emissions and building soil health through natural decomposition processes.

This episode features an interview with zoology professor Agustin Jimenez discussing zoonotic diseases, armadillos, and their expanding habitats in Illinois.

This episode features an interview with Scott Kuykendall, a Water Resources Specialist for McHenry County, discussing his role in scientific research, public policy, and community education to protect local water resources and address drinking water challenges.

This episode features an interview with Kara Salazar, a sustainable communities specialist, discussing systems-based approaches to community water and stormwater management through environmental planning and engagement.

This episode features Kayleigh Smith discussing her role as Natural Resources Coordinator at the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery in Illinois, focusing on public education and outreach about fish hatcheries and aquatic resources.

This episode of the Everyday Environment Podcast features an interview with Phil Nicodemus, Research Director at Urban Rivers, discussing the intersection of history and water resources, specifically focusing on the Chicago River.

This episode features an interview with Rachel Curry, an agricultural educator, discussing the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and its focus on reducing nutrient pollution from agriculture to protect water quality.

This episode features an interview with Brody Dunn, an Extension Outreach Associate, discussing the broad definition of pollinators beyond just bees and their connection to biodiversity and climate change.

This episode features an interview with Michelle Beloskur, director of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network, discussing early detection of invasive plant species in public gardens and the organization's mission to reduce their impact in the Midwest region.

This episode features an interview with forestry expert Chris Evans discussing the importance and impact of invasive species regulations on everyday environments and landowners.

This episode features an interview with Eliana Brown, a water quality and stormwater specialist, discussing how green infrastructure and nature-based solutions can help communities manage stormwater to reduce flooding and improve water quality.

This episode explores environmental DNA (eDNA) and its applications in biodiversity conservation with conservation biologist Dr.

This episode features Emily Steele discussing how to effectively communicate about invasive species to engage the public, drawing on her background in journalism and natural resources.

This episode features an interview with Brody Eddington, a wildlife biologist from Pheasants Forever, discussing quail conservation efforts in Illinois through programs like the Farm Bill Biologist Program and partnerships with USDA agencies.

This episode features an interview with Sarah Zak, a Pollution Prevention Specialist from Illinois Indiana Sea Grant, discussing emerging contaminants in water and the role of Sea Grant programs in addressing coastal environmental issues.

This episode features an interview with Hannah Griffiths, volunteer coordinator for National Great Rivers, discussing the RiverWatch program and how community science engages volunteers in water quality monitoring.

This episode previews Season 4 of the Everyday Environment Podcast with host introductions and a teaser for an archived educational segment on environmental topics.

This episode introduces the second season of the Everyday Environment podcast, focusing on water topics with experts like a state hydrologist explaining watershed basics.

This episode features an interview with entomologist Alan Lawrence about community science initiatives for wildlife, focusing on butterfly conservation and public involvement.

This episode previews season three of the Everyday Environment podcast, introducing new hosts and discussing changes while maintaining the focus on environmental education.

The hosts of the Everyday Environment Podcast reunite to preview their upcoming season, discussing their excitement about returning to recording and exploring new environmental topics with guests.

This episode features an interview with Kevin Rohling, an extension specialist in forestry management and ecology, discussing road ecology and its impact on wildlife in Southern Illinois, along with his work in forest management, prescribed fire, invasive species, and technology.

This episode features an interview with wildlife biologist Chris Anchor discussing his work on the Urban Coyote Research Project and his role as the first wildlife biologist for Cook County's Forest Preserve District in over 40 years.

This episode features Dr.

This episode features an interview with Lane Kanoki, an Extension Stormwater Outreach Associate, discussing rain gardens as a sustainable practice for managing stormwater and improving water quality.

This episode features Sydney Oliveira from the Wildlife Medical Clinic discussing their threefold mission of rehabilitating wildlife, training veterinary students, and conducting education outreach with ambassador animals.

This episode features an interview with Katie O'Reilly, an aquatic invasive species specialist, discussing her work in research, outreach, and education to address invasive species in waterways.

This episode features an interview with forestry extension specialist Justin Vozo discussing the role of urban forests in climate change mitigation, including their carbon storage potential and ecosystem functions in Illinois.

This episode features an interview with Sarah Sellers, an expert in sustainable farm and food systems, discussing the basics of carbon markets and carbon credits as tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This episode features an interview with Peggy Anisey, an Extension educator, discussing her 25-year career in environmental education focused on empowering youth about climate change and environmental action.

This episode explores how climate change affects invasive species, featuring an interview with an Extension Forestry and Research Specialist who explains basic concepts like what defines an invasive species and its impacts on ecosystems.

This episode features an interview with natural resource educator Carla Griesbaum about how plants respond to climate change, focusing on environmental impacts like rising carbon dioxide levels.

The hosts introduce the rebranded Everyday Environment podcast, explaining its focus on exploring connections between humans and the natural world through various media formats.

This episode explores agrivoltaics, an innovative approach combining solar energy production with agriculture to address climate change while preserving farmland.

This episode features an interview with Elena Grossman about how climate change increases health risks and how communities can adapt, focusing on her work at GTI Energy integrating public health perspectives with decarbonization efforts.

This episode features an interview with soil ecologist Michelle Launder, discussing soil health, climate change impacts, and sustainable farming systems based on her diverse experience across the U.S.

Hosts Abigail Garfalo and Erin Garrett interview Amy Leffringhaus about freshwater mussels in Illinois, covering their ecological importance and personal discoveries in an educational format.

University of Illinois students and a professor discuss their Bird Strike Survey research, explaining why birds collide with windows, the role of light pollution and migration, and mitigation strategies like decals and bird-friendly building design.

This episode features Keri Taylor from Safe Electricity discussing electrical safety tips for homes during spring, including lightning storms and cleanup.

["TJ Benson says randomly selected Illinois grasslands are about 75% non-native cover, while reference prairies are about 3%.", "The guest is Benson, principal research scientist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, speaking with Abigail Garfalo and Erin Garrett on Everyday Environment Podcast.", "He explains how CTAP began in 1997, uses spatially balanced random sampling, and tracks plants, birds, and insects with transects, quadrats, point counts, and sweep netting.", "Benson contrasts stable invaders such as smooth brome and tall fescue with fast spreaders like bush honeysuckles, autumn olive, and garlic mustard, and says the data have also been reused for milkweed and monarch questions."]

Rebecca Wallace explains how EdMaps at the University of Georgia tracks invasive pest and biocontrol species across the United States and Canada with images, taxonomy, distribution maps, and future spread models.

["Abigail Garfalo and Amy Leffringhaus talk with Dwayne Friend of Illinois Extension about tornado trends, starting with dust devils, supercells, and bow echoes.", "Friend says tornadoes do not have one mechanism, uses the dry line and warm, juicy air to explain storm rotation, and says strong tornadoes can rise 30,000 to 60,000 feet.", "He traces the Fujita and Enhanced Fujita scales back to Theodore Fujita, says the fastest recorded tornado wind reached 318 miles per hour, and says the average warning-to-impact time is 13 minutes.", "The episode also covers a University of Illinois pattern study, the northward shift from Tornado Alley toward Dixie Alley, and practical protection steps like safe rooms, stronger garage doors, and weather-spotter training."]

["Amy Leveringhouse and Erin Garrett speak with Chris Evans, an Extension Forestry and Research Specialist with University of Illinois Extension, about early spring wildlife in Illinois.", "Evans says woodcock display at dusk in open grassy edges beside dense woods, where males call 'meep, meep,' circle through the air, and spiral back to the ground.", "He also walks through deer antler sheds, spring peepers, chorus frogs, wood frogs, crawfish frogs, vernal pools, and mole salamanders, with examples from Dixon Springs and his own property.", "The episode closes with iNaturalist, public-land and nature-preserve rules, and personal sightings that include spring peepers, daffodils, American elm bloom, flying squirrels, and 75 Eagles."]

Hosts discuss phenology, the study of seasonal biological phenomena and climate interactions.

This episode discusses owls, specifically saw-whet owls, with an avian expert, emphasizing safe wildlife viewing.

An interview with a wildlife specialist about bat biology, diversity, and ecological importance.

An extension educator explains the concept of biodiversity, breaking it down into species diversity and other categories.

Exploring the benefits and experiences of observing nature at night, including nocturnal wildlife and heightened senses.

An interview discussing the variety of wildlife found on residential properties in Illinois, from birds to insects to mammals.