Everyday Environment Podcast

By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

Everyday Environment delves into the intricate web of connections that bind us to the natural world. From water, air, energy, plants, and animals to the complex interactions within these elements, we ... more

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FAQs about Everyday Environment Podcast:

How many episodes does Everyday Environment Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 184 episodes available.

Everyday Environment Podcast episodes:

April 30, 2026 Ornamental plants on the move: who is escaping from your garden with Theresa Culley
Join us as we chat with Dr. Theresa Culley, a genetic researcher from the University of Cincinnati. We discuss the genetics of invasives and how genetics helps solve the puzzle of how different invasive species have escaped from managed spaces. Discover the stories of buckthorn, wintercreeper, Callery pear and much more. Listen to Erin and Abigail's minds be blown by the diversity of genetic options for "escape."
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
57min
April 23, 2026Protecting ag commodities, ecosystems and urban environments from invasive pests: the CAPS program with Kelly Estes
During this episode of Everyday Environment, hosts Amy and Erin chat with Kelly Estes from the Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey. We learn about how the CAPS program works and surveys for invasive pests in our state.
Resources
IL CAPS program
Pest Tracker
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
42min
April 23, 2026Tree check! Spotting invasive pests early with Tricia Bethke
Everyday Environment talks with Tricia Bethke, Illinois’ Forest Pest Outreach Coordinator, about the growing threat of invasive pests. We explore how these pests are impacting our forests, what a “tree check” looks like, and which warning signs to watch for in your own yard and community.
Learn More
Invasive insects
Spotted Lanternfly reporting via email: [email protected]
Elm zigzag sawfly
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
50min
April 16, 2026When good plants go bad: invasives in the home landscape with Chris Enroth
Listen in on our chat with Chris Enroth, fellow Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator and also co-host of the Good Growing podcast, about invasives in the home landscape. We discuss the challenge of plants that are not listed on regulation lists, how to tackle invasives without getting overwhelmed, replacement species, and Chris's favorite butterfly!

Learn More
Management of Invasive Plants and Pests of Illinois
Illinois Pollinators website
Eight Great Replacements for Callery Pear video
Attracting wildlife with native plants blog
Landscape Invasives and Native Alternatives (webinar)

Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
48min
April 09, 2026 Looking back to move forward: using historical data to understand invasions with TJ Benson
This week we welcome TJ Benson from the Illinois Natural History Survey to talk about the Critical Trends Assessment Program (CTAP), and how data collected can teach us how invasions have changed plant and animal communities in Illinois.
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
37min
April 02, 2026Wading through the data: understanding EDDMapS, a leader in invasive species mapping with Rebekah Wallace
This week on Everyday Environment we chat with Rebekah Wallace out of the University of Georgia. Rebekah is the coordinator for EDDMapS, a platform used by the general public and professionals alike for invasive, pest, and biocontrol species reporting and distribution monitoring. For 20 years, this platform has worked with partners across the US and Canada to develop tools to help aggregate distribution data, educate the public on invasive species, document management efforts, anticipate spread, and more. Learn about the fascinating ways that this tool can help with invasive species management on the ground.
Resources
EDDMapS
Learn more about Erin's everyday observation: Right outside your window blog
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
47min
March 26, 2026Early detection in public gardens with Michelle Beloskur
Join us as we chat with Michelle about the invasive plant early detection efforts of the Midwest Invasive Plant Network. We take a special focus on the Public Gardens as Sentinels against Invasive Plants initiative, a program focused on sharing information and creating a network to detect potential invasive species.
Resources:
MIPN Website
Printed Resources from MIPN
MIPN Webinars
Early Detection Plant Species
Report sightings of Invasive Plants
PGSIP Data Dashboard
PGSIP Plant Alerts
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
41min
March 18, 2026Breaking down invasive species rules & regulations with Chris Evans
In this episode of Everyday Environment, hosts Erin and Amy sit down with Chris Evans to break down how invasive species are regulated in Illinois—and why it matters to you. Illinois recently added nine species to the Illinois Exotic Weed Act, making it illegal to buy, sell, or transport them. From the Exotic Weed Act to the Noxious Weed Law, these regulations are designed to slow the spread of invasive species by limiting movement, guiding management priorities, and protecting ecosystems and economies. Tune in to learn what’s changed, how the process works, and what it means for landowners and communities.
Resources
IL Invasives website
New invasive species regulated in 2025
IL Invasive Species Council
IL Exotic Weed Act
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
48min
March 12, 2026Words matter: how we engage others to care about invasive species with Emily Steele and Phil Anderson
This week we're joined by our marketing and communications manager Emily Steele! We chat with Emily about how our words matter when we talk about invasive species and how we can encourage people to manage invasive species through value-based communication and engagement approaches. We also hear from Phil Anderson, a biology professor at University of Illinois, who shares his experience using cosplay and tabletop role-playing game themes to create inclusive and effective outreach events that teach non-scientists concepts from invasion biology through roleplay activities.
Resources
Learn more about cosplay for science at www.cosplayforscience.com
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
55min
March 05, 2026 Season 4 Preview and Invasives 101
The Everyday Environment team is back for a new season this spring to discuss Invasive species. Get a preview of what is in store as well as a primer on Invasive Species from everyone's favorite Extension person: Chris Evans.
Invasives Species 101 starts at 20:30
Original Episode from the archives: Invasive Alert: Spotted Lanternfly
Share your own Everyday Observation
Was there something about this topic we didn’t cover? See something cool in nature? Let us know! Send us your question or share your everyday nature observation with us at go.illinois.edu/EEconnect, and we may share it in a future blog or podcast.

Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
Abigail Garofalo [email protected], Erin Garrett [email protected], Amy Lefringhouse [email protected]
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Check out our Blog
See the Everyday Environment Archives
...more
37min

FAQs about Everyday Environment Podcast:

How many episodes does Everyday Environment Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 184 episodes available.