Everyday Environment Podcast

Everyday Environment Podcast

By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin GarrettScienceEducation
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Everyday Environment Podcast episodes

  • Soft Landings

    It seems like summer just started, but now is a great time to start planning for fall landscape installations! If you’ve got trees in your backyard, consider adding soft landings around the bases of them. 

    15 min
  • Ponds

    If you have had any questions about what to do about your Ponds and whether or not weeds and/or algae are good for your pond listen to this episode to find out more from Duane Friend.

    16 min
  • May Watts

    May Theilgaard Watts was an illinois naturalist, author, and poet who worked to develop nature themed programming and educational materials that helped people understand the world around them. You may recognize her work in the famous “Tree Finder” book used by countless naturalists and educators.  Learn about this Illinoisan and the contributions she made to our understanding of the natural world.

    11 min
  • Large Predators Return...Or Are They?

    Large Predators returning to Illinois is becoming a more common event.  Spring is right around the corner and it seems to be the time of year when these sightings happen so who are these creatures and why are they wandering in and out of Illinois.

     

    14 min
  • Planning a Native Plant Garden

    It may not seem like spring is right around the corner, but it will be here before you know it! For those gardeners who are looking to make a difference this season, consider adding native plants to your gardens.  

    16 min
  • Sizing a Home Solar System
    When considering adding solar panels to your home, one important step is to properly size a solar system to meet your home’s needs. We’ll cover 4 easy steps you can take yourself to estimate how large of a system you’ll need, along with a quick cost estimate – which will give you a starting estimate before you talk to a solar installer.
    13 min
  • Overwintering for Wildlife

    As the cold weather creeps in and winter approaches, we start preparing our house, our wardrobe, and our minds for the cold months to come. The bees, butterflies, squirrels, bats, and other Illinois wildlife have to prepare for the cold winter months ahead as well. Learn how our wildlife overwinters and what you can do to support those animals (without them making a winter home in your house!).

     

    Questions: 

    1. What are the challenges for wildlife in the winter?
    2. Sometimes it’s so quiet, What are animals doing in the winter?
    3. How can I support wildlife in the winter?
    4. I don’t want my yard to look like a forest, can I still support wildlife? 
    5. Is there cases in which I wouldn’t want to support wildlife?
    18 min
  • 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!
    12 min

About Everyday Environment Podcast

From the publisher's feed

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 aim to unravel the ties that link us to our environment. Through a variety of educational formats, including podcasts, blogs, and videos, we strive to foster a deeper understanding of these connections among the residents of Illinois. Explore more at go.illinois.edu/everydayenvironment.