Sustain Dane Podcast

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising.

Today's episode, we’re recapping our September Sustainable Breakfast Series, Our Local Energy Grid: Safe, Reliable, Affordable & Sustainable.

You’ll hear from three Madison Gas & Electric representatives: Dave Benforado, Senior Community Manager; Brenda Sargent, Manager of Environmental Affairs; and Nick Schroeder, Director of Energy Planning and Market Operations. They’ll discuss sustainability initiatives taken by MG&E, including their goal of net-zero carbon electricity by 2050. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Resources: 

• Program slides
• UW-Madison analysis of net-zero carbon electricity goal: Interpreting Global Energy Scenarios for Emissions Planning at the Utility Scale
• Madison Gas and Electric website

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

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Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today’s episode, we’re recapping our July Sustainable Breakfast Series, Mussel Up for Water Conservation. Wisconsin is home to more than 50 native mussel species, which are vital for healthy water ecosystems, and this program brings together four local experts leading the research and outreach for protecting freshwater mussels. 

You’ll hear from Ilana Vargas, Conservation Education Coordinator at Henry Vilas Zoo; Lisie Kitchel, Conservation Biologist for the Wisconsin DNR; Jordan Richard, Endangered Species Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Courtney Cordova, Interpretation Coordinator at Henry Vilas Zoo. Wherever you’re at with your sustainability journey, we hope you enjoy this episode. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Organizations and Resources: 

• Program slides
• Program recording
• Wisconsin Mussel Monitoring Program
• Empathy Training Toolkit (2025)

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today’s episode recaps “Food, Farms, and Community,” an event hosted in collaboration with the City of Sun Prairie and Green Box compost through Sun Prairie’s Food RESCU Compost Pilot, a USDA-funded program that has supported composting in schools, households, and city events. 

You’ll hear from three local speakers: Hannah Burwell, Farmer and Owner at Sun and Moon Farm, Sarah Wells, Farmers’ Market Manager at the City of Sun Prairie Farmers Market, and Marly Owens, Food Security Programs Administrator at Sunshine Place. Each speaker brings their own unique perspective to local food systems, sustainability, and making food accessible to all.

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Organizations and Resources: 

• City of Sun Prairie
• Green Box Compost
• More information on the Food RESCU Residential Composting Pilot

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today’s episode recaps the 2026 Accelerate Sustainability Workshop, a program that teaches attendees how to move sustainability initiatives forward at their business or organization. You’ll hear three short case studies from local businesses implementing sustainability initiatives:

• Madison Gas & Electric’s Tim Walters and Mark Lydon will discuss energy-saving options for businesses
• Jackie Drake and Bryna Goeking of designCraft Advertising will discuss a transportation tracking project
• Janelle Taylor of Attic Angel Community will talk about her experience implementing a waste-reduction program. 

Then, Program Manager Samantha Wordette will close out the program with ideas for businesses and organizations to implement sustainability projects and how to position them to stakeholders. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Resources: 

• Project Ideas
• Accelerate Sustainability Workshop Reports
• Contact Sam at [email protected]. 

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today’s episode focuses on data centers, especially their presence and impact in Dane County and Wisconsin. You’ll hear a short presentation on the rapid growth of data centers from UW-Madison Associate Professor Anna Haesnch, followed by a panel discussion. She’ll be joined by Paul Robbins, Dean of the Nelson Institute of Research, and Kathy Kuntz, Director of the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, to discuss government jurisdiction, UW-Madison’s involvement and research, AI policy, and local action. 

Organizations and Resources: 

• Case study of a community benefit agreement
• UW-Madison data center working group
• UW-Madison and QTS partnership approved research projects
• Video of Port Washington data center development
• Data Center Playbook – Alliance for the Great Lakes 
• AI Data Centers: Legislative Model – Center for Water Policy

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Hear from Sustain Dane Executive Director, Claire Oleksiak, and Elevate staff, Allie Berenyi, John Viner, and Heather Allen to learn more about Efficiency Navigator. Efficiency Navigator aims to address housing resilience, equity, and climate change. We provide complimentary efficiency assessments and step-by-step navigation of implementation. The program is for renter-occupied buildings with rents affordable to residents at or below 80% Area Median Income. This housing stock is known as naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH).

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today’s episode recaps our February Sustainable Breakfast Series: “Weather in a Changing Climate,” led by Amanda Latham from the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. Amanda discusses the differences between climate and weather, noticeable changes to Wisconsin’s climate, and ways to get involved. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Learn more about how extreme weather disproportionately affects people experiencing homelessness:

• fssf.org
• catalystforchangeinc.org 
• And ways to support your community: publichealthmdc.com/news/2026-01-21/extreme-cold-temperatures-on-the-way

Resources mentioned by Amanda: 

• 350wisconsin.org
• cleanwisconsin.org 
• healthyclimatewi.org 
• usanpn.org 
• cocorahs.org
• wateractionvolunteers.org
• noaa.gov/climate 
• climatecentral.org 
• climatology.nelson.wisc.edu 

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today's episode recaps a panel from our 2025 Summit, "Housing and Sustainability." Moderated by Abigail Corso, Chief Strategist at Elevate, this session featured leading voices in local sustainable housing initiatives, including:

• Elmer Moore, CEO & Executive Director, WHEDA
• Sarah Neujahr, Principal, New Year Investments
• Torrance Kramer, President, Accurate Airtight Exteriors
• Olivia Parry, Senior Planner, Dane County Planning and Development

If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today's episode focuses on local carbon sequestration projects, recapping our September Sustainable Breakfast Series. Hear from Dr. Gregg Sanford, an assistant professor at UW–Madison’s Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, and Michelle Probst, a Land and Water Scientist with Dane County Land & Water Resources, about the benefits of carbon sequestration and local projects happening in Dane County parks. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]

Sustain Dane is the sustainability organization of Dane County, and this is the podcast that covers the many programs we hold to help people learn, connect, and take action for sustainability. This episode was produced by designCraft Advertising. 

Today’s episode focuses on sustainable tourism trends and tips, recapping our July Sustainable Breakfast Series. Hear from Katie Freeman, MPA, assistant adjunct professor at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and owner of Ethos Sustainability Consulting, about challenges and opportunities facing sustainable tourism—and how to make your next trip more sustainable. If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to stay updated and visit our website for more information, and remember—change happens when inspired people take action. 

Music: “Upbeat Corporate - Medium 1,” Lite Saturation, Free Music Archive, CC BY-ND.

Our website: https://sustaindane.org/

Find us on LinkedIn!

Find us on Instagram!

Find us on Twitter!

Find us Facebook!

Check out our videos on YouTube!

Say hi via email with [email protected]