Sustainable Idaho

In this week’s episode, Charlie talks with Craig Hunter, the president of Tire Reclaim, a dedicated tire reclamation organization with multiple facilities across Idaho. In this secondary episode, Craig and Charlie discuss further on the topic of sustainable recycling of discarded tires, how Tire Reclaim is tackling the problem of mass “Legacy Piles” across the state, and how citizens can use the services offered by his organization.

In this week’s episode, Charlie speaks with author, cultural advocate, and speaker Randy’L He-dow Teton about the meaning and importance of cultural sustainability. Drawing from her extensive career in public affairs and advocacy, Randy’L discusses the relationship between culture, community, and the natural world, and how maintaining these connections can help ensure that knowledge, autonomy, and identity endure across generations.

In this week’s episode, Terra speaks with Kelly Driscol the collection development supervisor at Nextrex. Nextrex is a nationwide material sourcing program for the Trex company that works with universities, nonprofits, municipalities, retailers, community groups to collect polyethylene plastic film and upcycle it into composite decking boards. Terra and Kelly discuss what happens to the plastic bags and film that shoppers return to their local supermarkets, what these materials are recycled into, and the importance of programs like NexTrex in promoting sustainability practices in Southeast Idaho.

In this week’s episode, Charlie speaks with Bryce Walker, the coordinator for the Idaho State University climbing wall, and one of the recreation coordinators for the Outdoor Adventure Center. They discuss the nature of Idaho’s climbing culture, how our public land climbing areas can be impacted from increased visitation, and how climbing communities can foster a more sustainable future for the sport.

In this week's episode, Terra had the privilege of speaking with John Tunca, a representative for this year's Southeast Idaho electric car show. They discussed the event’s connection to sustainability, its impact on the Portneuf community, the relevance of today’s electric vehicles, and sustainable transportation in Idaho. They also discussed how the event gives community members a chance to talk with local electric vehicle owners and to learn more about charging and long-distance travel.

In this week’s episode, Charlie talks with Craig Hunter, the president of Tire Reclaim, a dedicated tire reclamation organization with multiple facilities across Idaho. Hunter discusses Tire Reclaim’s origins, its growth to processing more than two million tires in Idaho, and the environmental motivations behind diverting discarded tires from public lands, waterways, and landfills. Charlie and Hunter explore some of the ways discarded tires can be transformed into useful resources, including crumb rubber, molded products, tire-derived aggregate, and rubberized asphalt. As Idaho continues to confront the environmental challenges of discarded materials, the conversation examines how reclamation can turn a persistent waste problem into an opportunity for sustainable resource use and infrastructure. A secondary episode will continue to discuss sustainable recycling of discarded tires and how Tire Reclaim is tackling the problem of mass “Legacy Piles” across the state.

Systematic Review of Research on Discarded Tire Environmental Impact, conducted by the EPA:

https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si_public_record_Report.cfm?dirEntryId=361070&Lab=CPHEA

Sustainability is shaped not only by the issues we discuss, but by the people who bring those conversations to our communities. In this episode, Charlie Medema speaks with new Sustainable Idaho host, Terra Gray, about her background in ecology and environmental conservation, her connection to Idaho’s natural environment, and what she hopes to bring to the program. Together, they explore Terra’s interests in Idaho’s native wildlife, opportunities, and natural resources, as well as her experiences in environmental education and community outreach.

The episode also marks a transition for the program as Charlie speaks with outgoing co-host Madison Long about her time with Sustainable Idaho, the lessons she learned through journalism and interviewing, and what she hopes to pursue next. Having served Sustainable Idaho for over a year and a half, Madison reflects on how her time with the program shaped her understanding of Idaho and her future in journalism.

To learn more about the ISU Bengal, visit:

isubengal.com

On today’s episode, Madison talks with Ali Khan, the CEO and founder of MOATIT, and Megan Ronk, the Director of Customer Experience and Economic Development at Idaho Power. Khan wrote an article in the Idaho State Journal based on his research for the recently proposed AI data center in Pocatello, with Lex Developments applying to convert the former Hoku Materials polysilicon plant into a $2.26 billion center. Ronk recently participated in an Idaho Water Users Association Board discussion about AI data centers. Together, we discuss AI data centers and their role in Idaho’s economic development, energy, and environment. While this technology is still developing, the long-term effects are not yet fully understood. Each project has different needs and impacts, leaving communities to lead the conversation.

Pollinators play an essential role in Idaho’s food production, wildlife, and biodiversity. Growing community recognition has inspired new efforts to protect their populations and habitat in the Portneuf Valley. In this episode, Charlie Medema speaks with Linda Popelka, a founding member of the Portneuf Pollinator Partnership, about how the organization grew from a single community event into a broader effort to support pollinators throughout Southeastern Idaho.

Together, they explore what motivated Linda and her fellow organizers to start their initiatives, the importance of native pollinators to Idaho’s agriculture and environment, and the enthusiasm that has helped the partnership grow through education, collaboration, and community involvement. To learn more about the Portneuf Pollinator Partnership, visit

https://www.isu.edu/portneuf-pollinator-partnership/

On today’s episode, Madison talks with Doug Finkleberg, an extension educator in cropping systems for the University of Idaho and co-team lead for the Innovative Agriculture and Marketing Partnership Grant (IAMP). We discuss the five-year program as funded by the United States Department of Agriculture. The IAMP team works alongside the Agriculture Research Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program, the Nature Conservancy of Idaho, Desert Mountain Grass-Fed Beef, the Latah County and Nez Perce County Soil Conservation Districts, Arrowleaf Consulting, and the University of Georgia. These groups provide support through their expertise in grazing strategies, incentivizing cover crops, monitoring crop verification, expanding working areas in the state, and doing marketing analysis. For more updates on the research, visit their website at iamp.uidaho.edu.