KMSU Every Day Is Earth Day: Recent Episodes
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Sept. 14, 2023 The Fall 2023 Geography Presentations at MNSU feature many topics related to Climate Change, Sustainability, Recycling, Environmental Justice and more! Professor Don Friend describes the upcoming series of ten programs held Fridays, 3:00 - 4:15 at MNSU (Sept. 15 - Dec. 1) and are open to the public. For details, see: https://hss.mnsu.edu/academic-programs/geography/geography-colloquia/
Aug. 24, 2023 Stephen Mikkelson, with the Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair talks about this year's exhibits by the MN Pollution Control Agency about air, land, water and climate. He discusses what's new and special presentations.
Aug. 17, 2023 The Clean Energy Resource Team is seeking applicants for its seed grants to communities for clean energy projects within Minnesota. CERT co-director Joel Hanskard talks about who is eligible and how to apply. Deadline is Oct. 10, 2023.
August 10, 2023 Clean & Green Lawn Care started operations in Mankato in late 2022. Owner/Operator John Addink saw a need for an environmentally-conscious service and now has a fleet of all-electric equipment - from mowers, blower, edgers, to weed whackers. He also will incorporate organic products in place of chemicals if that's what a customer wants.
July 19, 2023 Climate Scientist, Dr. Heidi Roop, who is the director of the University of Minnesota's Climate Adaptation Partnership, talks about her research and how it drove her to write a new book, The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions for Everyone. The highly-rated book details actions to fight climate change.
July 6, 2023 The Friends of the Mississippi River organization has been around for decades. Executive Director Whitney Clark talks about the non-profits mission and what it has accomplished and how the public can get involved in preserving one of the state's greatest treasures.
June 28, 2023 The 2023 State Transportation Electrification Score Card evaluates U.S. states on their policies to encourage electric vehicle adoption. The American Council for an Energy--Efficient Economy (ACEEE)released the second edition which showed Minnesota dropped from 12th to 17th in the ranking, but still is a leader in the Midwest. Researcher Peter Huether explains.
June 22, 2023 We often think of weatherizing our homes to get ready for winter to save on energy costs. It's equally important to prepare for the summer cooling season. Minnesota Valley Action Council Energy Auditor, Brianna Parr-Baker, provides tips on saving energy and the new legislation which can provide rebates to save $$.
Dec. 1, 2022 MNSU Professor Dr. Donald Friend comments on The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties (COP27), which was the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from 6 November until 18 November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Friend served as a senior science advisor in the United States Agency for International Development Office of Global Climate Change.
Nov. 17, 2022 Fresh-Energy is a non-profit organization with a mission to shape policy solutions to achieve equitable, Carbon-neutral economies. Mike Schowalter. Senior Policy Associate at Fresh-Energy talks about what it's going to take for us to reach those goals, and how you can be a part of the solution.
Nov. 11, 2022 Minnesota State Mankato's kicked off its Climate Action Plan in 2014 to attempt to control and reduce the future greenhouse gas emissions. Assistant VP for Facilities Management, Paul Corcoran, discusses the University's participation in a "Guaranteed Energy Savings" program and how far the campus has come in reducing energy consumption, improving facility infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions.
Oct. 27, 2022 How to Prepare for Climate Change is the first practical guide to adapting to the new climate. NY Times best-selling author and CBS Sunday Morning correspondent, David Pogue covers: where to live, how to invest, how to insure, how to build, what to grow, how to prepare for flood, drought, wildfire, tornado, heat waves etc....
Oct. 20, 2022 The Case for Cautious Climate Hope, a presentation by Dr. Zeke Hausfather, an internationally-renowned climate scientist who presented for the U of M Kuehnast Lecture about why we should have a cautious climate hope -- he acknowledges the profess we have made and how far we still have to go. The presentation was edited to fit in a time slot, and is available in its entirety on YouTube.
10132022 How Clean is your air? Minnesota State Mankato Engineering Professor, Dr. Jacob Swanson, received an Environmental Education grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to work with students to monitor air quality in their own back yards. New, low-cost, air quality sensors will be used to teach students about climate change in a context that matters to them.
Oct. 6, 2022 Winter heating season will be here soon. How can we save energy? Minnesota Valley Action Council Weather Auditor, Briana Parr-Baker and Energy Assistance Program Manager Sheila Ous provide tips and resources.
Sept. 22, 2022 MNSU Professor Phillip Larson is one of the lead scientists from 5 universities awarded $2.8 million NSF grant for Lake Superior Basin Research. Larson and his group will investigate the relationship between the recent de-glacial history, and the formation of rivers and their valleys on the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Sept. 9, 2022 Save the Kasota Prairie, a non-profit organization that has been working to beautify and preserve an area of southern Minnesota that has been mined. SKP Board Member, Erick Steinmetz talks about the history of the group and about its upcoming open house on Sept. 17, 2022, 8 a.m. to noon.
Aug. 25, 2022 It's the first day of the Minnesota State Fair and Steve Mikkelson tells us about the Eco Experience - the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's premier outreach to learn about what you can do to help improve our air, land, water, and climate.
Aug. 18, 2022 Aquaponics, LLC is one of the first commercial, land-based, Walleye farms in the U.S. Three high school friends from Amery, Wis., including Trent Dado, got together to to raise Walleye in a sustainable way and utilize the nutrients produced by the fish to grow culinary herbs using a combo of aquaponic and aeroponic technology. This is the story of how Wobbly Walleye brand began an eco-friendly business.
August 4, 2022
August is National Water Quality Month. KMSU's Karen Wright talks with Chuck Brandel, an engineer in the lead water business unit at ISG about innovative ways his company works with agriculture, cities, and counties for best practices to maintain water quality.
July 28, 2022 The Monarch Butterfly has been listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of nature. Wendy Caldwell of Monarch Joint Venture tells us what we can do to preserve this important insect as well as many other pollinators critical to our survival.
July 21, 2022 Green Seam Director, Sam Ziegler, talks about the accomplishments of Green Seam in promoting agriculture in southern Minnesota and how the industry is working toward being greener to help the environment.
July 14, 2022 St. Peter's Steve Firkins debuts his documentary called, "The Filmmakers -- Stop Global Warming" on July 18, 2022 at Traverse des Sioux Treaty Center. "Can two aliens, three news reporters and a snowman, motivate 8 billion people to save themselves from the consequences of climate change?
June 30, 2022 Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERT) wants to get the word about about the many programs available to Minnesotan's to help with projects for energy savings. Chris Meyer, Southeast MN CERT Coordinator talks about her journey from DIY solar projects to helping others in the state with their energy projects.
June 23, 2022 Onward Energy Is among the top independent energy companies in the nation with a location in Mankato. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Sr., VP of Operations, David Rhodes and CEO, Steve Doyon about Onward Energy's efforts to provide clean energy to maintain a reliable power grid, and what the future in energy production holds.
June 9, 2022 The Center for Transportation & the Environment is a non-profit organization that is working to build a sustainable transportation ecosystem. Based in Atlanta, CTE has projects in 42 states. Midwest office director, Eric Bigelow talks about the organization's mission to improve the health of the climate and communities.
Air Force Heat Pumps are a clean energy source to heat our homes and water according to Dr. Josh Quinnell, Senior Research Engineer at the Center for Energy and Environment, a non-profit that discovers and deploys the most effective energy solutions to strengthen the economy and environment.
May 25, 2022 The City of Mankato has new policies in place for water conservation as well as a plan to manage trees throughout the community. City of Mankato Natural Resource Specialist, Justin Lindborg provides details.
Highland Family Farms Growing Natural Climate Solutions. Highland Family Farms near Mapleton, Minnesota is working hard to build and implement sustainability practices throughout their farms. Pat Duncanson talks about how he and his wife, Kristin, are growing natural climate solutions among other crops..
May 26, 2022 The Climate Crisis is impacting how power will be supplied to our world. Dr. Ned Mohen, University of Minnesota Professor of power Electronics recently spoke in Mankato about how power engineering education is changing and must be more holistic to deal with climate change.
May 5, 2022 Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr., with the Living Earth Movement, believes it will take a change in philosophy to save the planet. The mission of his organization is to inspire global cooperation for the sake of all life on the planet, beginning with the US and China. For more information, see www.livingearthmovement.eco
April 28, 2022 Microplastics are no small problem. Researcher Macy Gustavus talked with KMSU's Karen Wright about the growing problem and provides ideas on how we can all help. Gustavus is participating on a virtual panel on May 1, 3:00 p.m. after the movie screening of "The Story of Plastic". Register at:
https://bennington.zoom.us.meeting/register/tJwtd-6qrDwjHNft5UACL ur s3atqYxzYaQ
April 21, 2022 On Earth Day 2022, Karen Wright takes a look back on a year of Every Day is Earth Day programming which started with her guests on today's show - Leigh Pomeroy and Lou Schwartzkopf.
April 14, 2022 Blue Earth County received $4.3 million in federal funding for energy efficiency projects at all county-owned buildings. Joshua Milow, Blue Earth Co. Deputy County Administrator describes how the money will be used to modernize the region's energy infrastructure with more clean, efficient, renewable energy projects.
April 7, 2022 Mankato East Biology and Wildlife Ecology teacher, Julia Battern, was selected for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica to learn about Climate Change and its impact on the world. She has many lessons-learned she is bringing back to her classroom.
March 24, 2022 Minnesota State University, Mankato Geography Professor, Dr. Phillip Larson talks about our current understanding of the birth and evolution of rivers and their valleys. He presented his research at the 48th annual Douglas R. Moore Faculty Research Lecture at MNSU on March 21, 2022.
March 17, 2022 North America's grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Jake Hanson, S.D. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, brings the topic to the forefront in an Op-Ed piece in the MN Star Tribune. He hopes to bring attention to take action on the proposed North American Grasslands Conservation Act.
March 10, 2022 One young man is striving to get a movement to fight for climate justice, social justice and the Green New Deal in Mankato. Sabri Fair is organizing Sunrise Mankato Movement to bring the youth voice to the forefront. He helped convince the City of Mankato to join the Cities Climate Caucus as one of his first actions and he is looking to others to make more change.
Feb. 24,. 2022 FFA used to stand for Future Farmers of America and was geared toward those going into ag production. The organization has expanded to include so much more to meet the growing demands for leadership in these areas. In 2019, Ethan Dado joined Mankato Area Public Schools as its first agriculture/foods/natural resources teacher. Dado's duties also include leading the Mankato FFA chapter.
Feb. 17, 2022 Author Emily Murphy wrote "Grow Now" which tells us how to go beyond organic, re-wild our land, sequester carbon, support diversity and save our health, communities and planet - one garden at a time.
Feb. 10, 2022 How can you know if Solar Energy is the right thing for your home? Minnesota Morning host Karen Wright spoke with the Executive Director of the Minnesota Solar Energy Industries Association (MnSEIA), Logan O'Grady about the pros and cons of joining a Solar Garden Community or adding solar panels to your home.
Feb. 3, 2022 Electric Vehicles - pros and cons. Local EV owners, Leigh Pomeroy, Vance Stuehrenberg and Mary Styndl discuss their electric vehicles. So far, they are very happy with them and feel they are doing something to help the environment through the use of clean energy.
The Living Earth Center in Mankato is expanding its community gardens with a new partnership with Blue Earth County. Executive Director, Laura Peterson, talks about the opportunity for more residents to garden, as well as the sustainable practices - both soil and social -that the center is promoting.
Jan. 6, 2022 Who knew you could grow vine-ripened tomatoes year-round in Minnesota?!! Bushel Boy President Chuck Tryon talks about how tomatoes and strawberries are being grown sustainably in greenhouses in both Owatonna and Mason City.
Dec. 16, 2021 How does Minnesota rank in terms of Climate Efforts? The American Council for an Engery-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a scorecard. Minneapolis ranked 4th out of 100 major cities, and St. Paul was 20th. Chief author of the report, Stefan Samaripus talks about national trends and how cities can do better.
Dec. 9, 2021 Dr. Heidi Roop, University of Minnesota Extension Specialist: Climate Change, Adaptation, Impacts and Communication.
Dr. Roop talks about the cold hard facts about climate change, her research and how we can all take action.
Dec. 2, 2021 What is GreenSeam and what does it bring to Minnesota's #1 industry, Agriculture? What role did Minnesota State Mankato have in getting this organization started? GreenSeam Director, Sam Ziegler talks about the organization's role as well as its upcoming Rural Forum - Weathering the Xtreme. The organization is working to make agriculture more earth-friendly, with a look at renewable energy and sequestering carbon.
Nov. 17, 2021 Interview with Brian Buma, a National Geographic Explorer, Professor of Integrative Biology (Univ. of Colorado -Denver) and author of The Atlas of a Changing Climate: Our Evolving Plant Visualized with more than 100 maps, charts & infographics. Join Buma on an incredible journey and be inspired to act as an environmental steward in your everyday life.
Our National Forests: Stories from America's Most Important Public Lands by Greg M. Peters. Author Greg Peters talks about his work with the National Forest Foundation and provides a history and offers a practical guide to encourage conscientious environmental stewardship for all to follow.
Nov. 4, 2021 U.N. Climate Summit is in all the latest headlines. What do these world conversations mean for us? Dr. Don Friend, Geography Professor at Minnesota State Mankato, explains.
Oct. 28, 2021 The MFS Organic Compost site near Good Thunder is back in operation and providing compost to farmers and gardeners. MFS Manager Max Milinkovich talks about how food waste and other materials are recycled to provide compost for southern Minnesota.
October 14, 2021 Yes! You can improve Minnesota's water quality by starting in your own backyard. James Wolfin of Metro Blooms describes how. He also talks about the successful Lawn to Legumes program which provides grants to help you get started in making a change. Applications for grants is open now through Feb. 2022. https://bwsr.state.mn.us/l2l
Oct. 7, 2021 The Water Resource Center at Minnesota State Mankato. It plays a critical role in collecting data that impact water quality across the state and beyond. WRC Associate Director, Kimberly Musser talks about the work being done.
Sept. 30. 2021 What is Climate Justice? KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Charissa Verdoorn, Outreach & Policy Manager with Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light about its efforts to get communities of faith to take action to protect the planet and ensure a healthy life for all people.
September 16, 2021 Two Mankato residents make a call to action for helping protect the earth and reduce climate change. Jane Dow and Jim Dimmock talk about ways to influence policy, as well as how you can learn ways to become more sustainable to protect the future of our planet, Sustainability Fair, Sept. 25, 2021 UCC Church, Mankato, MN For more info: 507-469-5537
Sept. 9, 2021 The Soil & Water Conservation District in LeSueur County is working hard to improve the water quality in its watersheds and lakes. District Manager Mike Shultz talks about some of the projects the county is working on and how residents can help with the process.
September 2, 2021 Long-time Ag expert, Kent Thiesse talks about how farmers can take part in Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Credits to reduce global warming. It's a topic recently covered at Farm Fest and it turns out much more research needs to be completed.
Aug. 26, 2021 Blue Earth County has crossed a major hurdle toward getting federal dollars to implement a county-wide energy efficiency project. County Administrator, Bob Meyer, explains the project and how the public can help make it become a reality.
Aug. 19 2021 AFTER ANTARCTICA with Will Steger
Polar Explorer and environmentalist (author, activist, teacher, Internet education pioneer) Will Steger has been eyewitness to some of the greatest climate changes to our planet. He talks about how his expeditions have led him to where he is today - a defender of our planet. He shares his early, formative years to today, where he lives "off the grid" in Ely, Minnesota.
August 12, 2021 What would happen if everyone stopped shopping? Environmental writer, J.B. MacKinnon talks with "Minnesota Morning's" Karen Wright about his thought experiment if this were to come true. The benefits to our planet would be incredible as our consumerism is no longer sustainable.
New state funding is targeted to tackle water quality problems in the LeSueur watershed. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Carrie Jennings of the Freshwater Society about a recent study that found the best way to alleviate the river's problems is wetland restoration and construction.
July 29, 2021 Every Day is Earth Day features Climatologist Ahira Sanchez-Lugo with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration who talks about climate change and the latest report on global warming.
July 22, 2021 Every Day is Earth Day
Community Solar Gardens - what are they? How do they work? KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Morgan Koehler, Community Engagement Program Director for Novel Energy about how using solar energy can save money and improve the environment.
Every Day is Earth Day!
Ross Pomeroy, a Mankato native and zoologist and conservation biologist by training, talks about what it's like to be Chief Editor of RealClearScience. He discusses how his reporting on climate change and other environmental issues has changed over the past decade. Aired July 15, 2021
Dr. Mriganka De, a Soil Scientist at Minnesota State University, Mankato, talks about how soil management can greatly reduce global warming and contribute to the future health of the planet.
Aired July 2021 on KMSU 89.7 FM
June 24, 2021 Every Day is Earth Day
Dr. Vincent Winstead, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Minnesota State Mankato discusses renewable energy as a trend of the future in energy and the reality of becoming Carbon-free.
June 17, 2021 YES! Youth Eco-Solutions at Mankato West HS
Learn how students at Mankato West are changing the world with real-world solutions to our environment. We talked with several students and their coach about the Youth Eco-Solutions (YES!) about projects they have done and are doing that are making a real difference.
YES! Coach Eric Koser, along with Mankato West students:
Violet LeBoutillier
Evan Quilling
Kendra Davide
Miranda Kubek
April 15, 2021 As part of Earth Week, Laura Peterson, director of the Living Earth Center in Mankato talks about the many ways her organization preserves our earth -- from the physical to spiritual.
June 10, 2021 Every Day is Earth Day with Briana Baker, Minnesota Valley Action Council (southern Minnesota), weatherization auditor. Join Briana as she shares ways to reduce your energy bill in the summer, as well as provides information on rebate programs for being energy-conscious. She also talks about ways to become involved in the Blue Earth Community Farm.
June 3, 2021 Every Day is Earth Day
Interview with Dr. Don Friend, Professor of Geography at Minnesota State Mankato who spent a year as a Jefferson Science Fellow consulting on Climate Change for United States Agency for International Development (UNSAID). He helped develop strategic plans for Climate Change Risk Management on a global scale.
May 27, 2021 Every Day is Earth Day!
Today's segment features highlights of southern Minnesota's State Parks with area naturalist, Scott Kudelka. He talks about some of the main features in our parks from bison to waterfalls. In addition, with a loosening of COVID19 restrictions, programs at the parks are returning for the summer.
Every Day is Earth Day Guest Rick Baird, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Mankato talks about efforts to create awareness about what is/isn't recyclable and how contaminants in the recycle stream result in more landfill waste.
May 13, 2021 In this first episode of Everyday is Earth Day, Minnesota Morning host, Karen Wright, talks with environmentalist Leigh Pomeroy about the importance and idea for this series of programs which will air every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. on KMSU.
April 23, 2021 How to turn your yard into a pollinator haven. Some simple steps to take to improve our ecosystem with a sustainable lawn with James Wolfin, Wolfin is with Metro Bloom and is a Pollinator Conservationist and Entomologist. Great tips for the gardener!
April 21, 2021 Assistant Professor of Urban & Regional Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato talks about the development of a sustainability certificate program at the University.
April 21, 2021 The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees by Douglas Tallamy. Karen Wright interviews this best-selling author about one of the most important living things on this planet - the Oak Tree. Tallamy is fascinating as he describes the tree with love and amazement.
April 19, 2021 KMSU's Minnesota Morning kicks off Earth Week 2021 with a pair of professor emeriti who have embraced saving the earth in their retirement. Minnesota State University, Mankato Professor Emeritus of Physics, Lou Schwartzkopf and Professor Emeritus of English and Film, Leigh Pomeroy share their efforts and discuss how we can all be involved.
April 20, 2021 Birding with Batt during Earth Week.
Al gives us all kinds of ideas on how we can be friendlier to the earth and make it livable for future generations.
April 20, 2021 For Earth Week, Minnesota Morning invites guests Jane Dow, Betty Winkworth and Molly Yunkers to talk about the Mankato Area Zero Waste Program and Plastics Recycling. You wouldn't believe what you can recycle and how these area women are making this happen!