Episodes
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How Climate Change is Affecting the Birds 10-29-2026
October 29, 2026 - Two-thirds of North American birds are vulnerable to climate change, threatening their long-term survival as the planet overheats. EDED Host Karen Wright spoke with Al Batt, a naturalist, writer, and humorist from Hartland, Minnesota, about how climate change and environmental...
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Coalition of Care Charter - to create caring actions for the environment; Oct. 24 event (aired 10-15-2026)
Oct. 15, 2026 - The public is invited to a free community event to be held on Sat. Oct. 24, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Minnesota State University, Mankato. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Coalition of Care members Paul Prew and Deb Groebner who are co-chairing the event titled, "Co-designing a...
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How to Become a Community Energy Ambassador 10-08-2026
October 8, 2026 - If you regularly listen to "Every Day is Earth Day", you are likely someone who cares about clean energy. If so, the CERTs program is for you. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Jennifer Lindahl, Southeast MN CERT Coordinator, and Keely Rau, CERT Statewide Ambassador Program...
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Mankato Area Solar and Energy Efficiency Tour on Oct. 3, 2026
Oct. 1, 2026 - The South Central Minnesota Clean Energy Council is hosting its 2nd Annual Mankato Area Solar & Clean Energy Tour on Sat. Oct. 3, 1-4 pm. Meet at the Blue Earth County Library at 1 pm for locations and travel via Car-avan. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Sabri Fair, Chair of the...
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Thriving with Electrified Lives in Mankato (presentation on Sept. 24)
September 24, 2026 - "Thriving with Electrified Lives: Recharge Mankato Roadmap" is a presentation that will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, 6:30 pm at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 501 2nd St. Mankato, by Kirk Brown, a founding member of Recharge America. EDED host Karen Wright talks…
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Zero Waste Day in the Park on Sept. 19
Sept. 17, 2026 - It's the epitome of learning about ways to save our environment. It's "Zero Waste Day in the Park", on Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 am to 1 pm, at the Sibley Park Pavilion, Mankato. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Mankato Area Zero Waste volunteers Jane Dow and Stephanie Putzier…
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GreenSeam: Working Towards Sustainable Agricultural Development 9-10-2026
September 10, 2026 - GreenSeam is an ag-focused regional economic development initiative based in Mankato, Minnesota. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with Holly Callaghan, GreenSeam Economic Development Specialist about the organization and the importance of agriculture in Southern Minnesota and…
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New Environmental Exhibits at the MN State Fair 09-03-2026
September 3, 2026 - A must-see at the Minnesota State Fair in 2026 are the new displays at the MPCA's Eco Experience. Britt Gangeness, Environmental Education & Outreach Supervisor, shares the history of clean-up efforts of the mighty Mississippi over the past 100 years and how you can learn more...
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North Mankato Seeks Public Input for Energy Action Work Plan 08-27-2026
August 28, 2926 - Community members are invited to share their thoughts in a community-wide energy survey to help identify energy priorities and strategies that support energy savings and renewables for the City of North Mankato. EDED Host Karen Wright spoke with North Mankato City Planner Matt...
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De-listing Minnesota Waterways from the Impaired List 8-13-2026
August 13, 2026 - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has just released its Impaired MN Waters List. The good news: several waters have been removed from that list, but much more work remains to be done as there are nearly 3,000 impaired lakes, rivers and streams which are considered impaired…
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Conservation Innovation with Great River Greening in New Ulm 08062026
August 8, 2026 - Green River Greening representative will be at Schell's Brewery in New Ulm tonight (Aug. 8) to discuss innovative tools and science-backed conservation practices the non-profit is working on in Southern Minnnesota, including BioChar, Kernza and silvopasture. Every Day is Earth…
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Detectable Arsenic in Well Water - New Program for Well Testing in S. MN 07-30-2026
July 30, 2026 - Arsenic has been found in 48 to 84% of wells in Southern Minnesota. Minnesota non-profit, Freshwater, has teamed up with Mayo Clinic and is using a grant to conduct free water testing for arsenic in eight counties in southern Minnesota. EDED Host Karen Wright talked with…
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MN Wildfires Out of Control 07-23-2026
July 23, 2026 - Minnesota is experiencing an unprecedented and elevated fire risk due to an extended extreme heat wave, exceptionally dry conditions, and a severe lightning event that occurred earlier in the month. There are currently at least 25 active fires in northern Minnesota, requiring...
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Why We Need to Save Minnesota's Declining Prairies 07-09-2026
July 9, 2026 - Minnesota's Prairies are in severe decline, with less than 1% of their original 18 million acres remaining today. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Eric Steinmetz and Genevieve Miles, both with "Save the Kasota" Prairie about on-going efforts to preserve this important resource.…
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New Center Established to Conserve Pollinators 07-02-2026
July 2, 2026 - The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is rallying for pollinator conservation by building relationships through its new Center for Pollinator Conservation. The new (and first) director of the center, Nicole Alt, talked with EDED host Karen Wright about the organization's effort to...
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New Climate-Friendly Ag Practices Program for Water Quality 06-18-2026
June 18, 2026 - The application period has just opened for a new MN Dept. of Agriculture program designed to encourage producers to implement sustainable agricultural practices with known, quantifiable greenhouse gas emission reductions. EDED host Karen Wright spoke with Megan Moland…
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Local Food Rescue 6-11-2026
June 11, 2026 - The USA wastes nearly 40% of its food supply, amounting to around 60 million tons per year, or 325 pounds per person. EDED host Karen Wright talked with Tom Polich, Regional Food Rescue Coordinator at Reg. 9, about the unique program for rescuing tons of food in southern Minnesota.
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Agricultural and Wastewater Pollution 05282026
May 28, 2026 - Nutrient pollution from agriculture and other sources persists in many U.S. waterways, affecting both drinking water and the natural environment. Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, talked with a panel of experts on the issue: Dr. Gurpal Toor, University of Maryland, Dr.…
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National Wildfire Awareness Month_Are you prepared? 05212026
May 21, 2026 - As Climate is changing, the prevalence of wildfires is increasing across the world - with increasing heat, drought and winds - even in Minnesota. Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, spoke with Wildland Firefighter and founder of SAFE SOSS (a fire mitigation company), about...
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Emergency Action Needed as Nitrate Pollution Reaches Crisis Levels 05-07-2026
May 7, 2026 - Science and Environmental Groups sent a letter this week to ask the EPA and HHS to take emergency action as nitrate pollution in water has reached crisis levels. Karen Wright spoke with Dr. Stacy Woods, a co-author of the letter and the research director for the Food & Environment...
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End of Mining Ban Threatens Boundary Waters 4-23-2026
April 23, 2026 - The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 to overturn a 20-year ban on mining in the Superior National Forest, threatening to expose the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to potential pollution. Karen Wright talked with Sam Chadwick, Associate Director of Save the Boundary Waters on what...
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Farm to Fork - a Journey from subsistence farming to culinary entrepreneur 4-09-2026
April 9, 2026 - Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, talks with soil scientist, chef and author of Between Farm and Fork, Dr. Janell Ohletz about her journey from subsistence farming to culinary entrepreneurship and finding her path to regenerative practices for Mother Earth.
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The Recyling and Waste Journey - from curbside bin to new products 4-16-2026
April 16, 2026 - What can you put in your Recycling bin and your Waste bin? How do you know what goes in which bin? J Winkowski, WM Senior District Manager, Zach Anderson, WM District Manager for Mankato and Fairmont, and Taylor Piotter, Blue Earth County Waste & Recycling Planner take us on the...
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Earth is on Life Support-How We Can Help 04-09-2026
April 8, 2026 - Dr. Janel Ohletz believes Earth is on life-support and we need to take steps to save it. EDED Host Karen Wright talks with Ohletz, as former chef and current soil scientist and author with expertise in regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems. She discusses the...
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Studies Stress the High Cost of Climate Change 3-19-2026
March 19. 2026-The MPCA released a report that says the costs of not adapting to the warming climate are higher than if the state began to make necessary changes now. In addition, Hippo Insights released a similar study showing economic benefits for investing in a range of climate adaptation...
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Everlasting PFAs in the Environment 3-12-2026
March 12, 2026 - PFAs are a group of thousands of human-made chemicals that do not break down over time. Every Day is Earth Day host Karen Wright talked with MPCA environmental scientist, Andria Kurbondski about PFAs which are found everywhere and are harmful to our health and the environment....
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The Importance of the Mount Simon Aquifer
February 26, 2026 - The mount Simon- Hinckley aquifer spans south-central and southeastern Minnesota, providing essential water for over one-million people in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. EDED host Karen Wright talked with retired DNR Hydrologist, Jim Berg about the uses and abuses of…
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Managing Nitrogen to Prevent Climate Change & Improve Water Quality 2-19-2026
Feb. 19, 2026 - Nitrogen management is crucial to climate change mitigation as well as reducing water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss. The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting free "Nitrogen Colleges" in Mankato (Feb. 25-26) and Hutchinson (Feb 23-24) for farmers to learn…
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MN Wetlands Report - the Good News & the Bad News 2-12-2026
Feb. 12, 2026 - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently completed two wetland quality surveys. EDED host, Karen Wright, talked with MPCA Wetlands Research Scientist Michael Bourdaghs who said the overall statewide outlook is encouraging in the 10+ years the organization has been doing…
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How Climate Change is Affecting the Winter OIympics 2-5-2026
February 5, 2026 - What does the Winter OIympics look like in a warming world? Every Day is Earth Day host Karen Wright spoke with Climate Central's Senior Research Associate Kaitlyn Trudeau about the impact climate change will have on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. An analysis shows that...
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What's Happening with the North Mankato Data Center Lawsuit? 1-29-2026
January 29, 2026 - The South Central Minnesota Clean Energy Council is hosting an informational session about the North Mankato Data Center Lawsuit on Thurs. Jan. 29, 2026, 6:30 p.m. at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato. Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright, spoke with Luke...
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Blue Earth County Establishes New Recycling and Waste Reduction Advisory Committee 1-22-2026
January 22, 2026 - If you have a passion for recycling and managing waste, Blue Earth County's Waste & Recycling Department wants YOU! Karen Wright talks with Mark Manderfeld and Taylor Piotter about the establishment of a new Recycling and Waste Reduction Committee which will be made up of...
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A 2025 Climate Year in Review 01-08-2026
Jan. 8, 2026 - Dr. Kim Cobb, an American Climate Scientist who is the director for the Institute of Environment and Society at Brown University provides a Year in Review to Every Day is Earth Day host, Karen Wright. She discusses the good, the bad and the ugly.
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Road Salt is Polluting Our Waters - How We Can Fix It 12-18-2025
Dec. 18, 2025 - Salt deicing is crucial for winter safety but significantly harms the environment by polluting water, killing plants, damaging infrastructure and harming wildlife. The key is responsible application, according to MPCA Chloride Reduction coordinator, Brooke Asleson. KMSU's Karen...
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Don't Throw That Away! Fix It! Help is on the Way. 12-11-2025
December 11, 2025 -" Fix-It Clinics" will soon be coming to southern Minnesota thanks to Julie Dempster who is forming a non-profit that will support residents with repairing their items, reducing waste and sharing skills within the community. She talked with KMSU's Karen Wright about the need…
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Noise Pollution - Another Environmental Hazard that Can Kill, 12-04-2025
December 4, 2025 - Noise is more than just a nuisance. Studies link noise pollution to higher risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health issues. Dr. Rick Neitzel, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan, shares his research on noise pollution with...
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Latest Report from the MPCA for MN Lakes & Rivers Water Quality Trends, 11-20-2025
Nov. 20, 2025 - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently released the latest report on Minnnesota's Lake and Rivers Water Quality Trends. Minnesota Morning host, Karen Wright, talked with MPCA Surface Water Monitoring Manager, Kim Laing, about the results which showed some good news and...
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Threats to the Boundary Waters 11-13-2025
Nov. 13, 2025 - KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Save the Boundary Waters Executive Director, Ingrid Lyons, about the threats to the Boundary Waters. Lyons will be speaking at Minnesota State University, Mankato on Friday, Nov. 14, from 2:00 - 3:15 pm in the Centennial Student Union's Ostrander...
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Tiny Forests can have Big Climate Equity Results 11-06-2025
Nov. 6, 2025 - Traditional forests absorb carbon dioxide, reduce air pollution and support wildlife. Tiny ones in urban areas offer even greater potential according to Dr. Sheetal Khedkar Rao, an internal medicine doctor at the University of Illinois. After seeing how environmental/climate…
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Creating a Healthy Earth and Community Together 10-30-2025
Oct. 31, 2025 - The Living Earth Center in Mankato is hosting its 20th Annual EARTH Conference with a goal of developing a local coalition of individuals and organizations devoted to creating a healthy Earth and a healthy community. LEC Program Coordinator, Cora Uyigue, hopes the Nov. 1…
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What are Some Solar Energy Options? What you need to know. 10-16-2025
Oct. 16, 2025 - Gary Winters, owner of the Mankato Solar Store, talks about various options for going solar - from subscribing to a solar community to putting solar panels on your residence. He discusses the pros and cons, what to to look for to see if this renewable energy is practical for you.
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Plastic People - Emerging Health Risks from our Dependence on Plastics 10-09-2025
October 9, 2025 - Scientists are now finding microscopic particles of plastic in peoples' bodies, posing an invisible threat to human health. Minnesota State Mankato's Department of Health Science is hosting the 2024 award-winning documentary, "Plastic People" on Oct. 9, 2025. KMSU's Karen Wright...
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The Cold Weather Rule and Programs to Help you Prepare for Winter 10-02-2025
October 2, 2025 - It's October and time to think of weatherization, energy efficiency, and the cold weather rule for the upcoming winter. Minnesota Valley Action Council Weatherization Manager, Briana Parr-Baker, and Energy Assistance Manager, Sheila Ous discuss.
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Solar and Renewable Energy Stories from Your Neighbors 9-25-2025
Sept. 25, 2025 - The South Central Minnesota Clean Energy Council is hosting its first Mankato Area Solar and Clean Energy Tour to be held Sunday, October 5, 1-4 pm at homes around the area. The public is invited to hear first hand from neighbors about solar, air source heat pumps, electric...
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How to prepare for Climate Disasters 9-11-2025
Sept. 11, 2025 - Climate disasters are no longer a distant threat - we are bombarded by fire, floods, heat and storms that are hitting harder and more often. Dr. Robert Macnee, a climate strategist and author of "The Resilience Advantage: A Small Business Guide to Preparing for Floods, Heatwaves,...
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Mankato Zero Waste Day in the Park 9-10-2025
Sept. 10, 2025 - Mankato Zero Waste is hosting its second "Mankato Zero Waste in the Park" on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 from noon to 3 p.m. at Sibley Park, Mankato. Jane Dow and Sue Hytjan discuss what you can learn at the event and activities you can participate in such as the clothing swap, have...
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Climate Change Creates Ocean Warming, and that Affects us All 9-03-2025
September 4, 2025 - The Midwest may be far from the coasts, but the impact of climate change warming our oceans affects us all. Martin Smith, a professor of environmental economics at Duke University explains the importance of Climate Change Policy.
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Environmental and Energy Consequences of AI Data Centers 8-21-2025
August 21, 2025 - Developers have proposed at least 11 large-scale AI data centers in Minnesota, with North Mankato listed as one of the possible sites. Center for Environmental Advocacy representatives have filed a lawsuit because of a concern for a lack of transparency in the process and the...
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Forever Chemicals, aka PFAs, are killing us 8-14-2025
August 14, 2025 - A panel of scientists discusses the forever and everywhere chemicals known as PFAs which are harming our environment and our health. Panelists include: Dr. Alissa Cordner, Environmental Sociologist, Whitman College; Dr Carla Ng, Environmental Engineer, University of Pittsburgh;...