Spring Ephemerals

Spring Ephemerals

Author: Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett May 9, 2023 Duration: 14:48

Spring is here, and one of the best places to enjoy the season is hiking through a forest. In spring you can find the forest floor bursting with life. Many of the spring-blooming flowers you see when out on a hike are from a group of plants called spring ephemerals. Today we chat with Erin Garrett to learn more about these plants and why they’re so unique. 


Hosted by Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, and Erin Garrett, Everyday Environment Podcast is a conversation about the natural systems that shape daily life in Illinois. It’s not just about distant wilderness; it’s about the water from your tap, the trees on your street, the birds at your feeder, and the energy powering your home. Each episode pulls on a single thread-be it soil health, local wildlife, or sustainable practices-to reveal the whole intricate web we’re a part of. You’ll hear clear explanations and practical insights that make the science of our surroundings accessible and immediately relevant. The goal is to move beyond abstract concepts and foster a tangible, deeper understanding of how these environmental connections work right outside our doors. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that equip you with knowledge about the air, land, and water in your own community, making the complexities of our shared ecosystem feel a little more familiar and a lot more connected to the choices we make every day. This podcast is one part of a broader educational effort, designed to engage curious residents who want to look a bit closer at the world around them.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Everyday Environment Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Landscape Water Conservation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:36
Conserving water on your property is all reducing runoff and there are a lot of big and small ways you can do that. Learn ways you can do help improve water quality for yourself, your neighbors, and all Illinoisans.
Bird Feeding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:05
Extension Educator Peggy Doty talks about how to select a good bird food seed mix, and selecting a bird feeder. She also corrects a couple of common misconceptions about feeding birds.
Bats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:27
Bats have been at the top of news headlines with concerns about health and safety. Learn more about these creatures with Extension’s Energy and Environmental Stewardship Educator, Abigail Garofalo, and find out why bats…
Disposal of Unwanted Medicine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:13
Extension Educator Ashley Belle explains how you can help to protect our natural environment by properly disposing of unwanted medicines.
Toxic Algae in Illinois [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:02
There have been scattered reports of toxic algae blooms in some small ponds in Illinois. Extension Educator Duane Friend talks about what steps can be taken to prevent these in the future and how to know if your algae is…
The Wonderful World of Wetlands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:01
Today’s podcast is on Wetlands, with Erin Garrett. Wetlands provide numerous invaluable ecosystem services, yet their value is often overlooked. Seen as breeding grounds for mosquitos or places to be drained, historical…
Invasive Plant Species [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:20
In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources. Extension Educator Jay Solomon explains how invasive plant species affect ecosystems in Illinois and what to do when you recognize those plants in your yard or on your p…
Ecological Footprint [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:13
In this edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, Extension Educator Ashley Belle explains how everyday choices have an effect on our Ecological Footprint. Everything from the places we live to the foods we eat directly…
Home Energy Efficiency Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:21
Extension Educator Erin Garrett describes how to save money on your Home Energy costs. She has tips about using energy saving thermostats and powering off equipment that isn’t actively being used.

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