Understanding soil as a system

Understanding soil as a system

Author: Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett August 29, 2024 Duration: 41:10

This week we chat with Michelle Wander, Emeritus Soil Scientist in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences department at University of Illinois. We go belowground to explore the importance of soil health, threats to that health, and practices to mitigate negative impacts on soil. Learn more on the blog

Helpful resources for homeowners: 

Soils website from Illinois Extension

Web Soil Survey 

UC Davis SoilWebs App 

Helpful resources for farmers:
Idea Farm Network
Midwest Cover Crops Council 


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
Value of Biodiversity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:40
Biodiversity - such a buzzword these days. But what is biodiversity and why does everyone seem to be talking about it? Extension Educator Abigail Garofalo will break down this scientific concept and give you insights int…
Nature at Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:49
Don’t count out nighttime when it comes to exploring. Each season brings a different “night” whether it be the long winter nights with clear skies or the late sunsets in summer, there is always something to discover in n…
Spring Ephemerals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 fr…
Maple Syrup Season in Illinois [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:01
Complete information soon to be posted on the Everyday Environments Webinar Series on YouTube go.illinois.edu/everydayenvironmentrecordings
The Wildlife We Live With [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:48
When people get excited about supporting wildlife on their property, they are usually referring to the ones bring us joy or whimsy or the ones that bring us some function such as pollination. But that sense of awe and wo…
Garter Snakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:58
American Songbirds benefit from Livestock Grazing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:10
Resources: https://learningstore.extension.wisc.edu/products/grassland-birds-fostering-habitats-using-rotational-grazing-p103https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GrasslandBirdsWorkbook.pdfhttps://ww…
Soft Landings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:55
Discussing the soft landings concept by Heather Holm and Leslie Pilgrim