Best Abigail Garofalo Podcasts (2024)

1
PFAS: Understanding this Contaminant of Emerging Concern 29:46

8d ago29:46

29:46

Join us as we talk with Sarah Zack, Pollution Prevention Extension Specialist, about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Commonly found in a wide variety of consumer products like non-stick cookware, cosmetics, and cleaners, PFAS are an emerging contaminant that has recently become newsworthy due to its widespread discovery in waterbodies…

1
Beneath the Surface: Exploring Illinois' Freshwater Mussels 23:36

22d ago23:36

23:36

Clam, Mollusk, Mussel, or Muscle? Let's unravel the mystery! Join us in this podcast episode as we delve into the captivating world of Illinois freshwater mussels. Whether you're gliding along a river or strolling by a stream, the remarkable underwater life beneath the surface may surprise you. These unsung heroes play a vital role in purifying our…

1
Tips for your home during Electrical Safety Month 24:07

1M ago24:07

24:07

Join us as we chat with Kerri Taylor from Safe Electricity about tips for electrical safety month. We cover electrical safety tips for our homes and yards, as well as tips to talk about with your kids.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Should we participate in "No Mow May"? (Hint: look at the ecology) 39:50

2M ago39:50

39:50

These Illinoisians and ecology-minded podcast hosts discuss the nuances of No Mow May and why it may not be the best fit for Illinois. Erin, Amy, and Abigail talk about the true goals behind No May May and how Illinois residents can achieve those goals when considering the ecology of our landscapes. Check out our friends at Good Growing and their b…

1
Research Bite: University of Illinois Students Discuss Bird Collisions 24:10

2M ago24:10

24:10

Join the Spotlight on Natural Resources Podcast team for a Research Bite! Within each Research Bite segment, we delve into groundbreaking research conducted at University of Illinois, offering listeners exclusive insights into the innovative discoveries and advancements shaping the future of applied science. During this episode, we hear from the st…

1
13 and 17 is Very Weird: Periodical Cicadas with Kacie Athey 21:56

2M ago21:56

21:56

The cicadas are emerging, times two! Join us as we explore the upcoming periodical cicada emergence in Illinois with entomologist Kacie Athey. In this episode, we discuss the 17-year and 13-year life cycle of these insects, their impact on the local ecosystem, and what Illinois residents can expect during this natural event. Visit these sites to le…

1
Tornado Trends 43:10

3M ago43:10

43:10

Dive into the swirling world of tornado trends in Illinois with our latest podcast episode. Join us as we explore how a tornado forms, the recent patterns of tornado occurrences in the Prairie State, and what you can do to improve your resiliency to tornado hazards. Come away with a deeper understanding of this powerful natural phenomenon. Learn mo…

1
Early Spring Wildlife 28:10

4M ago28:10

28:10

Early spring is a wonderful time to view wildlife in Illinois. Woodcock, one of the earliest of the migrating birds, return to the state and start displaying to attract mates and set up territories. Mole salamanders will head to breeding pools, even when ice is still on. Crawfish frogs and spring peepers can be heard in full chorus on warm nights. …

1
Phenology as a Retirement Hobby 45:47

5M ago45:47

45:47

Ever think about what will captivate you in retirement? You don’t want to just sit around but you don’t want to over-commit now that you have your own time. Phenology could be a retirement hobby. Join Peggy Doty to talk about how phenology offers an activity for your mind and just enough commitment to wake up interested in this new idea. Phenology …

1
The Northern Saw-whet Owl 37:15

6M ago37:15

37:15

Hiding in the thickets of our Illinois woodland habitat, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small and secretive owl species that migrates through our area. During this podcast, University of Illinois Avian Lab Manager and Field Coordinator, Mike Avara, joins us to share research the university is doing on the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Find out why these o…

1
Providing Natural and Artificial Homes for Bats 28:19

7M ago28:19

28:19

Join us this week as we chat with Dr. Joy O'Keefe about bats of Illinois and what we can do to support them. Bats are essential to a healthy ecosystem, as they eat insects that are pests to trees, crops, and us. Most bats use trees as their daytime roosts during spring, summer, and fall. If you have good places for bats to hunt for food, how do you…

1
Invasive Alert: Spotted Lanternfly 45:48

8M ago45:48

45:48

On this special edition of Spotlight on Natural Resources, hear from Scott Schirmer, State Plant Regulatory Official with Illinois Department of Agriculture, and Chris Evans, Forestry Extension and Research Specialist with University of Illinois Extension as we talk about Spotted Lanternfly. Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive insect that has been co…

1
Creepy Carp and Sea Lamprey, Aquatic invasives in Lake Michigan (the Halloween episode) 37:12

8M ago37:12

37:12

Join us this week as we chat with Aquatic Invasives Species Specialist Katie O'Reilly about all things aquatic invasives in Lake Michigan. We take a spooky look at what kinds of species are aquatic invaders and what we can do to combat invasive species in our waterways. Illinois Indiana Sea Grant Aquatic Invasive Species Choose Copi The Sea Lamprey…

1
September is National Preparedness Month: Generator Safety, Supply Kits & CO Detectors 43:23

9M ago43:23

43:23

September is National Preparedness Month. Kerri Taylor joins us from Illinois Safe Electricity to teach us about how we can better prepare our homes, families, workplaces, and communities in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Focusing on storm preparedness, we discuss in-depth how to prepare an emergency supply kit, how to choose and saf…

1
Exploring Illinois’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy 24:16

10M ago24:16

24:16

With high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus entering our waterways and making their way to the Gulf of Mexico, Illinois is taking action to address nutrient loss and hold those nutrients in place. Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback are the boots on the ground for this project in Illinois, and they join us on the podcast to take about the NLRS and wh…

1
Drought and Extreme Weather Resiliency 35:17

11M ago35:17

35:17

With droughts and drastic weather occurring in Illinois, how do we keep our landscapes resilient? Extension Stormwater Specialist, Eliana Brown, joins the podcast to discuss how we can help build healthy landscapes in this extreme weather. Links mentioned: Drought Monitor Website Red Oak Rain Garden Native Plant Resources…

1
Corn Sweat: a Midwest phenomenon 27:01

12M ago27:01

27:01

Corn sweat - an interesting Midwest phenomenon that happens during the summer months. Find out what corn sweat really is and how it affects our weather, wildlife and other plants. Duane Friend, Illinois Master Naturalist Coordinator and Climate Specialist, joins us during this episode. Hint: An acre of corn can “sweat” up to 4,000 gallons of water …

1
Value of Biodiversity 27:40

1y ago27:40

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 into the biodiversity crisis and what you can do about it.By Erin Garrett and Amy Lefringhouse with Guest Abigail Garofalo

1
Nature at Night 34:49

1y ago34:49

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 nature at night. In fact, in terms of wildlife, over 60% of our mammals are nocturnal. Extension Natural Resources Educator Amy Lef…

1
Spring Ephemeral 14:48

1y ago14:48

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. We’re going to dive into what these plants are and why they’re so unique today.…

1
Maple Syrup Season in Illinois 19:01

1+ y ago19:01

19:01

Maple Syrup Season in IllinoisBy Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
What is the difference between snow, sleet, and freezing rain? 17:06

1+ y ago17:06

17:06

What is the difference between snow, sleet and freezing rain?By Duane Friend

1
The Wildlife We Live With 22:48

1+ y ago22:48

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 wonder with nature tends to take a turn into annoyance, and even fear when we stumble upon more nuisance animals. Learn more about t…

1
Illinois' State Grass 14:03

1+ y ago14:03

14:03

By Erin Garrett

1
Garter Snakes 14:58

1+ y ago14:58

14:58

By Peggy Doty

1
American Songbirds benefit from Livestock Grazing 17:10

2y ago17:10

17:10

Resources: https://learningstore.extension.wisc.edu/products/grassland-birds-fostering-habitats-using-rotational-grazing-p103 https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/GrasslandBirdsWorkbook.pdf https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/agricultural_practices_that_conserve_grasslands_birds_(e3190).pdf…

1
Soft Landings 14:55

2y ago14:55

14:55

It seems like summer just started, but now is a great time to start planning for fall landscape installations! If you’ve got trees in your backyard, consider adding soft landings around the bases of them.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Ponds 15:32

2y ago15:32

15:32

If you have had any questions about what to do about your Ponds and whether or not weeds and/or algae are good for your pond listen to this episode to find out more from Duane Friend.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
May Watts 10:01

2y ago10:01

10:01

May Theilgaard Watts was an illinois naturalist, author, and poet who worked to develop nature themed programming and educational materials that helped people understand the world around them. You may recognize her work in the famous “Tree Finder” book used by countless naturalists and educators. Learn about this Illinoisan and the contributions sh…

1
Large Predators Return...Or Are They? 13:01

2y ago13:01

13:01

Large Predators returning to Illinois is becoming a more common event. Spring is right around the corner and it seems to be the time of year when these sightings happen so who are these creatures and why are they wandering in and out of Illinois.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Planning a Native Plant Garden 15:49

2+ y ago15:49

15:49

It may not seem like spring is right around the corner, but it will be here before you know it! For those gardeners who are looking to make a difference this season, consider adding native plants to your gardens.By Erin Garrett

1
Winter weather and safety 12:20

2+ y ago12:20

12:20

Winter weather and safetyBy Duane Friend

1
Sizing a Home Solar System 12:23

2+ y ago12:23

12:23

When considering adding solar panels to your home, one important step is to properly size a solar system to meet your home’s needs. We’ll cover 4 easy steps you can take yourself to estimate how large of a system you’ll need, along with a quick cost estimate – which will give you a starting estimate before you talk to a solar installer.…

1
Overwintering for Wildlife 17:11

2+ y ago17:11

17:11

As the cold weather creeps in and winter approaches, we start preparing our house, our wardrobe, and our minds for the cold months to come. The bees, butterflies, squirrels, bats, and other Illinois wildlife have to prepare for the cold winter months ahead as well. Learn how our wildlife overwinters and what you can do to support those animals (wit…

1
ERNEST THOMPSON SETON -Naturalist 12:21

3y ago12:21

12:21

By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Which Plant Makes Me Sneeze? Goldenrod vs Ragweed 11:49

3y ago11:49

11:49

The end of summer is approaching and that means fall allergies will be ramping up. How many of us blame the beautiful yellow blooming plants on the roadsides for our allergies? Goldenrod gets all the blame, but ragweed is the culprit! Learn how to identify both plants and information about why one is an allergen and the other is not – hint, it has …

1
Invasive Plant Management 11:52

3y ago11:52

11:52

Description: Fall is the time to work on controlling woody invasive plants. While often associated with timber areas, woody invasive plants can be a problem along fence rows, native prairies, and even home landscapes. Join us to explore why fall management provides better control.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant 10:41

3y ago10:41

10:41

A “sea” focused program in the Midwest? Join us and learn not only how Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant got its name, but also how it’s connecting people with science to strengthen and preserve ecosystems and communities in southern Lake Michigan and beyond.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Wild Spring Babies 11:11

3y ago11:11

11:11

It is April so could we be seeing wildlife babies soon? Are wildlife of the same species born at the same time in Illinois? (the point of this question, or one like it, is to point out the length of our state and that wildlife births could differ because of timing of “spring”) What are the first considerations a person should have when they find wh…

1
Landscape Water Conservation 9:36

3+ y ago9:36

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.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Bird Feeding 9:05

3+ y ago9:05

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.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Bats 12:27

3+ y ago12:27

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 are important to our ecosystems, how we can stay safe around bats, and how we can support these flying mammals.…

1
Disposal of Unwanted Medicine 7:13

4y ago7:13

7:13

Extension Educator Ashley Belle explains how you can help to protect our natural environment by properly disposing of unwanted medicines.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Toxic Algae in Illinois 7:02

4y ago7:02

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 toxic.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
The Wonderful World of Wetlands 10:01

4y ago10:01

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 wetland habitat loss in Illinois is about 85%. Luckily, the value of wetlands has been recognized in recent decades and work has b…

1
Invasive Plant Species 11:20

4y ago11:20

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 property.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Ecological Footprint 9:13

4y ago9:13

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 impact our natural environment.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Home Energy Efficiency Tips 11:21

4y ago11:21

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.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Conservation Practices for Residential Properties 8:27

4+ y ago8:27

8:27

Now is a great time of year to be thinking about how to make your yard more environmentally friendly. Extension Educator Abigale Garofalo talks about how plantings of native plants can help the look and environmental friendliness of your yard.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

1
Bluebirds in Illinois 7:40

4+ y ago7:40

7:40

Extension Educator Peggy Doty talks about the types of Bluebirds in Illinois and how you can change your yard to attract and protect them.By Abigail Garofalo, Amy Lefringhouse, Erin Garrett

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Abigail Garofalo Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide