Trees are capable of so much more than just providing shade and cleaning our air. Join host Rose Daily and guest Brian Wahl (Wisconsin DNR) to learn all of the amazing benefits of trees, including how they reduce energy costs, increase anti-cancer proteins in the body, and bring more business to your downtown. This episode also explores how to protect trees during construction projects and small things you can do to help the trees on your property thrive.

Planting trees correctly: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/urbanforests/treeplantingresources

Heat island & trees: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-05/documents/reducing_urban_heat_islands_ch_2.pdf

International Society of Arboriculture: Trees are good.org (learn about tree care and how to find a certified Arborist): https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/publicoutreach/treesaregood/index

Nature’s Riches: The Health and Financial Benefits of Nearby Nature : https://www.naturewithin.info/New/2016.11.Economic_Benefits_of_Nature_in_Cities.KWolf.pdf

Forest Bathing: https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2023/10/03/the-difference-between-hiking-and-forest-bathing/

Timestamps:

(01:49) The urban forest

(03:26) Trees: are they the answer?

(05:23) Wildlife habitat, dust mop, carbon sequestration

(07:58) $80 million in energy savings

(10:31) Trees & the heat island effect

(14:10) Sponge in a rainstorm

(17:17) Health benefits of trees

(18:49) Forest bathing & anti-cancer proteins

(21:42) Birth weight in children

(24:33) Property values & downtown shops

(30:50) Impact of emerald ash borer

(32:06) Replacing a mature tree with sapplings

(37:03) Damaging trees during construction projects

(44:33) Help your trees THRIVE

(58:23) resources & closing thoughts

"Protecting special places forever" is the mission statement of Groundswell Conservancy, a local nonprofit focused on land conservation. Join host Rose Daily and guest BJ Byers to learn how land is selected for conservation, what happens after acquisition, and how community members can get involved in land restoration.

Groundswell Conservancy: https://groundswellconservancy.org/

Find your local land trust: https://landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts

(01:00) Protecting special places forever

(02:48) What land is worth conserving?

(06:03) Rare & endagered species

(10:01) What's next after land acquisition?

(13:10) Conservation easement

(21:24) Groundswell's work in action

Spending time in nature has so many physical and social benefits, yet, in today's world, both adults and children are spending less time outside. Join host Rose Daily and guest BJ Beyers for a discussion on the unique connection humans have with nature and the important role this plays in wellbeing. This episode explores why we're spending less time in nature and the unique benefits received just from spending a few moments outside.

Groundswell Conservancy: https://groundswellconservancy.org/

White et al. 2019 Nature research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3

(02:38) We spend 68 years of our lives indoors

(03:53) Factors keeping us inside

(10:29) Scheduling time in nature

(10:47) Does time in nature shift as we age?

(18:09) Spending 4 months in the wildernenss

(22:31) Scheduled hikes, wildlife observation, camping

(30:57) Benefits: improved wellbeing, increased focus, heightened creativity, desire to protect

(34:37) Walking outside or watching a video of nature: which is better?

(38:40) Hedonic vs eudaimonic wellbeing

(40:32) How to achieve peak happiness in nature

(45:11) Organizing field trips and outdoor volunteer events with Groundswell Conservancy

In today's world with social media, virtual meetings, and online petitions, advocating has become easier than ever. But it's also brought with it a multitude of advocacy outlets, making it challenging to know where to start. Join host Rose Daily and guests Kim Mintrone and Eneida Hysi for a discussion on the most effective strategies for driving change and ensuring your voice is heard. Through the framework of inform, engage, and lead, this episode provides the tools needed to become an changemaker.

(02:33) Meaning of advocacy

(03:39) Choice paralysis & other challenges

(05:44) Framework: objective, audience, action

(13:48) Powers held by local governments

(22:44) Inform: newsletters, events, council meetings, social media

(27:48) Engage: surveys, public comment, input sessions

(32:42) Lead: run for office, commission, committee

(35:05) School boards - important even if you don't have kids

(41:07) State level advocacy & powers

(45:00) Track a bill, town meetings, press conferences

(48:50) Don't get discouraged!

(53:14) Engaging with the federal government??

Join host Rose Daily and guest Michael Allen for a deep dive into some of the most promising renewable energy sources and exploring their potential to power the United States. A special focus will be given to utility-scale solar farms and what it take to bring these large energy generation systems to life. This episode will also touch on whether or not fossil fuels can be phased out completely, as well as how the new federal administration is impacting the clean energy future of our country.

Energy Law Wisconsin: https://energylawwisconsin.com/

Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits: https://www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions-under-the-inflation-reduction-act-of-2022

(02:57) A shortage of power in Wisconsin?

(04:45) Renewable energy potential of the U.S.

(08:20) Factors to consider when developing clean energy farms

(10:04) 70% of clean energy comes from utility-scale systems

(12:21) Will fossil fuels be phased out completely?

(19:08) Financing energy generation projects

(22:58) Bringing a solar farm to life

(29:23) Tariffs & permitting

(31:00) Who owns energy generation systems?

(36:30) Maintaining large scale solar farms

(38:43) The new federal administration: energy emergency, boycotting windfarms, & increasing drilling

(43:07) Impacts to the Inflation Reduction Act

The cold winters in Wisconsin always bring with them temperatures in the single digits, snowfall, and icy roads. Wisconsinites respond by applying a liberal amount of salt to roads and sidewalks to prevent people and vehicles from slipping. But once the ice is melted, where does the salt go? Host Rose Daily and guest Allison Madison explore the negative impacts of salt on our built world, natural environment, and human health, as well as what we can do to fight salt pollution.

(03:05) Should we be concerned about salt?

(04:07) Salt damages infrastructure

(06:53) Zooplankton, algae, and biogeochemistry

(11:34) Salt levels are rising in rivers

(12:26) We're consuming too much salt

(14:27) What about our dogs and cats?

(15:47) Shovel more, salt less

(20:51) Salt brine as a proactive approach

(23:14) Beet juice, pickle juice, molasses

(28:09) Use your voice

(32:48) The role municipalities play in salt solutions

(36:16) Salt use policies

(38:43) Heated streets & salt takeback programs

(41:43) Statewide action?

(44:55) Salt pollution advocacy

Hoping to reduce your carbon footprint this year? Looking for resolution ideas that are good for you AND the planet? This episode has you covered! Host Rose Daily and guest Lorenza Zebell share 25 sustainable resolution ideas for 2025 that anyone can adopt - no matter where they are on their sustainability journey. From small daily shifts to impactful changes in energy use and consumption, they cover easy-to-implement ideas like subscribing to climate friendly social media accounts, testing your soil, and switching to time of use electricity rates. Plus, they discuss practical tips for achieving your resolutions throughout the new year.

A summarized list of the 25 sustainable resolution ideas can be accessed here: /DocumentCenter/View/15880/SSP-Episode-15-Summary-List

Sustain Dane: https://sustaindane.org/

Invest Your Values tool: https://investyourvalues.org/

(02:42) Our 2024 & 2025 resolutions

(05:31) Softball resolutions: zero-waste products & reusable grocery bags

(08:06) Fair trade grocery items

(09:07) Subscribe to social media climate accounts

(10:21) Choose glass over plastic

(11:42) The most impactful resolution on emissions

(13:32) Resolutions for your wallet

(14:26) Time of use rate

(16:01) Conduct a lightbulb inventory

(17:10) Hang dry laundry

(18:00) Reduce fashion consumption

(20:14) Invest in an kilowatt meter

(21:43) Review your investments!

(22:59) Water softeners

(23:47) Green energy program

(24:48) Resolutions for your lawn

(27:45) Start a green team at your place of work

(30:01) Have more conversations about climate change

(31:32) How to achieve your resolutions this year

There are currently billions of dollars on the table to support whole-home energy efficiency upgrades in the United States. Wisconsin received a $150 million cut and became the first state in the country to establish its Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program, administered through Focus on Energy. Through the HOMES program, Wisconsin homeowners and renters can receive substantial rebates for energy efficiency upgrades, including insulation, HVAC, windows, and more. Host Rose Daily and guests Dylan Crye with Focus on Energy and Joe Pater with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin discuss program details, eligibility, and the process for applying, along with the positive impact this program is having on local contractors.

HOMES Program Overview: https://focusonenergy.com/ira-homes

Focus on Energy Rebate Finder: https://focusonenergy.com/get-started

IRA Registered Contractor List: https://www.clearesult.com/partner-hub/find-

contractor/17/263

IRA Registered Contractor Resources: https://focusonenergy.com/ira-registered-contractors

Department of Energy Home Energy Rebates map: https://www.energy.gov/save/rebates

(02:40) What is the HOMES program?

(04:08) $150 million to Wisconsin

(06:45) Focus on Energy as the program administrator

(07:23) Focus on Energy rebates vs HOMES rebates - what's the difference?

(10:31) Energy efficiency: a smart investment

(12:59) How contractors will benefit from HOMES.

(19:02) IRA registered contractors

(25:00) The process: income qualification, IRA registered contractor, energy assessment

(28:27) Why is an energy assessment required?

(29:36) Blower door test & infrared cameras

(33:36) Building shell first, core second, solar last

(38:54) Stacking rebates to save thousands

(47:31) What about renters?

(52:51) Home Energy Rebates in other states

(54:28) Everyone is eligible!