State of Change

Our neighbor to the south—Iowa—has a cancer problem. In this episode, we look at a new study that paints an alarming picture of rural America... and cancer rates. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kerri Johannsen, Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council Resources for You:  Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa's Cancer Crisis Nitrates and Health Impacts in Wisconsin  Neonicotinoid Pesticides and Health Impacts in Wisconsin PFAS and Health Impacts in Wisconsin Common Pesticides Used in Wisconsin and Potential Health Harms            

We all know Wisconsin's weather is full of extremes and wild swings, like snow one day, sandals the next, and then back to snow.  But 2026 has been wild even for us. In this episode, Amy talks with Wisconsin's state climatologist about what just happened this year, and what's next. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin State Climatologist Resources for You: Wisconsin Center for Climatic Research One Year Later: What the Milwaukee Flood Took and What it Left Behind  

The largest reported oil and gas pipeline spill in state history is unfolding in Wisconsin's Northwoods. A couple of weeks ago, Canadian oil giant Enbridge spilled more than a million gallons of liquid natural gas after it accidentally broke its own pipeline in Iron County. And right now, we have way more questions than answers.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney Resources for You: Pipeline Spill Video, Courtesy David Joe Bates (Facebook Post) Clean Wisconsin: Stop the Line 5 Pipeline

Wisconsin must be doing something right, because the first bee ever listed as a federally endangered species is starting to reappear--right here.  In this episode, a walk deep into the Wisconsin woods to find out what it will take to bring our bees back and meet the dedicated experts and volunteers who are working hard to save our pollinators.

In this episode, Amy heads to Columbia County to separate fact from fiction about wind energy… and learn a thing or two about cows. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jerry Cigelske, 2nd generation Wisconsin farmer  

Overwhelmed by the environmental problems we face? In this episode, how to use your knowledge and power - to find your happy place. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sasha Stone, Green Life Trading Company, Zero Waste Madison  Resources for You: The Defender Episode 35: Microplastics in Our Bodies - How Much do They Hurt Us? Green Life Trading Co. Find out more about Zero Waste Madison Under the Lens: Microplastics and Our Bodies    

It has never been easy to be a farmer. But these days, in the face of rising costs, tariffs, and consolidation, keeping a small farm in business seems next to impossible. But there is a way to survive, and it might just be the key to protecting our health, cleaning up our water, and saving our soil.   In this episode, Amy talks with Chaz Self from Grassway Organics about the future of farming, and where we all fit in. Plus, pizza! Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Chaz Self, Grassway Organics Resources for You: Nitrates on Tap: The Cost of Nitrate Contamination in Wisconsin's Drinking Water Grassway Organics Pizza on the Farm  

The Wisconsin Public Health Association recently adopted a resolution saying unregulated hyperscale data centers are a threat to public health in our state. In this episode, hear from one of the co-authors of that resolution to find out the health and energy consequences of data centers. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Community Health Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Development Clean Wisconsin Action Alerts    

What does it take to get plastic out of your life? Well, unless you can go back in time 100 years, it's pretty much impossible. But what about *some* plastic? Just a place to start? In this episode, we're talking about plastic waste in the grocery store and how to try to take control of the plastics that wind up in your shopping cart. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest:  Brendon Smith, Marketing and Communications Director, Willy St. Co-op Resources for You: Plastic-Free July: 31 days of ideas Microplastics in Our Bodies: Exposure and Potential Health Harms  

While federal money props up old coal power plants in Wisconsin, the EPA is busy relaxing rules meant to keep coal's toxic pollution out of our air and water. In this episode, what our nation's new commitment to old coal means for Wisconsin's water and for the regulations that are supposed to protect us. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Evan Feinauer Resources for You: Wisconsinites May Soon Pay Higher Bills to Keep Coal Plants Open in Indiana Wisconsin foots the bill for coal's last hurrah Trump order to keep Michigan coal plant open will mean higher bills for Wisconsinites Speak out against the Red Oak Ridge gas plant proposal  

It's happening in every corner of Wisconsin—Cassville, Menomonie, Superior, Madison, La Crosse County, Dane County, Westport, Manitowoc County, Door County. Communities all over the state are passing moratoriums and ordinances aimed at stopping what a year ago seemed unstoppable: the unchecked flood of AI data centers into our state. In this episode, who is pushing this avalanche of local action, and will it be enough to stem the environmental harms already unfolding because of AI data centers? Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Blaine Halverson, Community Organizer, Great Lakes Neighbors United Resources for You: Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Development  Episode 74: The Truth About AI Data Centers and Our Water Into Thin Air: How AI data center energy use harms our water resources AI Data Centers will use more energy than all the homes in the state combined      

Have we been sold a bill of goods about ethanol? In this episode, the toll ethanol is taking on our health right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Water & Agriculture Program Director, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  New Report: Nitrate Contamination Driving Health Crisis in Wisconsin Proposal to increase E-15 would cause substantial harms in Wisconsin Common Pesticides Used in Wisconsin and Potential Health Harms Health Brief: Nitrates in Wisconsin's Drinking Water        

In this episode, what the rain and snow are telling about PFAS pollution in the Upper Midwest—plus some information about new PFAS laws in Minnesota that could be a blueprint for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Alexander Frie, Research and Fellowship Coordinator, Minnesota Sea Grant Resources for you: Amara's Law regulating PFAS in Products (Minnesota) Episode 62: What to Know about PFAS in Pesticides PFAS Contamination in Public and Private Wells in Wisconsin (Health Research Brief)    

A circuit court judge is deciding whether permits issued by the state allowing Enbridge to build its Line 5 pipeline reroute in Wisconsin's Northwoods are legal. But in the meantime, he is allowing work on the new Line 5 to continue -- except in a few key places. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin Attorney Resources for You: Wisconsin: One one of the Most Important Places om Earth (Video) Stop the Line 5 Oil Pipeline    

Amy talks with a researcher who took a deep dive into the water impacts of AI data centers. What she found is something you're not hearing many tech companies talking about. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Hannah Richerson, Water Policy Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You:  New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Clear As Mud: Hidden Thirst Of Data Centers AI Data Centers In Wisconsin Will Use More Energy Than All Homes In State Combined

Wisconsin was one of the first places where the farm-to-table movement really took root. But now that movement is changing, becoming more urgent in the face of the flooding, droughts, and changing weather patterns that are taking a toll on our food systems. In this episode, Amy welcomes Madison's 2025 Chef of the Year Evan Danells of Cadre to talk about why these days chefs are adding protecting the planet to the menu. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Chef Evan Danells, Cadre Resources for You: 2026 Epicurean Evening Menu & Tickets      

Right now there are three AI data centers under construction in Wisconsin. So how do you minimize the toll they will take on our environment and our energy bills?  On this episode, a deep dive into data center tariffs at the PSC and what they means for you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin Attorney Brett Korte Resources for You: Petition: Stop Unchecked AI Data Center Devlopment Related Episodes: Episode 56: Data Center Secrets  Episode 59: Who's Paying for Data Centers? Episode 60: Hey tech companies, your gas is showing! Episode 63: How Caledonia, WI Defeated a Date Center Episode 67: The Nuclear Option  

The science supporting climate change has long been settled, but progress remains painfully slow. Especially here in Wisconsin, where we have laws on the books that are actively helping to keep fossil fuels burning here. But maybe not for long. In this episode meet one of 15 kids who is suing our state over climate change. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Madeleine Bohn, Wisconsin High School Student Skylar Harris, Attorney, Midwest Environmental Advocates

On this episode, a look at the fallout from a rapid-fire dismantling of environmental protections, and what groups like Clean Wisconsin and so many others are doing to keep people safe. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Resources For You:  Economic Impacts of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" Energy Provisions on Wisconsin Clean Wisconsin Sues EPA Over Repeal Of Climate Protections    

What makes the food you eat healthy? Turns out it's a pretty complicated question that goes way beyond the four food groups. In this episode, Amy visits Starry Nights Farm in Burlington to learn about some groundbreaking research—involving beef raised right here in Wisconsin—that's changing the way we look at food and nutrition.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Paul Maggio and Marisa Wiewall, Starry Nights Farm Resources for You: Nutritional Comparisons Between Grass-Fed Beef and Conventional Grain-Fed Beef  Defining Nutrient Density in Beef Starry Nights Farm Defender Episode 57: Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit Defender Episode 45: Cows, Tall Grass and Wind Turbines      

Communities across Wisconsin are starting to push back when energy utilities come to town with big plans for big gas plants. But how do you turn opposition into victory? In this episode, Amy talks with the mayor of Superior about the city's long journey to defeat the Nemadji Trail Energy Center—the ugly gas plant with the pretty name. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Mayor Jim Paine, Superior, Wis. Resources for You: Under the Lens: The Truth About Natural Gas  

There is a lot of new excitement around nuclear energy these days, and no coincidence, it comes as we face staggering energy demands from AI data centers. Now, the Trump Administration is relaxing environmental and safety regulations for new nuclear reactors. In this episode, a look at what would happen to our environment - and our energy bills - if utilities race to meet AI demand by building more nuclear reactors. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Katie Nekola, General Counsel, Clean Wisconsin  

In the race to transition to clean, safe energy, there are lessons to be learned just about everywhere, including in Texas. In this episode, what January's major winter storm is teaching us about our power grid—and the painful lesson we are all going to learn this month about natural gas. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, PhD, Energy and Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin

On this episode, some real hope that a bipartisan solution for state PFAS funding is at hand -- and the industry that is coming in at the last minute to try to kill it.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Erik Kanter, Government Relations Director, Clean Wisconsin  Resources for You:  Clean Wisconsin Action Network  

In this episode, how new action from the EPA is undermining one of the most successful environmental laws in US history. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Nick Mailloux, PhD Student, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Resources for You: Join Clean Wisconsin's Action Network Pollution and Our Health: The Environmental Health Initiative    

In this episode, how a small Wisconsin community stood up to one of the most powerful companies in the world… and won. And what we can all learn from their fight. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Prescott Balch, Village of Caledonia resident Resources for You: Stop Unchecked Data Center Development (petition) AI Data Center Energy Demand Analysis  AI Data Center Offsite Water Withdrawals      

On this episode a look what could be sprayed on food and farm fields all around us - plus a bit of Wisconsin history that offers some hope as we confront a new batch of toxic chemicals. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sara Walling, Clean Wisconsin Water & Agency Program Director Resources for You: Under the Lens: What we know about PFAS in Wisconsin's Water Nitrate pollution's impact on Wisconsn's health and economy Neonicotinoid pesticides and their impact Episode 43: The pesticides that could be lurking in your pollinator garden Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why. Episode 29: Trump's Threat to Safe Water (and how WI can fight back!)

Meet the Wisconsin native who is foraging 100% of his food. What was the last thing you foraged? Maybe some ramps, or morels? But what about your salt, oil, even toothpaste? On this episode, meet the Wisconsin native who is setting out to prove that he can not only survive for an entire year eating only food he has foraged, but he can also help show the true connection to nature most of us have been missing.   Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Robin Greenfield, Sustainability Advocate, Ashland Wis. native Resources for You: robingreenfield.org Food Freedom: A Year of Growing and Foraging 100% of My Food Robin Greenfield YouTube Channel Defender Episode 57: Wisconsin's Forbidden Fruit        

Don't look at the gas plant behind the curtain! If you feel like tech companies and energy utilities are gaslighting you with their assurances that AI data centers won't hurt our environment, you're probably right.  In this episode, how AI is causing a fossil fuel boom in Wisconsin and the lawsuit just filed to try and stop it.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests:  Katie Nekola, General Cousnel, Clean Wisconsin Ciaran Gallagher, Climate & Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: Petition: Take A Stand Against Unchecked Data Center Development New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Analysis: Two approved AI data centers in Wisconsin will use more energy than all homes in state combined PSC approves plan to power AI data center with gas plants  

You may have heard, Wisconsin needs more power and we need it fast. In the next few years, AI data centers will cause an unprecedented surge in energy demand across our state. There are already large expensive new powerplants being built to help meet that demand with more to come. But the big question is, will Wisconsinites be left shouldering the cost? In this episode, the shocking energy needs of AI, why our power companies are rolling out the red carpet, and the lasting environmental and economic harms that could be left in the wake. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Tom Content, Citizens Utility Board (CUB) Resources for You: Citizens Utility Board Data Centers Page Petition: Take A Stand Against Unchecked Data Center Development New Analysis: Data Center Water Consumption Will Be Far Higher Than Tech Companies Claim Analysis: Two approved AI data centers in Wisconsin will use more energy than all homes in state combined PSC approves plan to power AI data center with gas plants  

What if you could make a difference in the fight to protect our environment by doing nothing at all? In this episode, why fall is the perfect time to be lazy - for the planet. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elizabeth Braat, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources  Resources for You: Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade Episode 43: The hidden pesticides that could be lurking in your pollinator garden Neonic Pesticides and their Impact      

The amazing story of one Wisconsin food that was banned, burned, disappeared from our plates - and the comeback that's being helped along by solar farms.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Lily Hislop, Savanna Institute Resources for You: Black Currants: A once-forbidden fruit Farming for the Future: Charting a course for a new food system Black Currant: Ribes Nigrum

A Clean Wisconsin analysis shows just two approved data centers in Wisconsin will use more power than all the homes in our state combined. More than the generation capacity of the Point Beach nuclear plant, the single-largest source of power in Wisconsin. And that leaves a lot of people are wondering, where is all this leading us? What will it mean for Wisconsin's precious water resources, our land, our energy bills? And why is it so hard to find out? In this episode, an in-depth conversation on the secrets of data centers. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Michael Greif, Midwest Environmental Advocates Resources for You: AI data centers in Wisconsin will use more energy than all homes in state combined Large Wisconsin data center tax breaks make benefits unclear MEA Takes Legal Action to Compel City of Racine to Disclose Data Center's Projected Water Use PSC approves plan to power AI data center with gas plants, bringing 1,200 MW of new, dirty power to southeast Wisconsin  

There is no question we are living through a stressful, often overhwelming time. So if you're feeling hopeless, especially in the face of the climate crisis, no one could blame you. But there is no better place to find hope – than in other people. How you can joing people from all walks of life in Sunday, Sept 28 to take a stand for our climate right here in Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Heather Allen, Policy Director, Elevate Resources for You: Wisconsin Climate March Sunday Sept. 28, Madison, Wisconsin

Yes, there are 150-million reasons to listen to the episode. Because Wisconsin has $150 million dollars in federal funding to help make our homes warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, healthier, more efficient. All the things. A look at two little-known programs that survived the big Federal cuts and are ready to be used by you. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Dylan Crye, Home Energy Rebates Program Manager, Focus on Energy Joe Pater, Dir. Office of Energy Innovation, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Resources for You: Focus on Energy Watts Up Wisconsin - Focus on Energy podcast Home Energy Rebates Help Wisconsinites Save Big    

How much would you pay to swim in a clean lake? How much to take a breath of fresh, clean air? To fish in a pristine stream? You may not ever think about that, but there is somebody who does -- a lot. On this episode, meet the professor who's working to understand the economic value of a clean environment. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dan Phaneuf, Professor, Agricultural and Applied Economics, Unversity of Wisconsin Resources for You:  Clean Wisconsin: Fighting for Clean Water

The Environmental Protection Agency is quickly getting out of the protection business. And no where is that more clear than its new plan to get rid of the Endangerment Finding, the landmark legal and science determination that climate change hurts people and that the EPA has the responsibility to do something about it. On this episode a look at why the EPA is now insisting climate pollution won't hurt you, and what walking back the endangerment finding could mean for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Clean Wisconsin General Counsel Katie Nekola Resources for You: Take Action: Tell the EPA not to rescind the Endangerment Finding  

Livestock farmers in Wisconsin are getting excited about solar! MG&E's Tyto solar project is home to about 13,000 solar panels, 30 acres of thriving plants, and a flock of happy sheep. Amy takes a behind-the-scenes look at the solar energy project where 145 hungry sheep are hard at work this summer.  Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: John Armstrong, manager of renewable engineering, Madison Gas and Electric Beau Stafford, Wiscovery Farms Resources for You: Supporting Solar in Wisconsin Episode 40: Surprising Environmental Impacts of Solar in Wisconsin Analysis: Solar produces 100 times more energy per acre than corn grown for ethanol      

In the long, never-ending struggle to protect our environment, it can be easy to feel helpless, powerless. Maybe nothing underscores that feeling more than trying to stop a big foreign oil interest from building a pipeline across your state. But there is something you can do to speak out against the Line 5 oil pipeline. And it's fun! Amy looks at the Move People Not Oil campaign. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Jacob Ahrens-Balwit, Strategic Communications Manager, Clean Wisconsin More Resources for You: Enbridge Line 5 Blasting Area Photos (Instagram) Move People Not Oil - Take the pledge and more information Latest on Line 5

If you are feeling afraid to click on news stories every time a decision gets handed down by the US Supreme Court, you're not alone. But some recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions are bringing much-needed good news in the fight to protect our environment. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Evan Feinauer, Clean Wisconsin attorney Resources for You:  Episode 29: Trump's threat to safe water (and how WI can fight back) Episode 24: What Trump 2.0 means for our environment  Episode 20: Supreme Court power grab

Northern Wisconsin is home to Lake Superior, to beautiful streams and wetlands, to thousands of acres of mesic forests--and to a 72-year-old oil pipeline called Line 5. Now the foreign oil company, Enbridge, that owns and operates the line is pushing to blast and trench its way across northern Wisconsin to build a reroute. Amy gets the latest on legal action to stop it. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guests: Clean Wisconsin attorneys Brett Korte and Evan Feinauer Resources for You: Information on Line 5 What Line 5 means for me (video) Clean Wisconsin News: Sign up for Line 5 updates and more

Milwaukee is at the center of what the federal government calls an "Area of Concern." A place where so much toxic water pollution and environmental degradation have happened over the course of more than a century, that it needs special attention and funding to get cleaned up.  But how do you confront and begin to heal the collective harms of legacy pollution? Of decades of injustice that is still happening? Amy talks with Shalina S. Ali about how that process can start with art, with creativity, with channeling the mixture of emotions—the joy and pain—that comes with working toward change. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Shalina S. Ali, Co-Executive Director, TRUE Skool Resources for You: Area of Concern Community Advisory Commiteee TRUE Skool Summer Park Jam Peace Park & Garden Mural Unveiling  

The Big Beautiful Budget will have some ugly consequences. In this episode, why the fallout from Trump's budget will include bigger bills, toxic emissions, and yep - more risk of blackouts. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Ciaran Gallagher, PhD, Energy & Air Manager, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: Join Clean Wiscosin's Action Network  

Have you ever wondered what it's like to stand next to a wind turbine? You're about to find out. In this epsiode, Amy meets 2nd generation Wisconsin farmer Jerry Cigelske at his Columbia County farm to talk about about why cows, grass and windmills have been the key to keeping his family on the land. Host: Amy Barrilleaux  Guest: Jerry Cigelske, Columbia County farmer Resources for You: Wisconsin-grown clean energy Showing up for Wind in Wisconsin Cows in the Woods: What it takes to create a silvopasture

If you are a regular listener, you have heard of neonicotinoids, a class of neurotoxins used on food crops all over the state and country. And it turns out, neonics are hurting a lot more than pollinators - like fish, birds, small mammals and potentially people. On this episode, what we know about the impacts of neonic pesticides on our bodies and how to limit exposure. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Kayla Rinderknecht, Population Health Fellow, Clean Wisconsin Resources for You: Episode 43: The hidden pesticides that could be lurking in your pollinator garden Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why. Neonicotinoids and their Impact Episode 23 Neurotixins on Our Plates Neonicotinoids and Human Health

You never know when a life-changing moment is going to come. For Sarah Savage, owner of Tend Native Plants, it came when she picked up a book about pollinators. Amy meets Sarah at her small plant nursery in Blue Mounds, Wis., to talk about the hidden pesticides that could be lurking in our gardens and how to make sure the flowers we buy are truly pollinator-friendly. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Sarah Savage, Tend Native Plants Resources for You: Tend Native Plants Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why. Neonicotinoids and their Impact Episode 23 Neurotixins on Our Plates Neonicotinoids and Human Health Expert Speakers Series: Wisconsin Neonic Forum  

What's it going to take to make clean energy Wisconsin's new normal? It helps to have a bunch of fresh-faced new college graduates ready to take on the world. UW Platteville has a 100% placement rate for graduates in Sustainability and Renewable Energy Systems. Hear from Renee Stram who just got her diploma--and a job--about her optimistic take on fighting climate change. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Renne Stram, UW Platteville graduate Resources for You: UW Platteville Sustainability & Clean Energy Systems program Supporting Solar in Wisconsin Stop Wasting our Wind Local environmental impacts of solar in Wisconsin Defender Episode 4: Solar vs Corn for Ethanol--which land use produces the most energy?

Where to Listen: It's not easy to locate and document Wisconsin's endangered species, but luckily Ernie and Betty White are on the case! They are two of Wisconsin's specially-trained conservation dogs, and they could be the secret to finding some of our state's most threated species. Host:  Amy Barrilleaux Guests:  Laura Holder, Owner, Conservation Dogs Collective Betty White, Ernie, and Boxie Resources for You:  Conservation Dogs Collective Episode 33: Wisconsin's bees are acting weird. Here's why. Episode 11: Wisconsin's Vanishing Bee

Many farmers are choosing to integrate solar panels into their fields. Now a new analysis shows that decision can impact a lot more than energy costs and the climate. Putting solar panels on conventional farmland can actually change the environment where those panels are located--for the better. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Dr. Paul Mathewson, Clean WIsconsin Resouces for You: Integrating solar into conventional farmland can restore soil health, provide habitat for native pollinators and improve water quality by reducing sediment and fertilizer runoff into nearby waterways. According to Clean Wisconsin's Solar Farm Impact Analysis: Solar farms that replace conventional row crops like corn and soybeans reduce sediment and phosphorus pollution runoff into nearby lakes, rivers and streams by 75-95%. When deep-rooted, perennial vegetation is planted among the panels, solar farms can increase soil carbon sequestration by 65%, and improve overall soil health. Planting perennial vegetation among the panels also improves wildlife habitat compared to existing cropland, including a 300% improvement in habitat quality for pollinators, which are in steep decline. Solar farms produce 100 times more net energy per acre than corn grown for ethanol and are a far more efficient use of land. To meet net-zero carbon emissions, Wisconsin only needs about 200,000 acres of land for solar, or about 15% of the 1.5 million acres of land currently devoted to ethanol production in our state. More to Explore: Analysis: Solar farms produce 100 times more energy than corn grown for ethanol

No Mow May is here, but is it the best way to protect pollinators in our yards? Amy walks through a typical Wisconsin yard with pollinator expert Elizabeth Braatz to learn if No Mow May really works. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elizabeth Braatz, Bumble Bee Brigade Coordinator and Terrestrial Insect Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Resources for You:  Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade Saving Wisconsin's Native Pollinators Corn Ethanol vs. Solar: A Land Use Comparison 

if you look around at houses, schools, churches--you're probably seeing more and more solar panels on their rooftops. A lot of that is thanks to federal incentives through the Inflation Reduction Act that make solar more affordable. But those programs are now at risk of being cut, and tariffs could be pushing the low solar costs we've been seeing much higher. Fortunately, solar has a pretty determined advocate who's spreading the word about how solar works for Wisconsin. Host: Amy Barrilleaux Guest: Elise Couillard, Couillard Solar Foundation Resources for You: Couillard Solar Foundation Federal Funds for Wisconsin