Podcasts about monona terrace

Today on the Too Turnt Up Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi, talking about beautiful alchemy, taking adversity and doing good with it.  In the first half, Dr Kim Whitmore joins us to talk about the pain of losing a child and her work channeling that pain into helping others.  In the second half, Dee Star from OuttaDeeBox Podcast joins us to talk about his honor today from the city of Sun Prairie, joined by Kingston Robertson from Holy Godz Clothing to talk about coming from incarceration to business and giving back to the community, plus a quick call from Jackie Brodean! More information about the 7th annual Alana Rose Foundation Butterfly Ball coming up on February 22nd at Monona Terrace: https://www.alanarose.org/annual-butterfly-ball  More information about Dee Star, and to listen and Subscribe to OuttaDeeBox Podcast: https://outtadeeboxpodcast.buzzsprout.com/  To learn more about Kingston and Holy Godz Clothing: https://www.holygodz.store/  Catch Tara at Buraka on Thursday nights for R&B slow jams with DJ G Money! If you're a Black entrepreneur in Madison and want to come on the show, contact Tara (https://www.facebook.com/EOTOCulturallyRooted) or Antoine (https://www.facebook.com/1MotionOutReachEnterprise) on Facebook or send a note through the “Announcements” form on the WORT webpage: https://www.wortfm.org/announcements/  Check in with Urban League at https://ulgm.org/calendar/ for info on resume and job seeking workshops, home ownership clinics (starting in February!), information on Expungement, childcare assistance, fatherhood support, and much more!  Watch for a new Fatherhood Unfiltered coming up in March! Music from today's show: https://spinitron.com/WORT/pl/21922107/Tuesday-8-O-Clock-Buzz  Listen in Madison at 89.9FM or online anywhere at wortfm.org.  Support your community radio with a donation online at wortfm.org! Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Beautiful Alchemy appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Welcome to the Civic Media Spotlight! We start with a standout conversation from Afternoons with John and Gordy, where John and Gordy talk with media historian Barry Orton. He breaks down the long pattern of media company takeovers and explains why the big new Netflix deal isn't actually anything new. It's a sharp, accessible look at how this industry has been repeating the same playbook for decades. Next up, we revisit a truly emotional moment for the Matenaer on Air Show as the entire team gathers for Jane's final goodbye. Friends, coworkers, and listeners celebrate her incredible impact on the station, sharing stories, laughs, and heartfelt thanks. It's a warm tribute that captures just how much Jane has meant to so many people! From the John and Gordy Morning Show, we highlight a timely discussion with guest Savanna Tomei-Olson about the Monona Terrace workers' strike. She walks through what's behind the labor action, how workers are organizing, and what the community should know as negotiations move forward. It's grounded reporting on a major local workplace story. We then feature a segment from the WXCO Morning Report, where Chad Holmes talks with Marathon County Democratic Party chair Nancy Stencil. They dig into the political issues shaping the region, what organizers are hearing on the ground, and how local conversations are influencing the broader political landscape. To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Welcome to the Civic Media Spotlight! We start with a standout conversation from Afternoons with John and Gordy, where John and Gordy talk with media historian Barry Orton. He breaks down the long pattern of media company takeovers and explains why the big new Netflix deal isn't actually anything new. It's a sharp, accessible look at how this industry has been repeating the same playbook for decades. Next up, we revisit a truly emotional moment for the Matenaer on Air Show as the entire team gathers for Jane's final goodbye. Friends, coworkers, and listeners celebrate her incredible impact on the station, sharing stories, laughs, and heartfelt thanks. It's a warm tribute that captures just how much Jane has meant to so many people! From the John and Gordy Morning Show, we highlight a timely discussion with guest Savanna Tomei-Olson about the Monona Terrace workers' strike. She walks through what's behind the labor action, how workers are organizing, and what the community should know as negotiations move forward. It's grounded reporting on a major local workplace story. We then feature a segment from the WXCO Morning Report, where Chad Holmes talks with Marathon County Democratic Party chair Nancy Stencil. They dig into the political issues shaping the region, what organizers are hearing on the ground, and how local conversations are influencing the broader political landscape. To learn more about these shows and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the network on Facebook, BlueSky, YouTube, X, and Instagram to keep up with Civic Media!

Here's your local news for Monday, October 6, 2025:We head to Monona Terrace for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, where local leaders emphasized the importance of community,Get the latest data on alcohol-induced deaths in Wisconsin,Consider what's at stake after a Georgia-based journalist was deported on Friday,Celebrate the birthday of a renowned peace activist and journalist,Teach you how to make a Lynchburg Lemonade,Review two new movies,And much more.

Discover Madison Wisconsin: Outdoor Adventures, Lakes, and Local Flavor with Destination Madison.Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series! In this episode, we're chatting with Rob Gard, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Destination Madison. We dive into what makes Madison, Wisconsin, a true gem for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and anyone seeking to explore vibrant city life intertwined with nature. Rob shares the story behind Madison's unique location—an urban haven surrounded by five lakes—offering countless ways to enjoy the outdoors, from kayaking and biking to exploring state parks just a short drive away. DISCUSSIONOverview of Destination MadisonMadison's Geography and Outdoor AppealHistory and Evolution of Tourism in MadisonTypes of Visitors and Tourism PatternsRegional and Statewide Partnerships in TourismWorking with Indigenous Communities (Ho-Chunk Nation)Local Partnerships in Conferences and EventsNavigating the Destination Madison Website (Live Walkthrough)Accessibility and Walkability of MadisonMadison as an Urban DestinationFood & Drink Highlights in MadisonUpcoming Events and ConferencesLEARN MORETo discover the best of Madison, visit their website at https://www.visitmadison.com/  and on these social sites: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destinationmadison/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinationmadisonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DestinationMadisonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/destination-madisonNEXT STEPSVisit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes.KEYWORDSMadison Wisconsin, Destination Madison, Outdoor Recreation, Frank Lloyd Wright, Monona Terrace, Ho Chunk Nation, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview#madisonwisconsin #destinationmadison #OutdoorRecreation #FrankLloydWright #MononaTerrace #HoChunkNation #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterviewMy Favorite Podcast Tools: Production by Descript Hosting Buzzsprout Show Notes by Castmagic Website powered by Podpage Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch

Today on the too Turnt Up Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi and Antoine McNeail, Cupcake, A/K/A Atonye Adjei-Marsh joins us to tell her story and talk about the Pink Lemonade Party coming up on August 17th on the rooftop at Monona Terrace!. The post She Threw Her First Party When She Was 9 and It Was Lit appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Get up, get down, get together. That's the motto behind Dane Dances, the annual summertime party that happens every Friday in August on the Monona Terrace rooftop. This year's season is extra special because Dane Dances is celebrating 25 years of music, dance, and community. Host Bianca Martin caught up with the president of the organization Al Cooper to get the scoop on this year's lineup and what to expect from this season. Mentioned on the show The Most Sampled Drummer Lived in Madison. Why Don't You Know His Name? [City Cast Madison] Volunteer with Dane Dances Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options. Learn more about the sponsors of this August 14th episode here: Society of St. Vincent de Paul - St. Vinny's Thrift Stores Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here's your local news for Wednesday, June 26, 2024:We get the scoop on an anti-war rally outside Monona Terrace,Find out why critics say a new state law makes it more difficult for the public to access police body-cam footage,Hear more about life as a Solar Installer,Broadcast the most in-depth weather report on the airwaves,Travel back in time to 1963,And much more.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the candidacy rollout for Eric Hovde, a Republican seeking to unseat Dem U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Recorded live before the Wisconsin Bankers Association annual Capitol Day at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, offer their take on Gov. Tony Evers' signing of legislative district maps approved by the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature Recorded live before the Wisconsin Bankers Association Annual Capitol Day at Monona Terrace, Madison, Wis. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership.

Thanksgiving means food. It's typically the busiest holiday of the year for grocery stores. But if you aren't cooking a big meal this holiday, or you need a little extra help, you have options. Several Madison restaurants are offering take-out meals and several are open on Thanksgiving. Cap Times Food Editor Lindsay Christians joins Bianca Martin with some ideas for you.

Recorded live at our regular Sunday morning worship service and 5-year birthday celebration held at Monona Terrace, Madison, WI.

Madison is best known for being a college town and the state capital of Wisconsin.It's usually characterized by raucous crowds at Camp Randall, its lakes, reveling on State Street, and the picturesque backdrops of photo-ops like the Capitol Building, the Monona Terrace, the Union Terrace, and Bascom Hill.But, few know that Madison was the setting for a string of unsolved murders not too long ago."The Mad City Murders" or "Capital City Killings" spanned fourteen bloody years from 1968 to 1982.Mike and Jeff take a deep dive into the string of murders and speculate who might be responsible and what set off the phenomenon.Sources:Mad City: The True Story of the Campus Murders That America Forgot by Michael ArntfieldChristine RothschildFBI- Serial Murderers Brittany Zimmerman's KillerWisconsin Rapids native, Jeff Finup is the mind behind Badgerland Legends, which explores Wisconsin's mysteries and fascinating history, a post at a time. Legends, lore, history, cryptids ,and more from the Badger State. Find his work on Instagram and Facebook.Mike Huberty, hailing from the town of Big Bend, near Milwaukee, is the owner of American Ghost Walks, a haunted history tour company with locations in Maine, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and started in our very own Badger State of Wisconsin - with tours in Lake Geneva, Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha, Bayfield, and the Wisconsin Dells. Find out more at AmericanGhostWalks.Com.

Mark Richardson, President of Unfinished Business, is the Senior Co-Chair of the Downtown Madison Inc (DMI) Board of Directors. Twenty years ago when Mark moved to Madison, while he liked the downtown area, he saw Black folks being tolerated downtown not celebrated.  In this episode of Black Oxygen Mark and I discuss his vision of what downtown could be, the role of DMI in creating a vibrant and inclusive downtown, and how each of us can get involved in continuing to make downtown town a great destination place for Black folks. Mark says, “you have to create what you want to see.”  To learn more about DMI visit their website at downtownmadison.org (http://downtownmadison.org) or check out their upcoming event on September 21 at the Monona Terrace.  #BlackOxygenPodcast #BlackInMadison #DMI #DowntownMadisonInc #VisitMadisonWi #DopeBlackPodcasts #Madison #MadisonWI #Madison365 #InsclusiveDowntown #Wisconsin #WisconsinPodcasts #MadisonWisconsin #Placemakeing

The Cabin is presented by the Wisconsin Counties Association and this week we're featuring Douglas County; https://bit.ly/3s3V29N   The Cabin is also presented by Jolly Good Soda, available in all your classic favorite flavors that we remember from childhood. The diet line offers 0 calories, 0 carbs, 0 sugars, and no caffeine – perfect for mixers or just enjoying on a warm summer day (or any day, for that matter); always Wisconsin-based, you can follow @jollygoodsoda on social for the latest on new flavors, fun promotions, and more. Learn more here; https://bit.ly/3TSFYY4     Campfire Conversation:  Eric and Ana welcome Susan Kennedy from the Taliesin Preservation Society to discuss and follow the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, which connects 9 sites designed by the legendary architect. We discuss the trail's creation and the process and then begin on its eastern end in Racine with a look at the SC Johnson Wax headquarters building and the 9-story Johnson Wax Research Tower on the SC Johnson campus just south of downtown Racine. We proceed north to Wind Point to Wingspread, once the Johnson family home and now host to numerous events and tours. The trail heads into Milwaukee to the Burnham Block, a prime example of Wright's American System-Built Homes concept that he pursued with a goal of making quality single family homes more affordable. We veered slightly off the official trail to explore the Greek Annunciation Church, a Wright-designed church that was one of his last commissions; it opened in the early 1960s. From Milwaukee we make a beeline to Madison for two stops: the first is Monona Terrace, Madison's major convention center on the shores of Lake Monona. Designed by Wright in the 1940s, one of his next generation students made the design adjustments that allowed Monona Terrace to be constructed and finally opened in 1997. The second Madison stop is the First Unitarian Society Meeting House on the west side of the UW-Madison campus and was for a church Wright attended. From Madison we head west on U.S. 14 to Spring Green and explore the area where Wright lived. His home just south of Spring Green, Taliesin, is by far the most popular site on the trail; tours of Taliesin and tales of its remarkable history bring in people from around the world. Wright's influence can be seen in Spring Green itself, with numerous buildings adopting his styles. Taliesin looks over the beautiful Wyoming Valley, where another one of Wright's buildings was constructed as the Wyoming Valley School Cultural Arts Center, which was the only public elementary school Wright designed - and he donated the school and his work for free, in honor of his mother. The final stop on the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail is further west to his birthplace of Richland Center, where the A.D. German Warehouse stands. Wright's only warehouse design is a four-story brick structure topped by a magnificent concrete frieze that is said to resemble a Mayan temple. The warehouse is an example of early poured-concrete construction, and the building rests on a pad of cork for stability and shock absorption. It is the only remaining commercial structure designed by Wright that still exists from his “organic” or “natural” period. Each of these structures tells a story and, while only 9 of Wright's 200 Wisconsin works, represent some of his most notable. Along the 200-mile trail are a bevy of cities, towns, parks, and other locations to grab a bite, go for a hike, take advantage of lakes and rivers or just cruise from stop to stop. The Frank Lloyd Trail may be a hidden gem for many, but it showcases some world-famous works and should be on your road trip and exploration list. You can get more details on each designated stop at FrankLloydWrightTrail.org.Susan also discussed with Eric and Ana the new exhibit that recently opened in Madison's Dane County Regional Airport's Art Court: “The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Places to Live, Learn, Work, and Worship.” This area, open to the public, is in the main lobby of the airport and will run through January 28, 2024.   Links: https://www.franklloydwrighttrail.org/  (App is available in the Apple and Google Play Stores)More on the Dane County Regional Airport exhibit on Frank Lloyd Wright: https://www.channel3000.com/features/in-the-608-dcra-honoring-work-of-frank-lloyd-wright-in-new-exhibit/article_58b77e8e-2492-11ee-b7ca-47c281b15c5d.html Inside Sponsors Washington County:  https://bit.ly/3qayJAL  Group Health Trust:  https://bit.ly/3JMizCX    

Every Friday night in August, it feels like Madison throws a party for itself. The rooftop of the Monona Terrace becomes a dance floor, with live bands ranging from funk and soul to mambo and disco. There are also DJs and dance lessons… and you'll find babies boogieing next to your neighbors.  And it's all free. You don't need a ticket. Just show up.  We speak with Al Cooper, president of Dane Dances, about this year's lineup.  Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We're also on Instagram!  Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Agriculture Day at the Capitol was deemed a success with a crowd of more than 250 farmers and agribusiness leaders coming together at the Monona Terrace in Madison. After a briefing, they walked next door to the State Capitol to talk with their legislators about some key issues from rural road investments to farmer-led conservation grants. Jason Mugnaini is the executive director of governmental relations with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. He was happy with the turnout and the energy in the room.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stella's Hot and Spicy Cheese Bread has long been a staple of the Dane County Farmers' Market. The huge loaves are stuffed with gooey hot cheese, flecked with red pepper and are best eaten by tearing off a huge hunk as you stroll around contemplating eating more vegetables. And now, Brian Winzenried of the famed Stella's family is taking the cheese bread to Panama. What began as a pandemic trip has blossomed into a new business venture, opening this spring. Not only can you enjoy a taste of home while on vacation, but you can learn to bake alongside Brian in his new kitchen, Gamboa Baking Co.  And here‘s how you can celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend: “I Have A Dream” Scholarship Ball at Monona Terrace on Saturday Ecumenical Service at First Unitarian on Sunday Youth Call to Service at Central Library on Monday Madison-Dane County celebration at Overture on Monday State of Wisconsin celebration at the State Capitol on Monday Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. Want some more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.  We're also on Twitter and Instagram! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dairy industry is getting together Jan. 18-19 in Madison for the annual Dairy Strong Conference put on by the Dairy Business Association. Not only will you get a chance to network with each other and gain valuable insight to lead your dairy operation into the future. But you'll find the Mid-West Farm Report team there with microphones in hand. Either we'll be interviewing folks or emceeing the Innovation Stage throughout the day on Wednesday. But that's not all you can look forward to Jan. 18-19 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. Tim Trotter is the CEO of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative and the Dairy Business Association. He says the sponsor list is bigger than it was last year, and registration numbers are already coming in strong. You can visit dairyforward.com/dairystrong for more information and to register.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of 1050 Bascom, we are happy to welcome back Professors Mark Copelovitch and Jon Pevehouse to talk about the upcoming La Follette Forum - American Power, Prosperity and Democracy that will be held on Wednesday May 4 at Monona Terrace and include academic researchers as well as experts from journalism, private industry and public policy. We covered a wide range of topics from the state of the US economy to the rise of China as a global power to the future of democracy at home and abroad. We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Profs. Copelovitch and Pevehouse, and hope you will too.

Bitter Wisconsin weather can take its toll on our farm animals, especially the babies being born right now.  Aaron Zimmerman talks about the proactive measures farms need to take with Dr. Chelsea Holschbach, UW-Veterinarian.  Right now all kinds of babies are being born from calves to kids. Safety is a priority for Alcivia Coop.  During "Coop Talk", Pam visits with John Schoenfeld, Safety Director for Alcivia Coop on measures they take to make sure every employee goes home safely every day. Dairy Strong got off to a strong start Wednesday at Monona Terrace in Madison.  Pam Jahnke talks to Tim Trotter, CEO of DBA/Edge Dairy/Farmers for Sustainable Food, about their strategic direction for 2022. Cody Koster, broker with EverAg commodities firm, talks to Pam about the more than 10 cent jump the market saw in butter prices on Wednesday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earth Day was founded by Wisconsin's very own Gaylord Nelson. Then a senator, and former Wisconsin governor, Nelson had a simple idea for a day of awareness for the planet.  The year was 1970. Gas was cheap. There were no regulations like the Clean Air Act or the Clean Water Act to keep factories from polluting our air, land, and water. A rising consciousness after several environmental disasters had the country buzzing with a desire to do more. His idea took off, and millions joined in across the country. Today, Earth Day is celebrated by more than a billion people around the globe. Nelson's daughter, Tia, is paving the way for his legacy to live on through her environmental advocacy. She is the managing director on climate at the Outrider Foundation. In this episode, she sheds light on her father's work, what Earth Day means to her and how you can get involved.Learn more about Nelson's legacy in the spring issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine: https://dnr.wi.gov/wnrmag/ Learn more about Outrider Foundation at https://outrider.org/features/earth-day-film/--------------------------------------TRANSCRIPTAnnouncer: [00:00:00] Welcome to Wisconsin DNRs Wild Wisconsin - Off The Record podcast, information straight from the source.Katie Grant: [00:00:12] Welcome back to another episode of Wild Wisconsin - Off The Record. I'm your host, DNRs digital media coordinator, Katie Grant. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. That's 50 years of living, changing and advancing. In 1970 a gallon of gas was 36 cents. The Beatles released, "Let it be" and then later broke up and a quarter would get you a dozen eggs. It was also the year of the very first Earth Day founded by former Wisconsin governor Gaylord Nelson. It was a time when factories pumped pollutants into the air, lakes and rivers with few repercussions. Gas guzzling cars ruled the roads. Before 1970 there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, and no Clean Water Act.Then a senator, Gaylord Nelson, had an idea to raise awareness about air and water pollution. His idea took off and on the first Earth Day in 1970 millions of Americans participated in rallies, marches and teach-ins for environmental education across the country. Earth Day catalyzed a movement in the United States that founded the Environmental Protection Agency and ignited a spirit of stewardship that has driven progress for five decades.Today, Earth Day is celebrated around the world with billions of people participating in their own way. Although Gaylord Nelson passed away in 2005, his legacy lives on through his daughter, Tia, who was 14 at the time of the first Earth Day. She has since followed in her father's environmental protection footsteps.Today, Tia Nelson is the managing director on climate for the Outrider Foundation. She is internationally recognized as a champion for environmental stewardship and climate change. Before the Safer at Home order, we spoke with Tia in early March to hear more about her father's life work, what Earth Day means to her and how you can get involved.Just because most of us are at home doesn't mean you can't celebrate Earth Day this year as we all do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19, the DNR encourages you to celebrate 50 years of Earth Day close to home. Be sure to practice social distancing if you're out in the community. At the Wisconsin DNR, we embrace Earth Day 365. For us, every day is Earth Day. Sit back and listen in to how a Wisconsin senator helped establish Earth Day 50 years ago and how his daughter keeps his memory alive today. Tia Nelson: [00:02:37] My name is Tia Nelson. I'm managing director for the climate change program at the Outrider Foundation. We seek to educate, engage, and inspire action on big global challenges like climate change, help people understand the risks, but importantly also help them understand the opportunities to be a part of the solution.Katie Grant: [00:03:00] Fantastic. So you could be doing anything in the world. Why are you so passionate about the environment? Tia Nelson: [00:03:07] I have always had a love of nature. I spent a lot of time in the outdoors as a child. I went on to study wildlife ecology at the University of Wisconsin. I had wanted to be a veterinarian, but I'm pretty severely dyslexic, and so I struggled in school and once I found out that veterinarians had to go to school as long as doctors did, I figured that wasn't the best path for me.And I had the real privilege to study under, uh Joe Hickey, uh, who had done really important early work on how DDT was thinning, uh, eggshells and impairing, uh, the reproduction of bird species, especially, uh, predators, um, in Wisconsin and across the country. It was a big inspiration to my father who then went on to introduce the first bill to ban the use of DDT.So I was, uh, influenced, um, by great professors like Joe Hickey, uh, Orin, Ronstead, uh, Bob McCabe. Um, Bob was Dean of the Wildlife Ecology school. When I, uh, started attending the university and he actually inscribed, uh, and gave to my father the first day that my father was sworn in as governor, uh, a inscribed first edition copy of the Sand County Almanac with a beautiful inscription in it. I haven't here on my desk, um saying, um, "with and in between the lines of this book, you shall find great wisdom." Um, so I guess that's a long way of saying that, uh, nature was imbued in me as a child just as it was for my father, and I just seem to gravitate to the issue naturally and studied it in school and went on to work in the Capitol.I worked for the DNR as a fisheries technician summertimes while I was in college. It was a great job. Um, it's always been my life's work and my passion. Katie Grant: [00:05:07] Yeah. Did you ever feel pressure to work in the environmental space or you just knew it was what you wanted to do? Tia Nelson: [00:05:13] I just did it. It just was me. It was just a part of me and, uh, a keen interest of mine from a very young age.Uh, it must have obviously been influenced by my father and his work. Um, but I don't remember an epiphany moment. Um, it simply was imbued in me from a very early age, and it wasn't something that I honestly gave a lot of thought to. It was just who I was. Katie Grant: [00:05:43] Tell us a little bit about your father's legacy. For anyone who doesn't know, why is he so important to Wisconsin and Earth Day in general? Tia Nelson: [00:05:50] Well, my father grew up in a small town called Clear Lake in Polk County in northwestern Wisconsin. Not far from the St. Croix River where he camped and fished and canoed and his experiences in nature as a child had a big influence on him.The places his father took him, uh, the St. Croix, uh, which I just mentioned. Also, they visited the Apostle Islands. It's interesting for me to reflect on the fact that those childhood experiences in nature here in these magnificent, uh, natural landscapes in Wisconsin became inspiration for him once he was elected to office.And he served in the state senate for 10 years. He became governor when I was two. In 1958, he was elected and he became known pretty quickly as across the country as the conservation governor, principally because of a bold initiative that he put forward to tax uh, put a penny, a pack tax on cigarettes to fund the Outdoor Recreation Action Program --known by the acronym OREP -- uh, to fund, uh, the protection, uh, of public recreation lands for the citizens of Wisconsin, and to create opportunities for, uh, fishing and hunting and recreating. And that program was wildly popular and, uh, drew a lot of national attention, the National Boating Magazine, um, in I think around 1960, um, their front page was "All Eyes on Wisconsin" with a picture of the state of Wisconsin. And my, an image of my father overlaid and a story about how the, the great, uh, conservation innovation that was taking place in Wisconsin.So that was my father's, um, early efforts as governor, he took that experience and the popularity of that program, which is now known as the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, named after my father and Republican governor Warren Knowles, who succeeded my father when my father was elected to the senate. Um, uh, so Wisconsin's had a long bipartisan tradition of support for those types of initiatives.The OREP program was wildly popular, um, to members of both parties. My father went off to Washington as the United States senator. He took with him a scrapbook of all the good press that he'd gotten for, uh, pushing, uh, conservation and outdoor recreation, uh, agenda as governor in Wisconsin. And, uh, he managed using that, good press that he'd received here in Wisconsin to convince President John F. Kennedy to do a conservation tour. My father was looking for a way to get politicians to wake up to the fact that the, uh, citizens, uh, were eager and interested in, uh, passing laws that protected our rights to breathe clean air and drink clean water and, uh, protect, uh, outdoor recreation areas. The conservation tour failed to accomplish what my father had hoped. Um, indeed, it was cut short after a few stops, as I recall. Um, and, um, sadly, President Kennedy was assassinated several months after that conservation tour, and it was between 1963 and 1969 my father continuing to push and talk about the environmental challenges of our time. And to try to think of an idea that might galvanize, um, uh, the people and, uh, shake as my father said, shake the political establishment out of their lethargy, um, and, uh, step up to address the big environmental challenges of our time.Keep in mind that Lake Eerie was so polluted at the time, um, that it had burned for days. Um, and, uh, today you can, uh, fish some good walleye out of there. Katie Grant: [00:10:15] Right. Right. Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old, uh, Swedish environmental activist has gained international recognition for her climate strikes. She's also known for, having said "adults keep saying we owe it to the young people to give them hope, but I don't want your hope. I don't want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to act as if the house, house is on fire because it is." How does it make you feel to see her and other young activists who are leading the environmentalist fight? And do you think they fit with your father's legacy? Tia Nelson: [00:10:48] Yes, they certainly do.It's really, the story of Greta Thunberg is, um, a really inspiring one, and it is one that I reflect on quite often for the following reason. It would have been impossible for Greta to imagine when she was sitting alone protesting in front of the Swedish parliament that that simple act of defiance would launch the global youth movement just as Rosa Parks could not have known that that simple act of defiance saying no to that bus driver when he demanded she moved to the back of the bus, she simply quietly said one word, no. It changed the course of history. Just as my father could never have known that the simple idea of setting aside a day to teach on the environment on April 22nd, 1970, would launch the environmental movement, propel the environmental movement forward in these unimaginable ways.Keep in mind there was no Environmental Protection Agency. Uh, it was signed into law by a Republican president, Richard Nixon. Um, some months after the first Earth Day, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, uh, Endangered Species Act, a whole slew of laws that we take for granted today, passed that first decade after Earth Day. More environmental laws were passed, um, in the decade that followed that first Earth Day than any other time in American history. And so Greta's story is inspiring to me and the way that Rosa Parks story is inspiring in the way that my father's story is inspiring. These were individuals who had a set of values and cared passionately about something, and they took action and they kept at it and they changed the course of history. It demonstrates to me the power of individual action to inspire others to become involved and be a part of the solution. And that to me is, is incredibly inspiring. Earth Day was successful beyond my father's wildest dreams. He never could have imagined that 20 million people would gather on that day or that 50 years later we would be celebrating his legacy in this way.Katie Grant: [00:13:20] Right. Tia Nelson: [00:13:20] And I, and, and I, I think that, that people on the 100th anniversary of Earth Day, uh, will be saying the same thing about Greta Thunberg and the youth activists around the world who have done exactly what my father had hoped youth would do and youth did do that first Earth Day. It shook up the establishment and made them pay attention.Katie Grant: [00:13:45] Right, right. You've mentioned in past interviews that you have a kind of fuzzy memory when it comes to what you were doing on that first Earth Day. As you got older, though. Do you recall any of your father's continuing work with regard to Earth Day? Tia Nelson: [00:14:02] Um, yes. Well, I, I was almost 14 when the first Earth Day occurred and I did not remember what I was doing.I, of course, get asked this question quite often. I, you know, was tempted to make up a good story, but I thought better of it. Uh, the way I learned that I was cleaning up trash at my junior high school is I was doing a talk show, a radio talk show, and one of my, uh, um, friends from junior high called and said, you were with me, we were picking up trash. So, um, but as the years, um, ensued, uh, I think it really dawned on me the significance of Earth Day on the 20th anniversary. I was on the Washington Mall with my father for the 20th anniversary. That was a magnificently large, um, and significant anniversary event. And it was pretty obvious that this would be a big, and enduring, um, uh, thing for a long time, uh, to come.My father worked tirelessly and he also he, he felt very, uh, drawn and very duty-bound to speak to youth. And he accepted the smallest school. If the kids wrote him a letter and asked him to come speak to them about the issues, the environment, he went. Um, he saw great promise in our youth. He knew that, uh, it were, that it was the young people in 1970 that, uh, made such a big difference, uh, in, in the success of that event.And so he would give speeches to big audiences. He would give talks to little schools. Uh, he was tireless in his advocacy, outreach and, um, public efforts to engage people because he saw the power, uh, of, um, doing that. And so, um, he was, uh, tireless, and in, in delivering that message and traveling around, giving talks, visiting schools, giving media interviews and doing everything he could to continue to advance the cause.Katie Grant: [00:16:20] When you spoke with us, uh, for our article in the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, you said one of the reasons the first Earth Day was so successful was because of the way it grew organically at the local level, rather than being planned from the top down. Why do you think the simplistic approach worked in his, kind of made it work for the last 50 years? Tia Nelson: [00:16:40] If you look at the first Earth Day, there were literally thousands of organizers in, um, communities across the country. My father did not prescribe a specific agenda. He didn't tell him what issues they should be talking about. He encouraged people to think about what they cared about, where they lived, what the challenges, the environmental challenges, quality of life challenges, were, wherever they lived, uh, whether it was in, uh, the city or the countryside. Um, and people responded, I think if you look at Adam Rome's book, he interviewed over 140 people, um, dozens and dozens and dozens of these local organizers. And one thing that's obvious is by not prescribing what the agenda was and what the issues were and how my father, uh, trying to prescribe from Washington what people were supposed to do, but rather letting them identify their priorities and values, um, uh, where, where they lived, um, and worked, uh, and raised their families.Um, that was very powerful. So some people planted trees, some people picked up trash, some people protested, some people had concerts. I have images of the, uh, Earth Day, uh, on State Street. State Street was closed and, uh, an entomologist and in, you know, a professor of insects, uh, set up a booth. A rather shabby looking one at that, uh, with information about the importance of insects as pollinators.Um, my point is, uh, whether it was entomologists educating people on the importance of bees as a pollinator, uh, or, uh, uh, Girl Scout troop picking up trash and in their local neighborhood or another group, um, planting trees, um, people felt empowered to take action in a way that was meaningful to them.And in, in not trying to control what people did and how they did it and how they messaged around it, um, turned out to be really, uh, uh, a stroke of genius on my father's part. Katie Grant: [00:19:07] For sure. For sure. So over the years, I'm sure you have participated in Earth Day and a lot of different ways, uh, do you have any particularly memorable ways that you have celebrated it?Tia Nelson: [00:19:20] Um, well, they're all meaningful to me. It's always been important for me to honor my father and my own, uh, life's work on Earth Day. It's particularly been important to me to, uh, tell his story to kids um, so that they understand that my father was just a little boy from a little town, um, in Wisconsin, and he grew up to change the world in unimaginable ways, and I want kids to know they have that power, too.Um, so I have always done as much as I can, uh, uh, some local events, media events, um, uh, try to talk to, uh, schoolkids, uh. This year is different though. This year I have a spreadsheet with, gosh, close to 40, um, appearances, interviews, podcasts, like the one we're doing now. Um. Uh, I'm very proud, very excited that we'll be debuting a, uh, uh, film, uh, at Earth X, the largest environmental film fest in the United States in Dallas, Texas on Earth... on the eve of Earth Day.We'll be opening that, uh, Earth X event. Uh, we will be closing out the Smithsonian's Earth Optimism event on April 25th. Uh, the day the mall or a mall event will occur. We've been invited to show at Tribeca Film Fest, uh, in New York and are still trying to figure out whether we can do all of these things in, in the short timeframe of a week.Uh, I will be showing the film at the University of Wisconsin Nelson.. Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies on Monday, April 20th. Uh, and what's exciting to me about the film is I recruited the youth activists Varshini Prakash, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, and Bob Inglis, the former Republican congressman, founder of a group called RepublicEN.Uh, the two of them have joined me, uh, in this film to honor my father and in a call to action to people today to come together and address the biggest environmental challenge of our time, which is climate change. And that, uh, Bob and Varshini, uh, eh, are joining me and talking about the need for a multigenerational bi-partisan socially just movement to address climate change is just a source of enormous excitement and pride for me. So I'll be showing that film around the country. Uh, I will be doing more podcasts, more media interviews. Um, I'll be keynoting, uh, after Earth Day at the annual meeting of the United Church of Christ, uh, at the Midwest Renewable Energy fair up in Custer, Wisconsin. Um, I, I'll, I'll, I'll be tired by the time it's all done, but it's, uh, um, it's a good challenge to have and I just, I couldn't be more grateful or excited to have the opportunity to tell my father's story, the story of other activists today. Um, and to encourage people to get involved and, um, be a part of, uh, building a brighter future.Katie Grant: [00:22:40] At what point did you and your family really start getting the sense that Earth Day had become something special? And did you guys ever discuss how big of a deal it had become?Tia Nelson: [00:22:51] Um, well, sure. I talked to my brothers about it, uh, on a regular basis. I'm updating them on the stuff I'm involved in, uh, here.But, uh, as I mentioned a little earlier in our interview, I think it probably first dawned on me, what a big deal it was on, uh, probably the 10th or the 20th anniversary. Um, that it was clearly going to be an enduring, um, event, uh, in a part of an important part of my father's legacy. Um, and the family's talked about it.Um, you know, we talk about it all the time. Uh, so, um, but especially, you know, this time of year. Katie Grant: [00:23:31] What are a few ways Wisconsinites and beyond Wisconsin can embrace your father's legacy and celebrate Earth Day this year? Tia Nelson: [00:23:38] Well, there's an unlimited number of things one can get involved in or be a part of, uh, you in, in your local community, um, or, uh, through, uh, established organizations. And that was one of the things that was really exciting to me about the video we've produced the, uh, the Sunrise Movement is very oriented towards youth activists. Uh, RepublicEN is oriented towards a more conservative audience. What they share in common is prioritizing, addressing the issue of climate change and, um, uh, the future of our environment.There's really literally an organization for anyone and everyone to join, uh, and there's, uh, uh, website, uh, the Earth Day Network has a site where you can go plug in your zip code and it'll show you, uh, local events here in Madison. I invite everyone to attend the University of Wisconsin Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies Earth Day, um, celebration, which goes on, is really going to be fabulous this year and has a number of significant national speakers, uh, and workshops. And that's on April 20th, all day at Monona Terrace. Uh, there are, um, uh, more local activities one could get involved in, uh, if you don't feel like joining a group. You can, uh, do something with your neighbors or friends um, uh, that, uh, would be probably pretty similar to what people were doing in 1970 deciding, you know, how they wanted to get involved, whether they wanted to go pick up trash or plant trees or join an organization. And, uh, there's sort of an unlimited in terms of, of what one can do because every, every individual action matters and, and people, um, uh, have an opportunity to get involved in any number of ways. Katie Grant: [00:25:48] Yeah. So at Wisconsin DNR, we are embracing Earth Day 365 and encouraging residents to take small steps all year so that taking care of our natural resources isn't just a thing that we think about once a year. Do you have any suggestions for small steps that people can take to make a difference?Tia Nelson: [00:26:05] There's a number of powerful small steps one can take from reducing food waste to avoiding single-use plastic to composting food scraps to using energy-efficient appliances to things like ... Funny little fact to know and tell is that something called phantom power, meaning our devices plugged into the wall when we're not using them probably about 15% of average home owner's electricity consumption. Simply unplugging those appliances when you're not using them, uh, is a way to save energy and it saves money. Um, so, um, being a conscious consumer, uh, being aware of one's impact, uh, on the planet, knowing that, you know, one of my favorite quotes from my father is "the economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment. Not the other way around." And so um, we have to recognize that our natural resource base is finite, um, and that we have to be good stewards of it. And that individual action, how we conduct ourselves in our daily life really does matter. Um, voting for, um, uh elected officials, whether it at the local or state level, who put forward policies that protect our rights to breathe clean air and drink clean water is really important. Outrider.org has a section, um, about how you can help. Uh, it includes a way to assess, uh, your personal greenhouse gas footprint and things that you can do to, um, reduce it.So, um, get involved. Talk about it. Take action and join an organization that suits your particular interest.Katie Grant: [00:28:02] At a time when there can be a lot of doom and gloom in the news, how do you stay optimistic about the future of our environment? Tia Nelson: [00:28:08] I often say I'm in a complicated dance between hope and despair.You can't be involved every day of your life in the environmental challenges that we face today and not be concerned. Uh, the science tells us we have a lot to be worried about. On the other hand, I know the power of individuals to make a difference. I know how on that first Earth Day, a simple call to action, uh, precipitated significant progress in how we manage our resources and, uh, protect our environment. And so I reflect on my father's legacy and work. I reflect on the fact that he worked tirelessly and was, felt a sense of defeat, um, many, many times, but he got up the next day and went back to work and made significant progress.And I believe in American ingenuity. I know that we have a bright future of clean and renewable energy. That today renewable energy is... costs less than fossil fuel energy. We have some big challenges as we make that transition, but we know what the solutions are. And, uh, it's a question of creating the social will and political capital to move forward, uh, swiftly with a sense of urgency to address these challenges. And I believe we can do it, but we, we have to join together. That's why I'm so excited about the film with Bob Inglis and Varshini Prakash. They have very, very different ideas about what the solution is. That doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is that they've come to the table to have a conversation about how we can work together and solve these big environmental challenges. That's what matters. And as long as we're having the conversation and agreeing that the problem requires an urgent response, we'll find a way to build the social capital and the political will to act.And so that is how I think about it and motivate myself to carry on the work. Katie Grant: [00:30:34] You've been listening to Wild Wisconsin, a podcast brought to you by the Wisconsin DNR. Show us on social media how you're celebrating Earth Day this year by using #EarthDayAtHome and tagging Wisconsin DNR in your posts.For more great content, be sure to subscribe to Wild Wisconsin wherever you get your podcasts. Leave us a review or tell us who you'd like to hear from on a future episode. Thanks for listening.