Sustainable Sun Prairie: Conversations for a Greener Community

State of our Food System

Join host Rose Daily and guests Ben Stanger of Green Box Compost & Noah Bloedorn of Reap Food Group to learn about Dane County food systems. Farmland is a familiar sight across Wisconsin—but have you ever wondered what crops are being grown and where they go after harvest? While today’s food system is geared towards corporate-scale agriculture, many community members seek to support local, small-scale growers. Tune in to learn more about how our local food system works, the challenges it faces, and the opportunities to build a more resilient, community-focused food system for the future. Green Box Compost: Green Box Compost | Compost Pickup Service in Madison, WI [https://www.withgreenbox.com/] Reap Food Group: Building a Better Food System - REAP Food Group [https://www.reapfoodgroup.org/]

Heat Pumps 101

Heat pumps are one of the biggest game changers in home heating and cooling - they're ultra-efficient, all-electric, and the future of home comfort. But there's also some concerns around them: they don’t work in cold climates, they cost too much, and they’re too complicated. So, what’s the truth? Join host Rose Daily and guest Stephen Cavill to learn exactly how heat pumps work, separate myth from fact, and learn step-by-step tips for successfully switching to a heat pump. Madison Home Performance: https://madisonhomeperformance.com/ [https://madisonhomeperformance.com/] Heat Pumps 101: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems [https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems] Stephen's Electric Bills: https://madisonhomeperformance.com/about-us-bpi-certified/ [https://madisonhomeperformance.com/about-us-bpi-certified/] Home Energy Efficiency Informational Videos: https://madisonhomeperformance.com/energy-tips-videos/ [https://madisonhomeperformance.com/energy-tips-videos/] (01:55) Role of HVAC systems (03:06) Most common types of HVAC systems (05:21) How do heat pumps work? (07:39) 300-400% efficiency (08:15) Heat pumps are just fancy air conditioners (09:15) Myth #1: heat pumps are only for heating (11:34) Myth #2: heat pumps don't work in cold climates (16:10) Heat pump performance in the winter (19:23) What about -22F? (22:50) Myth #3: heat pumps aren't affordable (31:13) Myth #4: heat pumps don't save any money (34:02) 85% of HVAC replacements are driven by emergencies (38:15) Home energy assessment & load calculation (45:45) Top questions to ask your hvac contractor

Art as Climate Action

Art and artists play a powerful role in raising awareness around climate change issues and solutions. Join host Rose Daily and guests Mayela Finol and Raquel Sutherland to learn how art is a force for connection, education, and transformation, and what is lost when art is left out of the climate conversation. This episode also explores how creating art together can build stronger communities, the role of storytelling in resilience, and how public art project are helping shape collective visions for a sustainable future. (02:40) Sneak peek into an artist's life (06:54) Strengthening communities through art (09:38) 50 youth inspire a mural design (11:51) Art + science = communication (17:40) Kids are the answer to climate change (23:22) Storytelling through art (27:55) Giving a voice & providing a dream (31:02) Speaking without saying a word (33:04) Art makes climate change real & personal

Rethinking Our Meals: A Taste of Sustainability

Most of us grow up eating without ever being taught where our food comes from, or how it impacts the planet. Join host Rose Daily and guests Tia Tevaarwerk and Hannah Best as they discuss sustainable food choices: why they matter, their impact on the planet and community, and personal food choices they've made. Additionally, they give tips and advice on how to stay motivated while making these sustainable choices. (0:01:55) Defining "sustainable" food (0:03:02) Your food choices matter! (0:08:55) Resources required to raise plants vs animals (0:11:16) Vegan, vegetarian, and eating locally (0:22:29) Protein sources, traveling, eating out, debunking misconceptions, & costs. (0:35:59) High quality soil produces nutrient dense plants (0:38:16) It's more than just a diet (0:46:25) Pro tips for making sustainable food choices (0:49:53) Easy plant-based swaps (0:58:04) Education, awareness, & strictness (1:01:04) Staying motivated with sustainable food choices

The Power of Trees: Health, Climate, & Community

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 [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 [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 [http://good.org] (learn about tree care and how to find a certified Arborist): https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/publicoutreach/treesaregood/index [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 [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/ [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