Mila Marshall of the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter highlights the group's work to reduce nutrient pollution in Illinois through education, advocacy, and the promotion of constructed wetlands. The Sierra Club promotes wetlands as a cost-effective solution for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. She emphasizes collaboration between farmers, wastewater treatment facilities, and the public to support the state's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.

In this episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Paula Hingson and Matt Robert of USDA NRCS discuss how wetland restoration easements and constructed wetlands help reduce nutrient loss in Illinois. They explain how easement programs like wetland restoration easement through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) support landowners by converting flood-prone farmland back to wetlands, and how constructed wetlands are engineered to treat runoff and improve water quality. The conversation also covers funding options, habitat benefits, and how producers can get started with support from local NRCS offices and partners like The Wetlands Initiative.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with podcast host Todd Gleason and co-producers Rachel Curry, and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog
• Subscribe for updates
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

On this episode of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Jill Kostel from The Wetlands Initiative and farmer Rex Newton, discuss constructed wetlands highlighting their role in intercepting tile drainage and reducing nitrates.

In this bonus edition of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Todd Gleason interviews Jon Doggett, head of Camas Creek Consulting LLC and former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. They discuss the importance of conservation and climate-smart practices in agriculture, the opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act, and the need for voluntary, incentive-based programs. Jon shares insights on building coalitions between farm and environmental groups, the evolving perspective of farmers on climate change, and the rapid technological advancements in agriculture. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication with policymakers and the potential for agriculture to showcase its positive impact with the right support and partnerships.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with podcast host Todd Gleason and co-producers Rachel Curry, and Nicole Haverback.

Wetlands are some of the most vital yet misunderstood ecosystems, often portrayed in film as eerie, dangerous places rather than the biodiverse habitats they are. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Matthews and Dr. Caitlin Bloomer from the University of Illinois discuss wetland perceptions, their ecological importance, and efforts to improve public understanding.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog
• Subscribe for updates
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

Woodchip bioreactors are a useful tool in reducing nutrient loss, particularly nitrate, from tile-drained fields before the water is discharged. In this episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, farmer Brian Corkill and contractor David Johnston join Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s Helen VanBeck to discuss the recent installation of a bioreactor on Corkill’s farm, the process behind it, and the benefits of this edge-of-field practice. Check out the blog recap of this episode.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog
• Subscribe for updates
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss