Dr. Salwa Khan is a media producer and educator with a deep and abiding interest in protecting our Mother Earth. The podcast program Mothering Earth featured here is her latest effort to spread the word that we all need to mother Earth by learning to live gently and sustainably.
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In our second show with Amy Ziff of MADE SAFE®, a nonprofit organization that provides certification for nontoxic products, we examine the process companies must go through in order to have their products certified as …
The numbers vary, but we can safely say that there are at least forty-thousand chemicals used in consumer products in the United States. They are …
Billions of pounds of food go to waste every year in the United States and in other parts of the world. It is an astounding number, especially when you consider all the precious resources, like water, that goes into …
The world’s oceans are suffering from pollution by everything from plastics to dangerous chemicals and oil spills, and from industrial overfishing. …
When you think of perennial crops, you may think of fruit or nut trees, not plants like wheat or rice, which are traditionally planted every year. An organization called The Land Institute, based in Salina, Kansas is …
People who live in cities in marginalized neighborhoods rarely own land on which they can grow their own food. Generally, their food comes from corner stores which may not stock fresh fruits and vegetables. They may not …
Most people may not think much about where the wood they use in building projects comes from, but Jordan Zettle aims to change that. Zettle is the Green Markets Manager at an organization called Sustainable Northwest …
Like many other creatures, populations of frogs, toads and salamanders, which are classified as amphibians, are in decline. Amphibians have many …
What if you knew that a particular industry was polluting our waterways, land and air, yet nothing was being done about it? The industry is animal …
If you are curious about nature and would enjoy observing and reporting your observations, this is the show for you! Citizen scientists are needed in …
Water is essential to life in so many ways, and water is the focus of the Wyland Foundation. You may know of the artist named Wyland, who has spent years creating enormous murals featuring whales and other marine life …
Pollution of the Earth’s waterways and oceans by discarded plastic products and by microplastics that soak up toxic chemicals is a growing problem …
Alleys have a reputation for being places to avoid. We may think of them as dangerous, dark, uninviting, places where you do not want to linger for long, if at all.
But alleys are experiencing a dramatic makeover, …
Compared to meat-based diets, plant-based diets are significantly less harmful to the environment in terms of greenhouse gases produced, and air, …
We all need a place to live, but the type of housing we choose has an effect on the environment. Ideally, our housing choices have minimal impact on the environment, on the land, the quality of the air and water and on …
Imagine if everyone who has a garden area, whether vast or tiny, decided to reduce or eliminate their lawn, and planted plants that are native to …
We count on them to guard our homes, to play our music and television shows, to entertain us with games, to call and chat with friends, relatives and …
Native plants are local plants. They have been growing in a particular region for possibly thousands of years. They grow well without much “care” …
When large populations of grasshoppers and crickets appear in western rangelands in the U.S., the government sprays those areas with pesticides to …
As we all know, there are far too many plastics in our world and unlike most materials, plastics do not readily break down. It is estimated that plastic takes 500 to 1000 years to decompose. Only about nine percent of …
Land stewardship is about taking care of the soil, of native grasses, trees and shrubs, and of sources of water, such as rivers, lakes, creeks and streams. The aim is to preserve and maintain the biodiversity and health …
Putting a tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels isn’t a new idea. Many governments worldwide now implement either direct taxes on fossil fuels, or have set up cap-and-trade programs. This includes Canada, Mexico, …
Most of the animal food products you buy come from what are called factory farms. That includes your beef, chicken, turkey, and pork, as well as eggs and dairy products. The animals in these “farms” live miserable lives …
Food is clearly an essential item for all of us, but for some people buying food, especially things like fresh fruits and vegetables, is an impossibility. That's where places like food pantries and organizations like …
In part two of our exploration of food forests, our guides Nathan Hunter of the Bronx River Foodway and Umair Khakoo, of the Festival Beach Food Forest in Austin, TX, focus on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and …
A food forest is a public green space where anyone can come, and not only enjoy relaxing among the trees and flowers, but where anyone can pick and eat the fruit from the trees, and harvest herbs, flowers and other …
Water is a blessing to all living things. But water also can be dangerous and deadly, in the form of catastrophic flooding. When there is very little …
Herbicide-Free Campus is an organization that provides students with the tools and resources to eliminate synthetic herbicide use on their school or …
Enjoying that salad, or anticipating that yummy apple? Thank a pollinator! Almost all the fruits and vegetables and legumes we eat every day require …
Most people enjoy listening to birdsong, or watching birds in an outdoor space, as they go about finding food and water, and making nests where they will raise their babies.
There are things you can provide for birds …
Power generation and transportation are huge contributors to climate change, but did you know that what we eat every day is also a big contributor to damaging carbon emissions? Yet this problematic area is seldom talked …
Imagine a day when your trash contains only a few items. Instead of a large, heavy, bursting bag that you carry out to the curb, your bag is small and lightweight. That’s a goal we can all work toward, because landfills …
As cities grow, people in them yearn for parkland and green spaces where they can connect with nature. In the city of San Marcos, Texas, citizens got together and formed a group with a mission of creating a belt of …
Permaculture is a way of growing food that works with nature, to minimize waste and to use energy, water and human labor efficiently. It requires …
Hemp is a plant that can be grown sustainably, and that has a wide variety of uses from food to clothing, to car parts. and even walls for your house. Despite many positives, hemp's reputation remains clouded by years …
Don't kill those weeds. Eat them! That's what foragers do. You'll be amazed at the number of plants we call weeds, that are tasty and nutritious. Learn how to start foraging for wild edible plants, maybe in your own …
Have you thought about how many plastic items you use every day? It is quite a staggering amount, from our toothbrushes, to the plastic bags in which we carry home our groceries, to the water bottles we may buy by the …
Most environmental policy experts and environmental organizations have largely ignored one of the major contributors to environmental destruction, …
The production of meat pollutes land, water and air. It is a major contributor to climate change, although it remains largely unacknowledged, even by …
Most of the water we use is used outdoors. A lot of it goes to watering lawns. Water conservation outside the house means designing gardens that use less water, and using more efficient ways of watering plants.This …
Along with the air we breathe, water is another absolute essential for life. As the world's population has grown, so has the demand for water. But …
Creating and maintaining a food forest in the middle of a city is a major undertaking. In this program, you will meet two people who are doing just that, in Austin, Texas. the Festival Beach Food Forest is now six years …
Fungi are fascinating organisms that come in many forms and sizes, from almost invisible to the naked eye, to giant mushrooms. Scientifically speaking, fungi are a kingdom of spore-producing organisms that include …
Open your mind and your heart to a new way of thinking about gardens! Garden spaces are not just for humans, but for all the creatures that live there, including animals, insects and birds. In this program, my guest, …
Wildscapes are places you can create anywhere there is a bit of space, combined with a desire to be closer to wildlife. Many people like to attract birds, in order to observe them more closely. In this program wildscape …
What is something you can create in a backyard, an apartment balcony, or on a patio? A wildscape! A wildscape is an area that you and your family and friends can enjoy, that also provides food, water and shelter for …
Scientists are reporting staggering losses in the populations of birds in North America. The bird population decline is seen in virtually all …
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants in the spring, but need different plants, those that provide nectar, during their winter migration south. Cathy Downs, a Master Naturalist, and Monarch Watch …
Butterflies are magical creatures that bring joy to most people. But have you ever wondered about their lives, and about what those amazing colored …
Flooding is an all too common disaster, but there are ways to mitigate the effects of flooding, and increase the resiliency of the land. Whether you …
All water is a precious resource, including the water we use every day to flush our toilets. Low-flow toilets are designed to minimize water use, but there is also a way to design home wastewater treatment systems, that …
We often hear about animal species that are on the road to extinction, or species that are becoming more rare. Plants, too, can suffer the same fate. There are many plants all over the world that are classified as rare …
Some of them we love, for example butterflies and bees. Some we hate, such as cockroaches and lice. Some are crustaceans that live in the oceans, such as crabs, lobsters and shrimp. There are many more invertebrate …
Fresh water is essential to all life and it is a finite resource. Most of us don't think much about letting the water run when we wash dishes, bathe or brush our teeth. Yet, those are all examples of wasting water. In …
Protecting bees is vital as a large percentage of crops that we rely on for food are pollinated by bees. In this program, meet Walter Schumacher, the …
Organic farmer John Stanley works long days to grow vegetables that are delicious and packed with nutrition. He does that by using methods that enrich the soil and at the same time, reduce the amount of carbon dioxide …
The answer to our need for renewable energy sources may, in fact, be blowing in the wind. Wind turbines are popping up in more places as the cost of …
Invasive species are those that are not native to an area. They generally spread easily, thereby damaging the natural environment, and in some cases, causing harm to humans and the economy. Invasives may be plants or …
Growing herbs is quite easy, as most are unfussy plants that do well in most soils and climates. But what can you do with your herbs? That's the question Judy Barrett, a well-known author and organic gardening expert, …
Weeds, insect pests, and plant diseases are problems that all gardeners face, at one time or another. My guest Judy Barrett is a well-known author and organic gardening expert, who has a different approach than most to …
Creating soil that holds water should be the goal of all humans who take care of any land. Why? When soil holds water, rain soaks in rather than …
You have heard about phytonutrients, but may wonder what they are? Phytonutrients are substances found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and spices that have valuable antioxidant properties. What exactly will they do …
Moringa oleifera is a plant that has a long history of being used to treat a multitude of ailments, including joint pain, asthma, cancer, ulcers, …
In this program, I continue my conversation with author Pamela Rice on the links between environmental damage and the production of meat. Here we focus on government supports for the production of meat, which keeps meat …
The production of meat, whether from cows, pigs, chickens or other animals results in serious damage to our air, water and soil. Factory-farming …
American University is the first large educational institution in the United States to become carbon neutral. It is an impressive achievement! I spoke to Megan Litke, Director of Sustainability Programs, who oversaw the …
What is biological integrity? It is a way of evaluating the health of an eco-system. In this program, Chris Searles, founder of a nonprofit …
In part two of Soil Science, we continue our deep dive into garden soil and hear about what to add to help our plants grow, flower, fruit and prosper in every way.
You may call it dirt, earth, or soil. Regardless of what term you use, it is a substance that is vital to our existence. Soil is where we plant our food crops, but we may rarely think about what it is. In this program, …
In part two of my conversation with Jenny Perez of the American Botanical Council, we delve into Hibiscus Sabdariffa, turmeric and the elegant goji berry.
Do herbs really have medicinal powers? You bet! In this program, you will hear from an expert on growing herbs and on using herbs as medicine, namely Jenny Perez, education coordinator for the American Botanical Council …
Discouraging egg-eating behavior by your chickens is just one of many chicken-keeping mysteries explained in part two of my conversation with avian expert Jesse Huth. Jesse also talks about how to identify other birds …
Chickens are kept by humans all over the world, as a source of fresh eggs, and by carnivores, as a source of meat. Perhaps you keep chickens, or know someone who does? Or you may be thinking about starting your own …
Bats are found on every continent in the world, except Antarctica. These flying mammals are often misunderstood and persecuted, yet they perform several valuable services for us humans. In this program, Mylea Bayless of …
In part two of our conversation with Katherine Romans of the Hill Country Alliance, we'll hear about what you can do to conserve water, to keep our night skies dark and starry, and to preserve the character of small …
What happens when an area known for its natural beauty and resources experiences rapid population growth? The Texas hill country is such an area, and …
What is a MRF? It is a Material Recovery Facility, and it is where your recyclable trash goes to be sorted, and eventually reused. Workers and machines at theTexas Disposal Systems MRF sort through the millions of …
In this program we continue our exploration of herbs with Robyn Clark, especially those plants that are used in therapeutic ways. We also re-visit Tara Chapman, chief beekeeper at Two Hives Honey to talk about how to …
Herbs are those marvelous plants we use to make our food taste better. Herbs also have a long history of being used as medicines, and if that's not enough, they are used to provide pleasant fragrance in soaps and body …
Most people who plant fruit and nut trees and herbs look forward to harvesting and using their bounty by themselves, or perhaps sharing some with friends and neighbors. So imagine an urban park, planted with fruit and …
Did you know that honey bees visit two million flowers to make one pound of honey? That’s a lot of work for that sweet treat that you spread on your toast! In this program, we visit Tara Chapman, chief beekeeper at Two …
There are thousands of unique bird species on our Earth, which makes them an important part of the world’s environment. They contribute to the diversity of nature, but also delight us with their pretty feathers, chirps …
Bicycling is a fun activity for both children and adults. It has a positive effect on the environment because unlike automobiles, bikes don’t emit …
The term permaculture is a combination of the words “permanent” and “agriculture” and describes a way of thinking about food production that is both …
We may live in urban and suburban places, but we still crave a connection to nature, to green-spaces and to the birds and the bees. Urban …
Food Co-ops are communities of people who care about food and the environment. In this program, Mothering Earth goes to the only food co-op in Texas--the Wheatsville Food Co-op, which is located in Austin, TX.
A staggering amount of food is wasted each year in the United States. Good edible food goes in the trash and then in the landfill, while others go hungry. On Mothering Earth, we explore this issue with Russell Cavin of …
Dark night skies allow us to view the stars and the Milky Way, but keeping the night dark also has health benefits and affects your wallet. In this program Cindy Luongo Cassidy explains why dark night skies are so …
Artists, creatives and educators alike can find repurposed materials at very low cost for projects of all kinds. Founder and Board President Rebecca Stuch takes us on a tour of this amazing resource center that helps …
Rain is free water falling from the sky that you can capture and use for watering your garden, and for cooking, bathing and drinking. That’s called rainwater harvesting and in this conversation with Kathi Thomas, …
What do trees do all day long, besides stand there and look pretty? In this conversation with Dr. Susan Schwinning, at Texas State University, we go under the bark, and find out.
Keeping the San Marcos river clean, clear and flowing is no easy task, as Dianne Wassenich can tell you. Dianne has been an essential part of the San Marcos River Foundation for more than 30 years and in this program, …
San Marcos, Texas residents Betsy Robertson and her husband Todd Derkacz have found fun and effective ways to lower their carbon footprint. In the process, they enjoy a healthier lifestyle that is better for the …
Making compost is good for our earth in many ways. It removes items that would otherwise fester in landfills, from the waste stream, and turns that …
There are things we can do, on the land we live on, to alleviate the severe effects of a lot of rain in a short period of time. In this conversation …
The clothes we wear have an impact on our environment in many ways. There’s the environmental impact when the materials used for the fabric is grown, or harvested, or manufactured, the impact at the clothing factory, …
Central Texas and many other areas around the country experience periods of drought followed by flooding. There are best practices we can all follow …
In the second part of our interview with Andrew Dobbs, we talk about convincing companies to use minimal packaging and about what happens with electronic waste from computers, cell phones and the like. Learn how you …
Getting to “zero waste” may seem like an impossible goal, but Andrew Dobbs of the Texas Campaign for the Environment says each of us can play a role …
Salwa Khan (Mothering Earth) interviews Sari Albornoz, program director of the Grow Local program of the Sustainable Food Center in Austin TX.
Interview with Joy Casnovsky, program director of the Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre in Austin, TX about preparing fresh healthy meals.
Andrew Smiley of the Farm Direct program at Sustainable Food Center in Austin Texas discusses how the Farm Direct program works in connecting people to the sources of fresh healthy local food.
In Part 2 of an interview with Bill Neiman of Native American Seed in Junction, Texas, Neiman provides more reasons and practical ways of preserving our land.
Bill Neiman of Native American Seed in Junction, Texas talks about how and why we should care about the land we live on, and what we can do to make …
Interview by Salwa Khan with Adam Salcedo and Phillip Balke of the Native Plant Research Institute (NPRI) about edible natives and about expanding our food choices.
An interview with solar/renewable energy expert Steven Wiese from Austin Texas on the use of solar power by individuals and large organizations.
Interview with Andrea Delong Amaya, director of horticulture at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center. We talk about native plants, designing a …
Part two of an interview with Michelle Bright and Jonathan Garner from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center centering on projects where water was a major concern and about the benefits of green roofs.
The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX is an outstanding source of information about plants. It has another vital mission, which is to research and implement real-world projects that are practical …
Climate Buddies is a growing organization in Austin, Texas, with a mission to educate us about how to reduce our carbon footprint. Their Carbon Diet and FEAT programs are racking up successes because their approach is …
Salwa Khan's interview with Christine Chute Canul, Senior Program Director at Keep Texas Beautiful on three prongs of their mission - litter …
Interview with Rebecca Johnson of TreeFolks, Austin Texas about their programs to plant trees as part of their urban forestry program.
Interview with Dr. Andrew Sansom of the Meadows Center on the state of water in the Hill Country of Texas and what the average person can do to help.
Interview with Dr. Deb Tolman about the whys and hows of keyhole gardens.
Interview with Karen Ford on issue of rainwater collection, drought, rainwater revival event in October 2014
Mothering Earth program for August 2014--on farmer's markets
Program # 1 of Mothering Earth radio program July 4, 2014
Salwa Khan interviews Tim Thompson of King Feed about native plants.
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