January 28, 2025

PFAS in Sewage Sludge and the Health Risks They Pose

Sewage sludge contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are a class of chemicals that are toxic and persistent in the environment. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals”.  David Sligh, Conservation Director and water issue expert joins the podcast to discuss this issue and its implications. How PFAS get into sewage sludge How PFAS in sewage… Read more


January 15, 2025

Climate Adaptive Wildlife Crossings

Wildlife crossings are becoming more widely recognized for reducing wildlife-vehicle conflicts, habitat connectivity, and contributing toward driver safety. Even more notable is their role in supporting biodiversity during times of climate change. A recent paper on the impact of wildlife crossings for climate adaptation highlights how strategically designed wildlife crossings can help wildlife adapt to… Read more


January 6, 2025

The Environmental Impact and Water Issues of Cruise Ship Gambling

Cruise ships are often seen as luxurious floating resorts, offering a wide range of entertainment, including casinos. While these onboard casinos provide leisure and excitement to passengers, they also contribute to significant environmental issues. Josh Stanfield, Executive Director of Activate Virginia and a recent graduate of our Clean Water Advocates Program, joins our podcast to… Read more


January 2, 2025

Climate Change and Impacts on Freshwater Systems

Wild Virginia recently hosted Paul Angermeier, an expert in his field, for a webinar on climate change and impacts on freshwater systems. This lively discussion revolved around Paul Angermeier’s research on ecology and conservation of stream fishes, ecosystem services provided by watersheds, and the use of biotic communities to assess aquatic ecosystem health. With decades of experience… Read more


December 27, 2024

Why Road Widening is Not the Infrastructure Improvement We Need

Are highway widening projects really infrastructure improvements? State transportation agencies would want you to believe the answer is yes, but a closer look at the effects of road widenings and how these agencies defend them point to a different answer. The Freeway Fighters Network is an advocacy group committed to transportation infrastructure that focuses of the improvement… Read more


holidays computer
December 12, 2024

Sustainable Holiday Gifts: Thoughtful Choices for a Greener Season

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are in search of the perfect gifts for our loved ones. However, with growing awareness of environmental issues, more people are considering the impact of their gift-giving choices. This year, why not embrace sustainability and give gifts that are thoughtful, meaningful, and kind to our planet? Here’s… Read more


December 11, 2024

The Importance of Aquatic Wildlife Crossings

An aquatic wildlife crossing is a structure that allows aquatic organisms, such as fish, turtles, or amphibians, to pass through a barrier like a road or a dam. An aquatic wildlife crossing is a human-made structure that allows aquatic animals to safely cross under a road along a stream corridor and are designed to help animals… Read more


volunteers
December 4, 2024

The Environmental Impacts of International Volunteer Day

Happy International Volunteer Day! December 5th is a day to celebrate the contributions of volunteers all over the world since 1985, when the UN designated this day to appreciate the impact of volunteerism in advancing peace and development. This day also highlights the transformative power of volunteering in addressing global challenges such climate change. The… Read more


December 2, 2024

Creating Aquatic Crossings Beneficial for Wildlife

Aquatic crossings, like culverts, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological connectivity and facilitating wildlife movement across landscapes fragmented by human infrastructure. Designing these crossings to be wildlife-friendly can significantly enhance biodiversity and support ecosystem health. Below are key considerations and strategies for creating effective aquatic crossings. What is the guidance for creating aquatic crossings?… Read more


November 27, 2024

National Day of Mourning and the Landback Initiative

The National Day of Mourning is an annual event observed in the United States on Thanksgiving Day. It serves as a time for reflection and remembrance of the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native American communities. The National Day of Mourning is significant because it challenges the dominant narrative of Thanksgiving and highlights the… Read more