Texas Public Radio's Dan Skinner hosts a podcast designed to promote sustainable living in San Antonio. This program explores a wide range of green topics, including alternative energy, energy conservation, environmental conservation, community gardens, parks, transportation, and more.
August 16, 2010 · Laurence Doxsey, Director of San Antonio’s Office of Environmental Policy, talks with Dan Skinner about the Mission Verde Plan; promoting bicycle use and bike lanes; a program to help small business upgrade lighting for energy efficiency; a large solar array planed for the airport; and other topics. More information is available at sanantonio.gov/oep.
August 2, 2010 ·Economist and best selling author Juliet B. Schor talks with host Dan Skinner about Plenitude: The New Economics of True Wealth. Schor hopes the book will engage people in a conversation that will move us beyond an economy that is not working for the people or the planet. She encourages people to be more self sufficient and to develop more social capital for a richer, more creative life. More information is available at julietschor.com.
July 19, 2010 · Dan Marsh talks with host Dan Skinner about Green Dan Says! Renewable Energy is Cool. The book was written for third and fourth graders and is designed to teach them about different types of renewable energy. The idea for the book grew out of Marsh’s work on alternative energy sources and feed back from people who appreciated how he is able to explain complicated topics in a simple way. More information is available at greendansays.com.
July 2, 2010 · Andrés Edwards talks with host Dan Skinner about Thriving Beyond Sustainability: Pathways to a Resilient Society. Edwards shares examples of projects from around the world that are creating environmental and societal transformation. The book hopes to inspire readers about what can be as opposed to focusing on obstacles that may seem overwhelming. More information is available at andresedwards.com.
June 7, 2010 · Steven Schauer, from the San Antonio River Authority, talks with host Dan Skinner about their “Be Watershed Wise” education project. Schauerdiscusses how little things like picking up pet waste, being careful with lawn fertilization, and keeping lawn debris off the streets can help improve the quality of water in the San Antonio River. He also discusses bacterial levels in the river and how citizens can help reduce build-up. More information is available at sara-tx.org and riverrec.org.
May 24, 2010 · Aaron Lubeck is the author of Green Restorations. Lubeck talks about the special challenges of renovating an historic home in a way that serves both preservation and conservation. Lubeck talks with host Dan Skinner about how purchasing and restoring an historic home is form of recycling that saves energy and resources plus helps preserve the culture of a community.
Arial view of the Mission Reach portion of the San Antonio River. Photo Credit: sanantonioriver.org.
May 10, 2010 · Suzanne Scott, General Manager of the San Antonio River Authority, and Judge Nelson Wolff provide an update on the progress of the Mission Reach portion of the River Restoration Project. Scott explains the features of the Mission Reach and Judge Wolff discusses how and why Bexar County became involved with the project.
April 26, 2010 · Sherry Christensen talks with host Dan Skinner about the “Picture Your World” Youth Photography Project, which is designed to encourage exploration of nature through photography. The program, conducted with professional naturalists and professional photographers is designed for youth between the ages of 8 and 18. More info is available at greenspacesalliance.org
April 12, 2010 · Lanny Sinkin, Executive Director of Solar San Antonio, joins host Dan Skinner to talk about upcoming activities including the 10th Annual Solar Fest on May 1 and the annual co-celebration of the creation of Solar San Antonio and the birthday of its founder William Sinkin on May 19. Lanny Sinkin also talks about the growth of solar installations in San Antonio and efforts to encourage future development. More information is available at solarsanantonio.org.
Wildflowers at the Medina River Natural Area. Photo Credit: San Antonio Parks and Receration Department
March 29, 2010 · Edward Benavides and Janet Martin, Assistant Directors of Parks and Recreation join host Dan Skinner to talk about the San Antonio park system. The discussion includes information about San Antonio’s oldest and newest parks; acquisition of new land; friends groups; and the many activities offered to citizens. More information is available at www.sanantonio.gov/sapar
March 15, 2010 · Clayton Leonard, owner of New Earth Soils & Compost, talks with host Dan Skinner about the environmental and financial benefits of recycling to create compost. Many forms of waste including unusual items such as lottery tickets, phone books, pizza, and soda can all feed the composting process. More information is available at www.newearthcompost.com
March 1, 2010 · Paul Johnson, co-director of the Alamo Forest Partnership, talks with host Dan Skinner about the activities of the organization and how you can get involved. Johnson discusses the status of San Antonio’s forest coverage, planting concerns, and diseases that pose a threat to our trees. More information is available at alamoforestpartnership.org.
February 15, 2010 · Michael Burke, founder and director of the San Antonio Clean Technology Forum, talks with host Dan Skinner about the reasons behind the formation of the forum, what it has accomplished and how you can participate. More information is available at sacleantech.org.
Michael Nentwich, City Forrester, San Antonio Parks Department
Photo Credit: NateLove(Flickr)
January 18, 2010 · Michael Nentwich, City Forrester for the San Antonio Parks Department, talks with host Dan Skinner about how trees contribute to the quality of life in the Alamo city. We’ll learn about the role of the City Forrester and how he works to maintain and expand the city’s green areas. Websites mentioned in this podcast include: Texas Forest Service, San Antonio Parks and Recreation, Alamo Forest Partnership, and City of San Antonio Development Services.
Update on San Antonio Ozone Compliance and Transportation Planning
Photo Credit: austrini(Flickr)
January 4, 2010 · Peter Bella, Director of the Natural Resources Department for the Alamo Area Council of Governments, talks with host Dan Skinner about the ozone compliance in the San Antonio region. We’ll get an update on our status and learn about long term plans to control ozone levels through transportation planning.
Cagle's map turtle, one of the species protected by the Nature Conservancy of Texas. Photo Credit: retro seventies (Flickr)
December 15, 2009 · Laura Huffman, the State Director of the Nature Conservancy talks with host Dan Skinner about how their work to preserve natural areas for the benefit of future generations. The Conservancy works with governments, private land owners and other conservation organizations to save endangered plants and animals. More information is available at http://www.nature.org/texas.
December 7, 2009 · Randy Carroll-Bradd joins talks with host Dan Skinner about the potential for using geothermal technology in South Texas oil and gas wells to generate power. The abundance of pre-existing wells offers the opportunity to install geothermal energy systems without the need to drill new wells. This gives Texas an advantage in creating, clean, cost effective energy.
November 23, 2009 · Charlie Lonsberry talks with host Dan Skinner about the costs and advantages of installing a geothermal system to cool and heat your home. Lonsberry is a certified geoexchange installer with Southwest Mechanical Services. More information is available at www.southwestgeo.com.
Geothermal Activity. Photo Credit: Stuck In Customs (Flickr)
November 9, 2009 · Loretta Van Coppenolle talks with host Dan Skinner about why she is advocating the use of geothermal energy. She hopes more people will become aware of the benefits of using geothermal energy and will support its adoption. Information about Trinity University’s recent Geothermal Symposium is available at www.trinity.edu.
October 12, 2009 · Tony Stephenson, from the Solar Texas Company, talks with host Dan Skinner about solar hot water heaters. Stephenson discusses the technology of using solar energy to heat water, new versus retrofit costs, and other installation considerations. The Solar Texas Company website is www.soltx.com. Information from Solar San Antonio’s Solar Hot Water Workshop is also available at www.solarsanantonio.org.
September 28, 2009 · John Rabon from Greenstar North America talks with host Dan Skinner about their new recycling facility on Cornerway Boulevard in San Antonio. The facility is the largest single stream recycling center in Texas and one of the largest in the nation. Learn more about San Antonio’s recycling program and what you can place in the curbside recycling bin. More information about Greenstar is available at www.greenstar-na.com
September 14, 2009 · The San Antonio River Authority General Manager, Suzanne Scott, and Natural Resource Management Specialist, Lee Marlowe, join host Dan Skinner to talk about the Mission Reach Project. Scott and Marlowe discuss the scope of the project, which extends to Mission Espada, and the special effort being made to make the Mission Reach an Ecosystem Restoration. More information is available at www.sara-tx.org
August 31, 2009 · Suzanne Scott, General Manager of the San Antonio River Authority, joins host Dan Skinner to talk about the SARA’s work to preserve, protect and manage the resources and environment of the San Antonio River and tributaries. Scott discusses the role SARA played in creating the original Riverwalk section of the river, efforts to improve water quality and the recent Museum Reach. More information is available at www.sara-tx.org and www.bexarfloodfacts.org.
August 17, 2009 · Anne Schiller and Tom Harris from the Gardening Volunteers of South Texas, join host Dan Skinner to talk about their work to promote conservation and water-saving gardening. The organization works with other groups on civic projects and offers a variety of educational activities. More information about Gardening Volunteers of South Texas is available at www.gardeningvolunteers.org. Tom Harris can be reached at gardener@gvtc.com and his website is www.thehillcountrygardener.com.
August 3, 2009 · Julie Koppenheffer from the Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas joins host Dan Skinner to talk about conservation easements, community gardens and their education outreach projects. Conservation easements are voluntary agreements that help protect water under the land, sensitive habitat or some other natural value. More information about the Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas is available at greenspacesalliance.org.
July 21, 2009 · Brian Freeman and Daniel Haas from Skanska Construction, join host Dan Skinner to talk about constructing energy efficient medical buildings. We'll learn about the importance of the planning process, using local materials, and some of the techniques used in energy saving construction. More information about energy efficient building is available from the United States Green Building Council website at usgbc.org and the Green Guide for Health Care at gghc.org. More information about Skanska's international construction management company is available at skanska.com.
The Promise and Challenge of Implementing Solar Energy
Photovoltaic panels.
July 6, 2009 · Lanny Sinkin, from Solar San Antonio, joins host Dan Skinner to talk the promise and challenges of implementing Solar energy. The promise includes energy efficiency, less pollution and economic growth. Challenges include the creation of a "smart grid" to enable integration of alternative energy, and storage of excess energy for later use. More information about Solar San Antonio is available at solarsanantonio.org.
June 17, 2009 · Peter Bella, the Natural Resources Director for the Alamo Area Council of Governments, joins host Dan Skinner to discuss the Ozone Challenge in the San Antonio region. We’ll learn about what is being done to control ozone levels and what happens if we fail to meet federal standards. More information about AACOG and Ozone issues is available at www.aacog.com.
About Solar San Antonio, San Antonio's Mission Verde, Other Solar Projects
June 8, 2009 · Lanny Sinkin, joins host Dan Skinner to talk about Solar San Antonio, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of solar energy. Sinkin discusses Solar San Antonio, its advocacy role and its educational outreach programs including "Solar Fest." San Antonio's Mission Verde initiative, and other energy related projects are also discussed. More information about Solar San Antonio is available at solarsanantonio.org.
An Innovative Solar Cover Generates Electricity & CPS Alternative Energy Plan
Photo Credit: Vincent McDonald (CPS Energy)
April 30, 2009 · Bruce Evans, Director of Customer Solutions and Delivery at CPS joins host Dan Skinner for a discussion about the flexible solar cover installation at the Tessman Road Landfill. With the addition of the solar power to their existing methane gas-to-electricity plant, the landfill facility is operated completely on green power. Mr. Evans also discusses CPS Energy's alternative energy strategy and incentive plans designed to promote energy efficiency. More information about incentives is available at cpsenergy.com.
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