Blog Posts

Sustainable Landscapes Make an IMPACT

October 5, 2019December 6, 2019 Mike Nowak Chicago weed law, Christine Nye, environment, gardening, ILCA, IMPACT conference, migratory bird garden, native plants, Peggy Malecki, permaculture, Shedd Aquarium, sustainable landscaping, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:57 — 48.8MB)

Christine Nye, who recently retired as horticulture manager at the Shedd Aquarium, stops by to talk about the gardens she created there. She is joined by Pam Karlson, Annamaria Leon and Ken Williams to promote the upcoming ILCA IMPACT Conference. Pete Czosnyka explains how he faces a $675 fine for growing native plants in his front yard.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:44:47 — 48.4MB)

Guy McPherson, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona, returns to the show to talk about his blog Nature Bats Last. He believes we are in the end days as a species, and has paid the price for being so outspoken. Laura Calvert from Advocates for Urban Agriculture and Martha Boyd of Chicagoland Chicken Enthusiasts report on their opposition to a proposed ordinance that would ban roosters and impose fees and fines on people raising livestock in the city.

Notice

Joint Statement Opposing Proposed Chicago Livestock Ordinance (O2019-7576)

September 26, 2019October 16, 2019 Mike Nowak

Recently, Chicago Alderman Raymond A. Lopez (15th) introduced an ordinance that would change the City’s urban ag laws–introducing certain fees and fines, banning roosters and more. A group of urban agriculture groups feel it would hinder the ability of Chicago residents and urban farmers to grow and raise their own food. This is their statement and Action Alert.

Podcast

Tree Care Season Starts Now

September 7, 2019September 9, 2019 Mike Nowak Bartlett Tree Experts, climate change, conifers, environment, Faith in Place, fall tree care, gardening, Green Team Summit, Peggy Malecki, Rich's Foxwillow Pines, The Mike Nowak Show, tree pruning

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:44:23 — 48.9MB)

Evan Shorr from Bartlett Tree Experts answers questions about fall tree care. Pastor Scott Onque’ of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago previews the Faith in Place Green Team Summit. Rich and Susan Eyre from Rich’s Foxwillow Pines in Woodstock, IL, report on the closing of their conifer nursery after 31 years.

Podcast

Green Tomatoes and Plant Trucks

September 1, 2019September 5, 2019 Mike Nowak Aldi, City Grange, Crate Free Illinois, environment, gardening, gestation crates, Get Growing Foundation, LaManda Joy, Peggy Malecki, Plant Truck, The Humane League, The Mike Nowak Show, Tony Abruscato

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:59 — 48.7MB)

LaManda Joy and Joan Murray from City Grange talk about fall vegetables and containers. Tony Abruscato of the Get Growing Foundation is bringing Plant Truck to underserved neighborhoods. Jessica Chipkin of Crate Free Illinois and Josh Richards of The Humane League are working to make meat purveyors more responsible for the products they serve.

Podcast

Fall is Midwest Lawn Care Season

August 24, 2019August 29, 2019 Mike Nowak Economic Research Service, environment, farm science, gardening, Midwest Grows Green, natural lawn care, nutrition, Peggy Malecki, pesticides, Stonyfield Organic, The Mike Nowak Show, Union of Concerned Scientists, USDA

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:45:48 — 50.0MB)

Ryan Anderson from Midwest Grows Green returns to the program to talk about a more responsible way of having a lawn. He is joined by Brandon Losey of Ringer’s Landscaping. Rebecca Boehm from the Union of Concerned Scientists explains why researchers and their work at the USDA are under threat from the current administration.

Podcast

Jumping Worms Derangement Syndrome

August 17, 2019August 18, 2019 Mike Nowak carbon fees, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, environment, ESG investing, gardening, invasive species, Julie Nowak, jumping worms, mutual funds, Peggy Malecki, The Mike Nowak Show, Tom Nowak, University of Illinois Extension

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:46:04 — 50.8MB)

Like it or not, jumping worms are moving into Illinois and the Midwest. Illinois Extension Forestry and Research Specialist Chris Evans has more on the latest headline-grabbing invasive species. Tom Nowak talks responsible–which means sustainable–investing. Julie Nowak (yes, related to Tom but not to Mike), reports the work of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and their push to get a climate change bill through Congress.

Sustainable Landscapes Make an IMPACT

Guy McPherson and Near Term Human Extinction

Joint Statement Opposing Proposed Chicago Livestock Ordinance (O2019-7576)

“An Amazing Year” for Eastern Monarchs?

Setting Lake Calumet Free

Tree Care Season Starts Now

Green Tomatoes and Plant Trucks

Fall is Midwest Lawn Care Season

Jumping Worms Derangement Syndrome

Summer Vegetables Report 2019