Conservation

prairie uprising - Domenico D'Alessandro alternative concept 6
Biology Climate change Conservation Environment Environmental justice Gardening Holiday Insects Native plants Natural sciences 

Prairie Uprising on the Horizon

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:08 — 58.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Two months ago, not many folks had ever heard of Bell Bowl Prairie in Rockford, Illinois. Now, it is at the forefront of a prairie uprising. Amy Doll from Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves and Chris Benda, the Illinois Botanizer, bring us up to speed on the latest developments to save this valuable remnant prairie. Dan Kosta from Vern Goers Greenhouse in Hinsdale, Illinois, has advice on which holiday plants to buy and how to keep them healthy.

Read more
Hog CAFOs Threaten Quality of Life in Illinois
animal welfare Clean water Conservation Environment Environmental justice Factory farms Farming Information from Past Shows Water conservation 

Hog CAFOs Threaten Quality of Rural Life

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:07:57 — 61.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Hog CAFOs in Illinois and other states continue to be a threat not only to the animals confined in them, but to the well-being of rural communities. In Illinois, one proposed factory farm could threaten Mahomet Aquifer, which provides water for at least 500,000 citizens in the center of the state. Members of the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project and Illinois Coalition for Clean Air & Water talk about the dangers of CAFOs and whether citizen action can stop them in their tracks.

Read more
Is a parking lot more valuable than a prairie?
Biology Birding Conservation Environment Insects Native plants Natural sciences 

Is a Parking Lot More Valuable Than a Prairie?

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:01:39 — 57.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Time is running out for Bell Bowl Prairie at Chicago Rockford International Airport. Kerry Leigh from the Natural Land Institute, landscape designer Domenico D’Alessandro, and Jen Kuroda from Sinnissippi Audubon talk about how–and if–the prairie can be saved. Kim Hankins previews the McHenry County College Green Living Expo on November 6.

Read more
I Know What You Did - UIC Nutrition Teaching Garden
Conservation Environment Gardening Insects Local food Monarch butterflies Plant-based diet 

I Know What You Did in the Garden this Year

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:58:03 — 55.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Mike and Peggy welcome gardeners representing three gardens that were recognized by the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards’ 2021 60-Second Garden Video Challenge. They also update the #SaveBellBowlPrairie situation. Meteorologist Rick DiMaio previews a La Nina-influence winter.

Read more
Can One Bee Rescue a Valuable Remnant Prairie? - Rusty patched bumble bee on bergamot plant
Conservation Environment Insects Local food 

Can One Bee Rescue a Valuable Remnant Prairie?

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

An expansion at Chicago Rockford International Airport threatens a valued prairie remnant. Thanks to the sighting of an endangered rusty patched bumble bee, the construction is on hold…for the moment. We talk to Kerry Leigh from the Natural Land Institute and naturalist/artist Robb Telfer about what this means for natural areas across the state. Bob Benenson from Local Food Forum returns to preview the remainder of the farmers market season.

Read more
Creating New Lives for Rescued Farm Animals - Mr. President the Turkey
animal welfare Conservation Environment Environmental justice Factory farms Farming Insects Monarch butterflies Plant-based diet 

Creating New Lives for Rescued Farm Animals

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Katie Parker from Tamerlaine Sanctuary and Preserve in New Jersey, and Erin Yanz of Erin’s Farm in Hobart, Indiana give virtual tours of the lands on which they give abused and neglected farm animals a chance for a future.

Read more
Are You Ready for Some Illinois Fun?
Composting Conservation Environment Farming Local food Recycling 

Are You Ready for Some Illinois Fun?

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Mike and Peggy travel Illinois to talk about farming, pumpkins, chickens, music festivals and beer. Guests are Jeff Hake from FarmFED Co-op, Jennifer Murtoff of the 11th Annual Windy City Coop Tour, and Katie Troccoli, Christina Eltrevoog and Tom Gaffney from the WRWO 94.5 FM “Fresh from the Midwest” music festival.

Read more
Good Food - Andy Hazzard of Hazzard Free Farms
Clean energy Clean water Climate change Conservation Environment Environmental justice Gardening Information from Past Shows Local food soil health Water conservation 

Local Food Is Getting Better In Illinois

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:25 — 59.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Where local food is concerned, it was a good spring session in the Illinois General Assembly in 2021. Molly Gleason from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance talks about the various local food and conservation programs that were passed by the Illinois General Assembly. Bob Benenson joins the conversation and promotes National Farmers Market Week. Edith Makra and Geneva, Illinois Mayor Kevin Burns from the Metropolitan Mayors Council discuss the roll out of the Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region.

Read more
Butterfly Whisperer - regal fritillary
Climate change Conservation Environment Gardening Insects Monarch butterflies 

Return of the Butterfly Whisperer

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:35 — 59.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Doug Taron is a PhD, Chief Curator of the Chicago Academy of Sciences at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, director of the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network and much more. But we prefer to call him The Butterfly Whisperer. At least this week. He joins us on the show to talk monarchs, regal fritillaries, insect decline, and whatever else comes up in the realm of entomology.

Read more
How to Rescue Storm Damaged Trees
Birding Conservation Information from Past Shows Tree Care 

How to Rescue Storm Damaged Trees

Mike Nowak , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:35 — 58.5MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More

Following a June 2021 that featured drought, excessive rain and destructive storms, homeowners and municipalities are assessing the damage done to their trees. Skeet from Bartlett Tree Experts and Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic Manager at The Morton Arboretum, offer advice on how to cope with severely compromised trees. Bob Dolgan from This Week in Birding reports on construction work at Chicago’s famed Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and why it has some conservationists perplexed.

Read more