Environment Archives

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:10:50 — 62.8MB)

This Sunday we explore how different groups work to provide healthy, local food to the Chicago region, while sometimes improving the lives of the people who grow that food. We talk to Bob Kopach from the Eco-Friendly Farm Stand Project and Tucker Kelly, lead grower at Growing Solutions Farm, which is part of Urban Autism Solutions. Mike and Peggy will have some advice giving during the holiday season. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio follows up on the devastating tornadoes in the middle part of our country.

Biology Composting Conservation Environment Gardening Insects Local food Native plants Natural sciences soil health

Exploring Sustainability Myths and Solutions

December 4, 2021December 7, 2021 Mike Nowak edible landscaping, gardening, gardening myths, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Robert Kourik, root myths, Save Bell Bowl Prairie, sustainability, Sustainable Food Gardens, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:11:47 — 63.8MB)

On Sunday’s show, we look at how to grow food sustainably. Is that permaculture? Or regenerative gardening? How about appropriate horticulture? We’ll ask Robert Kourik, author of the just-released Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions. Then Mike and Peggy dip into the grab bag of environmental news. Also, meteorologist Rick DiMaio is back and we’ll talk about why it won’t snow in Colarado but it will in Hawaii.

Biology Climate change Conservation Environment Environmental justice Gardening Holiday Insects Native plants Natural sciences

Prairie Uprising on the Horizon

November 20, 2021November 22, 2021 Mike Nowak Chicago Rockford International Airport, Christmas cactus, climate change, Dan Kosta, environment, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves, gardening, Hippeastrum v. Amaryllis, keeping holiday plants alive, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Save Bell Bowl Prairie, The Mike Nowak Show

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

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.

Climate change Environment Environmental justice Gardening

Solutions for a Planet on the Brink

November 6, 2021November 8, 2021 Mike Nowak Bell Bowl Prairie, climate change, COP26, Dr. Allan Armitage, eco-influencer, environment, gardening, GreenTown Rockford, Peggy Malecki, Sustain Rockford, sustainability, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:51 — 60.2MB)

Horticulturist Allan Armitage stops by to talk about his latest book, which isn’t about gardening at all. The latest attempt to stem the tide of climate change is happening at the COP26 Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Mike, Peggy and Rick DiMaio will attempt to make sense of the proceedings, not that anyone can. GreenTown Rockford happens next week, and we’ll preview it with Brad Roos from Sustain Rockford.

animal welfare Clean water Conservation Environment Environmental justice Factory farms Farming Information from Past Shows Water conservation

Hog CAFOs Threaten Quality of Rural Life

October 30, 2021November 2, 2021 Mike Nowak Chris Petersen, environment, hog CAFOs, Illinois chorus frog, Illinois Coalition for Clean Air & Water, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Karen Hudson, Mahomet Aquifer, Peggy Malecki, Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, The Mike Nowak Show, water contamination

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

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.

Conservation Environment Insects Local food

Can One Bee Rescue a Valuable Remnant Prairie?

October 2, 2021October 5, 2021 Mike Nowak Bell Bowl Prairie, Bob Benenson, Chicago Rockford International Airport, endangered species, fall farmers markets, Kerry Leigh, Local Food Forum, Natural Land Institute, Peggy Malecki, remnant prairie, Robb Telfer, rusty patched bumble bee, The Mike Nowak Show

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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.

Environment

How to Provide Good Food Through Growing Solutions

Exploring Sustainability Myths and Solutions

And Now for Something Completely Different

Prairie Uprising on the Horizon

Solutions for a Planet on the Brink

Hog CAFOs Threaten Quality of Rural Life

Is a Parking Lot More Valuable Than a Prairie?

I Know What You Did in the Garden this Year

Of Sound Mind, Learning and Feeling

Can One Bee Rescue a Valuable Remnant Prairie?