Insects Archives

Monarch Butterflies: Yet Another Species on the Brink

May 28, 2022May 30, 2022 Mike Nowak Bob Benenson, Dolly Foster, gardening, Local Food Forum, monarch butterflies, monarch population 2022, Peggy Malecki, summer farmers markets, The Green Dispatch, The Mike Nowak Show, types of milkweed

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:07:12 — 61.2MB)

The monarch numbers from Mexico were just released and they’re…okay. Which means that the iconic species is still threatened. Horticulturist Dolly Foster returns to the show to talk about choosing plants–including milkweed–to attract monarchs and other pollinators to your yard. Bob Benenson of Local Food Forum reports on the start of summer farmers market season and some developments for small farms and growers.

Birding Conservation Environment Insects Native plants

How to Discover a Wild Area in the 21st Century

May 21, 2022May 23, 2022 Mike Nowak access to natural areas, Amanda Smith, discovering natural areas, IN Nature, Indiana Nature, Lydick Bog, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, St. Joseph County Kettle Lakes Corridor, Steve Sass, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:17 — 58.8MB)

What’s it like to “discover” a high-quality natural area in the Midwest? We talk to naturalist Steve Sass, who helped identify Indiana’s Lydick Bog in 2014. He is joined by fellow naturalist Amanda Smith. The two are responsible for the educational website Indiana Nature and for the very popular Facebook page IN Nature. We talk about the variety of plants and animals in northwest Indiana and their efforts to teach the public how to be good stewards of the land.

Climate change Food gardening Gardening Insects Lifestyle Native plants Tree Care

The Marvelous Melinda Myers Makes It Better

April 23, 2022April 25, 2022 Mike Nowak climate change, gardening expert Melinda Myers, Great Courses “How To Grow Anything, growing annuals and perennials, invasive jumping worms, Melinda's Garden Moment, Midwest Gardener's Handbook, native plants, Peggy Malecki, The Mike Nowak Show, USDA Hardiness Zones

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:01:52 — 58.1MB)

The Marvelous Melinda Myers returns to talk spring gardening. We learn about the changes in the latest version of her “Midwest Gardener’s Handbook,” As always, we’ll answer as many gardening questions as time allows. Mike and Peggy dip into the latest environmental stories during their “Green Dispatch” segment. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio returns to talk about inconsistent spring weather (what else is new?)

Climate change Conservation Environmental justice Insects Native plants Tree Care

Doug Tallamy on Fighting to Save Trees and Natural Areas

April 9, 2022April 16, 2022 Mike Nowak carbon sequestration, David J. Nowak, Doug Tallamy, Homegrown National Park, Jeannette Hoyt, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Save Bell Bowl Prairie, Save Jackson Park, The Mike Nowak Show, tree loss due to Obama Presidential Center, USDA Forest Service

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:57:07 — 56.3MB)

Author and educator Doug Tallamy returns to the show to talk about the importance of protecting and creating spaces to promote biodiversity. Jeannette Hoyt from Save Jackson Park and David J. Nowak from the USDA Forest Service in Syracuse, New York, discuss the damage done to local ecosystems–and urban neighborhoods–by removing large swaths of trees, which is happening with the construction of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s south side.

Biology Climate change Gardening Insects Natural sciences Organics

Phenology Is a Key Component of Life on Earth

March 12, 2022March 15, 2022 Mike Nowak Budburst, climate change, Fruition Seeds, gardening, growing tomatoes, heirloom seeds, Nature's Notebook, Peggy Malecki, Petra Page-Mann, The 606, The Mike Nowak Show, USA National Phenology Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00:23 — 57.0MB)

If you’re not familiar with the concept of phenology, we hope to give you an introduction on today’s show. Alyssa Rosemartin from the USA National Phenology Network and citizen scientist Jean Linsner, who has worked on The 606 in Chicago, talk about the importance of keeping track of nature’s calendar. Petra Page-Mann from Fruition Seeds returns to explain why her company focuses on organic heirloom seeds.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:06:05 — 59.1MB)

Entomologist, ecologist and author Doug Tallamy returns to the show. He discusses his latest book, The Nature of Oaks and his work to create Homegrown National Park. But he will also talk with Kerry Leigh, executive director of the Natural Land Institute about the continuing threat to Bell Bowl Prairie in Rockford. On the good news front, we’ll chat with Debra Behrens from The Prairie Enthusiasts about a grant they just received to expand Mounds View Grasslands Preserve near Madison, Wisconsin.

Climate change Composting Environment Gardening Information from Past Shows Insects Lawn Care Local food Monarch butterflies Native plants Natural sciences Recycling soil health

How to Create The Healthy Garden

January 8, 2022January 11, 2022 Mike Nowak environment, gardening, Gathering of Gardeners, green living, healthy world, healthy you, Kathleen Norris Brenzel, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Sunset Magazine, sustainability, The Healthy Garden, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:32 — 58.8MB)

We start a brand new year with a brand new book. The Healthy Garden: Simple Steps for a Greener World is written by a couple of gardening pros–Kathleen Norris Brenzel and Mary-Kate Mackey. We’ll talk about how and especially why you should become a friend of the earth. Then Mike and Peggy talk about some of the environmental stories making headlines. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio has his first report of the year, following Chicago’s first snow of the year.

Insects

Monarch Butterflies: Yet Another Species on the Brink

How to Discover a Wild Area in the 21st Century

The Marvelous Melinda Myers Makes It Better

Doug Tallamy on Fighting to Save Trees and Natural Areas

The Possibilities of Amazing Native Plants

Phenology Is a Key Component of Life on Earth

Forest Preserves Unlock the Mysteries of Nature

Doug Tallamy on Saving Nature and Ourselves

How to Create The Healthy Garden

It’s a Wonderful Slice 2021!