A Million Healthy Gardens

Mary Phillips from the National Wildlife Federation reports on how the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge is creating wildlife habitat in backyards. Ryan Anderson promotes Chicago Grows Green Week, presented by Midwest Grows Green. Madison Hopkins returns to the show to talk about her most recent article for the Better Government Association about Chicago’s failing recycling system.

Read more

Solutions for a Cold, Wet Spring

Skeet from Bartlett Tree Experts returns to talk about tree issues for a colder and wetter than normal spring. Dick Peach from the Evanston Environmental Association previews Nature’s Night Out. Grant Kessler and Sofia Jouravel explain why you should join the Chicago Market co-op. David and Laura Mitchell from Lumican.com want to change the world, one LED street light at a time.

Read more

How To Save Your Favorite River

Margaret Frisbie from Friends of the Chicago River talks about next week’s Chicago River Day, while Chicago folk musician Mark Dvorak explains how Pete Seeger helped to save the Hudson River. Lorraine Ballato has great hydrangea care info in her new book, “Success with Hydrangeas.” Carol and Steve Wenzel from Blazing Star Nursery explain how farmers and backyard gardeners can create healthy soil.

Read more

Wild Ginger Slushies in April

Nationally renowned garden expert Melinda Myers has advice about spring snow storms and plants. Paul Botts of The Wetlands Initiative and Teri Valenzuela from Audubon Great Lakes talk about the restoration work being done at Indian Ridge Marsh on Chicago’s southeast side.

Read more

Live From City Grange!

The Mike Nowak Show spends this holiday Sunday broadcasting from the brand spanking new City Grange on Chicago’s northwest side. Founder LaManda Joy joins us, along with staff members, who talk about the mission of this not-so-usual retail establishment. America’s Seed Artist Shilin Hora also stops by to talk about a seed quilt that she has created with students from Emerson Elementary School in Berwyn.

Read more

Trees As Climate Superheroes

Lydia Scott from the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) and Colleen Murphy-Dunning of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies preview an event this Wednesday at The Morton Arboretum about trees and climate change, where Mike will be moderator.

Read more

Eating Your Neighborhood

Dan Protess, writer and producer for Urban Nature, talks about the second season of the WTTW online show, featuring an episode about forager Dave Odd, who is also in studio. Nicole Virgil reports on how she is fighting to rewrite Illinois law if the City of Elmhurst won’t allow her to site a hoop house on her property. Laura Calvert from Advocates for Urban Agriculture joins the conversation by phone.

Read more

Mead n’ Feed on the South Side

We head to Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery on Chicago’s south side for a honey tasting “mead n’ feed” event, featuring Chef Carrie Schloss. Phil Fitch and Nick Arensmann from Bartlett Tree Experts answer urban tree care questions. Nina Baki from Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Val Kehoe from Illinois Extension talk about how you can be part of the Conservation@Home program.

Read more

Sunday at the Flower Show

The Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki heads to Navy Pier for the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. Mike and Peggy welcome a roster of guests that includes designers, educators and even a 6th grade chef who has already been on national television.

Read more

How to Become a Backyard Farmer

Dan Gibbs, The Backyard Gardener, talks about how to plan your home grown crops. FamilyFarmed founder Jim Slama previews the 15th Annual Good Food EXPO.

Read more