Water conservation Archives

What a Long, Strange Garden Trip It’s Been

June 11, 2022June 14, 2022 Mike Nowak Bird Conservation Network, Breeding Bird Trends in the Chicago Region, Chicago Audubon Society, Depave Chicago, Depave Portland, improving water quality, Judy Pollock, mitigating heat islands, Peggy Malecki, Sinnissippi Audubon Society, Sounds of the Mississippi Flyway, The Mike Nowak Show, The Water Lab

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:12:52 — 63.3MB)

On our final show (for awhile), we talk about the Depave Movement across the world. Katya Reyna from Depave Portland and Mary Pat McGuire of Depave Chicago report on their respective programs. Judy Pollock and Bob Fisher from the Bird Conservation Network comment on the results of a 22-year study of breeding bird trends in the Chicago region. We’ll also play some music from Birdsongs, Volume 1-Sounds of the Mississippi Flyway by Micky Torpedo.

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

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.

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

July 24, 2021July 29, 2021 Mike Nowak Bob Benenson, Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region, cottage food laws, Edith Makra, Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Local Food Forum, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Molly Gleason, National Farmers Market Week, Peggy Malecki, The Mike Nowak Show

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

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.

Climate Change - Lake Michigan (photo by Peggy Malecki)

Clean water Climate change Environment Water conservation

Climate Change and Chicago’s Water

July 17, 2021August 12, 2021 Mike Nowak Chicago River, clean water, climate change, drought, Justin Hart, Lake Michigan, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, MWRD Commissioner Debra Shore, Peggy Malecki, stormwater management, The Mike Nowak Show, urban flooding

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:26 — 60.0MB)

Commissioner Debra Shore of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago explains the connections involving climate change, extreme weather events and clean water. She and science and policy advisor Justin Hart talk about the ongoing battle to keep the water supply in Chicago safe as well as its historical back and forth battles with Lake Michigan and the swamp land on which it was established.

Gardening Podcast Water conservation

Trowels Out at Garden Rant

March 20, 2021May 18, 2021 Mike Nowak COVID-19, Current Water, Garden Rant, gardening controversies, Marianne Willburn, Peggy Malecki, Scott Beuerlein, Susan Harris, The Mike Nowak Show, water quality, World Water Day 2021

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00:25 — 57.3MB)

Garden Rant is celebrating its 15th year of poison pens and killer wit about all things gardening. Ranter Marianne Willburn and co-founder Susan Harris stop by to talk about their work…and fun. Alaina Harkness of Current Water returns to talk about World Water Day 2021 and protecting water quality in the age of climate change and coronavirus.