climate change

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)

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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.

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Solutions for a Planet on the Brink
Climate change Environment Environmental justice Gardening 

Solutions for a Planet on the Brink

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

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

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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.

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Melinda Myers
Clean energy Climate change Composting Environment Environmental justice Gardening Lawn Care Recycling soil health 

Melinda Myers Reveals Fall Gardening Secrets

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:03:30 — 57.5MB)

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Who could have known that autumn would follow summer? Gardening expert Melinda Myers, that’s who! She brings a wealth of fall gardening tips to the show. Katherine Tellock is launching the Guerrilla Recycling Project and she needs volunteers. Rev. Brian Sauder from Faith in Place previews their annual Green Team Summit.

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Last Chance for a Clean Energy Deal in Illinois?
Clean energy Climate change Environment Environmental justice 

Last Chance for a Clean Energy Deal in Illinois?

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:02:04 — 58.6MB)

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The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to return to Springfield this week for a special session. Will they finally pass a clean energy bill for the state? Or will there be more roadblocks? J.C. Kibbey from the NRDC, Lisa Albrecht from All Bright Solar, and Dave Kraft from the Nuclear Energy Information Service discuss the prospects for real energy progress in our state.

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Climate Change - Lake Michigan (photo by Peggy Malecki)
Clean water Climate change Environment Water conservation 

Climate Change and Chicago’s Water

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

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

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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.

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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)

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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.

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Chicago still can't recycle
Podcast 

Chicago STILL Can’t Recycle

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:37 — 24.0MB)

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Last week, the Chicago Office of Inspector General issued a scathing report concerning the City’s inability to properly monitor and execute its high rise recycling program. Ald. Michele Smith from the 43rd Ward and Ald. Scott Waguespack from the 32nd Ward stop by to comment on those findings.

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Herbaceous Perennial Plants
Podcast 

Herbaceous Perennial Plants with Allan Armitage

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:55:34 — 54.0MB)

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Dr. Allan Armitage returns to the show to talk about the 4th edition of his book, Herbaceous Perennial Plants. Filmmaker Bob Dolgan of “Monty and Rose,” and Stephanie Beilke from Audubon Great Lakes discuss the future of birds in the Midwest.

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Having a Virtual IMPACT - Pizzo Place
Podcast 

Having a Virtual IMPACT on Landscapes

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:43:05 — 47.2MB)

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The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) annual IMPACT Conference will be virtual this year. Mike and Peggy talk to presenters Jack Pizzo of Pizzon & Associates and Kim Eierman from EcoBeneficial. The sad saga of Nicole Virgil and her fight to be able to have a hoop house in suburban Elmhurst continues. She returns to talk about the latest developments

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Insect apocalypse - bumblebee on rose
Podcast 

Insect Apocalypse on Main Street?

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:34:40 — 42.7MB)

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Entomologist Dr. May Berenbaum from the University of Illinois explores the question of an insect apocalypse on our planet. Bill Stengel of Summit Responsible solutions has answers for your mosquito, flea and tick problems. Jim Elliott and Tinamarie Hernandez from Diveheart explain how they make the lives of veterans and the disabled richer via scuba diving.

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