Harnessing The Power of We

The theme of the 9th Annual One Earth Film Festival is The Power of We. Mike and Peggy welcome three filmmakers from the event, which runs March 6-15. Dan Gibbs, the Chicago Backyard Farmer, returns to talk about preparing for (very) early spring crops.

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Celebrating Water Responsibly

Michelle Hoffman Trotter, educator and director of the film Microcosm, promotes next week’s Wave Film Fest, which celebrates our oceans and lakes through film and visual arts. MWRD Commissioner Cam Davis returns to the show to talk about the myriad issues surrounding that little appreciated and even less understood regional agency.

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Know Your Grow with William Moss

William Moss The Garden Boss returns to the show to talk about the challenges, horticultural and legal, of growing Cannabis in Illinois. Dr. Matthew Goldberg reports on the mission of Yale Climate Connections, a new addition to The Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki. “Leap Year” has more than one meaning, as Trevor Edmonson from The Wetlands Initiative explains about his work with frogs at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

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Nature’s Best Hope Is You

Doug Tallamy returns to the show to discuss his new book, “Nature’s Best Hope,” about how our planet’s salvation will be via native plants and the insects they support. The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Jim Ault talks about Brilliance: The Orchid Show, which runs through March 22.

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Cats and Trees and Arborists

Scott Jamieson from Bartlett Tree Experts returns to the show to talk about winter tree care and, yes, even how arborists are sometimes called upon to rescue cats from trees. Robert Grillo from Slaughter Free Chicago and Balaji Venkatesan from Slaughter Free Milwaukee explain why they are fighting to stop slaughterhouses across the nation.

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Fluck Farms Chicago 2020

Justin Fluck was a winner in the 2019 Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards for the work at his Fluck Farms Chicago. He stops by to talk about his plans for 2020 and how the award affected him. Dr. Nicolaas Mink, CEO and founder of Sitka Salmon Shares, returns to talk about the future of sustainable fishing in our oceans.

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Climate Year Review: 2019

Meteorologists Rick DiMaio and John Lee examine social and legal issues of last year’s weather and climate events. Curtis Leopaldo, from Leopardo Energy division, has a plan for funding green municipal infrastructure upgrades. Ryan Anderson says Midwest Grows Green is about to unveil a tookit for municipalities who want to switch to natural lawn care.

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Green Infrastructure Means Green Jobs

Daniella Pereira from Openlands talks TreeKeepers, green infrastructure and jobs. Robert Nevel previews the MLK Food Justice & Sustainability Weekend at KAM Isaiah Israel. Elysabeth Alfano talks about the premiere of her new show on WCGO Radio, Sundays at 3pm.

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Cannabis Gold Rush or Bust?

One year after hemp production was allowed in Illinois, Mike and Peggy talk to Liz Rupel from the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and hemp advocate Rachel Berry about the state of the industry. Ty Benefiel from Hero Power explains how you can purchase clean energy for a reasonable rate in Illinois.

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It’s a Wonderful Slice 2019!

Since 1988, Mike has presented a truncated version of the Hollywood holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” in one form or another. “It’s a Wonderful Slice” is back, with help from Peggy Malecki, the WCGO shows Gabby Road and Playtime with Bill Turck & Kerrie Kendall, and staff members Ellie Sanchez and Andrew Moerschel. You’ll never again view the movie the same way.

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