sustainability Archives

The Sky’s the Limit for Women in Arboriculture

May 14, 2022May 17, 2022 Mike Nowak Adapting to Dive, Bartlett Tree Experts, Diveheart, Megan Kacenski, Peggy Malecki, scuba therapy, spring tree care, sustainability, The Mike Nowak Show, women in arboriculture

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:06:01 — 60.4MB)

ISA certified arborist Megan Kacenski from Bartlett Tree Experts stops by to talk about how she became an arborist representative and what kind of opportunities exist for women in the tree care industry. She is joined by show regular Skeet from Bartlett. Diveheart, which helps disabled children, adults and veterans gain confidence and independence through scuba diving, is coming out with a documentary. Executive Director Tinamarie Hernandez previews the world premiere showing on May 18.

Composting Gardening Organics soil health Tomatoes

Start the Best Fruits and Vegetables

February 26, 2022March 1, 2022 Mike Nowak Chicago Botanic Garden, Lisa Hilgenberg, organic gardening, Peggy Malecki, Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden, seed starting, sustainability, The Mike Nowak Show, The Orchid Show: Untamed

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00:16 — 57.9MB)

Lisa Hilgenberg is horticulturist for the Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden. There, she is responsible for some 50,000 plants, including 400 types of edibles. Today she has advice on when and how to get your seedlings started for the Midwest growing season. We also talk about The Orchid Show: Untamed at the Garden.

animal welfare Birding Clean water Climate change Conservation Food justice Information from Past Shows

Sacrificing Birds for a Marketing Gimmick

February 19, 2022February 23, 2022 Mike Nowak Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, climate change, food justice, Harms Woods, light pollution, MWRD Commissioner Kim du Buclet, One Earth Film Festival, Peggy Malecki, Raj Patel, Skokie Carvana Tower, sustainability, The Ants & the Grasshopper, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04:25 — 58.5MB)

Mike and Peggy welcome back MWRD Commissioner Kim Neely du Buclet to talk about recent green infrastructure water projects and even ways to trace coronavirus in our water supply. Raj Patel, director of The Ants & the Grasshopper explains the food and social justice components of his film about climate change. Annette Prince from Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and Skokie resident Kim Polka report on their efforts to stop a potentially bird-killing Carvana Tower in that Chicago suburb.

Biology Birding Climate change Conservation Environment Gardening Insects Monarch butterflies Native plants Natural sciences

Doug Tallamy on Saving Nature and Ourselves

January 22, 2022January 24, 2022 Mike Nowak Bell Bowl Prairie, Bringing Nature Home, climate change, Doug Tallamy, gardening, Mounds View Grasslands Preserve, native plants, Natural Land Institute, Peggy Malecki, sustainability, The Mike Nowak Show, The Nature of Oaks, The Prairie Enthusiasts

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.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:10:50 — 62.8MB)

This Sunday we explore how different groups work to provide healthy, local food to the Chicago region, while sometimes improving the lives of the people who grow that food. We talk to Bob Kopach from the Eco-Friendly Farm Stand Project and Tucker Kelly, lead grower at Growing Solutions Farm, which is part of Urban Autism Solutions. Mike and Peggy will have some advice giving during the holiday season. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio follows up on the devastating tornadoes in the middle part of our country.

Biology Composting Conservation Environment Gardening Insects Local food Native plants Natural sciences soil health

Exploring Sustainability Myths and Solutions

December 4, 2021December 7, 2021 Mike Nowak edible landscaping, gardening, gardening myths, native plants, Peggy Malecki, Robert Kourik, root myths, Save Bell Bowl Prairie, sustainability, Sustainable Food Gardens, The Mike Nowak Show

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:11:47 — 63.8MB)

On Sunday’s show, we look at how to grow food sustainably. Is that permaculture? Or regenerative gardening? How about appropriate horticulture? We’ll ask Robert Kourik, author of the just-released Sustainable Food Gardens: Myths and Solutions. Then Mike and Peggy dip into the grab bag of environmental news. Also, meteorologist Rick DiMaio is back and we’ll talk about why it won’t snow in Colarado but it will in Hawaii.

sustainability

The Sky’s the Limit for Women in Arboriculture

Green School Farms on the Front Line of Sustainability

Expect Great Growing in 2022

Start the Best Fruits and Vegetables

Sacrificing Birds for a Marketing Gimmick

Can Backyard Composting Change the World?

Doug Tallamy on Saving Nature and Ourselves

How to Create The Healthy Garden

How to Provide Good Food Through Growing Solutions

Exploring Sustainability Myths and Solutions