The Mike Nowak Show Archives

September 24, 2017 – Toxic Environments

September 23, 2017September 29, 2017 Mike Nowak environment, gardening, Hurricane Harvey, Kay McKeen, Mike Mikulka, mosquito spraying, recycling, SCARCE, science, The Mike Nowak Show, USEPA Region 5

Toxicologist David J. Zaber comments on the efficacy of spraying mosquitoes and the use of pesticides in general. Kay McKeen from SCARCE promotes their Green Fair. Mike Mikulka from EPA Region 5 visits the Science Desk with Michele Hoffman and reports on efforts to gut the federal agency.

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September 23, 2017 – A Couple of PhDs Talking Tree Extinction

September 22, 2017September 29, 2017 Mike Nowak ash trees, biodiversity, Davey Tree Expert Company, emerald ash borer, environment, extinction, gardening, Murphy Westwood, oak trees, Rex Bastian, The Mike Nowak Show, The Morton Arboretum

Some of our iconic ash and oak species are on the brink of extinction. Dr. Murphy Westwood from The Morton Arboretum and Dr. Rex Bastian from Davey Tree Experts talk about why that has happened and what we do to save them.

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September 17, 2017 – Wildcrafting, Tracking Monarchs

September 17, 2017September 28, 2017 Mike Nowak Doug Taron, endangered species, environment, gardening, herbalist, Lisa M. Rose, Midwest Medicinal Plants, monarch butterfly, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, The Mike Nowak Show, wildcrafting

Lisa M. Rose talks about her book Midwest Medicinal Plants and how you can forage for those plants in your own yard. A group called Mighty House announces an effort to reduce nutrient pollutants by targeting big meat producers. Doug Taron from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum reports on Midwest monarch populations as they begin their migration to Mexico.

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September 16, 2017 – Remaking Plans to Remake Jackson Park

September 15, 2017September 28, 2017 Mike Nowak Chicago south side, community benefit agreement, environment, Friends of the Parks, gardening, Jackson Park, Juanita Irizarry, Obama Library, Rahm Emanuel, The Mike Nowak Show, transparency

Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry returns to the show to discuss the latest developments surrounding the proposed Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s Jackson Park.

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September 10, 2017 – Reclaiming Plastics and Toxics

September 9, 2017September 28, 2017 Mike Nowak construction and demolition, environment, gardening, Illinois Recycling Association, ISTC, National Recycling Coalition, petroleum, plastics recovery, pyrolysis, The Mike Nowak Show, toxic storm debris

BK Sharma from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center explains how scientists are using pyrolysis to convert plastic bag back into petroleum products. Stephen M. Bantillo of the National Recycling Coalition and William Turley from the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association explore the possibilities of reclaiming household storm debris. Mike and Peggy highlight a series of Northern Illinois Farm Strolls.

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September 9, 2017 – The Challenge of Food Waste

September 9, 2017September 28, 2017 Mike Nowak Ample Harvest, compost, environment, food pantries, food waste, gardening, Gary Oppenheimer, hunger, poverty, The Mike Nowak Show

Gary Oppenheimer, founder and Executive Director of AmpleHarvest.org, explains his organization’s mission to enlist backyard gardeners to fight food waste by connecting them to local food pantries.

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September 3, 2017 – Chicago: City of Big Celery

September 2, 2017September 8, 2017 Mike Nowak celery, Chicago, Eden Place Nature Center, environment, gardening, Illinois Recycling Association, Michael Howard, Monica Eng, pickles, Revitalizing Plastics Recycling, Styrofoam, The Mike Nowak Show, WBEZ

Ken Santowski from Chicago Logistic Service explains to recover Styrofoam. WBEZ’s Monica Eng gives a history lesson on Chicago’s farming past. Michael Howard promotes the Go Fund Me campaign for Eden Place Nature Center on Chicago’s south side.

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September 2, 2017 – Hurricane Harvey: Predicting and Coping with the New Normal

September 1, 2017September 8, 2017 Mike Nowak Anthropocene Alliance, climate change, environment, FEMA, Flood Forum USA, gardening, Harriet Festing, Houston, Hurricane Harvey, Rick DiMaio, The Mike Nowak Show, urban planning

Harriet Festing from Flood Forum USA and meteorologist Rick DiMaio discuss the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey–the role of climate change in catastrophic weather events and whether we will be prepared for the next one.

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August 27, 2017 – Live from Heirloom Fest at the Chicago Botanic Garden!

August 26, 2017August 30, 2017 Mike Nowak Andrew Bunting, Chicago Botanic Garden, environment, Fred Spicer, gardening, Heirloom Fest, Lisa Hilgenberg, open pollinated vegetables, Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden, The Mike Nowak Show

Mike and Peggy head to the Chicago Botanic Garden to broadcast live from Heirloom Fest: Tomatoes and More. Horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg from the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden joins them to talk about the 50,000 plants under her care.

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August 26, 2017 – Hall of Fame Horticulturist

August 25, 2017August 30, 2017 Mike Nowak environment, gardening, GWA, Melinda Myers, Melinda's Garden Moment, Midwest Gardener's Handbook, Milwaukee, pruning, The Mike Nowak Show

Peggy and Mike welcome garden author, lecturer and media star Melinda Myers back to the show. She was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame of GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators.