Issues of the Environment

  On the first Friday of every month, WEMU sets aside 20-minutes to thoroughly discuss an issue of environmental importance.  WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters Executive Director co-host the segment, and this week the guest is Ann Arbor's own Lana Pollack. Lana has served as State Senator, President of the Michigan environmental Council and is currently the U-S Chair of the International Joint Commission, as appointed by President Barack Obama.

In this week's installment of "Issues of the Environment", WEMU's David Fair talks with Scott Spooner about the the environmental initiatives underway at the public golf courses in Ann Arbor. Mr. Spooner is the Superintendent of Golf Courses for the City of Ann Arbor.

In this week's installment of "Issues of the Environment" WEMU's David Fair talks with the Clean Energy Coalition's Rebecca Filbey. Rebecca is the Program Supervisor for the City of Ann Arbor's Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE program. 

In this week's installment, WEMU's David Fair looks at how technology will help spare the lives of birds around windmill farms, and better map delicate ecosystems. The guest this week is Russell Conard. Russell is Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for the Washtenaw County start-up company Ornicept.

For more info on Ornicept's work:  ornicept.com

Rattlesnakes in Washtenaw County! They're here, and they serve a purpose. Unfortunately their habitat has been threatened, but a project is underway to help. Joining WEMU's David Fair on Issues of the Environment is Steven Parrish, Steven is the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Habitat Restoration Project Manager and Natural Areas Specialist at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum.  Together, David and Steven discuss  work in Washtenaw County on the Eastern Massasauga Habitat Restoration and Education Project.

Hidden dangers posed by underground oil pipelines could threaten the Huron River.  Laura Rubin is Executive Director of the Huron River Watershed Council, and she's our guest on this week's Issues of Environment from WEMU.

Grants encourage students to walk or bike to school rather than ride in a car or school bus.   First ward Ann Arbor city council member Sabra Briere is our guest this week on Issues of the Environment from WEMU.

This week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU examines Washtenaw Community College's efforts to reduce, recycle, and now, compost.  Our guest is WCC's Facilities Maintenance Manager, Barry Wilkens.

Find out more about fair food systems on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.  Our guest is Oran Hesterman, who discusses fair food systems in Washtenaw County, and some of the ways in which the county is working to provide equitable access to sustainable foods for all residents.

This week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU examines infrastructure needs to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and hybrids.  Our guest is the project manager for "Plug-in Ready Michigan", Mark Rabinsky. 

Some controversy over large solar power arrays in northeast Ann Arbor.  Ann Arbor city council member Jane Lumm is our guest on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.

This week's Issues of the Environment presents part two of our series on hydraulic fracturing,  or fracking, in Washtenaw County.  Our guest is Jim Peters, Operations Manager for Northstar Energy, and a representative for the Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Educational Foundation. 

Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Educational Foundation

On this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU, the first of two discussions on 'fracking', or hydraulic fracturing, in Washtenaw County.  Our guest this week is John Callewaert, the Director of the Integrated Assessment Program for the University of Michigan's Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute.

Get a head start on your summer garden with winter seed sowing.  Master gardener Monica Milla is our guest on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.

The status and future of public transportation in Washtenaw County is the topic of this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.  Our guest is Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Chair Yousef Rabhi.

Another perspective on incentive-based options to promote alternative energy.  DTE Energy spokesperson Scott Simons is our guest on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.

Weighing the pros and cons of incentive-based energy programs.  David Wright is the Clean Energy Program Director at the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center, and he's our guest on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.

Sustaining our food future through aquaculture.   Jim Diana is a Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources, and he's our guest on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.

January is radon awareness month.   Washtenaw County environmental educator Angela Parsons is our guest on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU.  She explains the dangers of radon and why you might want to have your home tested for the cancer-causing gas.