Rebekah Warren
Host of Issues of the Environment and 1st Friday Focus on the EnvironmentRebekah Warren is the host of Issues of the Environment and First Friday Focus on the Environment on WEMU. She is a longtime Michigan environmental and public policy leader and the President and CEO of Adaptive Strategics, LLC, where she focuses on practical solutions to complex challenges at the intersection of communities, government, and the environment.
Rebekah previously served in the Michigan Legislature for 14 years, representing Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and broader Washtenaw County in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the House, she chaired the Great Lakes and Environment Committee and helped lead bipartisan efforts to pass landmark water protection legislation implementing the Great Lakes Compact—widely recognized as one of the most significant freshwater protection laws. In the Senate, she served as Vice Chair and Ranking Member of the Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee and worked extensively on issues including water quality, invasive species, renewable energy, land use, and recycling policy.
Throughout her legislative career, Rebekah focused on protecting Michigan’s natural resources and strengthening the state’s role as a national leader in Great Lakes stewardship. Her work included advancing protections against PFAS contamination, supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, expanding recycling and clean-up initiatives, and advocating for smart growth strategies to preserve farmland and open space. She has also served in leadership and advisory roles with the Great Lakes Commission, the Council on Future Mobility, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Conference of Environmental Legislators.
Rebekah’s work has been recognized by environmental, conservation, public health, and civic organizations across Michigan and the country. She is honored to bring conversations about science, policy, innovation, and community leadership to WEMU listeners, highlighting the people and ideas shaping a healthier and more sustainable future for the Great Lakes region.
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With numerous recent bouts of severe weather, managing stormwater is more critical than ever. The city of Ann Arbor will soon release its new Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan, which will bring more eco-friendly infrastructure to the city. Rebekah Warren discussed the plan with Ann Arbor Water Quality Manager Jennifer Lawson. -
In response to numerous severe weather events over the years, the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office introduced a countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan, which would allow municipalities to secure necessary funding for disaster relief while also advancing local carbon neutrality goals. Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons joined Rebekah Warren to discuss the current state of the plan and its impact on the environment. -
The Great Lakes hold one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water, but they're facing growing pressures from invasive species, pollution, aging infrastructure and new demands for water. Rebekah Warren and Lisa Wozniak took a closer look at the challenges facing our Great Lakes with Joel Brammeier, President and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, on a fundraising edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment." -
The spotted lanternfly is considered an invasive species in Washtenaw County, due to the fact that it feeds on trees, leaving serious damage in its wake. Right now, the county is taking action to protect local forests. Rebekah Warren shared more on these efforts with Matt DeJonge, Community Forester for the Washtenaw County Conservation District. -
Washtenaw County's rain garden system has filtered millions of gallons of stormwater runoff every year. Now, the program is expanding further into the county. Catie Wytychak from the Washtenaw County Water Resources Office spoke to Rebekah Warren about the expansion and Ypsilanti's upcoming Fall River Day. -
Ann Arbor has set a bold goal for carbon neutrality by 2030, and the work is already underway, from renewable energy and electric vehicles to smarter growth and energy efficiency. Rebekah Warren talked to Ann Arbor’s Sustainability and Innovations Director, Missy Stults, about the progress and the upcoming A2ZERO Green Fair, which takes on Friday, September 18. -
The Michigan state budget for Fiscal Year 2027 officially takes effect on October 1. Like all state budgets before it, this one has important factors related to environmental protection and conserving natural resources. Rebekah Warren and Michigan League of Conservation Voters President/CEO Lisa Wozniak took a closer look at these factors with Michigan State Senator Sarah Anthony of Lansing. -
Trinity Health Ann Arbor is launching a new program designed to show that in-patient healing can go beyond hospital walls. Its "Hospital Without Walls" initiative fundamentally redefines modern healthcare by physically integrating medical wellness with the surrounding natural ecosystem. Rebekah Warren discussed this innovative and environmentally friendly plan with Lacey Sapkiewicz, Senior Vice President of Operations at Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston. -
The mid-July Canadian wildfires released intensive amounts of smoke, resulting in days of hazardous air quality in Washtenaw County and all across Southeast Michigan. Studies have shown that climate change remains a major factor in these extreme conditions. Dr. Stuart Batterman, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Health Sciences and Global Public Health at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, joined Rebekah Warren to discuss these studies in detail and what future precautions should be taken. -
A number of Ann Arbor businesses have started to phase out using single-use plastics. Not only has this lowered their operational costs, it's beneficial to many local environmental initiatives. Phillis Engelbert, owner/operator of Detroit Filling Station in Ann Arbor, is among these entrepreneurs leading the way in working towards zero waste. She talks more about her actions and how others can follow her example with Rebekah Warren.
