Search results for

Just about 40 miles from our WEMU studios sits a 440-acre lake plain prairie. It’s called the Sibley Prairie, and you’ll find it in Brownstown Township. It is the largest and highest quality lake plain prairie in Michigan. As such, work is underway to try and permanently preserve this rare ecosystem. Jeff Vornhagen is Director-at-Large of the Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society. He spoke about the preservation project with WEMU's David Fair.

At some point, we will all experience grief. How we accommodate and live with loss is different for each of us. For the most mature among us, it remains heartbreakingly difficult. Young people feel it just as deeply but are more likely to lack the tools to deal with and work through it. The vision of Ele’s Place is to ensure no child grieves alone. Its mission is to support children and their families as they cope with loss. WEMU's David Fair was joined by Bereavement Coordinator Olivia Wilder to discuss that work in Washtenaw County and throughout Michigan.

Ypsilanti's Family Empowerment Program (FEP), which is based out of Eastern Michigan University's Engage@EMU office, provides supportive housing services to residents of low-income public housing communities. Now in its 15th year, the program serves about 900 individuals across all Ypsilanti Housing Commission communities. Lee Van Roth discussed the program's accomplishments with FEP's resident service coordinator, Lamar Thomas.

The Willow Run Airport is among those dealing with PFAS contamination. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has placed the airport within the state’s environmental mitigation efforts tied to aviation contamination. Willow Run will get a $250,000 grant to test and monitor for current pollution and to control or reduce additional contamination and to evaluate clean-up strategies. WEMU's David Fair spoke with EGLE Senior Geologist Eric Larson about the problem and potential solutions to aviation PFAS contamination at Willow Run and around the state.

Whenever you go to renew your driver's license, you are asked if you want to become an organ donor, if you are not already. Right now, only 58% of the Michigan adult population has joined the registry. April is National Donate Life Month. WEMU's David Fair got together with Gift of Life Michigan President and CEO Dorrie Dils to discuss all of the issues surrounding organ donation.

Gas prices are skyrocketing; there is also raging debate over data centers and the shift to a more renewable energy future is being set back. Jennifer Granholm has helped shape energy policy as the former Governor of Michigan and as the U.S. Energy Secretary in the Biden Administration. She shared her perspective in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters CEO and President, Lisa Wozniak.

The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) has been making strides in its efforts to rehabilitate and transform Woodlawn Cemetery in Ypsilanti Township, the only known African American graveyard in Washtenaw County. AACHM Board Chair Dr. Debby Covington joined Lee Van Roth to talk about the progress already made on the project and what else is planned.

Today is Earth Day. The theme for Earth Day 2026 is "Our Power, Our Planet." To mark the occasion, we take a look at the power of natural river flow and the benefits and consequences of man-made dams. There are some legislative reforms under consideration in Lansing, and, in the meantime, there are a number of dams in Washtenaw County in different states of functionality. Huron River Watershed Council executive director Rebecca Esselman joined WEMU's David Fair for a look at where the power of policy and funding will lead us in the years ahead.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that the Gelman Sciences 1,4 Dioxane plume has been added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List. After years of effort toward that end, it seemed as though the designation came suddenly and without notice. With a little time behind us now, we’re looking ahead to what’s next in the slow process of cleanup and accountability in a conversation between WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor.

There are difficult jobs and there are really hard jobs. Imagine working every day to try and find quality, accessible and affordable child care for single parents and low-income families. It isn’t easy and, in many regards, is getting more difficult. Annette Sobicinski and her team take on that job every day. Annette is executive director of the Child Care Network, and she joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the growing challenges and where success is being found.