It's about that time of year where you'll begin to see people burning leaves, wood, and plant debris where it's allowed in the community. It creates both air and water pollution and impacts the health of our waterways. Add in the issue of fertilizer and phosphorous runoff, and the environmental and ecological impacts add up. WEMU's David Fair discussed the significance of the problem and what's being done about it with Lauren Koloski from the Office of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner.

The Ypsilanti District Library will soon open a new branch to serve Superior Township and the Willow Run area, and it's being constructed with the environment in mind. The new facility will contain a 46-kilowatt solar array, and all the glass on the outside of the building will be bird-friendly. Ypsilanti District Library executive director, Lisa Hoenig, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss those measures and the grand opening plans.

We all recognize solid waste as a significant issue, but how much do we really know about trash? That's the point and function of the upcoming "Trash Talk Tour" in Washtenaw County. It's an interactive, engaged effort to teach the community about how our trash is being dealt with and how best to move closer to a zero-waste lifestyle. WEMU's David Fair discussed all of it with event co-organizer and executive director of Live Zero Waste, Samuel McMullen.

Project Grow in Washtenaw County is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, and we’ll look back on five decades of community gardening and advocacy for sustainable gardens in Ann Arbor and beyond. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Project Grow managing director Kirk Jones to discuss the lessons learned in the first 50 years and what the immediate and longer-term future holds.

The new school year has begun. 13-year-old Izzy Sutton is starting her freshman year at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School with a push for greater awareness of sustainable practices. She's been an environmental advocate throughout her middle school years and is now making the push to improve sustainability through increasing options for fashion-forward, environmentally responsible clothing. And she's winning support in a variety of ways. Izzy joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation that offers great hope for a new generation of environmental stewards.

Significant investments are being made to enhance the Ypsilanti area's ability to capture stormwater and add acreage to nature areas that house pollinator prairie gardens. There are seven different projects that are funded over the next two years with grant money. Harry Sheehan is the Chief Deputy Water Resources Commissioner in Washtenaw County and in charge of seeing these projects completed. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the positive impacts these enhancements will make for the environment, and the area’s quality of life.

The same Wixom company that dumped PFAs into the Huron River may be causing more damage with the release of a carcinogenic chemical into the sewer system. Monitoring continues to see if the contamination will reach Washtenaw County. Huron River Watershed Council executive director, Rebecca Esselman, joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest on the health of the Huron River.

When you, or a loved one, has to have surgery, environmental protections are probably the last thing on your mind. But it is an issue that needs to be addressed. As much as 8-10% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the country emanate from medical facilities. Michigan Medicine is looking to significantly cut down its impacts while continuing to providing crucial care services. Dr. George Mashour is chair of Michigan Medicine's anesthesiology department, and he joined WEMU's David Fair to explain the process of identifying and implementing solutions.

On this post-election Wednesday, we talk public transportation. The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority asked voters to approve a five-year, 2.38 mill tax levy to expand services and help meet climate and economic equity goals in the community. AAATA CEO Matt Carpenter discussed the plans with WEMU's David Fair.

Washtenaw County recycles at a rate higher than most others in Michigan. Still, there is a long way to go. It turns out a lot of the materials we put in our recycle bins aren't recyclable at all. Washtenaw County's Public Works Director, Theo Eggermont, joined WEMU's David Fair to highlight new efforts to increase recycle rates and the quality of what we're putting in our bins.