Earth Day

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) held a rally in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, calling for community support for federal environmental workers. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

As Ann Arbor commemorates Earth Day, the debate continues over what to do with the Library Lane parking structure parcel. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

“Our Power, Our Planet” is the theme for Earth Day 2025, and a number of diverse environmental topics will be championed locally. Among them, grassroots organization Ann Arbor for Public Power (A2P2), which continues its crusade for a greener public utility within the city. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor talks with A2P2 President Greg Woodring about their efforts to advocate for a more climate-friendly energy source.

Earth Day 2025 will be marked by a number of diverse environmental topics throughout the community. Among them is a grassroots organization determined to introduce a greener public utility in Ann Arbor. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor reports.

Connecting to the earth, learning to work, play and learn from the soil below our feet: That’s the mission Willow Run Acres in Ypsilanti and the personal mission of its founder, Farmer T.C. Collins. In addition to nurturing the earth and taking joy in its bounties, Farmer T.C. uses Willow Run Acres to fight food injustice and inequities in economic opportunities for the Black community. The land also serves as an education center for young people, so future generations can connect to the earth. Farmer T.C. joined WEMU’s David Fair on an Earth Day edition of "Washtenaw United."

Environmental advocates promote establishing public and private rain gardens to improve storm water reabsorption. WEMU's Taylor Bowie has more.

Earth Day 2024 is right around the corner, and this year’s theme is “Planet vs. Plastics.” Advocates are calling for a global reduction of 60% in plastics manufacturing to protect the environment and human health. The Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center has been advocating for the introduction and passage of five bills in Michigan that will add teeth to plastic regulation in several important areas. Ecology Center director Mike Garfield joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss our future with plastics.

Every April brings us another Earth Day. The event aimed at increasing environmental education, awareness and activism is now in its 54th year. How far have we come in more than five decades and what has to happen next? Rosina Bierbaum is a professor and Dean Emerita in the U of M’s School for Environment and Sustainability. She gave an insider's assessment with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.

Earth Day 2023 will be observed on April 22nd, around the world and right here in our community. WEMU's David Fair took some time to gather reflections on where we've come and where we're headed in his conversation with Washtenaw County water resources commissioner, Evan Pratt.

Earth Day comes back around this year on April 22nd. The theme of the 2023 observance is “Invest in our Planet.” When we think of investment, we almost always think of money, but we’re focusing on investment in education and awareness. WEMU's David Fair catches up with Susan Westhoff. She is president and executive director of the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum and Leslie Science and Nature Center. In her conversation with David Fair, you'll find out how those investments are paying off in our community.