plants

This winter in Washtenaw County has been notably colder and snowier than most of the past decade. It has created inconveniences and hardships. But there may be some benefits to all of the snow and cold. Snowier winters play an important ecological role beyond what we experience at the surface. WEMU's David Fair was joined by U-M Biological Station researcher, Dr. Olivia Vought to explore this winter’s environmental benefits and how it all works.

Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest drivers of long-term habitat loss in the Huron River Watershed. Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor have become a local model for tackling the problem through coordinated stewardship and public engagement. WEMU's David Fair found out what they’re doing with Natural Areas Specialist, Steven Parrish.

There’s a new educational program that's literally transforming the landscape around Ypsilanti Community Schools, sometimes one sweet potato or pawpaw tree at a time. YCS has launched a new agriscience and botany career technical education program. It's part of a countywide push to expand hands-on learning opportunities for students. Lee Van Roth discussed the program and what it hopes to achieve with Ypsilanti Community High School biology teacher Laurel Wiinikka-Buesser.

The Ann Arbor City Council is considering easing regulations regarding property owners' lawns. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Ypsilanti officials have been having a difficult time finding green solutions to removing invasive plants from their city parks. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

The Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society will host a discussion about a 50-year plan to restore and maintain a unique wetland ecosystem situated 14 miles north-northwest of Ann Arbor. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

If you care about your plants continuing to produce vegetables or flowers, you’ll want to think about protecting them in tonight’s cold. WEMU Cathy Shafran brings us the recommendations of local horticulturalists.

Ann Arbor residents could soon start noticing smoke coming from some of the community’s parks and other nature areas. We get the details from WEMU’s Taylor Pinson.

Washtenaw County is chock-full of non-native, invasive, plant species. In many cases, they pose a threat to native species and the health of the habitat that supports our wildlife and pollinators. There are also human implications. WEMU's David Fair discussed the progress being made toward local habitat restoration and expanding efforts to reintroduce native plant species with Doug Reith from the Washtenaw County Conservation District.

There are intersections of plant-based diets and improved climate. Ann Arbor will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next decade to promote plant-based diets to supplement and support its A2Zero Climate Action Plan. WEMU's David Fair discussed the plan with Ann Arbor's Sustainability and Innovations Manager, Missy Stults.