The Mike Nowak Show

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What a Long, Strange Garden Trip It’s Been Jun 11, 2022

Show notes

On our final show (for awhile), we talk about the Depave Movement across the world. Katya Reyna from Depave Portland and Mary Pat McGuire of Depave Chicago report on their respective programs. Judy Pollock and Bob Fisher from the Bird Conservation Network comment on the results of a 22-year study of breeding bird trends in the Chicago region. We'll also play some music from Birdsongs, Volume 1-Sounds of the Mississippi Flyway by Micky Torpedo.

Tomatomania V: Off to the Races Jun 04, 2022

Show notes

Tomato experts Craig LeHoullier ("Epic Tomatoes") and Keith Mueller ("KC Tomato") return yet again to impart their wisdom about America's favorite fruit in Tomatomania V. They talk growing strategies and favorite varieties...including some they have developed themselves.

Monarch Butterflies: Yet Another Species on the Brink May 28, 2022

Show notes

The monarch numbers from Mexico were just released and they're...okay. Which means that the iconic species is still threatened. Horticulturist Dolly Foster returns to the show to talk about choosing plants--including milkweed--to attract monarchs and other pollinators to your yard. Bob Benenson of Local Food Forum reports on the start of summer farmers market season and some developments for small farms and growers.

How to Discover a Wild Area in the 21st Century May 21, 2022

Show notes

What's it like to "discover" a high-quality natural area in the Midwest? We talk to naturalist Steve Sass, who helped identify Indiana's Lydick Bog in 2014. He is joined by fellow naturalist Amanda Smith. The two are responsible for the educational website Indiana Nature and for the very popular Facebook page IN Nature. We talk about the variety of plants and animals in northwest Indiana and their efforts to teach the public how to be good stewards of the land.

The Sky’s the Limit for Women in Arboriculture May 15, 2022

Show notes

ISA certified arborist Megan Kacenski from Bartlett Tree Experts stops by to talk about how she became an arborist representative and what kind of opportunities exist for women in the tree care industry. She is joined by show regular Skeet from Bartlett. Diveheart, which helps disabled children, adults and veterans gain confidence and independence through scuba diving, is coming out with a documentary. Executive Director Tinamarie Hernandez previews the world premiere showing on May 18.

The Hidden Dangers of Artificial Turf May 07, 2022

Show notes

Thousands of artificial turf fields have popped up across the country in the past few decades. The argument is that they're cheaper, easy to maintain and perfectly safe. Really? We talk to a group of concerned Lake Forest, IL citizens from Go Real Go Grass, who reveal the dark side of artificial turf. Meanwhile, Ryan Anderson explains how you can grow real turf without using pesticides. He also announces a new certification program for healthy turf. Bob Dolgan from This Week in Birding talks about the latest chapter in the Monty and Rose saga and reports on World Migratory Bird Day.

The Regeneration Miracle That Is Compost Apr 30, 2022

Show notes

The Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki helps the Illinois Food Scrap Coalition kick off International Compost Awareness Week. Merleanne Rampale from SWALCO, James Kim from Vernon HIlls Park District, and Vytas Papedinskas of Save Our Soil LLC report on a pilot program that is helping communities utilize the regeneration properties of compost. John Bates from Field Museum Birds helps clear up some confusion regarding use of backyard bird feeders during the current avian influenza outbreak in the U.S.

The Marvelous Melinda Myers Makes It Better Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

The Marvelous Melinda Myers returns to talk spring gardening. We learn about the changes in the latest version of her "Midwest Gardener's Handbook," As always, we'll answer as many gardening questions as time allows. Mike and Peggy dip into the latest environmental stories during their "Green Dispatch" segment. And meteorologist Rick DiMaio returns to talk about inconsistent spring weather (what else is new?)

Doug Tallamy on Fighting to Save Trees and Natural Areas Apr 10, 2022

Show notes

Author and educator Doug Tallamy returns to the show to talk about the importance of protecting and creating spaces to promote biodiversity. Jeannette Hoyt from Save Jackson Park and David J. Nowak from the USDA Forest Service in Syracuse, New York, discuss the damage done to local ecosystems--and urban neighborhoods--by removing large swaths of trees, which is happening with the construction of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago's south side.

The Possibilities of Amazing Native Plants Apr 03, 2022

Show notes

The subject is native plants and the instructors are brothers Kelsay and Tristan Shaw, who, between them, have put in about 50 years' work at Possibility Place Nursery in Monee, Illinois. On this show we talk about why natives are important and get some cold, hard truth from a couple of guys who aren't afraid to call 'em as they see 'em.

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