The Mike Nowak Show

Latest Episodes:

Plastics Mess on Aisle 2 in the Green Industry Mar 07, 2021

Show notes

Landscape designer Marie Chieppo examines why can't we figure out what to do with horticultural plastic. Jana Kinsman from Bike a Bee and Qae-Dah Muhammad of Arthur Ashe Beach Park Advisory Council talk about raising honey bees in Chicago. Nicole Virgil returns to talk about the Right to Garden bill. She's joined by Ari Bargil from the Institute for Justice, which is supporting her effort to grow food in her Elmhurst hoop house.

“We’re Gardening for the Public.” Feb 27, 2021

Show notes

Lisa Hilgenberg from the Chicago Botanic Garden's Regenstein Fruit & Vegetable Garden prepares for the 2021 season with less uncertainty than in 2020. "The Plant-Based Boss" Elysabeth Alfano returns to talk about innovations in plant-based foods.

Ten Years of Environmental Good Feb 20, 2021

Show notes

The One Earth Film Festival celebrates "10 Years of Inspiring Change" with a fully virtual event. Mike and Peggy welcome filmmakers Christi Cooper and Shannon Germaine. On the heels of her company's own 10th anniversary celebration, Erlene Howard from Collective Resource Compost hopes for an uptick in food scrap collection in 2021.

Wild Things Invade(s) Chicago Again Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

The 2021 Wild Things Conference is back and we preview three of the more than 50 presentations that will be available starting February 19. Charlie Nardozzi talks about his new book, The Complete Guide to No-Dig Gardening.

How to Avoid a Winter of Discontent Feb 06, 2021

Show notes

As Chicago finally gets its share of winter weather, we welcome back ISA certified arborist M.D. Skeet (aka "Skeet") back to the show to talk about winter care for your trees and shrubs. Speaking of winter, if you're using salt products on your sidewalks and driveways, you're putting your pets and your groundwater at risk. Mitch Vestal, president of PlaySafe, explains how you can prevent ice and do it safely.

Climate Art and Science Disrupted Jan 30, 2021

Show notes

Nicolaas Mink, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Sitka Salmon Shares, returns to the show to talk about how his company is working to sustain fish populations in our increasingly threatened oceans. Christine Esposito, project director of "Third Coast Disrupted: Artists + Scientists on Climate" joins artist Barbara Cooper and Tyrone Dobson from Alliance for the Great Lakes to talk about the environmental and existential threats posed by our insatiable plastic production and consumption.

When Native Garden Plans Go Bad (and Good) Jan 23, 2021

Show notes

Horticulturist Ken Williams and Sarah Michehl of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County preview a three-part series about planning native gardens in your own yard, sponsored by West Cook Wild Ones. Peggy Salazar from Southeast Environmental Task Force (SETF) and Nancy Loeb from Bluhm Legal Clinic at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law continue to fight the relocation of an iron recycling company in Chicago's 10th Ward.

2 Million Blossoms, Umpteen Million Seeds Jan 16, 2021

Show notes

Roger Hartwell from Seed Savers Exchange and Petra Page-Mann of Fruition Seeds explain how there has been an explosion of gardening in the past year and why you might want to get your seed orders in early. Kirsten S. Traynor, PhD explains how, in an age of online publications, it's still possible to create a quality quarterly print magazine--about pollinators!

Reclaiming Real Organics Jan 09, 2021

Show notes

Ariel Pressman from the Real Organic Project explains how his organization is attempting to go beyond USDA Organic certification by getting back to organic basics. Mike and Peggy talk to two backyard gardeners who are among many who have used the pandemic to discover how to grow their own food.

Happy Not 2020! Tomatoes and Tallgrass Prairie Jan 02, 2021

Show notes

On the first show of Not 2020, Mike and Peggy welcome back Dr. Harry Klee from the University of Florida, who is breeding tomatoes that are prolific, ship well, and actually taste great. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Mary Mitsos from the National Forest Foundation and Mike Redmer from Midewin tell us about a year full of activities.

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