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.
Mar 07, 2021•2 hr 1 min
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.
Feb 27, 2021•2 hr
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.
Feb 20, 2021•1 hr 55 min
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.
Feb 14, 2021•2 hr
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.
Feb 06, 2021•2 hr 3 min
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.
Jan 30, 2021•1 hr 58 min
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.
Jan 23, 2021•1 hr 55 min
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!
Jan 16, 2021•1 hr 58 min
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.
Jan 09, 2021•1 hr 58 min
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.
Jan 02, 2021•2 hr 2 min
Mike and Peggy welcome an all-star cast to the 2020 version of It's a Wonderful Slice, including horticultural expert Melinda Myers! Elysabeth Alfano returns to the show to talk about her plantbased business predictions for 2021. Joan Murray from City Grange has advice on keeping your holiday and indoor plants healthy.
Dec 20, 2020•1 hr 57 min
It will be a difficult winter for restaurants, taverns and the associated businesses. We talk to Michael Cameron from Uncommon Ground, Michael Roper of Hopleaf, and Marty Travis from Spence Farm about how people in the food industry expect to cope. Lisa Albrecht says that funding for Illinois solar energy projects is about to run out, and what can be done about it.
Dec 13, 2020•1 hr 59 min
Last week, the Chicago Office of Inspector General issued a scathing report concerning the City's inability to properly monitor and execute its high rise recycling program. Ald. Michele Smith from the 43rd Ward and Ald. Scott Waguespack from the 32nd Ward stop by to comment on those findings.
Dec 12, 2020•51 min
Andrew Rehn from Prairie Rivers Network reports on the fight to keep coal ash from leaking into the Vermillion River in central Illinois.
Dec 06, 2020•30 min
Niki Jabbour returns to the show to talk about her new book, "Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden." Sean Ruane from Advocates for Urban Agriculture says you have one more day to be part of AUA's "Grown in Chicago" campaign.
Nov 29, 2020•1 hr 58 min
Chad Rigsby from Bartlett Tree Experts talks about the importance of inspecting your trees during the winter months. Jessica Chipkin from Crate Free Illinois and Tyler Lobdell of Food & Water Watch report on the progress of the Farm System Reform Act and other fights against the inhumanity of factory farms in the U.S.
Nov 22, 2020•1 hr 50 min
Dr. Allan Armitage returns to the show to talk about the 4th edition of his book, Herbaceous Perennial Plants. Filmmaker Bob Dolgan of "Monty and Rose," and Stephanie Beilke from Audubon Great Lakes discuss the future of birds in the Midwest.
Nov 15, 2020•1 hr 56 min
Renowned pet expert Steve Dale joins Mike and Peggy to talk about pet wellness issues. Jodie Wiederkehr from Chicago Alliance for Animals joins the conversation when it turns to inhumane puppy mills. Juanita Irizarry returns to the show to talk about the efforts of Friends of the Parks to stop a proposed Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) from being expanded at the mouth of the Calumet River.
Nov 08, 2020•1 hr 46 min
Chris Beytes from Grower Talks explains how the pandemic might be responsible for millions of people deciding to start gardens. Tony Abruscato of Get Growing Foundation joins us from Plant Truck Chicago, which is motivating the next generation of gardeners in Chicago neighborhoods. Mac Austin reports on ways you can help get out the vote this Tuesday.
Nov 01, 2020•1 hr 55 min
Kay McKeen from SCARCE and Amy DeLorenzo from Illinois Extension explain the importance of rescuing Halloween pumpkins from landfills. Jerry Adelmann of Openlands reports on environmental issues affecting our region. Mike and Peggy welcome a couple of winners from the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards 60-Second Garden Video Challenge.
Oct 25, 2020•1 hr 54 min
Herpetologist Grace Wu talks about the snakes of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Cassandra West previews the Forest Preserve Foundation 2020 Symposium, A conversation about Racial Equity and Access to Nature. Green Diva Meg and Green Diva Lisa talk environmental politics and make an announcement about a collaboration with The Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki.
Oct 18, 2020•1 hr 57 min
The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) annual IMPACT Conference will be virtual this year. Mike and Peggy talk to presenters Jack Pizzo of Pizzon & Associates and Kim Eierman from EcoBeneficial. The sad saga of Nicole Virgil and her fight to be able to have a hoop house in suburban Elmhurst continues. She returns to talk about the latest developments
Oct 11, 2020•1 hr 43 min
Sheri Doyel, director of McHenry County College's new Center for Agrarian Learning Center (CAL) is joined by farmer and activistt Lisa Kivirist to promote the upcoming Forefront Speaker Series, which has free online events planned the second Sunday of each month between now and December. Horticultural expert Melinda Myers returns to the show to offer fall gardening tips.
Oct 04, 2020•1 hr 56 min
The New Sustainable Reality refers not only to trees and water, but Mike and Peggy's new Internet-only show. They talk to Skeet from Bartlett Tree Experts about fall tree care. Alaina Harkness is executive director of Current, which calls itself a “water innovation hub.” She talks about the first ever Chicago Water Week, taking place virtually from September 28 to October 2.
Sep 27, 2020•1 hr 27 min
In Hour 2, Rev. Brian Sauder from Faith in Place reports on the upcoming online Green Team Summit 2020 from September 13-17. We talk to Dr. Jalees Rehman, who will be hosting a workshop called COVID-19 and A Just Recovery. In Hour 1, we chat with Alec McClennan, founder and owner of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care in Ohio. He'll explain why fall is the best time to work on your lawn and why using most lawn chemicals is a bad idea.
Sep 06, 2020•1 hr 33 min
Marty Travis from Spencer Farm and filmmaker Matt Wechsler report on the opening of Village Farmstand, a way to keep farmers in business and give consumers access to local food. Rodney Williams Sr., Azariah Baker and Keith Tankson explain how the Austin Harvest pop up store will provide fresh food to their neighborhood. NRDC's Gina Ramirez and Peggy Salazar of the Southeast Environmental Task Force are fighting for environmental justice on Chicago's southeast side.
Aug 30, 2020•1 hr 14 min
Meteorologist Rick DiMaio, journalist Lyz Lenz, Daniella Pereira of Openlands and Alder Scott Waguespack report on the Midwest Derecho Aftermath in Chicago and the rest of the Midwest. Diane Blazek, Executive Director of the National Garden Bureau, talks about their 100th anniversary and what the future has to offer. Ryan Anderson from Midwest Grows Green joins Alec McClennan of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care to explain why fall is lawn care season and how your community might get free advice on ...
Aug 23, 2020•1 hr 31 min
In Hour 2, we look at what we are calling the "Chicago's War on Community Gardens." Why in the world would the City spring new regulations on urban farms and community gardens that call for huge fees for accessing water? And then barely back off of those demands during the COVID pandemic? We'll talk Sean Ruane, Executive Director of Advocates for Urban Agriculture, as well as representatives of a couple of community gardens. Hour 1 features a look at National Farmers Market Week with Janie Maxwe...
Aug 02, 2020•1 hr 35 min
Erlene Howard returns to the show to celebrate ten years of Collective Resource Compost. Mike and Peggy welcome "Tomato Joe," who reports on historically interesting tomatoes. Jared McKenzie from Headline Solar and renewable energy consultant Mark Burger discuss the future of solar energy in Illinois.
Jul 26, 2020•1 hr 34 min
Ron Cowgill from Mighty House Home Improvement Radio stops by to talk about how he helped Mike radically improve his energy conservation by adding insulation and new windows. Chad Rigsby from Bartlett Tree Experts has advice on how to keep your trees healthy in summer heat, following a cool, rainy spring.
Jul 19, 2020•1 hr 34 min
