Mike Nowak Show Podcasts

Mike and Peggy are on the Calumet area of Chicago this morning, hoping to track down a plant that hasn't been seen in more than 100 years! It's the Thismia Hunt! A Calumet Celebration Day! It's family friendly and we will be talking to scientists, restoration ecologists, birders, activists and volunteers who are hoping to make science history. Join us!

Skeet from Bartlett Tree Experts returns to the show with his traveling critter carnival. He talks to Mike and Peggy about summer tree issues. Dan Kosta from Vern Goers Greenhouse previews the Prairie State Bonsai Society annual show at the Morton Arboretum.

World-renowned perennial plant experts Roy Diblik and Piet Oudolf join Mike and Peggy to talk about plant communities and good design. On the heels of the discovery in the Midwest of P. ramorum, a pathogen that has the potential to kill oak trees, Tom Buechel returns to the show to explain how the Plant Sentry program can protect states from diseases, pests and invasive plants. Martie Sanders and the actors at Green Team Chicago are back with a report on this summer's production, "...not for all the tea in China!" (Hint: it's about the history of tea.)

Patrick Williams from Openlands discusses their new "Get Outside Map" for the Chicago area, as well as the demise of the Route 53 extension and flooding forums in Lake County. Danielle Perry, new executive director at Growing Home, talks about their mission to grow organic produce and help Chicagoans find jobs. Another report on the threatened MAMBY concert on Montrose Beach, this time from neighborhood leader Marianne Lalonde. Bill Stengel from Summit Responsible Solutions tell you why Mosquito Dunks are the best way to deal with that insect pest.

Chicago area architects Tom Bassett-Dilley and Nate Kipnis join Mike and Peggy in studio to talk about the potential for net zero--and possibly net positive-energy design projects. Show regular Melinda Myers returns to talk native plants and getting a late start on veggie planting in the Midwest.

Mike and Peggy follow up on last week's conversation about the return of the piping plover to Chicago's Montrose Beach, and how its progress is being threatened by the scheduled MAMBY concert event. Paul Fehrenbacher from the Montrose Lakefront Coalition (MLC) and Douglas Stotz, senior conservation ecologist in the Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum are working to save an endangered species. Kathleen Thompson reports from the "Recall Desk." You won't want to miss it.

Scott Stringer from Bartlett Tree Experts answers your tree care questions. Christine Esposito of Terracom and Dr. Liam Heneghan from DePaul University explain how Third Coast Disrupted: Artists + Scientists on Climate can make people more aware of the threat to our planet posed by the climate crisis. Montrose Beach Dunes steward Leslie Borns and Carl Giomettil from the Chicago Ornithological Society have the latest on the battle to preserve a fragile ecosystem on Chicago's lakefront from a proposed rock concert.

WCGO Radio is broadcasting live from Evanston's Custer Fair. Mike and Peggy welcome Louise Rosenberg from Cultivate Urban Rainforest and Gallery, and congratulate the Chicago Botanic Garden's Kayri Havens, Ph.D. on her lifetime achievement award from the American Horticultural Society.

Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, explains how they are preparing to adapt to and to attempt to mitigate climate change. Thad King, Crystal Clair and Karen Hudson follow up on the threat posed by a CAFO to a downstate organic farm. Rick DiMaio reports on the continuing wet, cool weather.

Tomato experts Craig LeHoullier, author of Epic Tomatoes, and tomato breeder KC Tomato (not his real name), join Mike and Peggy to talk about getting the tomato season started. Fred Braun, Director of Public Works for the Village of Niles, talks about how their snow and ice removal system just won an award from the American Public Works Association (APWA).

David J. Zaber is your instructor for Garden Chemicals 101, a look at the pesticides and fertilizers that we put in our yards and the consequences of using them. Rick Moskovitz from A Plus Pest Control returns to talk about how to deal safely with indoor pests. He might sing a song, too. Be prepared.

Mary Phillips from the National Wildlife Federation reports on how the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge is creating wildlife habitat in backyards. Ryan Anderson promotes Chicago Grows Green Week, presented by Midwest Grows Green. Madison Hopkins returns to the show to talk about her most recent article for the Better Government Association about Chicago's failing recycling system.

Skeet from Bartlett Tree Experts returns to talk about tree issues for a colder and wetter than normal spring. Dick Peach from the Evanston Environmental Association previews Nature's Night Out. Grant Kessler and Sofia Jouravel explain why you should join the Chicago Market co-op. David and Laura Mitchell from Lumican.com want to change the world, one LED street light at a time.

Margaret Frisbie from Friends of the Chicago River talks about next week's Chicago River Day, while Chicago folk musician Mark Dvorak explains how Pete Seeger helped to save the Hudson River. Lorraine Ballato has great hydrangea care info in her new book, "Success with Hydrangeas." Carol and Steve Wenzel from Blazing Star Nursery explain how farmers and backyard gardeners can create healthy soil.

Nationally renowned garden expert Melinda Myers has advice about spring snow storms and plants. Paul Botts of The Wetlands Initiative and Teri Valenzuela from Audubon Great Lakes talk about the restoration work being done at Indian Ridge Marsh on Chicago's southeast side.

The Mike Nowak Show spends this holiday Sunday broadcasting from the brand spanking new City Grange on Chicago's northwest side. Founder LaManda Joy joins us, along with staff members, who talk about the mission of this not-so-usual retail establishment. America's Seed Artist Shilin Hora also stops by to talk about a seed quilt that she has created with students from Emerson Elementary School in Berwyn.

Lydia Scott from the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) and Colleen Murphy-Dunning of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies preview an event this Wednesday at The Morton Arboretum about trees and climate change, where Mike will be moderator.

Dan Protess, writer and producer for Urban Nature, talks about the second season of the WTTW online show, featuring an episode about forager Dave Odd, who is also in studio. Nicole Virgil reports on how she is fighting to rewrite Illinois law if the City of Elmhurst won't allow her to site a hoop house on her property. Laura Calvert from Advocates for Urban Agriculture joins the conversation by phone.

We head to Wild Blossom Meadery & Winery on Chicago's south side for a honey tasting "mead n' feed" event, featuring Chef Carrie Schloss. Phil Fitch and Nick Arensmann from Bartlett Tree Experts answer urban tree care questions. Nina Baki from Forest Preserve District of Cook County and Val Kehoe from Illinois Extension talk about how you can be part of the Conservation@Home program.

The Mike Nowak Show with Peggy Malecki heads to Navy Pier for the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. Mike and Peggy welcome a roster of guests that includes designers, educators and even a 6th grade chef who has already been on national television.