PODCAST

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment

David Fair

news & politics

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10:08

Issues of the Environment: A dive into Ann Arbor's...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/10/29

Ann Arbor is looking at something "blue" to expand its protection of drinking and other water sources. The new Bluebelt program will work in concert with the Greenbelt land preservation program to expand water protections. WEMU's David Fair was joined by City of Ann Arbor Land Acquisition Specialist, Rosie Pahl Donaldson, to discuss the goals of the program.

10:52

Issues of the Environment: Protecting trees in...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/10/22

When the trees start changing colors, it’s a time of year where we create time to stop and take in the beauty of nature. It’s also a time where we can provide the care to the trees to ensure their health in the seasons to come. There are a number of diseases here and more creeping in that pose a threat to our trees. WEMU's David Fair discussed the challenges and what to do about it with Washtenaw County Conservation District community forester, Matt DeJonge.

11:22

Issues of the Environment: Pittsfield Township road...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/10/08

An experimental project in Washtenaw County has the potential to change the way road repair and resurfacing are carried out. The pilot project in Pittsfield Township uses a hot-mix asphalt that incorporates ground tire rubber. A study is underway to determine if it is not only better for the environment but more sustainable and resilient as a paving practice. The project is a collaboration between the Washtenaw County Road Commission, Michigan Tech University and the Michigan Department of

11:24

Issues of the Environment: 'Rebuilding Nature: Yard...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/10/01

Fall has arrived, and the transition towards Michigan’s colder months is underway. Many property owners are already looking ahead and designing spring plans for the lawn. That would include Saline resident Edith Anderson. Edith goes beyond modern landscape design and is “Rebuilding Nature: Yard by Yard.” That’s the title of her recently published book. Edith joined WEMU's David Fair to share why more homeowners are trading sterile lawns for living landscapes that welcome back the birds, bees and

14:15

Issues of the Environment: A2Zero Green Fair hits...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/09/17

2025 marks the 25th year of the Green Fair in Ann Arbor. The event was initially called "The Mayor's Green Fair." Now, it is called the A2Zero Green Fair to reflect the city's initiative aimed at reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2030. WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor discuss the impact of a quarter-century of Green Fairs and the path forward to a healthier and more sustainable community.

10:55

Issues of the Environment: Gamedays at Michigan...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/09/10

The Michigan football season is underway, and excitement and expectations are on high for what the Wolverines can accomplish on the field of play. There are also big expectations for what happens in and around the rest of the "Big House". Work towards making Michigan gamedays a zero-waste event continue, and WEMU's David Fair discussed progress with U-M Senior Project Manager, Alison Richardson.

11:16

Issues of the Environment: Michigan environmental and...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/09/03

Canadian wildfires have played havoc with air quality in Washtenaw County and the state of Michigan for the past few summers. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian is the chief medical executive for the state of Michigan. She joined WEMU's David Fair to look at the short and longer-term implications.

11:16

Issues of the Environment: Measuring streetscape heat...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/08/27

We’ve had plenty of hot days this summer, but what happens to the environment when concrete and asphalt surface temperatures heat well into the 100’s? Keenan Gibbons and his team at SmithGroup wanted to find out and used drones to study heat patterns along Huron Street in Ann Arbor. The research on heat islands has led to some determinations about how to mitigate impact and help move the city towards its carbon neutrality goals. Gibbons joined WEMU's David Fair to explain the research and its

14:48

Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor's Great Lakes...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/08/20

The federal administration has laid off hundreds of staff from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the impact is already being felt locally and in region. Moving forward, there is the potential NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab in Ann Arbor could be shut down. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Nicole Rice about where it stands now and where it may be headed. Rice is among those already fired from the lab in Ann Arbor.

11:07

Issues of the Environment: Butterfly study helps tell...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/08/13

Between 1995 and 2023, the City of Ann Arbor’s Natural Area Preservation (NAP) division coordinated a continuous butterfly monitoring program using trained community science volunteers. Ludovico Behrendt is an environmental data specialist with NAP and conducted a retrospective analysis of this nearly 30-year dataset. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the findings on the health of butterflies in the area and what it says about the health of the local environment.

11:10

Issues of the Environment: The 2025 Ypsi Plastic Free...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/07/30

Just how pervasive are plastics in our lives? Try and live just a week without any. That’s the notion behind the Ypsi Plastic Free July Challenge. It is put forth by Zerowaste.org and runs through August 1st. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Zerowaste.org co-founder and deputy director, Lydia McMullen-Laird, about this year’s challenge and some tips on how best to reduce the use of plastics in our homes.

10:37

Issues of the Environment: A first-person account of...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/07/23

With an electric vehicle, a longer commute can be more affordable, but there can be challenges, too. Mackenzie Munro used to have a longer commute into Ann Arbor as an employee at the Ecology Center. Now, she makes a similar drive to Lansing for her work with EGLE. Is it worth it? Learn more about the real EV life in Mackenzie's conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

10:48

Issues of the Environment: Determining the future of...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/07/16

The City of Saline is considering whether to rehabilitate, replace, or remove the historic Saline River Dam. Dam removal offers long-term ecological benefits but raises concerns about aesthetics, recreation, and economic impact. A final decision on the matter is coming in October. In the meantime, the city has been taking public input and reaching out to neighboring communities for discussion. WEMU's David Fair talked with Saline Mayor Brian Marl about what has been learned so far and what comes

11:25

Issues of the Environment: Recent fire at Recycle Ann...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/07/09

A recent fire at Recycle Ann Arbor's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has raised concerns about what exactly is going into the bins we send to the MRF. Nationally, there are a growing number of fires at such facilities. WEMU's David Fair gets an update from Recycle Ann Arbor CEO Bryan Ukena.

11:22

Issues of the Environment: Michigan Attorney General...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/07/02

The Michigan Attorney General has filed a civil lawsuit against a Wixom-based automotive supplier for allegedly continuing to release harmful chemicals into the Huron River after multiple violations. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Huron River Watershed Council Climate Resilience Strategist, Daniel Brown. They discuss the lawsuit and the ongoing impacts to the health of the Huron River.

10:53

Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor's new Green...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/06/25

Rental properties in Ann Arbor will soon have to meet new energy efficiency standards. Ann Arbor City Council approved the Green Rental Housing Ordinance on July 16th. Some landlords and housing advocates raised concerns that it will drive rental prices even higher. Missy Stults is director of the city’s Office of Sustainability and Innovations. She says that’s not the case and explains why in her conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

11:16

Issues of the Environment: Changing precipitation...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/06/18

You may have noticed there have been some changes in the nature of our weather. Climate change is cited as the reason for some notable changes in precipitation patterns in our corner of the world. What does that tell us about the near- and longer-term future in Washtenaw County? WEMU's David Fair discussed this with Dr. Drew Gronewold, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability.

11:23

Issues of the Environment: Addressing air quality at...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/06/11

If you live in Northeast Washtenaw County, you know about living with a with an unpleasant odor. Residents in Salem and Northville Townships have long complained about the smell emanating from the Arbor Hills Landfill. WEMU's David Fair checked in with the District Supervisor for Air Quality at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on the matter. Scott Miller discussed the ongoing efforts to address odors and air quality in the area.

11:26

Issues of the Environment: The growing popularity of...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/06/04

It is growing season, and deciding on how to landscape and decorate your gardens is part of the fun of spring and summer. Sometimes, we end up picking things that can have adverse environmental and ecological impacts. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the president of the Ann Arbor Area chapter of The Wild Ones, Marta Manildi, about how to pick safely and beautifully.

11:22

Issues of the Environment: Huron River Watershed...

89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment ·

2025/05/28

There are a good number of private septic systems in Washtenaw County. Assessments show that nearly half of those systems have exceeded their expected lifespans and could fail in the near future. That would not only threaten the ecosystems of local waterways but also put public health in jeopardy. The Huron River Watershed Council is advocating that the private septic systems be replaced with centralized water treatment systems. WEMU's David Fair talked with the council’s Ric Lawson about what it

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89.1 WEMU: Issues of the Environment

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