Issues of the Environment

Every Wednesday morning at 6:50 a.m. and 8:50 a.m., Washtenaw County Public Works and the Office of the Water Resources Commissioner introduces a special guest speaker on the "Issues of the Environment" Radio Show, hosted by David Fair on WEMU (89.1 FM). Tune in each week to hear about environmental issues, programs and news impacting our community!

"Issues of the Environment" has been named Best Mini-Documentary or Series by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters!

Join Us

We are always looking for guest speakers to talk about projects and environmental issues relevant to the residents of Washtenaw County. Please contact Mary Lapp if you have ideas for upcoming shows!

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017

Date	Title
06/07/23	UM study provides insights into the future of climate-impacted northern forests in Michigan and beyond
05/31/23	Ann Arbor pushing to take Bryant neighborhood geothermal
05/24/23	10-year, $100-million Ann Arbor water treatment plant project getting underway
05/17/23	Huron River Day celebration comes amid contamination threats and challenges
05/10/23	Ann Arbor evolves program to protect pollinators
05/03/23	New delivery drones are one of Michigan Medicine's latest environmentally-friendly initiatives
04/19/23	A pre-Earth Day look at progress and challenges in Washtenaw County
04/12/23	City-owned property in Ann Arbor being prepped for clean-up and development
04/05/23	Turning contaminated Ann Arbor property into 'Broadway Park West'
03/29/23	University of Michigan achieves "bee-friendly" status as safe haven for pollinators
03/22/23	Ann Arbor moving towards great energy equity and resilience
03/15/23	Cultivating home and community food gardens in Washtenaw County
03/08/23	A2 Area Commercial Solar Program to expand green energy to businesses in Washtenaw County
03/01/23	New study highlights exposure risks in Ann Arbor basements from the Gelman Sciences 1,4 dioxane plume
02/22/23	Ann Arbor Farm and Garden investing in education and sustainability
02/15/23	Ann Arbor moves toward ban on gas stoves in new construction
02/08/23	Achieving carbon neutrality in both housing and transportation in Ann Arbor and nationwide
02/01/23	U-M researchers determine potential ways to recycle PVC plastics
01/25/23	Recycle Ann Arbor is a leader in plastics recycling
01/18/23	Michigan winters are changing and climate adaptation is key to the future
01/11/23	Improving our environment with the use of a 'circular economy'
01/04/23	Yousef Rabhi returns to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners

Date	Title
12/28/22	Donna Lasinski reflects on six years of representing Washtenaw County in the Michigan House
12/21/22	Practicing 'permaculture' at the Cooperative at Dawn Farm
12/07/22	Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center applies new methodology to detecting spread of toxic chemicals
11/30/22	The potential for hydrogen in moving away from fossil fuels
11/23/22	Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority moving forward to become entirely zero emission
11/16/22	The impact of 'forever chemicals' on Michigan's fish and wildlife
11/09/22	Ann Arbor Community Climate Action proposal overwhelmingly approved by voters
11/02/22	White-nose syndrome threatens Michigan's bat population
10/26/22	MI-CARES team conducting extensive study on cancer-causing chemicals
10/19/22	'Resilient Washtenaw' climate action plan advances toward approval and implementation
10/12/22	The environmental pros and cons of the federal Inflation Reduction Act for Washtenaw County and the region
09/28/22	Protecting Washtenaw County's waters in the season of campfires and wood-burning
09/21/22	New Ypsilanti District Library branch to include a solar array and bird-friendly glass
09/14/22	"Trash Talk Tour" returns to Washtenaw County
09/07/22	Project Grow celebrates 50 years of community gardening in Washtenaw County
08/31/22	An Ann Arbor high school freshman leading the way for a new generation of environmental activists
08/24/22	Investing in the Ypsilanti area's ability to capture stormwater and adapt to a changing climate
08/17/22	The latest on the chemical contamination of the Huron River
08/10/22	Combating greenhouse gas emissions in Michigan Medicine's surgical rooms
08/03/22	TheRide has big plans after voters approve millage issue
07/27/22	Improving recycling rates and quality of recycling materials in Washtenaw Count
07/20/22	Legacy Land Conservancy adds more Washtenaw County acreage to its conservation efforts
07/13/22	The push for electrification in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
07/06/22	The Gelman 1,4 dioxane plume continues to spread and moves closer to the Huron River
06/29/22	Exploring and tracking Ann Arbor's butterfly population
06/22/22	Making the case for preserving Ypsilanti's Peninsular Paper Dam
06/08/22	The intersection of environmental activism and art
06/01/22	Ann Arbor presents this year's 'Zero Waste Challenge'
05/25/22	The drive to improve Washtenaw County's ecological health with expansion of native plant species
05/18/22	Progress and next steps in Ypsilanti for removing defunct dam from the Huron River
05/11/22	Ann Arbor is updating its plan to protect and expand the city's 'urban forest'
05/04/22	Veridian at County Farm in Ann Arbor preps construction in its net-zero energy development
04/27/22	Addressing challenges for farmers in Washtenaw County and the State of Michigan
04/20/22	City of Ann Arbor introduces its 'No Mow May' campaign to protect pollinators
04/13/22	Border-to-Border Trail in Washtenaw County to expand another three miles in 2022
04/06/22	Ann Arbor looks to become 1st in the nation to decarbonize an entire neighborhood
03/30/22	How prepared is Washtenaw County for a nuclear incident?
03/23/22	The ecological impacts of reading and how best to make a difference for the environment
03/16/22	Promoting plant-based diets in Ann Arbor to create a more sustainable community
03/09/22	IPCC Climate Report has dire warning with consequences to impact Huron River Watershed
03/02/22	Assessing damage caused by winter road salt
02/23/22	A shifting energy future in Ann Arbor and beyond
02/16/22	Alleviating energy burden for Michigan’s low-income households
02/09/22	Ongoing work for safe and affordable water in Michigan
02/02/22	'Resilient Washtenaw' climate action plan getting ready for launch
01/26/22	The Poles Are Warming, So Why Is It So Cold In Washtenaw County? (encore)
01/19/22	New NRDC Report Predicts Dire Public Health Outcomes From Climate Change (encore)
01/12/22	Ann Arbor Farmers Market Celebrates 100 Years (encore)
01/05/22	Celebrating 25 Years Of Bringing Environmental Information To You (encore)

Date	Title
12/29/21	The Relationship Between Environmental Justice And Winter Health (encore)
12/22/21	Connections Between Climate Crisis, COVID-19, And Systemic Racism (encore)
12/15/21	Getting PFAS Out of Food Packaging (encore)
12/08/21	Increasing the End-User Market for Recyclables (encore)
12/01/21	Does Michigan Need A Statewide Code For Septic Systems? (encore)
11/24/21	Progressive Effort To Remove Harmful Chemicals From Consumer Products (encore)
11/17/21	Washtenaw County Parks Preserving Local History (encore)
11/10/21	Women's History Month - Janis Bobrin (encore)
11/03/21	Paying Tribute To The Women of the Huron River Watershed Council (encore)
10/27/21	Commemorating 30 Years Of The Environmental Justice Movement (encore)
10/20/21	Planning Ann Arbor’s water future
10/13/21	Re-imagining Sugarbrook Park in Ypsilanti
10/06/21	Monarch Butterfly Population Declines Because Of Human Actions
09/29/21	Enhancing Non-Motorized Transportation In Washtenaw County
09/22/21	Washtenaw County Advancing Climate Action Plan
09/15/21	'Trash Talk Tour' Seeks To Inspire Zero Waste Culture In Ann Arbor
08/25/21	New Study Links Common Herbicide To Risk Of Premature Birth
08/18/21	State Rep. From Ann Arbor Aims To Ban Toxic Chemicals From Food Packaging
08/11/21	Ann Arbor To Consider Climate Tax To Reach A2Zero Goals
08/04/21	Making Environmental Justice A Policy Priority In Washtenaw County
07/28/21	Does Michigan Need A Statewide Code For Septic Systems?
07/14/21	Washtenaw Community College Joins With DTE To Achieve Carbon Neutrality
07/07/21	Addressing Energy Poverty And Finding Sustainable Solutions
06/30/21	Audit Of Recycling In Parts Of Washtenaw County Now Underway
06/16/21	Setting Priorities For Natural Resources In Washtenaw County
06/09/21	Washtenaw County And SE Michigan See Explosion In Tick Population
06/02/21	UM Study Shows Our Roads Threaten Bee Movement And Pollination
05/26/21	New Study Finds PFAS In Commonly Used Fertilizers
05/19/21	Ann Arbor's JOOB Activewear Sets Pace For Fashion Sustainability
05/12/21	Progressive Effort To Remove Harmful Chemicals From Consumer Products
05/05/21	Washtenaw County Parks Preserving Local History
04/28/21	The Cicadas Are Coming!
04/21/21	Ripples From The First Earth Day, 51 Years Ago In Ann Arbor
04/14/21	Protecting Pollinators During Outdoors Spring Clean-Up
04/07/21	A Carbon-Fee Plan To Address The Climate Crisis
03/31/21	Women's History Month-Janis Bobrin
03/24/21	Women's History Month-Donna Lasinski
03/17/21	Women's History Month-The Life And Legacy Of Mary Beth Doyle
03/10/21	Women's History Month-Michelle Deatrick discusses Washtenaw County Climate Council
03/03/21	Paying Tribute To The Women of the Huron River Watershed Council
02/24/21	Building Bridges To End Environmental Racism
02/17/21	Commemorating 30 Years Of The Environmental Justice Movement
02/10/21	'Green Door Initiative' Working For Racial And Environmental Justice
02/03/21	The Energy Future In Michigan Looks Bright...And Renewable
01/27/21	Recycle Ann Arbor Moves Closer To Reopening Materials Recovery Facility
01/20/21	Biden Administration To Better Address Climate Crisis
01/06/21	La Nina And A Winter Weather Outlook For Washtenaw County And The Region

DATE	TITLE
12/30/20	2020 Pandemic Economy Takes Toll On Environmental Non-Profits
12/23/20	Bird Watching Grows In Popularity During Pandemic
12/16/20	'International Samaritan' Changing Lives And Improving Environment
12/09/20	U-M Team Outlines The First Circular Economy For Vehicles
12/02/20	Moving Process Forward To Remove Peninsular Paper Dam From Huron River
11/25/20	Local Agricultural Community Finding Collective Strength During Pandemic
11/18/20	Veridian At County Farm Project Moving Forward
10/28/20	Preserving Land In Washtenaw County One Decade At A Time
10/21/20	Increasing The End-User Market For Recyclables In Michigan
10/14/20	Getting PFAS Out Of Food Packaging And Other Products
09/30/20	Dam Safety In Michigan And Washtenaw County
09/23/20	Politics And Climate Change Science Clash As West Coast Wildfires Rage
09/16/20	U-M Research Most Expansive Ever On Residential Greenhouse Gas Emissions
09/09/20	Michigan's New, More Stringent PFAS Standards In Place
09/02/20	Consent Judgment Reached To Better Remediate Gelman 1,4 Dioxane Plume
08/26/20	Setting School Siting Guidelines To Reduce Environmental Hazards
08/12/20	Recycle Ann Arbor To Reopen Ann Arbor’s Materials Recovery Facility
08/05/20	Two Countywide Ballot Measures Win Voter Approval
07/29/20	Firefighting Under New Michigan Regulations On PFAS
07/22/20	Border-To-Border Trail Progressing In Washtenaw County
07/15/20	Connections Between Climate Crisis, COVID-19, And Systemic Racism
07/08/20	Ann Arbor’s Ambitious Plan For Carbon Neutrality By 2030
07/01/20	Accountability And Environmental Injustice
06/24/20	Addressing Environmental Racism
06/17/20	Air Quality In Southeast Michigan
06/10/20	Lack Of Can & Bottle Returns During Pandemic May Lead To Price Increases
06/03/20	Prioritizing Urban Planning In Combating Impacts Of Climate Change
05/20/20	Coronavirus Just One Of Many Illnesses Spread From Animals To Humans
05/13/20	Living With Increased Levels Of Disinfectants Through COVID-19 Crisis
05/06/20	Washtenaw County Flood Greater In 2020
04/29/20	COVID-19 Brings Major Disruptions To Food Production And Supply
04/22/20	Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years! Part 2 - Looking Ahead During COVID-19
04/22/20	Earth Day Celebrates 50 Years! Part One - Origins In Ann Arbor
04/15/20	Properly Disposing Of PPEs And Other Waste During COVID-19 Pandemic
04/08/20	Keeping The AAATA Operational And Available During The Pandemic
04/01/20	COVID-19, Chemicals, And The Ann Arbor Municipal Water Supply
03/25/20	Chemical Impacts In Fighting The Spread Of COVID-19
03/18/20	Washtenaw’s Food Network Provides Resilience During Times Of Crisis
03/11/20	Pushing For "Energy Freedom" In The Michigan Legislature
03/04/20	The Battle For Environmental Protections And Future Sustainability
02/26/20	University Of Michigan Freezes New Investments In Fossil Fuels-Now What?
02/19/20	Making The Environment A Priority In Michigan's Budget
02/12/20	The Search For Tax Parity For Electric Vehicles
02/05/20	Huron River Watershed Council Update On PFAS Legislation And Litigation
01/29/20	What Happens Next With The Gelman 1,4 Dioxane Plume
01/22/20	New Report Highlights Environmental Health Risks For Michigan Children
01/15/20	The Relationship Between Environmental Justice And Winter Health
01/08/20	Ann Arbor Aims For Carbon Neutrality After Declaring Climate Emergency
01/01/20	Celebrating 25 Years Of Bringing Environmental Information To You

DATE	TITLE
12/25/19	Exploring The Management Of Michigan’s Deer Population
12/18/19	Ann Arbor-Based Ecology Center Works For Chemical-Free Car Seats
12/11/19	Connecting Washtenaw County's Hungry With Extra Food Before It's Wasted
12/04/19	Tracking Climate Change Impacts In Michigan With UM's Online Mapping Tool
11/27/19	Veridian At County Farm Project Moving Closer To Reality
11/20/19	The Ongoing Efforts To Monitor And Remediate The Gelman 1,4 Dioxane Plume
11/13/19	A2’s Greenbelt Program -15 Years, 5700 Acres, 54 Farms, And Counting
11/06/19	UM Student Tracks Balloon Debris, Warns Of Ecological Consequences
10/30/19	Protecting Environment And Public Health In A World Of Legal Marijuana
10/23/19	Washtenaw Safe Passage Raises Awareness About Window Danger To Birds
10/09/19	Deadly EEE Virus Cause For Concern In Washtenaw County, Not Alarm
10/02/19	UM Study Shows Plant-Based Burgers Are More Eco-Friendly Than Meat
09/25/19	Sustainability And Leadership At The Detroit Zoo
09/11/19	The Challenges Of Recycling Glass
09/04/19	Climate Change Is Changing Agriculture In Michigan
08/28/19	The 2019 Algae Bloom In Lake Erie Is Massive
08/21/19	Washtenaw Moves On From Herbicides In Controlling Roadside Vegetation
08/14/19	Protecting The Future Of Monarch Butterflies
08/07/19	Ann Arbor Farmers Market Celebrates 100 Years
07/31/19	Water Is Not Only Source Of PFAS, Many Foods Also Harbor Chemicals
07/24/19	U-M Study Shows Delivered Meal Kits Are Greener Than Grocery Shopping
07/17/19	2019 Is Bad Year For Mosquitos, Ticks; Vector Surveillance Keeps Tabs
07/10/19	Slow Food Farming In Washtenaw County - Challenges And Rewards
07/03/19	Sierra Club-Huron Valley Group Works To Expand Ahead of 2020 Elections
06/26/19	Expanding Lake Protections In The Huron River Watershed
06/19/19	Ecology Center In Ann Arbor Celebrates Shutdown Of Detroit Incinerator
06/12/19	Climate Change To Cause More Flooding In The Great Lakes Region
05/29/19	Mitigating Phosphorus Levels In Area Lakes And In The Huron River
05/22/19	Using Rainwater To Build Sustainable Water Systems
05/15/19	A2 Summer Festival Sets 2020 Zero-Waste Goal
05/08/19	The Risks Of Milk Consumption And Other Phthalate Contaminated Products
05/01/19	Underestimated Impacts Of Urbanization On Wild Bees In Washtenaw County
04/24/19	Protecting Washtenaw County's Threatened And Endangered Species
04/17/19	Border-To-Border Trail Adding Several New Passes And Connections In 2019
04/10/19	Past And Future Impacts Of The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
04/03/19	New NRDC Report Predicts Dire Public Health Outcomes From Climate Change
03/27/19	The Huron River, PFAS Contamination, And You
03/06/19	New ‘Polluter Pay’ Bills Introduced In Lansing
02/27/19	Ann Arbor Looks To Stockpile Potassium Iodide In Case Of Fermi 2 Crisis
02/20/19	EMU Professor Publishes Book On Managing Toxic Chemical Exposures
02/13/19	The Poles Are Warming, So Why Is It So Cold In Washtenaw County?
02/06/19	National Climate Assessment Warns Of Problems Caused by Climate Change
01/30/19	Food Recalls Are Increasing And There Are Ways To Stay Safe
01/23/19	Major Automakers Committing To Electric And Automated Vehicles
01/16/19	Lame Duck Bill May Lead To Challenges In Protecting Michigan’s Water
01/09/19	Ann Arbor Moves Forward In Addressing PFAS Chemicals In Drinking Water
01/02/19	New Year's Resolutions On Hazardous Chemicals

DATE	TITLE
12/26/18	What To Do With Holiday Waste
12/19/18	How 'Green' Is Your Christmas Tree?
12/12/18	Higher 1,4 Dioxane Levels in Ann Arbor's West Park Prompt More Testing
12/05/18	Wildfire Risk Increasing In Michigan Due To Climate Change
11/28/18	Proposal A - What's Next For Ann Arbor's 'Library Lot'
11/21/18	Prevent Food Waste During The Holidays & Beyond
11/14/18	'Pee-Cycling' To Create A Sustainable Source of Fertilizer
11/7/18	Election Impacts on Environmental Policy & Stewardship - Chris Kolb
11/7/18	Election Impacts on Environmental Policy & Stewardship - Lisa Wozniak
10/24/18	Ann Arbor Spends To Better Protect The City Water Supply
10/10/18	'Beneficial Electrification' - A Potential Key to Combating Climate Change
10/03/18	Protecting Ann Arbor's Chimney Swift Population
09/12/18	2018 Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Outbreak In Washtenaw County
09/05/18	PFAS & The Huron River - Part 2
08/29/18	PFAS & The Huron River
08/22/18	A Plan To Eradicate Lead Exposure In Michigan
08/01/18	Ann Arbor Filmmaker Continues 'Line 5' Documentary
07/25/18	PFAs Contamination Throughout Michigan And In Washtenaw County
07/18/18	Michigan Shoreline Stewards Program Protects Inland Lakes
07/11/18	Slow Food Huron Valley Works To Expand Agrobiodiversity
07/04/18	Adapting to a Changing Climate
06/20/18	Study Finds Freshwater Algae May Become Airborne, Posting A Public Threat
06/13/18	Food Gatherers Marks 30 Years Of Food Rescue In Washtenaw County
06/06/18	Mayor's Green Fair In Ann Arbor To Highlight Environmental Education
05/30/18	Climate Change Expected To Contribute To Rough Allergy Season
05/24/18	Kirtland's Warbler Likely To Be Removed From Endangered Species List
05/16/18	Establishing the Washtenaw Wilderness
05/09/18	Stinkbugs Invade Washtenaw County
05/02/18	China's Restrictions On Imported Recyclables Are Felt In Washtenaw County
04/25/18	Potential Impacts of Connected Autonomous Vehicles of the Future
04/18/18	Ann Arbor To Launch New Plastics Recycling Program
04/11/18	Ann Arbor Filmmaker Takes On Enbridge 'Line 5'
04/04/18	American Dietary Habits Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions
03/28/18	State Rep. Yousef Rabhi Of Ann Arbor Addresses Water Policy In Michigan
03/07/18	EMU's EcoJustice And Activism Conference To Focus On 'Slow Violence'
02/28/18	Controversial Bills Would Create Governor-Appointed Review Panel For MDEQ
02/14/18	Road Salt Making U.S. Lakes Saltier, Washtenaw County Monitoring Salinity
02/07/18	Ann Arbor Commits To 100% Renewable Energy By 2035
01/24/18	The State Of Researching Sustainable Vehicle Technologies
01/17/18	BPS And BPA In Store Receipts
01/10/18	Seeking Air Quality Improvement In Southeast Michigan
01/03/18	New Year’s Resolutions For A Healthier Planet

DATE	TITLE
01/04/17	New Year’s Resolutions For Healthy People And A Healthy Planet
01/11/17	Creating A 'Safe Passage Ordinance' For Ann Arbor Bicyclists
01/18/17	Google To Run Global Operations With 100 Percent Renewable Energy
01/25/17	Ann Arbor Seeks Major Growth In Solar Energy
02/01/17	U-M Researcher Calls For End To Current Biofuel Policy In The U.S.
02/08/17	Michigan Corn Growers Tout Environmentally Improved Ethanol
02/15/17	Building Resilience Along The Huron River Amidst Changes In Climate
02/22/17	Demands For Climate Action Growing Louder In Ann Arbor
03/01/17	State Rep. From Ann Arbor Wants Water Testing In All Michigan Schools
03/08/17	Prevalence Of Septic Systems In Michigan Pose Potential Threats
03/29/17	Washing Your Hands May Harm Your Health And The Environment
04/05/17	The Washtenaw County Pollution Prevention Program
04/19/17	DTE Energy And Michigan’s Energy Future
04/26/17	Managing Invasive Mute Swans In Michigan Waters
05/03/17	Counterpoint To Michigan's Mute Swan Management Plan
05/24/17	Tick Explosion Likely In 2017, Washtenaw County Lyme Cases Increasing
05/31/17	A Conversation With Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor
06/14/17	Another Invasive Danger Targets Part Of Michigan’s Forests
06/21/17	Protect Yourself From Mosquito-Borne Illness This Summer
06/28/17	Dam On Huron River In Ypsilanti May Be Removed
07/05/17	Pipeline Safety and Accountability In Michigan
07/12/17	Imminent Rover ET Pipeline Construction Raising Concerns
07/19/17	Ann Arbor Partners-Up To Get Houses Of Worship To 'Go Solar'
07/26/17	‘Zero Waste Washtenaw’ Aims To Eliminate Event Waste From Landfills
08/02/17	Air Quality Concerns In Washtenaw County And Southeast Michigan
08/09/17	Michigan Sea Grant Program Thriving Amid Budget Discourse
08/16/17	Improving Water Quality In Ypsilanti Township’s Ford Lake
08/30/17	U-M Dining Halls To Serve Food Grown On Sustainable Campus Farm This Fall
09/06/17	An Update On The Gelman Plume In Ann Arbor And Scio Township
09/27/17	Ann Arbor Student Petitions DEQ To Limit Nestle’s In Michigan
10/04/17	Sustainability Development From Washtenaw County's Perspective
10/11/17	Making An Environmentally Friendly Train Stop For Ann Arbor
10/18/17	Working Towards Zero Waste At Michigan Stadium
10/25/17	Ballot Measure Could Add $1 Million To Ann Arbor’s Climate Action Plan
11/01/17	Huron River And Huron River Watershed Trail Benefits Local Economy
11/15/17	Washtenaw Drug Take-Back Programs Protect Environment And Public Health
11/29/17	The Continuing Expansion Of The Border To Border Trail
12/06/17	Millage Funding For Washtenaw’s NAPP Programs May Move To Endowment
12/13/17	Managing Food Waste For The Holidays And Throughout The Year
12/20/17	More Sustainable Gift Giving For The Holidays
12/27/17	Reduce, Reuse, And Recycle Your Holiday Waste

Issues Of The Environment: Celebrating 25 Years Of Bringing Environmental Information To You By DAVID FAIR • JAN 1, 2020

Every week, for a quarter of a century now, WEMU’s David Fair has delivered "Issues of the Environment," which has brought information involving our community’s environmental health. He has welcomed numerous guests to discuss matters, such as managing food waste, monitoring climate change, and fighting hazardous chemicals like PFAS. This week, David welcomes Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner Evan Pratt for a look back at 25 years of "Issues of the Environment."’

Issues of the Environment

Join Us

Issues Of The Environment: Celebrating 25 Years Of Bringing Environmental Information To You By DAVID FAIR • JAN 1, 2020

Contact Us

Helpful Links

Using this Site