Scroll down to view 2005 guests of "Issues of the Environment", starting with the most recent. These shows are no longer archived on the WEMU website, therefore you will be unable to listen to them.

December 28
Genetically modified organisms and SB 777.
Guest:  Claire O'Leary, the Sierra Club.

December 21
New arsenic standards for drinking water--how residents can comply.
Guest:  Leon Moore, Washtenaw County Environmental Health.

December 14
Wetland mitigation--Pros and cons.
Guest:  Tony Reznicek, the University of Michigan Herbarium. 

December 7
Deer browsing--Damage to native ecosystems.
Guest:  Connie Bailie, Matthei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor

November 30
Environmental Justice Initiative.
Guest:  Representative Alma Wheeler Smith

November 23
Tests find high levels of mercury in seafood purchased at local stores.
Guest:  Claudette Juska, the Ecology Center, Ann Arbor

November 16
Water diversions legislation being debated in the state Congress.
Guest:  State Senator Liz Brater

November 9
Flooding--The effect of development on the watershed
Guest:  Laura Rubin, Huron River Watershed Council

November 2
Heirloom foods--The environmental benefits of raising traditional breeds and varieties
Guest:  Todd Wickstrom, Heritage Foods

October 26
Ann Arbor's Green Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plans
Guest: Mayor John Hieftje, City of Ann Arbor

October 12
Harnessing Michigan's Wind Energy Resources
Guest:  John Wakeman, the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association and SUR Energy Systems

October 5
Brownfields Redevelopment in Washtenaw County
Guest:  Jessica Eisenman, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment

September 28
The Ann Arbor to Detroit Rapid Transit Project
Guest:  Terri Blackmore, the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study

September 21
Green Building and the Washtenaw Green Building Coalition
Guest:  Jason Bing, the Recycle Ann Arbor Environmental House

September 13
Emerald Ash Borer Update
Guest:  Patricia Lockwood, State of Michigan EAB Policy Director

September 6
The Precautionary Principle
Guest:  Tracey Easthope, the Ecology Center, Ann Arbor

August 31
Water Quality Issues-- Report on tests for contaminants such as pharmaceuticals in drinking water.
Guest:  Janice Skadsen, City of Ann Arbor Water Utilities Department

August 24
Washtenaw County's Energy Efficiency Measures
Guest:  Andy Smith, Washtenaw County's Energy Coordinator

August 17
Road to Detroit--Youth-led organization to promote sustainable transportation choices.
Guest:  Jamie Henn, Road to Detroit

August 10
Washtenaw County Regional Clean-up Days-- Household hazardous waste collection and recycling
Guest:  Jeff Kcrmarik, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment Solid Waste Coordinator

August 3
Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act--proposed legislation to protect the Great Lakes
Guest:  Chris Grubb, National Wildlife Federation, Ann Arbor

July 20
Ann Arbor Art Fair Solid Waste Issues
Guest:  Tom McMurtrie, City of Ann Arbor Recycling Coordinator

July 13
Ann Arbor's State of the Environment Report
Guest:  Matt Naud, City of Ann Arbor Environmental Coordinator

July 6
Lakes Management-aquatic invasive species prevention and removal
Guest:  Marshall Labadie, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment Environmental Programs Supervisor

June 29
Amphibian Conservation--Global problem, local rescue efforts
Guest:  Edi Sonntag, National Amphibian Conservation Center, Detroit Zoo

June 22
Granholm's Energy Efficiency in State Facilities and Operations Directive
Guest:  Dana Debel, Environmental Advisor to the Governor

June 15
Ann Arbor's Greenway Proposal
Guest: Mayor John Hieftje, City of Ann Arbor

June 8
"Edible Schoolyards"
Guest:  Jeremy Mogtater, Tappan Middle School's Agrarian Adventure

June 1
Climate change legislation
Guest:  U.S. Senator Carl Levin

May 25
Regional planning for connected greenways-- Washtenaw Metro Alliance
Guest:  Mayor John Hieftje, City of Ann Arbor

May 18
Mercury Pollution
Guest:  Representative Alma Wheeler Smith

May 11
Commuting options
Guest:  Erica Briggs, Director, getDowntown

May 4
DEQ Budget
Guest:  Steven Chester, Director, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

April 27
Hybrid Cars
Guest:  Julie Halpert, Environmental Journalist

April 20
State of the Huron River
Guest:  Laura Rubin, Huron River Watershed Council

April 13
Earth Day Events
Guest:  Dave Thomas, Washtenaw Community College

March 30
Local Solid Waste Issues
Residential Solid Waste Profile and Assessment Report
Guest:  Marshall Labadie, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment

March 23
Regional Solid Waste Issues
Guest:   U.S. Representative John Dingell  

March 16
Water Quality
The new "Rain Garden" grant, and cuts to the Clean Water Act.
Guest:  Janis Bobrin, Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner

March 9
Great Lakes Restoration
Guest: Dave Dempsey, of Clean Water Action and the Michigan Environmental Council

March 2
Ann Arbor Greenbelt Program Update
The City opened up its first cycle for property owners to apply to have their land preserved by the Greenbelt program--the deadline was February 18.
Guest:  Michael Garfield, the Ann Arbor Greenbelt Commission and  
the Ecology Center.

February 23
Federal Air Pollution Policies 
Should the U.S. join the Kyoto Pact?  Does the "Clear Skies" legislation go far enough in limiting greenhouse gases?
Guest:  U.S. Representative Joe Schwarz

February 16
Solid Waste Issues
Senator Brater has introduced legislation that would increase tipping fees to encourage recycling and reduce out-of-state trash.
Guest:  Senator Liz Brater

February 9
Dam Removals
Local dam removal projects are being undertaken to restore natural stream ecology--what are the potential impacts?
Guest:  Professor David Allan, PhD--the University of Michigan.

February 2
Legislative Issues--Water Legacy Act
Governor Granholm is pushing for passage of the Water Legacy Act, which will require permits for new, large-volume withdrawals of water from the Great Lakes area.
Guest:  Representative Chris Kolb

January 26
Methyl Bromide
A major ozone-depleter. this cancer-causing pesticide was scheduled to be phased out this year by the Montreal Protocol, but the U.S. has asked for exemptions.  Farmers are reliant on it, and its use to kill invasive insects in shipping crates is increasing.  
Guest:  Dr. Jim Bingen, Michigan State University

January 19
Infill Development
Washtenaw County's Comprehensive Plan highlights Ypsilanti's potential for "infill development" (a land use option which slows sprawl through constructing new housing and businesses on unused or underutilized land within existing urban areas). 
Guest:  Hillary Richmond, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment.

January 12
Idling Reductions
Idling wastes gas and causes pollution.  The City of Ann Arbor is currently developing an ordinance limiting idling of heavy-duty diesel vehicles.
Guest:  Matt Naud, City of Ann Arbor Environmental Coordinator

January 5
Waste Knot Program
Washtenaw County partners with area businesses to reduce solid waste and pollution, and increase energy efficiency.  Participating businesses are encouraged to apply by late February for the 2005 Waste Knot Awards.
Guest:  Jeff Krcmarik, Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment

December 29
Raw Sewage Blending
The federal government is proposing the relaxation of regulations to allow more raw sewage to be discharged into our waterways.
Guest:  Brian Beauchamp, Clean Water Action, Ann Arbor.

December 22
Cell Phone Recycling
Discussed are the toxicity of cell phones, world-wide recycling efforts, and how you can recycle yours. (Click here for a postage-free mailing label to send your old phone to be recycled.) 
Guest:  Mike Newman, ReCellular Inc.

December 15
Emerald Ash Borer
What is the new $5,000 fine for bringing quarantined firewood into national forests, and what are the controversies surrounding pesticide-use to combat this pest?
Guest:  Christopher Cook, producer of the public television documentary: "The Emerald Ash Borer:  Path of Death."

December 8
Songbird Decline
Discussed are the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the reasons for songbird decline, and measures to combat it, such as the Cats Indoors! campaign.
Guest:  Mike Kielb, EMU biology professor and member of the Washtenaw Audubon Society.

December 1
Community Supported Agriculture
What is the "Slow Food" movement, and how can you find a CSA subscription farm near you, to sign up for a season of locally-grown organic produce? 
Guest:  Michael DiRamio, Agricultural Development Project Manager, Washtenaw County Department of Planning & Environment.

November 24
Deer issues
Discussed are the problems caused by deer overpopulation, and the advisory against eating deer from dioxin-contaminated areas.
Guest:  Marvin Roberson, Sierra Club Forest Policy Specialist.

November 3
Detroit to Ann Arbor Rapid Transit Study
A light-rail connection linking Detroit, Metro Airport, Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor is a possibility explored by this SEMCOG study.
Guest:  Michael Whims, Transportation Riders United

October 27
Campaign Issues related to Global Warming
In light of Russia's recent ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, what are the stances taken by the presidential candidates?  How might global warming affect this region, both ecologically and economically?
Guest:  Rosina Bierbaum, Dean of UM's School of Natural Resources and Environment.