Issues of the Environment
Issues of the Environment is a weekly public radio program from 89.1 WEMU, the NPR affiliate licensed to Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti. Hosted by David Fair, the show examines environmental topics affecting Michigan and the Great Lakes region, from water quality and conservation to energy policy and local sustainability efforts. Episodes typically feature interviews with scientists, activists, officials, and community organizers. It airs weekly on WEMU and is distributed as a podcast.
Episodes
Issues of the Environment: Introducing Ann Arbor's new Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan
With numerous recent bouts of severe weather, managing stormwater is more critical than ever. The city of Ann Arbor will soon release its new Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan, which will bring more eco-friendly infrastructure to the city. Rebekah Warren discussed the plan with Ann Arbor Water Quality Manager Jennifer Lawson.
Issues of the Environment: How Washtenaw County is preparing for extreme weather before it hits
In response to numerous severe weather events over the years, the Washtenaw County Resiliency Office introduced a countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan, which would allow municipalities to secure necessary funding for disaster relief while also advancing local carbon neutrality goals. Resiliency Office Director Beth Gibbons joined Rebekah Warren to discuss the current state of the plan and its impact
Issues of the Environment: Recent appearance of spotted lanternfly in Washtenaw County under close watch
The spotted lanternfly is considered an invasive species in Washtenaw County, due to the fact that it feeds on trees, leaving serious damage in its wake. Right now, the county is taking action to protect local forests. Rebekah Warren shared more on these efforts with Matt DeJonge, Community Forester for the Washtenaw County Conservation District.
Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County expands its public rain garden network, prepares to celebrate Ypsi Fall River Day
Washtenaw County's rain garden system has filtered millions of gallons of stormwater runoff every year. Now, the program is expanding further into the county. Catie Wytychak from the Washtenaw County Water Resources Office spoke to Rebekah Warren about the expansion and Ypsilanti's upcoming Fall River Day.
Issues of the Environment: A peek into the 2026 A2ZERO Green Fair and updates on Ann Arbor's work to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030
Ann Arbor has set a bold goal for carbon neutrality by 2030, and the work is already underway, from renewable energy and electric vehicles to smarter growth and energy efficiency. Rebekah Warren talked to Ann Arbor’s Sustainability and Innovations Director, Missy Stults, about the progress and the upcoming A2ZERO Green Fair, which takes on Friday, September 18.
Issues of the Environment: Trinity Health Ann Arbor introduces new program to help patients and staff heal through nature
Trinity Health Ann Arbor is launching a new program designed to show that in-patient healing can go beyond hospital walls. Its "Hospital Without Walls" initiative fundamentally redefines modern healthcare by physically integrating medical wellness with the surrounding natural ecosystem. Rebekah Warren discussed this innovative and environmentally friendly plan with Lacey Sapkiewicz, Senior Vice Pr
Issues of the Environment: U-M climate scientist gives safety tips during times of intensifying wildfires
The mid-July Canadian wildfires released intensive amounts of smoke, resulting in days of hazardous air quality in Washtenaw County and all across Southeast Michigan. Studies have shown that climate change remains a major factor in these extreme conditions. Dr. Stuart Batterman, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Health Sciences and Global Public Health at the University of Michigan's School of P
Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County restauranteurs shifting away from single-use plastics
A number of Ann Arbor businesses have started to phase out using single-use plastics. Not only has this lowered their operational costs, it's beneficial to many local environmental initiatives. Phillis Engelbert, owner/operator of Detroit Filling Station in Ann Arbor, is among these entrepreneurs leading the way in working towards zero waste. She talks more about her actions and how others can fol
Issues of the Environment: Monitoring cyanobacteria that's growing in the Huron River Watershed
Residents in the Middle Huron River Watershed are facing an escalating environmental challenge as warmer summers and severe storm events increasingly trigger harmful cyanobacteria blooms, which threaten recreational water use, local wildlife, and the health of our regional impoundments like Ford Lake. Rebekah Warren discussed the matter and the actions being taken to fight it with Ric Lawson, dire
Issues of the Environment: Border-To-Border Trail's new 'Dexter Connection' expansion progressing
The expansion of Washtenaw County's Border-To-Border Trail continues, and the next piece of the puzzle is the "Dexter Connection." This stretch of the trail will connect hikers and bikers to downtown Dexter and is expected to be completed this fall. Roy Townsend serves as Project Manager for the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. He spoke to Rebekah Warren about the expansion's curr
Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County Health Department offers information and safety tips amidst recent cyclosporiasis outbreak
An outbreak in cyclosporiasis recently spread all over Michigan, and a large number of cases were identified here in Washtenaw County. Kristen Schweighoefer, Director of the Washtenaw County Health Department's environmental health division, joined Rebekah Warren to discuss the source of the outbreak and what precautions residents should take to prevent another.
Issues of the Environment: Research shows PFAS found in Dexter's waterways come from everyday products
For years, Washtenaw County’s relationship with the "forever chemicals" known as PFAS has centered on massive industrial pollution along the Huron River, like the Tribar industrial spill upstream. Yet, a two-year, proactive study by the Multi Lake Water and Sewer Authority entirely flips that script, revealing that the low-level PFAS consistently detected in local wastewater isn’t a corporate spil
Issues of the Environment: Celebrating National Park and Recreation Month alongside Washtenaw County's own bicentennial
July is National Park and Recreation Month, and as Washtenaw County honors its 200th anniversary, its park system—which celebrated its own 50th anniversary in 2023—is showcasing how public spaces serve as vital community infrastructure rather than just places for leisure. Rhonda Bouma is Deputy Director of Operations for the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. She joined Rebekah Warr
Issues of the Environment: Zerowaste.org's Plastic Free July Challenge and other tips in reducing everyday plastic
Every day, the choices we make in our homes and communities connect to much bigger environmental stories. One of those connections is through Plastic Free July, a global movement encouraging people to reduce their reliance on single-use plastics. But what does that look like right here in Washtenaw County? Lydia McMullen-Laird is the co-founder and deputy director of the Ann Arbor-based Zerowaste.
Issues of the Environment: Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin continues to work on better PFAS protections
PFAS. Few environmental issues have affected Michigan communities more directly than these so-called "forever chemicals," which have been found in our waterways, groundwater, and drinking water systems across the state. In her first segment as host of "Issues of the Environment," Rebekah Warren was joined by U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. They discussed what local and national actions ha
Issues of the Environment: A conversation with WEMU's new environmental host, former state lawmaker Rebekah Warren
Meet the new host of "Issues of the Environment." You know her as a former state Representative and former state Senator from Ann Arbor. Rebekah Warren served as chair of the House Great Lakes and Environment committee and in a number of other environmental leadership roles. Since leaving office, Rebekah has founded, and is President and CEO of Adaptive Strategics, which puts environmental issues
Issues of the Environment: Protecting the rare Mitchell's satyr butterfly from extinction
There is a species of butterfly so rare, its worldwide population is limited to 10 highly fragmented pockets in Michigan and Indiana. Washtenaw County is among the areas where you'll find the Mitchell's satyr. Efforts to save the species continue and come via some radical habitat preservation strategies. WEMU's David Fair shares more about the local effort to prevent extinction in a conversation w
Issues of the Environment: City of Ann Arbor works to expand partnerships to enhance A2ZERO efforts
Because of federal funding rollbacks for environmental programs, city and local governmental units are looking to more public-private partnerships. With Ann Arbor looking to become carbon neutral by the year 2030, such partnerships are crucial. WEMU's David Fair talked with the Director of the Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, Missy Stults, on the importance of expanding such par
Issues of the Environment: Washtenaw County expanding reach of rain garden program
We often ask ourselves how we can make a difference in the health of our environment at home. One of the answers is to build a rain garden. There are now well over 1,000 rain gardens in Washtenaw County as the Water Resources Commissioner's Office has scaled a decentralized network to capture and filter stormwater. It's making a difference, and the effort will expand this year. WEMU's David Fair g
Issues of the Environment: Ann Arbor Climate Corps helps march toward carbon neutrality
The march toward carbon neutrality in Ann Arbor continues. In enacting the measures needed to make the A2ZERO plan work by the goal date of 2030, it has to be approached from a variety of angles. That includes boots on the ground. That’s where the Ann Arbor Climate Corps comes in. It helps bridge the gap between city policy and neighborhood level implementation, and it’s been working so far. But n
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