Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, are a significant part of the American food and agricultural systems in Michigan and around the country. We knew CAFOs posed hazards to the environment, but a new report indicates it is worse than previously thought. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, spoke with one of the authors of the report, Katie Garvey. She is a staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center, and she discussed the troubling findings in the center’s 2024 report.

Every April brings us another Earth Day. The event aimed at increasing environmental education, awareness and activism is now in its 54th year. How far have we come in more than five decades and what has to happen next? Rosina Bierbaum is a professor and Dean Emerita in the U of M’s School of Environment and Sustainability. She gave an insider's assessment with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.

There has been an intensified effort to invest in Michigan’s infrastructure. Certainly, you’ve noticed all of the road and bridge construction. There is much more work on being done on various kinds of infrastructure. Zach Kolodin is the state's chief infrastructure officer and the director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. He discussed the ongoing efforts with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

The U.S. Department of Defense is finally going to take meaningful action to protect Lake Huron from PFAS contamination emanating from the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. This action in Michigan may serve as a template for clean-ups at nearly 400 other bases across the country. The progress can be attributed to the efforts of concerned Michigan residents. Tony Spaniola is an Oscoda resident and co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest information and what comes next.

2024 is a presidential election year, and Michigan's primary is earlier than ever before. What role will the environment play in this year's election cycle? How are climate issues playing among Michigan's voters? Will the state remain blue or turn red? And what role do the green issues play in forecasting outcomes? WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explore the latest polling with Andrew Baumann from Global Strategy Group on the January edition of WEMU's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."

This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed historic legislation into law aimed at improving the health and sustainability of Michigan's environment, and we wanted to take a deeper dive into what that is going to look like. WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak found Kara Cook to provide insights as WEMU’s 1st Friday guest. Kara provides perspective from her position in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative fights for funding every budget cycle. A potential government shutdown this year could have adverse impacts on the health of the world's largest fresh water supply. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak discuss progress and challenges with Laura Rubin. She is the director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

The month of September is going to be an important one for Michigan’s Environmental and energy future. A number of measures are being considered in the state Legislature aimed increasing availability and access to more renewable energy. State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss the proposed legislation and its potential impacts.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has a new director. Phil Roos was recently appointed to the position by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Roos will be charged with taking on a number of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Michigan's air, land and water. In his first media appearance since taking charge of EGLE, Roos discussed his plans with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

Canadian wildfires have lowered air quality in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan. Climate change is impacting local and statewide agricultural practices and outcomes. Tim Boring is the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak to share insights into how the state is working toward climate adaptation and resiliency in the face of significant challenges.

If decarbonization efforts are going to be successful, we'll have to retrofit our existing structures and better design and build our new ones. And it needs to be done through the lens of equity and social justice. Jan Culbertson is the leadership chair for the Ann Arbor 2030 District. She joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss local and statewide efforts to meet those challenges.

The Michigan Legislature is putting final touches on its budget proposal, and environmental issues are prominent. This is the first time in 40 years both chambers and the governor’s office are led by Democrats at the same time. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conversation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, went straight to the source. State Senator Sarah Anthony chairs the Appropriations Committee. They discussed planned funding for environmental protections and more equitable distribution of funding for environmental and social justice programs.

There is a growing commitment to put equity at the fore in our governance. Democrats are in control in Lansing for the first time in 40 years and plan to further those efforts, including in the areas of environmental justice and sustainability. In the April edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, wanted to find out what that will look like. They asked Democratic State Senator, Erika Geiss for her insights.

Energy grid reliability is again at the fore following an ice storm that crippled much of Michigan. Additionally, environmental concerns about transporting toxic chemicals and how and where they are stored is, once again, a priority following a train derailment in Ohio. 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters with new and updated information on the path forward.

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow has announced she will not seek reelection in 2024, bringing an end to a long and storied political career. She joined WEMUI's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, for a conversation on what environmental goals she wants to accomplish in her last two years.

As the new session in Lansing gets underway, Democrats find themselves in control of both chambers of the Legislature for the first time in 40 years. Governor Gretchen Whitmer sees that as a path forward on a number of issues. The governor joins WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to lay out her priorities for the next two years.

When the state Legislature reconvenes in January, Democrats will be in control of both chambers for the first time in 40 years. Democrats have a laundry list of priorities in the new legislative session. We’re going to take an initial look at what environmental priorities are on that list in the final edition of 1st Friday for 2022. WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, went straight to the top of the incoming leadership ladder. Detroit Democrat, Joe Tate, will discuss environmental priorities as he prepares to become the next Speaker of the House in Lansing.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 4th State of the State Address is in the books, and she is shifting focus to the new state budget and her re-election campaign. What are the environmental priorities moving forward? That’s the subject of this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment" conversation. WEMU’s David Fair and 1st Friday’s co-host, Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, invited former state lawmaker and current communications specialist Dianne Byrum to assess the present and peek to the near future.

October 1st kicks off a new fiscal year for both the state and federal governments. As with any new budget, there are many concerns. Among them is access affordability of clean and safe water. Mary Grant is the Public Water for All campaign director for Food and Water Watch. She addresses the issues with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.

There were a number of heavy thunderstorms in late July and early-to-mid August. Almost a million Michiganders lost electricity in the worst of the storms. For some, getting the lights back on took a week. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak wanted to know what regulators and citizens can do to create a more secure future. For answers, they turned to Bob Nelson, board president of the nonprofit group, Citizens Utility Board of Michigan.

Excessive flooding across portions of southeast Michigan continues to create personal and financial hardship. The solutions aren't easy and are quite expensive. State representative Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn represents the 15th District, which includes his hometown of Dearborn, an area devastated by flooding from the storms of late June. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the complicated policy decisions needed to prevent such future occurances.

The 1,4 dioxane plume in Scio Township, Ann Arbor, and Ann Arbor Township has plagued the area for decades. The state of Michigan has now formally requested the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate the contamination a Superfund clean-up site. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak discuss where we are and what comes next with Roger Rayle from the Coalition for Action on Remediation of Dioxane (CARD) and Scio Citizens for Safe Water.

In 2020, the City of Ann Arbor adopted its ambitious "A2Zero" plan that would make the city completely carbon neutral by the year 2030. Now, one year later, progress on the plan continues. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak checked in with Ann Arbor sustainability and innovations manager Missy Stults. Listen and get the updates on progress so far and the work still needed to meet the 2030 target.

The Gelman 1,4 dioxane plume continues to spread in groundwater in the Ann Arbor area and could threaten the health of the Huron River and the city's municipal water supply. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest on efforts to remediate the toxic pollution and where we go from here.

The University of Michigan has initiated a carbon neutrality plan unlike any other. If effective, the school could become completely carbon neutral by the year 2040. In this month's installment of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explored the U-M President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality plan with Jennifer Haverkamp, the chair of the recently dispersed commission and director of the Graham Sustainability Institute.

WEMU's Women's History Month coverage continues with two giants in the world of environmental advocacy. David Fair caught up with Lana Pollack and Lisa Wozniak to discuss their work and the women who preceded and worked alongside them. Pollack is a former State Senator from Ann Arbor who, among other things, authored Michigan's short-lived 'Polluter Pay' laws. Wozniak presently heads up the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, which continues to positively impact policy and protections.

There has already been a far more progressive position on climate change and the environment in the new Biden Administration. Michigan Senator Gary Peters has a new leadership role and will be pushing initiatives that could have specific benefits to the environment in his home state. Senator Peters joined Lisa Wozniak of Michigan League of Conservation Voters and WEMU's David Fair to share his perspective on the environmental agenda and the importance of getting COVID relief into the hands of the people.

Changes are coming as we mark the start of the New Year. A new presidential administration, Congress, and state Legislature will be sworn in later this month. Democrat Donna Lasinski is the new minority leader in the state House. The 52nd District Representative from Scio Township is the first guest of the New Year on "1st Friday Focus on the Environment." Along with WEMU’s David Fair and Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Lasinski discussed the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead in protecting our air, land, and water in a pandemic economy.

The Enbridge-owned and operated “Line 5” runs through the Straits of Mackinac. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is taking steps to have the nearly 70-year old pipeline decommissioned. But Enbridge is fighting the effort. For this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director discuss this matter with Beth Wallace, who is the Manager of Conservation Partnerships with the Ann Arbor-based Great Lakes Regional Center of the National Wildlife Federation.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has set a goal of making Michigan a carbon-neutral economy by the year 2050. She has also announced a $500 million water infrastructure plan. Liesl Clark is director of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and this month's guest on "1st Friday Focus on the Environment." She discussed the initiatives with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha responsible for discovering the Flint Water Crisis. Her work is recognized throughout the world. Still, more needs to be done. While that work continues, the COVID-19 public health crisis is creating further challenges for the community. Dr. Hanna-Attisha joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss how far we've come and the work that remains on this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."

Climate change continues to impact the Great Lakes. We’re at record high water levels, and the water temperatures are also on the rise. It is changing shorelines, habitats, and the well-being of wildlife. On WEMU’s "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explore the ramifications, impacts, and work being done to address these issues with Joel Brammeier, President and CEO of the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

The back and forth over the state’s desire to shut down Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac continues in the courts and in the court of public opinion. Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters joins WEMU’s David Fair and Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters to discuss that and other environmental issues on "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."

Protests continue across the nation following the death of George Floyd during an encounter with Minneapolis police officers. Once again, police brutality and racism are at the fore of the national conversation. Police brutality is only a part of equation. Among other things, inequities exist in education, health, and the environment. On the June edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak talk with 68th District State Representative Sarah Anthony about what is necessary to make lasting change.

About 14% of Michigan's population is African American. Roughly 40% of COVID-19 fatalties are in the African American community. It is an alarming statistic. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist heads the state's Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss what is being done to address the immediate crisis. He also highlights the longer term issues that will need to be addressed and what the role of the task force will be to that end.

The COVID-19 outbreak has yet to reach its peak, and one of the challenges all too many people face is access to clean water. In this month's edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," Elin Betanzo, founder of Safe Water Engineering joins WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak about the ethics and policy of ensuring water access.

Water shutoffs has been a major issue in Detroit, and the next round is expected to come in April. Low-income residents are being dramatically impacted by the inability to meet the rising cost of water. Is access to water a right? Or, is it a privilege? In this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters explore the answers to those questions. Monica Lewis-Patrick is co-founder, president, and CEO of "We the People of Detroit." She'll explain the organization's efforts to win water justice in the city and around the state and country.