Lakes Chat Podcast
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Every Tuesday, the Alliance for the Great Lakes chats with special guests about Great Lakes issues. We dig into what it all means for you and your community.
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Plastic Pollution Season 2, Episode 14
Spring marks the beginning of our Adopt-a-Beach season, and our volunteers are getting ready for their Spring kickoff cleanup Adopt-a-Beach volunteers are on the frontlines of keeping plastic out of the Great Lakes. But – we know volunteer efforts alone aren’t going to fix the Great Lakes plastic pollution problem. In this episode, we’re chatting with Andrea Densham, Senior Strategic Advisor to the Alliance for the Great Lakes, about plastic pollution and how we can stop it at the source.
Great Lakes Ice Cover Season 2, Episode 13
Temperatures this winter have been warmer than usual, leaving the Great Lakes nearly devoid of ice cover.
In this episode, we chat with Physical Scientist James Kessler of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and dig into big-picture trends and what this all means for the lakes.
The Cost to Meet Water Quality Goals in the Western Basin of Lake Erie Season 2, Episode 26
with Tom Zimnick
In this episode, we’re discussing some new research on the cost of reducing runoff pollution from agricultural lands and preventing harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie with Tom Zimnicki, the Alliance’s Agriculture and Restoration Director.
Ask Us Anything! Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities Q&A (Webinar) Season 2, Episode 25
with Alliance Policy Experts
In a previously recorded webinar, Alliance policy staff discussed their top 5 federal Great Lakes policy priorities. They focus on stopping invasive species, fixing our failing water infrastructure, stopping plastic pollution, preventing harmful algal blooms, and ensuring funding for Great Lakes restoration. During the webinar, our panel of experts answered several questions submitted by listeners around the region.
Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023 Season 2, Episode 24
with Don Jodrey
In late January, our policy team here at the Alliance for the Great Lakes released their top 5 Great Lakes policy priorities for the new Congress and the Biden administration. Our policy team focused on stopping invasive species, fixing our failing water infrastructure, stopping plastic pollution, preventing harmful algal blooms, and ensuring funding for Great Lakes restoration. It’s a big list.
Over the coming weeks, our policy experts will meet with lawmakers to urge them to take action on these critical issues.
On this episode, we spoke with Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Federal Government Relations Director, who talked us through this list of priorities and gave us a big-picture view of what’s happening on Great Lakes issues in Washington, DC.
2022 Post Midterm Election Recap – What It Means for the Great Lakes Region Season 2, Episode 23
with Joel Brammeier and Don Jodrey
In this episode, we chat with Joel Brammeier, the Alliance’s CEO, and Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director for Federal Government Relations, about what the results of the midterm elections mean for the Great Lakes.
*Note: We recorded this conversation at midday on Monday, November 14. Therefore, information may well have changed by the time you listen to this podcast. Also, the Alliance for the Great Lakes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means that we cannot and do not endorse candidates for office. However, we can – and do – educate candidates about Great Lakes issues.
Stannard Lighthouse/Lake Superior Watershed Partnership Season 2, Episode 22
with Carl Lindquist and Frederick Stonehouse
In this episode, we chatted with two experts: Fred Stonehouse, a maritime historian, author, and lecturer, and Carl Lindquist, founder and executive director of the Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy.
Lindquist and Stonehouse discuss the history of the Stannard Rock Lighthouse in Lake Superior and the future of the lighthouse as a climate research hub in the middle of the world’s largest freshwater lake.
Great Lakes Surfing & the Mission of the Surfrider Foundation, Season 2, Episode 21
with Drew Youngedyke
In this episode, we chatted with Drew Youngedyke, a native Michigander with a deep love for the lakes and a volunteer with the Northern Michigan Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. In his day job, Drew is Director of Conservation Partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center.
Youngedyke talked about Great Lakes surfing, the mission of Surfrider, and a few of their campaigns, including their work to shut down the Line 5 pipeline and efforts to keep plastic pollution out of the lakes.
Great Lakes Forum and Clean Water Act Anniversary, Season 2, Episode 20
with Joel Brammeier
In this episode, we chatted with Joel Brammeier, Alliance President & CEO, about the big picture of Great Lakes health, how Great Lakes protection has evolved, and where the clean water movement needs to go from here.
REPLAY: Water Affordability Documentary (Season 2, Episode 19)
with Ramiro Berardo
A timely conversation with Ramiro Berardo, an associate professor of environmental policy at Ohio State University. He’s written, directed, and produced a new documentary titled “…And Water For All,” which premiered on World Water Day in late March. The documentary takes on the issue of water affordability in Ohio but has lessons for the Great Lakes region and beyond. It examines the challenges governments and communities face to ensure access to clean, affordable water now and in the coming decades.
Election Year & The Great Lakes Season 2, Episode18
with Molly Flanagan & Jennifer Lumpkin
An important conversation with two Alliance staffers – Molly Flanagan, our Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Policy, and Jennifer Lumpkin, our Cleveland Local Partnerships Manager about what the midterms mean for the Great Lakes, why it’s important for water issues to be a part of election season conversations, and how you can get involved this election season.
September Adopt a Beach Cleanup & Half a Million Pounds Goal Season 2, Episode 17
with Juliann Krupa
A timely chat about our big day of action for the Great Lakes – September Adopt-a-Beach – which was held earlier this month. We also discussed broadly more about beach cleanups, plastic pollution, and volunteerism around the Great Lakes region.
An important conversation about algal blooms in western Lake Erie, what they are, and how they directly impact the local economy.
Great Lakes Buoys & Science Season 2, Episode 15
An eye-opening conversation with LimnoTech Principal and Senior Engineer Ed Verhamme on the importance of buoys and how they help daily to protect drinking water, have safe boating experiences, and more.
Episode 14: Plastic Pollution
with Dr. Sherri Mason
Dr. Sherri Mason, a leading expert on plastic pollution, discusses the abundance of plastics within the Great Lakes and other freshwater systems and the ecosystem impacts.
Episode 13: Green Infrastructure
with Alex Novak
A great discussion with Alex Novak, the Alliance’s Community Planning Manager based in Detroit. We talked about green infrastructure – what it is, and how it can help improve our Great Lakes communities.
Episode 12: Climate Change
with Joel Brammeier
We spoke again with Joel Brammeier, Alliance President & CEO, on climate change and the Great Lakes. Our region is frequently referred to as a ‘climate haven’ – an anticipated area of migration as people around the country may move in large numbers as the impacts of climate change are felt. But, the Great Lakes are also going to be feeling the impacts of climate change, and, in an op-ed last year, Joel argued that we need to get our own house in order and what leaders can do to make sure our communities are climate-resilient.
Episode 11: Toxic Lead Pipes in the Great Lakes
with Anna-Lisa Castle
Anna-Lisa Castle, the Alliance’s Clean Water and Equity Policy Director, discussed the problem of toxic lead pipes that carry water into homes in many Great Lakes cities
Episode 10: Agricultural Pollution in the Great Lakes
with Tom Zimnicki
Tom Zimnicki, the Alliance’s Agriculture and Restoration Policy Director. He discussed harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes, the role agricultural pollution plays in causing those blooms, and gave his thoughts on how to tackle this challenging problem.
Episode 9: Conversation with Oscar Sanchez, Southeast Environmental Task Force
with Oscar Sanchez
A great conversation with Oscar Sanchez, the Community Planning Manager at Southeast Environmental Task Force, an environmental nonprofit dedicated to serving the southeast side and south suburbs of Chicago. Oscar spoke about the community’s recent big win to stop General Iron, a major industrial facility proposed for the community, and Calumet Connect, a community-led effort focused on sustainable economic development along the Calumet River, a tributary to Lake Michigan.
Episode 8: Water Affordability Documentary
A timely conversation with Ramiro Berardo, an associate professor of environmental policy at Ohio State University. He’s written, directed, and produced a new documentary titled “…And Water For All” which premiered on World Water Day in late March. The documentary takes on the issue of water affordability in Ohio, but has lessons for the Great Lakes region and beyond. It examines the challenges that governments and communities are facing to ensure access to clean, affordable water now and in the coming decades.
Episode 7: Adopt-a-Beach Spring Kickoff
with Juliann Krupa
Juliann Krupa, the Alliance’s Volunteer Engagement Manager. Discussed the Alliance’s upcoming Adopt-a-Beach Spring Kickoff and the plastic pollution problem in the Great Lakes.
Episode 6: Water Infrastructure
with Anna-Lisa Castle
Anna-Lisa Castle, the Alliance’s Clean Water & Equity Program Director discussed water infrastructure and what needs to happen to be sure everyone around the Great Lakes region has access to safe, affordable drinking water.
Episode 5: Invasive Species
with Molly Flanagan
Molly Flanagan, the Alliance’s Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Programs give an update on invasive species in the Great Lakes. She also discussed invasive carp, the status of efforts to regulate ballast water which is a main pathway for invasive species into the lakes, and the latest from Washington, DC, on efforts to keep invasive species out of the lakes.
Episode 4: Great Lakes Policy Updates
with Don Jodrey
Don Jodrey, the Alliance’s Director of Federal Relations, gives an update on what’s happening on Great Lakes policy in Washington, DC. Our conversation focused on the big picture of Great Lakes policy in Washington DC, but current events may well come up, so please remember that things may have changed by the time you hear this podcast.
Episode 3: Legacy of Black Farmers and Water Stewardship
with Crystal M.C. Davis
This episode explores the history of black farming, the connection to land and water, and thoughts on the future of black environmentalism. Speakers include Dr. Kevin McGruder, Associate Professor of History at Antioch College; Mr. Tim Lewis, Founding Partner & Outreach Director at Rid-All Green Partnership in Cleveland, Ohio; and moderator: Crystal M.C. Davis, Vice President of Policy and Strategic Engagement at Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Episode 2: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
with Joel Brammeier
A timely conversation about the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – the GLRI – which is one of the cornerstone federal programs aimed at restoring and protecting the lakes. Our guest is Joel Brammeier, Alliance for the Great Lakes President & CEO.
Episode 1: Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities 2022
Earlier this month, the Alliance for the Great Lakes announced our 2022 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities. With the support of Congress, the region has made significant progress in protecting and restoring the lakes. But there is still more work to be done.
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