In our last episode, we heard the stories about modern day fire starters who tend to the land by burning it. This episode provides more context about the history of fire in Michigan, going back to the glaciers, and to the first people who lived here.

Michigan Natural Features Inventory Website

Another twist on conservation - helping the ecosystem in unexpected ways. Over the last several years, fires have burned through Canada, California, and Colorado, causing massive destruction. However, burning can be a medicine for our land that prevents disastrous wildfires, and gives native plants a chance against the overwhelming invasives. Our guests from Michigan Prescribed Fire Council have joined us to discuss the fire work they do in Kalamazoo County, and how you can even help.

Firecouncil.org

Are you familiar with your local conservation district office? So you know about the initiatives they are leading? Wherever you are in the United States, discovering the work of your local Conversation District will tell you a lot about the issues are priorities in your area. Chandra Kinney, District Manager for the Kalamazoo Conservation District, sat down with us to talk about the local initiatives in our area. You won't be surprised to know that our county, in the southwest region of the Great Lakes state, has priorities related to wetlands, deer management, and agriculture - very relevant work that every Michigander can get behind.

Participate in the next community assessment to keep the Conversation District's priorities relevant! Follow on Facebook or join their newsletter (link on their website) to be notified when the assessment opens.

Kalamazoo Conservation District website: https://www.kalamazooconservation.org

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KalamazooConservationDistrict

When a data center makes plans to build a facility in Pavilion Township, residents nearly shut down the township hall meeting due to the number of interested folks who wanted to join the meeting and share their thoughts about the prospect. Widely, it was found that the residents are against letting the data center come to live in their neighborhood. Two residents, Bill Farmer (a long-time activist and previous guest on the show), and Katelyn Clarey team up to bring attention to the issue and organize their neighbors. Listen to them discuss the issue of data centers, the problems that they pose, and the terms on which the community is rejecting the idea (and what terms they would want to see in place in order to allow a data center to be built).

Mike Weis has been on the show before, discussing Kalamazoo area Wild Ones and his passion for native plants. This time we had Mike on to talk about fall lawn care and how your landscaping can also be a positive contribution for bugs, birds, and bees.

www.dropseedgardens.com

Follow Wild Ones Kalamazoo events on Facebook.

The science behind "Leave the Leafs": https://youtu.be/TPlIDy9u7bo?si=xsb_5Jh8pb3zgxCg

Article on Leave the Leafs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725004565?via%3Dihub

Connecting Communities joined the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council on their last Kanoe the Kazoo event of the season. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the team spoke with some attendees and got some footage of attendees enjoying the beautiful Kalamazoo River.

To get involved with the Kalamazoo River Watershed, follow them on Instagram or Facebook. You can also find their calendar of events on their website, www.kalamazooriver.com

Josh Keiser from Asylum Lake Preserve Association explains the implications rezoning the adjoining property to the preserve that is a watershed for Kalamazoo and Portage. He tells the history of zoning changes and urges those who want to be heard to go to the City Planning Committee at City Hall on November 6th at 7 pm to share your thoughts on rezoning and preserving the area that feeds into this land. For more information go to:

https://www.asylumlakepreservationassociation.org/development-of-corner-at-stadium-and-drake

To sign the Asylum Lake Preserve Petition go to:

https://www.change.org/p/kalamazoo-planning-commission-deny-rezoning-and-nfp-overlay-removal-the-property-adjoining-asylum-lake-preserve?source_location=search

Our Guest Nadine Rios-Rivas from Rank MI Vote explains about the petition ranked voting that is circulating in the state of Michigan.

She shares how using a ranked voting system can give voters more choice for candidates across all political parties and can foster a new kind conversation around candidates and ideas that can lower the temperature for voters who hold differing opinions.

***Update Sign the Petition Now through January 2026***

For more information about Rank MI Vote go to :

https://rankmivote.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FairVoteReform/videos/ranked-choice-voting-with-legos/1088585486690013/