Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now Presents: Spring Foraging with Lisa M. Rose
2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Join Great Lakes Now’s Anna Sysling and GLN resident forager and contributor Lisa M. Rose for a virtual live gathering all about foraging our way into spring! We’ll learn some tips and tricks about wild plants that promote health and vitality during the transition to warmer months in the Great Lakes region. As always, we’ll make room for questions and comments from our live audience.

April Episode Premiere Party
2025-04-28 20:00 - 20:30
Join GLN Producer Adam Fox-Long for a look at one of the segments featured in the latest episode of Great Lakes Now and stick around for a conversation with experts to get your questions answered live.

Climate and Conservation: Spring Bird Migration in the Great Lakes
2025-04-16 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now and Interlochen Public Radio for a multimedia celebration of Spring Migration across the Great Lakes region. We’ll check out the Points North and The Boardman Review’s “Birds of Paradise” short documentary, and then talk with a panel of aviary experts about how to learn, enjoy and protect a variety of our feathered friends moving through the Great Lakes during this period of seasonal migration.
Featured guests include:

Alli Smith, project coordinator with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Merlin Bird ID App
Robyn Bailey, project leader for NestWatch, the Cornell Lab’s citizen science project focused on nesting birds
Lester Graham of the Environment Report at Michigan Public. Lester recently co-produced “The Bird Connection,” an audio documentary about waterbirds in the Great Lakes region and how they have been hurt by disease, pollution, and habitat loss
Kim Kaufman, director of Black Swamp Bird Observatory

Virtual Town Hall: Climate and the Future of Agriculture
2025-03-19 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now and Weathered for a lively discussion and multimedia event all about the future of agriculture in the Great Lakes region and beyond. We’ll watch an excerpt of Weathered and then Great Lakes Now’s Anna Sysling will moderate a panel of agriculture experts.
Featured guests include:

Professor Douglas Jackson-Smith, Kellogg Chair of Agroecosystem Management in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Dr. Erin Silva, Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems in the Department of Plant Pathology, and director of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Georgina Gustin, journalist covering agriculture for Inside Climate News specializing in the intersections of farming, food systems and the environment
Tepfirah Rushdan, director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Detroit
Lea Zeise, coordinator at Ohe·laku “Among the Cornstalks.” Zeise works to support Tribal Nation sovereignty to regenerate food systems, lands, waters and cultures

Great Lakes Now Presents: Lake Superior Shipwrecks with Brendon Baillod
2025-03-12 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now for a live virtual event all about the fascinating maritime history and technology involved in uncovering shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. This time, we’re diving into some of the storied wrecks of Lake Superior. GLN’s Anna Sysling will be joined by Brendon Baillod of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Group. Bring your questions and see you there!

A Climate Optimist's Stand for Our Planet
2025-03-03 12:35 - 13:35
Based in Oakland, Calif., Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) provides natural gas and electricity to 16 million people across Northern and Central California. As the company and its customers have been at the forefront of extreme weather and climate conditions in recent years, PG&E is committed to stemming the speed of climate change and adapting to its effects.
While some across the U.S. may be skeptical or fatigued when it comes to fighting climate change, PG&E and Patti Poppe are more focused and more optimistic than ever around serving the planet. PG&E is building an electrified, decarbonized energy system that’s climate resilient and affordable for all.
Hear more from Patti – a Michigan native – on why she’s a climate optimist and how the energy system will be a force for good.
Detroit PBS, One Detroit and Great Lakes Now partner with the Detroit Economic Club to present this live conversation virtually.

February Episode Premiere Party
2025-02-24 20:00 - 20:30
Join us for a look at one of the segments from our latest episode of Great Lakes Now, and stick around for a live conversation with an expert who can answer your questions about forestry and biodiversity in the Great Lakes region.
Featured guest:

Dr. Rachel Kappler, Forest Health Collaborative coordinator at Holden Forests & Gardens

Great Lakes Now Presents: Winter Wellness Foraging Part 2 with Lisa M. Rose
2025-02-04 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now’s Anna Sysling and GLN resident forager and contributor Lisa M. Rose for the second installment of a virtual live gathering all about foraging and winter wellness. We’ll learn some tips and tricks about wild plants that promote health in the colder months and, as always, we’ll make room for questions and comments from our live audience.

Great Lakes Now Episode Premiere Party
2025-01-27 20:00 - 20:30
Join Great Lakes Now for an episode premiere party where we’ll feature a segment from the January episode, talk with featured guests and incorporate live audience questions and comments.

Great Lakes Now Presents: Great Lakes Shipwrecks with Brendon Baillod
2025-01-15 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now for a live virtual series all about the fascinating maritime history and technology involved in uncovering shipwrecks of the Great Lakes. For our inaugural event, we’re diving into some of the storied wrecks of Lake Michigan. GLN’s Anna Sysling will be joined by Brendon Baillod of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Group. Bring your questions and see you there!

Virtual Town Hall: Climate and the Future of Energy
2024-12-11 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now and Weathered for a lively discussion and multimedia event all about the future of clean energy in the Great Lakes region and beyond. We’ll watch an excerpt of Weathered and then GLN’s Anna Sysling will moderate a panel of energy experts.

Great Lakes Now Presents: Winter Wellness Foraging with Lisa M. Rose
2024-11-19 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now’s Anna Sysling and GLN resident forager and contributor Lisa M. Rose for a virtual event all about foraging for wellness as the weather shifts from fall to winter. We’ll learn some tips and tricks about wild plants that promote health and, as always, we’ll make room for questions and comments from our live audience.

LIVE TALK: How the 2024 election will shape Metro Detroit's environmental future
2024-10-24 12:00 - 13:00
With controversial radioactive waste shipments, mounting utility rate increases, and critical water infrastructure decisions on the horizon, the 2024 election will determine how Metro Detroit tackles key environmental challenges.

That’s why Planet Detroit is teaming up with the Michigan League of Conservation Voters for a virtual discussion about the power of your vote.

Register at planetdetroit.org/events to tune in live on Thursday, Oct. 24!

Our expert panel will break down the key races that could transform how our region handles toxic waste, manages water costs, and shapes energy policy.

Panelists:

Amani Johnson, Southeast Michigan Regional Coordinator, Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Brian Allnutt, Senior Reporter, Planet Detroit
Sean McBrearty, Michigan State Director, Clean Water Action
Anthony Baber, Communications and Culture Director, Detroit Action

This critical conversation will be moderated by Planet Detroit’s Editor Nina Ignaczak, and is presented with support from Great Lakes Now.

Virtual Town Hall: What Does the Election Mean for Great Lakes Climate and Environment?
2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now, Ideastream Public Media, Native News Online, Planet Detroit, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Grist for a robust live discussion about the national, regional and statewide climate implications of the November election. GLN Host Anna Sysling will moderate a panel of journalists as they talk about the big topics they are covering and thinking about in advance of voting day.

Featured guests include:

Zaria Johnson, reporter with Ideastream Public Media
Danielle Kaeding, reporter with Wisconsin Public Radio
Zoya Teirstein, staff writer with Grist
Brian Allnutt, senior reporter with Planet Detroit
Neely Bardwell, political editor for Native News Online

The Water Walker, Nibi and You: A conversation with Joanne Robertson
2024-10-09 19:00 - 20:00
Grandmother Josephine-ba Mandamin – The Water Walk – left millions of footsteps for us to follow in. Relationship to water, respect for water and our relative’s rights to water were all lovingly demonstrated in her work for Nibi. We’ll get to know her work for nibi. We’ll get to know her a little better and be inspired to continue her work for the Great Lakes and Turtle Island.

The Best Part of Us, Our Great Lakes, and You: A Conversation with Sally Cole-Misch
2024-10-02 19:00 - 20:00
After a career in Great Lakes policy and environmental communications, Sally translated her life’s work into fiction through her multi-award-winning novel, The Best Part of Us. Join us for an interactive conversation to learn about the career and writing experiences that led her to write our 2024-2025 Great Lakes Great Read adult selection, which immerses readers in a breathtaking natural world, a fresh perspective on loyalty, and an exquisite ode to the essential roles that family, nature, and place hold in all of our lives.

Great Lakes Now September Episode Premiere Party
2024-09-30 20:00 - 20:30
Join GLN for the latest episode premiere party. Host Anna Sysling will showcase a story all about the history, research and science of Great Lakes shipwrecks! We’ll watch the featured segment from the new episode, and then talk with Brendon Baillod of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Group to learn more and to answer YOUR questions!

Meet our authors: A conversation with Sally Cole-Misch and Joanne Robertson
2024-09-25 19:00 - 20:00

Great Lakes Now Presents: Rockhounding with Chris Cooper featuring Meteorites
2024-09-25 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now Host Anna Sysling and Chris Cooper of Great Lakes Rocks & Minerals for a fun, educational and engaging live event all about rockhounding in the Great Lakes! This time, they’ll focus on meteorites!

Great Lakes Now Presents: Virtual Fall Foraging with Lisa M. Rose
2024-09-04 19:00 - 20:00
Join Anna Sysling and Great Lakes Now’s contributor and resident forager Lisa M. Rose for a live virtual event all about how to forage Great Lakes wild foods that are flourishing in the fall season! Bring your questions, foraging stories, and favorite foraging tips and tricks. As always, be prepared to learn a lot along the way!
Stream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/heyBwHX8S9I
Stream on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/7995056693912176

GLN August Episode Premiere Party
2024-08-26 20:00 - 20:30
Join GLN for an episode premiere party featuring a segment from the August episode and some special guests to answer your questions live.

Over the years, people have navigated the Great Lakes in everything from birch bark canoes to thousand-foot freighters. Yet one distinctive type of boat—a genuine Great Lakes original—has nearly vanished. Thankfully, there are dedicated enthusiasts pushing to bring it back. GLN’s Ward Detwiler goes to Tawas City, Michigan, on the Lake Huron shoreline, to learn more.

Featured guests include:–Heritage Coast Sailing and Rowing Founding member Dave Wentworth–Chairman of Heritage Coast Sailing and Rowing Kurt Fogelsonger

Great Lakes Now Presents: Rockhounding with Chris Cooper featuring Petoskey Stones
2024-08-21 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now Host Anna Sysling and Chris Cooper of Great Lakes Rocks & Minerals for a fun, educational and engaging live event all about rockhounding in the Great Lakes! This time, they’ll focus on Petoskey stones!

Featured guests include:–Don Reed, co-owner of Snob Appeal Jewelry, avid rock collector, and blogger. Don donated a pink petoskey stone to the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum, and has published many articles about these special rocks and others over the years.–Michelle Thomas, co-owner of P-Stone Creations. Michelle makes everything from jewelry to knives with a focus on featuring petoskey stones on all of their creations.

GLN July Episode Premiere Party - 10 Years After Toledo Water Crisis: What's Changes?
2024-07-29 20:00 - 20:30
Join guest host Nina Ignaczak of Planet Detroit for a look at one of our featured segments from the latest episode of Great Lakes Now and stick around to join in a LIVE conversation with a panel of experts who will join the episode premiere party to answer YOUR questions!

In this premiere party a look at our story on the 10th anniversary of the Toledo Water Crisis, which was caused by a harmful algal bloom that had formed over the water intake in Lake Erie. We’ll check out the story and then guest host Nina Ignaczak will talk with two experts about where Toledo water stands today and what we’ve learned in the decade since the crisis.

Featured guests include:–Dr. Jeff Reutter, former director of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab. He currently acts as Special Advisor to the office, and continues to participate on regional, national and international advisory groups concerned with protecting Lake Erie.–Nick Schroeck, Interim Dean of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Dean Schroeck is a sought-after environmental law expert. His research and clinic casework focuses on reducing air and water pollution, working towards environmental justice, promoting mass transportation, and advancing citizen suit enforcement of our environmental laws.

Great Lakes Now Presents: Rockhounding with Christ Cooper feat. Isle Royale Greenstone
2024-07-17 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now Host Anna Sysling and Chris Cooper of Great Lakes Rocks & Minerals for a fun, educational, and engaging live event all about rockhounding in the Great Lakes! This time, they’ll focus on Isle Royale Greenstone, or Chlorastrolite, Michigan’s State Gemstone!

Featured guests include:–Jordan DeWitt , rockhound and author of “Isle Royale Greenstone: Exploring Michigan’s State Gemstone”–Gary Katt, rockhound, scuba diver, and jewelry maker. Gary makes trips throughout the year to collect rocks and minerals in the Keweenaw Peninsula, home of the greenstone

Great Lakes Now June Episode Premiere Party
2024-06-24 20:00 - 20:30
Join Great Lakes Now for the premiere party for our new episode! This time we’ll check out a segment about the joys and learning opportunities in foraging for wild foods and medicinal plants, and then a LIVE conversation with GLN Contributor and Resident Great Lakes Forager Lisa M. Rose!

Great Lakes Now Presents: Rockhounding with Chris Cooper featuring Lake Superior Agates
2024-06-18 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now Host Anna Sysling and Chris Cooper of Great Lakes Rocks & Minerals for a fun, educational and engaging live event all about rockhounding in the Great Lakes! This time, they’ll focus on Lake Superior Agates with the self-proclaimed “Agate Lady” Karen Brzys!
Karen Brzys is owner of the new Agatelady Rock Shop in Grand Marais, MI (opened in 2023). She previously operated the Gitche Gumee Agate and History Museum (1999-2022), and has written seven books and spoken at rock club meetings and international agate conferences all over the country. Her objective is to teach people about rocks and minerals in the hope that they take up the rockhounding hobby and maybe take better care of the Earth.

Great Lakes News Collaborative Presents The Checkup: Water and Human Health in a Changing Climate
2024-06-12 19:00 - 20:00
Join Great Lakes Now, Circle of Blue, Bridge Michigan, Michigan Public and The Narwhal for a dynamic conversation about issues at the intersection of the Great Lakes, climate change and human health.
Featured speakers include:–Fatima Syed, Ontario reporter for The Narwhal–Kelly House, environmental reporter for Bridge Michigan–Lisa John Rogers, news editor for Great Lakes Now–Lester Graham, environmental reporter for Michigan Public–Brett Walton, reporter for Circle of Blue

Great Lakes Now Presents: Rockhounding with Chris Cooper feat. Yooperlite!
2024-05-23 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-05-20 08:00 - 17:00
Join Great Lakes Now Host Anna Sysling and Chris Cooper of Great Lakes Rocks & Minerals for a fun, educational and engaging live event all about rockhounding in the Great Lakes! This time, they’ll focus Yooperlite–what it is, why it’s special and how to find it!

Our featured guest for this event is Erik Rintamaki, who years ago, discovered a rock that glows under an ultraviolet light. Without knowing what it was or why the rocks glowed, he named them “Yooperlites.”

Great Lakes Now April Episode Premiere Party
2024-04-29 20:00 - 20:30 | Carmela
Join Great Lakes Now for an episode premiere party featuring a segment from the new April show and guests who will share even more insight and information about our featured story.
Featured guests include:–Tom Hollenhorst, Ecologist with the U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development in the Great Lakes Toxicology and Ecology Division–John Shepard, Filmmaker, A Sea Change for Superior; and Associate Professor and Director of Multimedia Development at Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education–Michael Miller, Swimmer and co-lead for the Lake Superior North Shore Relay Swimmers
