WFHB FireHouse Broadcasting

In today’s feature report, Michael Simmons from Bloomington Parks and Recreation interviews Michael Hamburger, professor of Geological Sciences at Indiana University and a noted seismologist. Today is part two of the conversation exploring how human actions such as fracking and other activities have been connected to earthquakes.

Environmental scientists who need to gather a lot of information about natural resources often get help from citizen scientists, or members of the general public with basic training in gathering environmental data. One of the largest and most famous examples of citizen science is the annual assessment of bird populations organized every year by the Audobon Society. Now the Bloomington Parks Department has started a program that offers training in citizen scientists skills to the general public. EcoReport correspondent Dan Young speaks with Kriste Lindberg from the Parks Department.

Lucille Bertuccio speaks with  Dr. Marti Crouch, a local biologist who specializes in agricultural technology.  They talk about genetically engineered crops and the growing resistance of the western corn rootworm.

Correspondent Ibrahim Shafei talks with Dr. Stan Cox, of the Land Institute, about his latest book, "Losing Our Cool". The book discusses the impact of air conditioning on the environment and society.

Bill Brown is the newly-hired first Director of Sustainability at Indiana University.  An architect from Indianapolis, Bill Brown was an associate partner with Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architects.  Has been a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consultant on nearly a dozen projects in the past two years, including two projects with zero net energy consumption. He is the co-chair of the Indianapolis-Marion County Green Commission and chair of the Indiana Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Brown began his new position as sustainability director on March 2, with the task of helping create a campus sustainability program.  He joins us in the studio to talk about the next steps in creating a greener campus.

With the official start of spring just one day away, gardeners and farmers around the area are busy getting seeds started and beds prepared for the 2009 growing season. One local farm, Strangers Hill, is working to expand production this season, with a focus on more sustainable methods. Located six and a half miles west of downtown Bloomington, Stranger's Hill Organics is a small farm specializing in produce and bedding plants. Operated as Stranger's Hill by founders Dale and Lee Jones for over 30 years, the farm and greenhouse operation have been certified organic since 1989. In December of 2007, operations were expanded with the purchase of the adjacent 80-acre Howard Farm. Farm founder Leigh Jones talks about Stranger's Hill and its plans for the future.