Harriet Festing from Flood Forum USA and meteorologist Rick DiMaio discuss the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey–the role of climate change in catastrophic weather events and whether we will be prepared for the next one.

Harriet Festing is director of Flood Forum USA, an initiative of the Chicago-based nonprofit, Anthropocene Alliance, which she co-founded in April of this year. She joins meteorologist Rick DiMaio in a conversation about the aftermath of Hurrican Harvey and the lessons about climate change and urban planning that can be learned from its devastation.

Mike and Peggy head to the Chicago Botanic Garden to broadcast live from Heirloom Fest: Tomatoes and More. Horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg from the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden joins them to talk about the 50,000 plants under her care.

Mikek and Peggy broadcast live from the Chicago Botanic Garden and its event Heirloom Fest: Tomatoes & More. They are joined by horticulturist Lisa Hilgenberg, Director of Interpretive Programs Kristie Webber, Executive Vice President and Director of CBG Fred Spicer, and Assistant Director of CBG and Director of Plant Collections Andrew Bunting.

Peggy and Mike welcome garden author, lecturer and media star Melinda Myers back to the show. She was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame of GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators.

Author, lecturer and horticultural media personality Melinda Myers returns to the show, having just been inducted into the Hall of Fame of GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators. She covers a wide range of gardening issues with Mike and Peggy.

Jessica Chipkin from Crate Free Illinois and Scott Beckstead of the Humane Society preview the new Illinois Agriculture Advisory Council. Michele Hoffman of Microcosm and Shedd Aquarium’s Mark Schick report on the future of coral populations.

Jessica Chipkin from Crate Free Illinois, and Scott Beckstead of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) promote an upcoming forum on factory farms, where the formation of The Illinois Agriculture Advisory Council will be announced. Michele Hoffman of Microcosm and Mark Schick, Collections Manager at the John G. Shedd Aquarium. talk about the future of worldwide coral populations.

Mike and Peggy welcome NASA Senior Scientist Meagan Thompson, who answers questions about the coming total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017.

Meagan Thompson is a senior scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. She will not get to see the eclipse in totality (except on TV) because she is one of the people holding down the fort in Washington, answering calls as an Eclipse Subject Matter Expert for NASA.