Rebecca Williams is a reporter for Michgian Radio and producer of the station's Environment Report, a program exploring the relationship between the natural world and the everyday lives of people in Michigan.

Rebecca Williams

Study: Some Highly Fluorinated Chemicals are Harder to Filter From Water

Rebecca Williams·June 23, 2017

Researchers have found a family of chemicals called highly fluorinated compounds are contaminating drinking water around the country. Now they’re trying to figure out whether filters really work to remove these chemicals from water.

Pollution

Deciphering “lead free” labels at the store isn’t always easy

Rebecca Williams·May 25, 2017

Old pipes aren't the only way lead can get into your drinking water. The faucets and fittings and solder on the pipes inside your house can also contain lead. But if you want to replace older plumbing, it’s not always easy to find the right products at the hardware store.

Health Hidden Poison Your Environment Update

How to Help Monarch Butterflies (Without Poisoning Them)

Rebecca Williams·May 19, 2017

Monarch butterfly populations have taken a big hit. Scientists say you can help monarchs by planting milkweed in your home garden. (That’s the only thing monarchs will actually eat). But if you’re not careful, you could also accidentally end up poisoning them.

Wildlife

Bumble Bee Added to the Endangered Species List

Rebecca Williams·January 13, 2017

It's not just honeybees that are feeling the pain of recent declines. For the first time ever, a bumble bee species has been added to the Endangered Species List.

Wildlife

Lost Squash Variety Rediscovered in Great Lakes Region

Rebecca Williams·December 23, 2016

The massive, bright-orange squash is over two feet long. But even bigger is its impact on the Native American tribes who are now cultivating the crop as part of a revival of native Great Lakes foods.

Food and Agriculture

Inside the EPA’s New Powers to Ban Toxic Chemicals

Rebecca Williams·December 16, 2016

An overhaul of the country's chemical safety law gives the Environmental Protection Agency new authority to ban hazardous compounds like asbestos.

Health

Fall’s Warm Temps May Be Causing Some Birds to Stick Around

Rebecca Williams·October 28, 2016

Scientists say our unseasonably warm fall may cause birds like ducks and geese to hang in our region a little longer than normal. But temperature changes don't affect all bird species the same way.

iSeeChange Wildlife

Struggling Honeybees Get Some Help from Big Data

Rebecca Williams·October 7, 2016

Threats from pests, pesticides, diseases and habitat loss are all putting bees in a tough spot. But researchers have some new ideas for using technology to get bees back on track.

Technology Wildlife

Turning Invasive Species into Art

Rebecca Williams·August 26, 2016

Michigan artist Jane Kramer is using paper made from the fibers of invasive plants to put a spotlight on some of the region's most threatened plant species.

Culture Wildlife

Trimming Emissions from Trucking is a ‘Tricky’ Climate Challenge

Rebecca Williams·August 19, 2016

Many industries in the U.S. have cut their carbon footprints in recent years, but transportation remains one sector where emissions are still increasing.

Climate Change Technology

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