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Creating Healthy and Sustainable Communities
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on August 16, 2023, 9:09 amUse this topic to post questions and resources related to creating and maintaining healthy and sustainable communities.
Use this topic to post questions and resources related to creating and maintaining healthy and sustainable communities.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on January 11, 2024, 9:51 amFrom Observation to Action: How iNaturalist Spurs Conversation
- published January 8, 2024, The Revelator (Author, Tara Loban)
A lot has changed since 2008. That’s when Ken-ichi Ueda turned his master’s project at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Information into a website called iNaturalist, which allowed people to post pictures and help identify species.
Since then, iNaturalist has grown as technology has evolved — first becoming a mobile app in 2011 and eventually adding more sophisticated machine-learning models to streamline the identification of plants and animals. READ FULL ARTICLE.
From Observation to Action: How iNaturalist Spurs Conversation
- published January 8, 2024, The Revelator (Author, Tara Loban)
A lot has changed since 2008. That’s when Ken-ichi Ueda turned his master’s project at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Information into a website called iNaturalist, which allowed people to post pictures and help identify species.
Since then, iNaturalist has grown as technology has evolved — first becoming a mobile app in 2011 and eventually adding more sophisticated machine-learning models to streamline the identification of plants and animals. READ FULL ARTICLE.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on January 23, 2024, 3:05 pmEPA Releases Updated Legal Guidance on Identifying, Addressing Cumulative Impacts to Advance Environmental Justice, Equity
January 11 (contact EPA Press Office, press@epa.gov)
the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the latest action to identify and address cumulative impacts from pollution and non-pollution sources. EPA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) released the Cumulative Impacts Addendum to EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools), available here. The Addendum is a first-ever collection of examples of the Agency’s legal authorities to identify and address cumulative impacts through a range of actions, including permitting, regulations, and grants, in order to consider the lived experience of communities overburdened by pollution and advance environmental justice.
This Addendum builds on EJ Legal Tools, which OGC released in May 2022, by identifying for EPA decisionmakers and partners a wide range of authorities that can be deployed to address the cumulative impacts of pollutants in the environment and other factors affecting human health and well-being that have a disproportionate impact on communities with environmental justice concerns. The Addendum is the latest step in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address environmental justice and equity through federal actions. READ MORE.
EPA Releases Updated Legal Guidance on Identifying, Addressing Cumulative Impacts to Advance Environmental Justice, Equity
January 11 (contact EPA Press Office, press@epa.gov)
the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the latest action to identify and address cumulative impacts from pollution and non-pollution sources. EPA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) released the Cumulative Impacts Addendum to EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools), available here. The Addendum is a first-ever collection of examples of the Agency’s legal authorities to identify and address cumulative impacts through a range of actions, including permitting, regulations, and grants, in order to consider the lived experience of communities overburdened by pollution and advance environmental justice.
This Addendum builds on EJ Legal Tools, which OGC released in May 2022, by identifying for EPA decisionmakers and partners a wide range of authorities that can be deployed to address the cumulative impacts of pollutants in the environment and other factors affecting human health and well-being that have a disproportionate impact on communities with environmental justice concerns. The Addendum is the latest step in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address environmental justice and equity through federal actions. READ MORE.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on January 26, 2024, 1:51 pmThe Trust for Public Land is Helping to Transform Schoolyards
Over 28 million kids in America don’t have a park within a 10-minute walk of home. A solution is hiding in plain sight: schoolyards. With help from partners and supporters, the Trust for Public Land has created nearly 300 Community Schoolyards® projects and continues to lead the movement to transform our nation’s asphalt playgrounds into vibrant green spaces that are improving student education outcomes and community health and climate resiliency. READ MORE.
If all schoolyards were transformed and opened to the community after hours, 80 million people would have access to a new park within a 10-minute walk of home.
The Trust for Public Land is Helping to Transform Schoolyards
Over 28 million kids in America don’t have a park within a 10-minute walk of home. A solution is hiding in plain sight: schoolyards. With help from partners and supporters, the Trust for Public Land has created nearly 300 Community Schoolyards® projects and continues to lead the movement to transform our nation’s asphalt playgrounds into vibrant green spaces that are improving student education outcomes and community health and climate resiliency. READ MORE.
If all schoolyards were transformed and opened to the community after hours, 80 million people would have access to a new park within a 10-minute walk of home.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on February 14, 2024, 10:41 amGrowing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania: Conclusions Report
Governor Shapiro’s Office of Outdoor Recreation launch in 2023 had huge impacts on the push for better parks and recreation centers in PA. The Growing Outdoor Recreation Report features 32 pages of feedback from stakeholders and outdoor recreationalists, not to mention over 50 plans of action for further PA park support. Get all the facts in this report!
Growing Outdoor Recreation for Pennsylvania: Conclusions Report
Governor Shapiro’s Office of Outdoor Recreation launch in 2023 had huge impacts on the push for better parks and recreation centers in PA. The Growing Outdoor Recreation Report features 32 pages of feedback from stakeholders and outdoor recreationalists, not to mention over 50 plans of action for further PA park support. Get all the facts in this report!
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on March 4, 2024, 9:26 amClimate Friendly Practices and HOA's
Article taken from Talking Climate Newsletter, Katharine Hayhoe (sign up here)
We often focus on how important it is to talk about climate change where we work or study. But many of us are part of other organizations that are key to climate action, too -- such as local community, neighborhood, or homeowner’s associations.
As this Cool Down article explains, “Angela Rosencrans was told she had to rip out her lawn. Laurie McGuire tried to install solar panels and was denied — despite state laws in her favor. An estimated 74 million people in the U.S. live in areas governed by a homeowners association — and many of them are frustrated about HOA restrictions that prevent them from saving money and helping the planet.”
It’s not just about enabling residents to make climate-friendly decisions; these organizations can also be key to catalyzing larger change. Windsor Park Neighborhood Association, in Austin, has their very own Climate Crisis Committee, created at the urging of local resident Martin Luecke. Martin says he approached the neighborhood association with a plan: create a climate resolution designed to give his local, state, and federal representatives a list of demands to take action. In May of 2019, the resolution passed by unanimous vote, the first climate resolution in the history of neighborhood associations.
Within a year, two other local neighborhood associations followed suit, creating their own committees. Martin’s goal is for all 80 neighborhood associations in Austin to create their own climate resolutions. “Imagine the collective impact of 80 climate resolutions on the Mayor’s desk, representing the vast majority of the population,” he says.
Looking for more ways to connect with climate action that might already be happening in your area? The Climate Herald has a new resource that makes it easy to get involved. Just click the above link, enter your location (any country around the world), and find a local organization to join!
Climate Friendly Practices and HOA's
Article taken from Talking Climate Newsletter, Katharine Hayhoe (sign up here)
We often focus on how important it is to talk about climate change where we work or study. But many of us are part of other organizations that are key to climate action, too -- such as local community, neighborhood, or homeowner’s associations.
As this Cool Down article explains, “Angela Rosencrans was told she had to rip out her lawn. Laurie McGuire tried to install solar panels and was denied — despite state laws in her favor. An estimated 74 million people in the U.S. live in areas governed by a homeowners association — and many of them are frustrated about HOA restrictions that prevent them from saving money and helping the planet.”
It’s not just about enabling residents to make climate-friendly decisions; these organizations can also be key to catalyzing larger change. Windsor Park Neighborhood Association, in Austin, has their very own Climate Crisis Committee, created at the urging of local resident Martin Luecke. Martin says he approached the neighborhood association with a plan: create a climate resolution designed to give his local, state, and federal representatives a list of demands to take action. In May of 2019, the resolution passed by unanimous vote, the first climate resolution in the history of neighborhood associations.
Within a year, two other local neighborhood associations followed suit, creating their own committees. Martin’s goal is for all 80 neighborhood associations in Austin to create their own climate resolutions. “Imagine the collective impact of 80 climate resolutions on the Mayor’s desk, representing the vast majority of the population,” he says.
Looking for more ways to connect with climate action that might already be happening in your area? The Climate Herald has a new resource that makes it easy to get involved. Just click the above link, enter your location (any country around the world), and find a local organization to join!
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on March 18, 2024, 9:39 amEPW Committee Advances Legislation to Bolster Wildlife Conservation
Environment and Public Works, US Senate, March 12
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted to advance the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act by voice vote. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, would reauthorize important habitat and wildlife conservation efforts throughout the country.
“Conserving America’s wildlife is crucial in our fight to protect our one and only planet, and the ACE Act reinforces our nation’s bipartisan commitment to do just that,” said Chairman Carper. “In addition to reauthorizing programs to preserve ecosystems, restore habitat and conserve wildlife, the ACE Act builds on previous efforts to combat evolving threats such as invasive species and wildlife diseases. And, this bill once again recognizes the importance of collaboration between federal agencies, state partners and stakeholders to achieve these goals. I thank Ranking Member Capito and our colleagues for their partnership and look forward to our work ahead in getting this bill across the finish line.”
“Passing the ACE Act through the EPW Committee today is good news for conservation and habitat restoration efforts, especially in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Ranking Member Capito. “I appreciate Chairman Carper for partnering with me to introduce and advance this bipartisan legislation, which will help boost our state’s outdoor recreation industry.”
EPW Committee Advances Legislation to Bolster Wildlife Conservation
Environment and Public Works, US Senate, March 12
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted to advance the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act by voice vote. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman and Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, would reauthorize important habitat and wildlife conservation efforts throughout the country.
“Conserving America’s wildlife is crucial in our fight to protect our one and only planet, and the ACE Act reinforces our nation’s bipartisan commitment to do just that,” said Chairman Carper. “In addition to reauthorizing programs to preserve ecosystems, restore habitat and conserve wildlife, the ACE Act builds on previous efforts to combat evolving threats such as invasive species and wildlife diseases. And, this bill once again recognizes the importance of collaboration between federal agencies, state partners and stakeholders to achieve these goals. I thank Ranking Member Capito and our colleagues for their partnership and look forward to our work ahead in getting this bill across the finish line.”
“Passing the ACE Act through the EPW Committee today is good news for conservation and habitat restoration efforts, especially in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Ranking Member Capito. “I appreciate Chairman Carper for partnering with me to introduce and advance this bipartisan legislation, which will help boost our state’s outdoor recreation industry.”
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on May 2, 2024, 3:21 pmRestoring Our Watersheds: A Podcast Conversation
Stroud Water Research Center Joined the Kindred Podcast to talk about watersheds, their importance to humans and wildlife, and how people have the potential to both harm and restore them. Listen Now.
Restoring Our Watersheds: A Podcast Conversation
Stroud Water Research Center Joined the Kindred Podcast to talk about watersheds, their importance to humans and wildlife, and how people have the potential to both harm and restore them. Listen Now.
Quote from Carol Grayshaw on November 5, 2024, 1:41 pmDVRPC Public Participation Task Force Seeks New Members
Want to represent your community and engage in the regional planning and decision-making process? Want to learn more about transportation planning and investments? Apply to be a member of DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force (PPTF).
The mission of DVRPC's PPTF is to provide access to the transportation planning process, host a welcoming forum to discuss and learn about timely issues, assist the Commission in implementing public outreach strategies, and empower residents to be a part of regional and community planning processes. LEARN MORE.
Applications for the 2025 cohort of DVRPC's Public Participation Task Force are open now through December 16, 2024.
DVRPC Public Participation Task Force Seeks New Members
Want to represent your community and engage in the regional planning and decision-making process? Want to learn more about transportation planning and investments? Apply to be a member of DVRPC’s Public Participation Task Force (PPTF).
The mission of DVRPC's PPTF is to provide access to the transportation planning process, host a welcoming forum to discuss and learn about timely issues, assist the Commission in implementing public outreach strategies, and empower residents to be a part of regional and community planning processes. LEARN MORE.
Applications for the 2025 cohort of DVRPC's Public Participation Task Force are open now through December 16, 2024.