The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Environmental Action During the Pandemic and How to Maintain Momentum
Guests: Eric Magers, Sara Spellman, Ashley Desrosiers, Seaside SustainabilityLocated in Gloucester, MA, Seaside Sustainability provides project-based learning, meaningful internships for students and volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Well-accustomed to virtual programming, Seaside has maintained its unique internship program, which engages hundreds of high school and college students around the world in meaningful hands-on study, giving them the experiential training required to become future leaders in the stewardship of our planet. Seaside promotes best practices for sustainability and inspires meaningful advocacy and active engagement. The organization works with schools, cities and towns, environmental groups, technology companies and individuals to ensure the healthy future of oceans, rivers, wetlands, and estuaries around the world. This episode begins with a story walk along the docks and shores of West Falmouth Harbor to learn about oysters and how they are handling ocean pollution.Our first guest, Eric Magers is the Founder and Executive Director of Seaside Sustainability. Recognized as a thought leader, Eric has garnered dozens of local, state and national awards. His Green Scholars curriculum has been adopted by school systems across the country, and his outdoor education programs are replicated near and far.
Our second guest, Sarah Spellman is an Intern Director at Seaside. Her work focuses on the development and management of Seaside's virtual internship program, and she works hand-in-hand with the Legislation team. 
Finally, Ashley Desrosiers is a vice president at FoodMinds, a strategic food and nutrition and communication agency. As a board member at Seaside, she contributes her strategic planning and marketing expertise and her commitment to protecting the world’s waterways and marine environments. All three will be sharing the details of some exciting projects such as the development of a sustainability calculator.INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
https://seasidesustainability.org
Story Walking Blog: EcoDetectives take a Dock Walk - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/dock-walk
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
 
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog.Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Leaving a Greener Legacy: Choices for Natural Burial
Guest Ann Porto, Psy.D.  Volunteer Board Member, Funeral Consumers AllianceWith people becoming more environmentally and economically conscious in their everyday life purchasing decisions, such as food and energy, there is also a growing interest in greener end-of-life decisions, such as home vigils and green burials. By its purest definition, green burial is the interment of the body of a dead person directly in the soil, in a manner that allows the body to be naturally recycled. Green burial is also achieved by avoiding the toxic process of embalming and simply placing the body in a biodegradable coffin or shroud and burying the body in a natural setting. Naturally-landscaped cemeteries are ideal places for walking, spiritual contemplation and the discovery of intriguing stories, which will become evident as this episode goes story walking through Glenwood Cemetery and endeavors to alleviate the fear of Death.Guest Ann Porto, Psy.D. is a semi-retired clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist with over 35 years of experience in Rhode Island. She is a volunteer board member of the Rhode Island organization that represents the Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA). As a member of the FCA she educates as a public speaker on the topic of consumer rights, environmentally sustainable green burials and home vigils. Dr. Porto speaks about the importance of planning ahead for the inevitable, and how the alliance, as a free public resource, can provide recommendations that will save us time, energy and money. She and the other board members monitor the funeral industry’s compliance with government and health standards. They also advocate for consumer rights.In addition, Dr. Porto is ordained as a lay non-denominational minister in the lineage of Mary Magdalene with the Sisterhood of the Emerald Fire in RI. She is the founder of Sacred Soul Journs and offers herself in service as an experienced meditation practitioner and coach, a medium, and a “qualified” energy medicine practitioner of Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and Laying-on of hands. Furthermore, Dr. Porto is a Hope Hospice volunteer and has taken courses in hospice, palliative, home vigils and assists with final wishes. Dr. Porto is passionate about green burial options and will talk about how loving our earth is rapidly becoming a more integral part of the funeral planning process.INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES:Story Walking Photo Blog: Cemetery Story Walk -  https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/cemetery-story-walkGreen Burial Council: www.greenburialcouncil.orgFuneral Consumers Alliance: www.funerals.orgCremation Association of North America: www.Cremationassociation.orgTo Find a death doula/funeral guide in the USA and Canada: www.homefuneralalliance.orgSacred Soul Journs https://www.sacredsouljourns.com/  
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog.Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Virtual Environmental Learning Guest Lauren Parmelee, Senior Director of Education at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island.
When social distancing restrictions were introduced and schools were closed in response to COVID-19, environmental education organizations had to adapt their operations and become more innovative in the delivery of their programs. As states, towns and cities closed parks and beaches, Audubon Society of Rhode Island (ASRI) managed to keep its 14 wildlife refuges open and available to hikers, nature lovers and front line workers seeking the healing solace of nature. Outdoor environments provide the fresh air, space to exercise and green landscapes that support physical and mental health. ASRI was also quick to develop virtual programming to continue its role as a leader in environmental education.
Guest Lauren Parmelee is the Senior Director of Education at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Lauren has worked in science education for thirty-seven years at a variety of nature centers, science museums and children’s museums around the country. Since moving to Rhode Island in 2002, she has worked at the Norman Bird Sanctuary, the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. She is also a Board Member of the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association (RIEEA).
In quick order, Lauren and her staff have developed a variety of online programs to bring nature play and learning into people's homes and into virtual school classroom spaces. With people spending more time at home these days, Audubon is meeting the tremendous need for programs that encourage children and their families to go out, explore their backyards and neighborhoods and keep in touch with nature. Getting outdoors is also a wonderful way to reduce stress, relieve loneliness and depression and find solace.
Information Resources: Story Walking photo blog: EcoDetective in the Wetlands - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetectives-in-the-wetlands
Audubon at Home - https://asri.org/audubon-at-home/resources.html
Virtual Learning for Environmental Education - https://www.rinaturalawakenings.com/2020/07/30/323326/virtual-learning-for-environmental-education
Learn more at www.storywalking.com ,  https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

What is Geoengineering? Awareness and Understanding with guests Rachael McIntosh and Susan ClarkeGeoengineering as the intentional manipulation of the environment, involving nuclear, biological, chemical, electromagnetic, and/or other physical-agent activities that effect changes to Earth’s atmosphere and/or surface. For instance, if people build a dam and create a lake, that’s geoengineering! If people inject Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as dry ice, into the atmosphere to create rain, that’s geoengineering too! Acid rain has led to the destruction of trees that have naturally managed earth's climate for millions of years. This episode will begin with a story walk among the trees.Surprisingly, there are no laws governing geoengineering, and our guests have been working to introduce The Geoengineering Act of 2020, an important public health and safety bill that recognizes emissions in the air that are having severe environmental effects upon the earth's surface, its waters, air and atmosphere. The bill defines geoengineering in detail. It outlines permitting requirements and enforcement measures to protect individuals and communities from the dangerous fallout of unwarranted climate modification activities. This episode shares basic information  about geoengineering and suggestions as to how listeners can help support this vital effort.Rachael is a Former Defense Sector Marketing Professional turned Full-Time Author and Artist. She attended Rhode Island School of Design, the University of Hartford-Hartford Art School and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Currently Rachael is writing a series of novels based upon her real life experiences working for a major US Defense Contractor and her involvement with a US Presidential Campaign.Susan Clarke has a post-masters background in public health science from Harvard, where she was a research associate specializing in microwave radiation bio effects. She has given her life to spare other lives any suffering from chemical and physical agents.INFORMATION RESOURCESStory Walking Photo Blog: EcoDetective Among the Trees - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetective-among-the-treesGe0engineering Blog - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/taking-defensive-action-for-personal-and-environmental-safety Zero Geoengineering website - https://zerogeoengineering.comSecurity Through Absurdity series of novels by Rachael McIntosh - http://www.rachaellmcintosh.com/books
Sustainable Living News Article https://dreamvisions7radio.com/taking-defensive-action-for-personal-and-environmental-safety-by-wendy-fachon/ 
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog.Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Developing a Sustainable Textile Industry for the 21st Century
Guest Amy DuFault, Sustainable Fashion Journalist & Organizer, Southeastern New England Fibershed How deeply do people consider the environmental impact of their clothing purchases? Eco-conscious fashion change makers are working to solve the environmental problems created by the “fast fashion” approach that has dominated the clothing industry for the past 50 years. Fast fashion is characterized by trendy, cheap, synthetic clothing produced overseas, marketed by mass media and sold by big-box retailers to spur mass consumption and mass disposal. This episode begins with a walk to the former site of the Greenwich Bleachery, an Industrial Era textile mill.
The show's featured guest, Amy DuFault, has been a sustainable fashion journalist for over a decade. Amy focuses on regional supply chains, natural dyeing and human rights issues. She is also Sustainability Director for natural dye supplier and production house Botanical Colors and Communications Director for seed to shirt certified t-shirt company TS Designs. Amy takes her love of this work and puts it into action locally running the Southeastern New England Fibershed, which is part of the nationwide Fibershed network. A Fibershed is a regional fiber system centered around local fibers, local dyes and local labor. The Southeastern New England Fibershed is based in a geographic radius surrounding the historical textile processing centers of New Bedford, MA, and Providence, RI. The organization's goal is to reinvigorate a once-thriving New England textile industry with environmentally-sustainable practices.
INFORMATION RESOURCES:
Story Walking Photo Blog and Learning Resources - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/eco-detective-at-bleachery-falls
https://senefibershed.org/
https://fibershed.org/
https://botanicalcolors.com/
http://www.amydufault.com/
https://tsdesigns.com/
Creating Sustainable Fashions Blog and Learning Resources - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/creating-sustainable-fashion  
Learn more at www.storywalking.com ,  https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Shopping the Online Farmers' MarketGuests Patrick Straus and Brandon Monti, Co-founders of Freshconn This episode will explore the online approach to food quality, value, safety, security and sustainability. While COVID-19 has highlighted weaknesses and inequities in America’s supermarket supply system, online farmers' markets are emerging to enable consumers to buy freshly harvested produce directly from local farmers. One of these is online shopping companies is FreshConn, a social enterprise providing online ordering, home delivery, nutrition education and food rescue and relief for the less fortunate. At the touch of a few buttons, consumers can support a local system, increase access for better quality food, improve environmental sustainability and keep good farmland in production. We will begin with a Story Walk about divine inspiration, advancing technology and social entrepreneurship. Guests Patrick Straus and Brandon Monti, Co-founders of Freshconn will talk about how they are combining e-commerce and delivery of local farm fresh food with food rescue and family nutrition education. Freshconn offers a shopping app that empowers farmers to connect directly with consumers and provides “fooda safe” farm-to-doorstep delivery. The delivery drivers are trained in FSMA food safety standards. FreshConn has also launched its first book in a series of online children's eBOOKS about The Adventures of Eric and Suzie, The Case of the Missing Groceries. The books are free to download, and each shares a story and a healthy recipe. Patrick and Brandon share their own stories and how they came to launch their social enterprise. Patrick Straus is a chef, entrepreneur and graduate of Johnson & Wales University’s culinary school. Born in the great state of New York, he has dedicated his life to the service of others and the betterment of his community. His experience includes Michelin Kitchens, Relais & Château, agriculture work, Executive Directorship of Feed the Streets USA and most recently his culinary backpacking excursion across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. His inspiration is found in his faith in God, love for food and passion for overcoming any obstacle. Brandon Monti is a two-time social entrepreneur and Entrepreneurship Center Coordinator at Post University. His focus is on building companies that have a direct effect on the health, wellness and education of communities throughout the United States. His first venture Truepreneurs engaged over 1,200 students in Rhode Island through a comprehensive and Common Core-aligned entrepreneurship program. He also spent several years developing brand strategy for early start-up ventures. Photo Blog: DeTECHtive Work - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/detechtive-work Freshconn Webiste - https://shop.freshconn.com/welcome FREE eBOOK Solve The Case of the Missing Groceries with Freshconn's Adventures of Eric and Suzie children's book & cookbook for a fun afternoon of reading, laughing and cooking a nutritious lunch with your kids. Download at https://shop.freshconn.com/welcome
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Wild Weed Wisdom: Gather and GiveGuest: Katrina Blair, Founder of Turtle Lake Refuge and Author of The Wild Wisdom of the Weeds This episode of the Story Walking Radio Hour will explore an innovative approach to food security – the foraging of wild weeds. Wild plants are an abundant and unrealized source of nutrition and sustenance. Various roots, shoots, leaves, flowers and seeds can be prepared in a number of ways. They are flavorful and rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and an untold number of beneficial phytonutrients. They can nourish our bodies and our soils. When we start to dig deeper into this topic, we discover the amazing science and bioregulatory ability of wild weeds. This episode will begin with a story walk among wild plants. Then our guest, Katrina Blair will lead us further into the wild and wonderful world of weeds. Katrina Blair is the founder of Turtle Lake Refuge, a nonprofit organization in Durango, CO, that celebrates the connections between personal health and wild lands. Katrina earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Colorado College and her masters in holistic health education from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, CA. She is the author of several books including The Wild Wisdom of the Weeds, a forager's guide to food security, which is an entertaining and educational read that blends storytelling with loads of practical knowledge and new recipes for food, medicine and self care.
INFORMATION RESOURCES
Story Walking Photo Blog and Wild Weed Learning Resources - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetectives-in-the-weeds
Turtle Lake Refuge Website - http://www.turtlelakerefuge.org
The Wild Wisdom of the Weeds - https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-wild-wisdom-of-weeds
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Earth Care Composting for Climate Restoration Guest Jayne Merner Senecal, Owner of Earth Care Farm How much of a difference can we make by composting? When we compost our food scraps and yard waste instead of dumping it into a landfill, we help build a system that pulls carbon out of the atmosphere and returns it to the earth where it can nurture life. Scientists maintain that a mere 2 percent increase in the carbon content of the planet’s soils could offset 100 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions going into the atmosphere. How can this be accomplished? Part of the answer lies in composting. This episode begins with a story walk through Earth Care Farm, the first and largest composting operation in Rhode Island and one of the state's foremost examples of regenerative agriculture.Our guest Jayne Merner Senecal, owner of Earth Care Farm, is going to speak about the magic and science of composting and how nutrient-rich soil is necessary to grow nutrient-rich food. Jayne serves on the Rhode Island Food Policy Council and the Charlestown Agricultural Preservation Commission. Her notable accomplishments include Professional of the Year 2018 by the RI Nursery and Landscape Association (RINLA) and 1st place award for Landscape Design (RINLA), for two consecutive years, 2016 & 2017. In the third segment, Jayne will share her engaging experience with the Real Food Campaign, a global collaboration connecting soil, plant and human health. Initiated by the Bionutrient Food Association in Barre, MA, the campaign utilizes a leading edge nutrient density measurement tool that allows farmers to help participate in important soil and crop nutrient analysis and research.
Information Resources:https://earthcarefarm.comhttps://realfoodcampaign.org/https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetectives-dig-up-some-dirt
https://dreamvisions7radio.com/composting-grows-in-rhode-island-by-wendy-nadherny-fachon/
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

The Amazing World of Solar Energy: Guests Dana Goodman, Solar Consultant at NEC Solar, and Tom Seiter, Homeowner and Business Owner
In the face of ocean acidification and climate change, we are witnessing a revolution in the energy industry. Technological advances allow one to better harness the power of resources that are limitless, clean and surprisingly affordable, like solar energy. This episode will investigate the many ways in which sunlight sustains and energizes our world. The show will begin on a trail that leads into a storied land of energy. Then featured guests explain the many environmental and financial benefits of going solar.
Dana Goodman is a Solar Consultant with NEC Solar, the solar division of Newport Electric Construction, specializing in residential and commercial solar installations and electrical construction. NEC Solar's in-house team is "NABCEP Certified" (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), and the company has installed over 3,000 solar systems throughout RI and MA. Goodman shares her expertise, explaining
solar electricity science and technology, the installation process, the best conditions for going solar, incentive programs and more. NEC customer Tom Seiter is a homeowner and runs a family business that is energy intensive, and he tells the story of his quick and easy transition to solar.
Solar Energy Information Resources:
NEC Solar - https://nec-solar.com
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) - https://www.seia.orgNorth American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) -  https://www.nabcep.org
Wood & Mackenzie (formerly Greentech Media) - https://www.woodmac.com
PV Magazine (Photovoltaic)  - https://www.pv-magazine.com 
Solar Power World - https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com  
Rome Point Story Walkhttps://netwalkri.com/blog/f/rome-point-story-walkEcoDetectives Investigate Solar Energyhttps://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetectives-investigate-solar-energy
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog.Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

What is Environmental Literacy? Guest Rachel Holbert, President of Rhode Island Environmental Education Association (RIEEA) In a national survey undertaken a year ago, the percentage of Americans who say global warming is personally important hit a record high, 72 percent. The world has entered a new era of public awareness about climate change. People want to know more about how it is happening and what they can do, personally, to help alleviate the situation. This is the purpose of environmental literacy, and so we seek to articulate environmental literacy and integrate it into education, business, agriculture and other sectors of society. How can we do this? The Rhode Island Environmental Education Association (RIEEA) is a network of professionals and organizations committed to increasing the environmental literacy of all children and adults in Rhode Island. The organization fosters collaborations, sponsors professional development opportunities, gathers and disseminates information on environmental education and promotes public understanding of the value of an environmentally literate citizenry. In addition to serving as President of RIEEA, special guest Rachel Holbert directs the education department at Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, RI. Her interests include Citizen Science, Climate Change, Environmental Literacy and Urban Environmental Education. Holbert will share her experience and knowledge as an environmental literacy expert and explain the many resources and opportunities made available through RIEEA.
Rachel Holbert Bio: After growing up in Louisiana, I completed grad school in Rhode Island and never left! My RI environmental education experience includes directing the education department at Norman Bird Sanctuary, serving as the President of RI Environmental Education Association, and on the board of the New England Environmental Education Alliance. 
Learn more at https://netwalkri.com https://rieea.orghttps://normanbirdsanctuary.org
https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetective-in-the-marsh
Learn more at www.storywalking.com , or https://netwalkri.com email wendy@netwalkri.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards.
Subscribe to Wendy’s blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio