The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon

Great Streets: Safe, Walkable, Bikable, Equitable and SociableGuest Martina Haggerty, Special Projects Director at the City of Providence Department of Planning and DevelopmentThe City of Providence's Great Streets initiative is an established framework for public-space improvements developed to ensure that every street safely supports active transportation. The CDC defines active transportation as “any self-propelled, human-powered mode of transportation, such as walking or bicycling.” The key to the Great Streets plan is providing transportation options that are reliable, convenient, affordable and equitable. Covering 13 percent of the city's land area, the streets comprise the city's greatest shared asset. The city's vision is largely comprised of an Urban Trail Network with off-road separated paths, separated on-road trails, low-stress neighborhood greenways, and other improvements, designed to make Providence more livable and to revitalize and connect its 25 neighborhoods with a safe transportation system that serves everyone.The transportation sector in Rhode Island accounts for nearly 40 percent of the state’s greenhouse-gas emission. Furthermore, transportation is the second largest household expense after housing.  The more easily we can walk, bike and access public transportation, the more readily we can shift away from our current car-dominated, fossil-fuel-reliant culture and save some money. This episode begins with a city story walk, that leads into a discussion about how to rethink and redesign streets for the 21st century and why this is important.Our guest, Martina Haggerty, oversees planning, redevelopment, and transportation projects and policy initiatives for the City of Providence. She is a passionate advocate for walkable and bikeable urbanism and inclusive planning processes. From 2009-2015, Martina served as a Principal Planner for the City of Providence and, prior to that, as an urban designer in the private sector. She holds a Master of Science degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University.
INFORMATION RESOURCEShttps://www.providenceri.gov/planning/great-streets/ https://pvdstreets.orghttps://walkpvd.org/https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/getting-around/info-2020/aarp-walk-audit-worksheets.html
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

Creative Activism: Art for Environmental AdvocacyGuest Melissa Guillet, Founder of 15 Minute Field Trips™The Law of Inspired Action states the premise that if we take action toward an intended goal, such as increasing people's appreciation of and sensitivity toward Nature, every action we take with this goal in mind, is bound to bring us closer to our goal. One such action is creating art. Nature is a boundless source of inspiration for art, and this art can magnify the beauty, wonder and creative genius of Nature. Displayed in public places, nature-inspired art can help engage people in issues they may otherwise overlook, ignore, or neglect. This episode begins with a walk through an ocean side park, where environmental artwork is on display.Our guest, art educator Melissa Guillet is the founder of 15 Minute Field Trips™, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental advocacy through the arts, outdoor education, and community action. Melissa has a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting and a Bachelors of Science in Art Education from Rhode Island College. She earned her Masters of Education in Creative Art and Learning at Lesley University and became a URI Master Gardener in 2011. She also holds certificates from Cornell in Nature Education and Environmental Education, as well as certification in Climate Change Science, Communication, and Action.Melissa has worked 17 years as an art teacher for grades K-5 in East Providence. She makes a point of integrating history, science, math, cultural studies, and environmental literacy. She shares how she uses outdoor observation and art projects to engage her students. This kind of exposure to nature turns participants into advocates for the environment.INFORMATION RESOURCESStory Walking Photoblog: Beavertail Art - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/beavertail-art15-Minute Field Trip website - https://www.15minutefieldtrips.org/Tree Power Art Exhibit entry information - http://15minutefieldtrips.blogspot.com/p/tree-power-art-exhibit.html
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

Redefining Wildlife and Conservation Outreach
Guest: Mary Gannon, Wildlife Outreach Coordinator for the Division of Fish and Wildlife
In claiming land and water resources for our own use, humanity has engendered the fragmentation of grassland, forest and river habitat throughout Southern New England and beyond. There are many gaps created by pavement, commercial infrastructure, fencing and dams. Animals must cross roads and navigate areas of commercial development to find food, water and shelter. New England's wildlife populations are precious and must be managed wisely, sustainably and with care for future generations. Wildlife sustainability begins with education. This episode begins with story walking in search of local wildlife.
The featured guest is Mary Gannon, Wildlife Outreach Coordinator for the Division of Fish and Wildlife at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. She shares her story and an abundance of outreach material (see links below). Outreach is about engaging the general public in the world of science. It combines education, communication and policy. It can take many forms, from developing online curriculum material and training teachers to posting videos and hosting public events. Outreach seeks to increase public understanding of specific issues, which can lead to more informed choices. Gannon is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she studied wildlife biology, and she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching at Brown University.INFORMATIONAL RESOURCESRIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife home page - http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/index.phpWildlife Outreach Program - http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/wildlifehuntered/outreach/Rhody Critter Kits for educators - http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/wildlifehuntered/outreach/critterkits/index.phpWILD Rhode Island Explorer magazine for kids - http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/fish-wildlife/wildlifehuntered/outreach/archive.phpWildlife Outreach youtube channel- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb1xyMF3DmhzUtEWdYLjJc028UCY5aq_ORhode Island,Rhode Island Deer Management ZoneMap - http://www.eregulations.com/rhodeisland/hunting/deer-management-zone-map/Story Walking Photoblog: EcoDetectives Look Out for Deer - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetectives-look-out-for-deer
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

Offsetting Schools' Paper Usage, One Tree At a TimeGuests: Lizzy Elsner and Sethu Odayappan, Co-founders, Tree-PlenishTree planting is a natural solution to mitigating climate change. Cities, constructed vast areas of hard impermeable surfaces, have given rise to the urban heat island effect, creating significantly warmer temperatures than in surrounding suburban, rural and forested areas. Impoverished urban areas are the most severely affected by the urban heat island effect. This episode begins with a walk through a city school neighborhood, observing the beginnings of urban revitalization and exploring the many benefits derived from the planting of trees.Then our guests, Lizzy Elsner and Sethu Odayappan, Co-founders of Tree-Plenish, will talk about their environmental organization. Tree-Plenish works with schools to offset paper usage by planting trees their communities. Schools consume a lot of paper. Student leaders determine how much paper their school uses on an annual basis, and they calculate the number of trees required to produce that much paper. Then students plan an event, with the goal of planting a target number trees to replenish the amount of paper used.Elsner and Odayappan will share the story about how they started Tree-Plenish as high school seniors in their home town of Mansfield, MA, how they expanded their team and how they are now leveraging the power and passion of students across the country to create far-reaching and meaningful environmental change. Elsner is a sophomore at the University of Vermont, studying Early Childhood Special Education with a Speech Therapy Certificate. Odayappan is a sophomore at Harvard College, studying Economics and Statistics. The Tree-Plenish story is a wonderful example of students balancing their academic studies with groundbreaking environmental activism and social change-making.INFORMATION RESOURCES
Tree-Plenish website - https://www.tree-plenish.org/ Story Walking Photoblog: 
EcoDetectives on the Urban Trail - https://netwalkri.com/blog/f/ecodetectives-on-the-urban-trailMonthly Release – December https://mailchi.mp/71cbf55acf53/greening-the-planet-with-more-trees
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

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