Sustainability Chats
Past Sustainability Chats:
NOVEMBER 15, 2019 — BRIONNE FONVILLE, BEYOND FOOD JUSTICE: RIGHTS TO LAND, WATER AND SEED
Stop by the Office for Sustainability on Friday, Nov. 15 to hear from Kalamazoo Nature Center's Program Director, Brionne Fonville, as she discusses the core work of Fair Food Matters and integrating that work into Kalamazoo Nature Center's farm-based youth programs. Fonville shared, “I am excited to be a part of the Kalamazoo Nature Center's team and to have their support as we deepen our impact toward the goal of a food sovereign Kalamazoo. I believe that the missions of each organization complement one another. Kalamazoo Nature Center’s commitment to the environment will enhance the scope of Fair Food Matter’s food justice work, just as Fair Food Matter’s equity lens will inform Kalamazoo Nature Center’s work in connecting people to the natural world
november 1, 2019 — Jamie Mccarthy, sustainability and climate in kalamazoo
Please join us this Friday, Nov. 1, to hear from Development Project Coordinator, Jamie McCarthy. Jamie works with the Community Planning & Economic Development Department at the City of Kalamazoo. Jamie is responsible for environmental and sustainability planning and serves as staff liaison to our Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Previously, Jamie worked for an environmental consulting firm and not-for-profit watershed organization in Kalamazoo. Jamie earned a masters degree in Natural Resources Management from the University of Michigan and a bachelors degree in Biology from Calvin University.
Jamie plans to discuss sustainability and climate planning from the municipal perspective. Jamie will examine the opportunities and limitations of using City ordinances, policy, and resources. Jamie looks forward to hearing feedback from those in attendance on our current initiative to develop a sustainability strategy and climate action plan! There will be copies of our community sustainability survey at the event.
OCTOBER 11, 2019 — NIA EVANS: LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
On October 11, Nia Evans from People's Food Co-op, will be giving a presentation at the Office for Sustainability on Local Food Systems and Community Health. Nia will discuss the importance of local food systems in Kalamazoo and how the People's Food Co-op integrates sustainable food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management into community health.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 — MAX QUINN: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN KALAMAZOO
What are the benefits of public transportation in Kalamazoo? Max Hornick will share the advantages of using public transit and provide an overview of how to use Metro, Kalamazoo County’s public transportation system. Max currently works as the Travel Trainer and Transit Outreach Specialist for Disability Network Southwest Michigan and is a WMU graduate and former WMU Office for Sustainability employee.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 — LEAH ERLANDSON: MOSQUITO SURVEILLANCE IN KALAMAZOO
Leah Erlandson, from Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services, will discuss mosquito surveillance in Kalamazoo County. Her chat will dive into the importance of mosquito surveillance and how it allows us to identify and treat breeding sites, often eliminating the problem before adult mosquitoes appear. Leah will also discuss mosquito population dynamics and species distribution of adult mosquitoes in Kalamazoo. Please come join us to learn how you can benefit your community and health through mosquito surveillance!
MARCH 29, 2019 — BRIAN MOLINA, ISAAC GREEN, AND JEFF SPOELSTRA: WALKING THE WALK: AN UPDATE ON CAMPUS WIDE SUSTAINABILITY ACTIONS, PROMISING PRACTICES FROM THE WORLD OF BUSINESS, AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT.
Staff members from the WMU Office for Sustainability will discuss campus-wide sustainability efforts documented in WMU's 2019 STARS - 'Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System' - report. The team will share observations on sustainable business practices that were presented at the 2019 GreenBiz Conference. The team will also lead a discussion about challenges and opportunities WMU faces as it works to improve bike infrastructure and align it with federal, state and local best practices.
FEBRUARY 15, 2019 — NATE FULLER, SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN LAND CONSERVANCY: RESILIENCE PLANNING
What does "resiliency" mean for southwest Michigan? Nate Fuller, Conservation and Stewardship Director for Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, presents on the different approaches being considered to address conservation resiliency for the region, Michigan, and broader eastern United States. Discussion includes other aspects of resiliency such as economics and social justice.
FEBRUARY 1, 2019 — DR. TODD BARKMAN: PLANT SPECIES, COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Dr. Barkman discusses the challenges and opportunities with plant species within community conservation and sustainability. Dr. Barkman is a professor of Plant Biology in the Biological Sciences department. His background is in Botany and he has spent the last 20 years studying various aspects of plants.
January 18 , 2019 — Dr. brad bazuin: Solar gardens, collection, and conversion
Dr. Bazuin discusses the history and context of solar energy in Michigan as well as the future of solar cells, panels and arrays, solar energy collection and conversion. He also provides an overview of small and large scale solar demonstrations, as well as classroom-appropriate components that can be used for middle or high-school educators.
December 7, 2018 — Dr. Brandy brown: energy futurist
Dr. Brown discusses her sustainability journey from leading electronic vehicle initiates in Detroit to working with power companies in the Kalamazoo area.
November 9, 2018 — David Clark, Amcor: the future of plastics
Mr. Clark discusses how the packaging industry is reckoning with plastic waste while moving towards more sustainable operations.