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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

Michael Hancox

Infinite Earth Radio is a weekly podcast produced by Skeo and the Local Government Commission and hosted by Mike Hancox and Vernice Miller-Travis. Each week they interview visionary leaders, dedicated government officials, savvy businesses and forward thinking individuals who are working to build smarter, more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous communities through social and economic inclusion that values the contribution of all citizens and seeks meaningful lives for everyone. You will discover new leading edge strategies for lifting up and building great 21st century communities, along with cutting edge strategies for revitalizing under resourced communities and empowering excluded populations. Smart Growth, Prosperity and Sustainability are not possible without social, civic, and economic inclusion for people of all economic, social, and racial backgrounds.
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Top 10 Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - Moving Vulnerable Communities from Surviving to Thriving, Part 4

Moving Vulnerable Communities from Surviving to Thriving, Part 4

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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10/27/16 • 18 min

Stay engaged with the social and environmental justice dialogues started at the 2016 National Funding and Resources Training Summit to Revitalize Vulnerable Communities Learn How HERE TOPIC

Worker Training and Workforce Development

IN THIS EPISODE

[02:05] Introduction of Sharon Beard.

[02:22] Sharon describes the Worker Education and Training Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

[03:38] Sharon tells why there was a need for the Minority Worker Training Program at NIEHS.

[06:56] Sharon identifies some of the most successful outcomes of the Minority Worker Training Program.

[09:04] Sharon conveys the purpose of the 2016 National Training & Resources Summit to Revitalize Vulnerable Communities.

[10:50] Sharon answers the question of why it was important for NIEHS to co-sponsor an event like the 2016 National Training & Resources Summit to Revitalize Vulnerable Communities.

[11:43] Sharon gives her response to the criticism that federal dollars could be better spent elsewhere than in job training and workforce development.

[14:37] Sharon explains if the target of the Environmental Career Worker Training Program is those who have been in the criminal justice system.

[16:37] Sharon gives information about the hourly wage of those who come through the program.

[18:26] Sharon tells if there are any people, of the thousands who have been helped, who stick out in her mind.

[20:02] Sharon communicates her hopes of what is accomplished at the National Training & Resources Summit to Revitalize Vulnerable Communities and what the ongoing impact will be.

[25:21] Sharon discusses one change that would lead to more effective, more dynamic, better-funded environmental worker training.

[27:38] Sharon states the action listeners can take to help build a more equitable workforce.

[29:12] Sharon gives information on how people can reach her program.

[30:25] Sharon shares what federally supported environmental workforce development and employment opportunities look like 30 years from now.

GUEST/ORGANIZATION

Sharon Beard is an Industrial Hygienist in the Worker Education and Training Program of the Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT) at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH) in Research Triangle Park, NC. As an industrial hygienist, Sharon is responsible for coordinating, evaluating, and improving the nation-wide worker education and training program especially in the area of the Minority Worker Training Program (MWTP) initiative. She uses her background in industrial hygiene to provide expert review, guidance, and leadership in managing a multi-million portfolio of worker training grants in the area of hazardous waste, emergency response, and nuclear weapons/radiation reaching communities all over the US. She has also worked within in DERT assisting with efforts to facilitate and coordinate translational research through the Partnership for Environmental Public Health (PEPH) Program. The PEPH program is an umbrella program that brings together scientists, community members, educators, health care providers, public health officials, and policy makers in the shared goal of advancing the impact of environmental public health research at local, regional, and national levels.

Building on her environmental and occupational health experience acquired while working in the Environmental Restoration and Industrial Hygiene & Safety Departments at Westinghouse Savannah River Company in SC, she is currently a member of the NIEHS Science Advisory Committee, HHS Environmental Justice Working Group and the Brownfields Federal Partnership Interagency Working Group. She is also a member of the American Public Health Association and ACGIH. Beard holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management from Tufts University, Medford, MA where she received the prestigious Environmental Science and Management Fellowship from the National Urban Fellows, Inc. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with minor in Business from Western Carolina University, NC.

The major objectives of the NIEHS Worker Training Program are to prevent work-related harm by assisting in the training of workers in how best to protect themselves and their communities from exposure to hazardous materials encountered during hazardous waste operations, hazardous materials transportation, environmental restoration nuclear weapons facilities, or chemical emergency response, and to undertake brownfields and minority workforce development. A variety of sites, such as those involved with chemical waste clean up and remedial action and transportation-related chemical emergency response, may...

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - Opportunity Zone Tax Credits

Opportunity Zone Tax Credits

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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03/04/19 • 21 min

Topic:

Smart Growth and Livable Communities Series – leveraging a tool in the federal tax law

Guest & Organization:

Kemble K. Pope is an Urban Infill & Real Estate Entrepreneur in the Sacramento Region of Northern CA. He is a Founder and the Managing Member of POI Partners, LLC, a consulting firm that represents Opportunity Zone Fund investors by sourcing and vetting redevelopment projects, negotiating capital placement terms and overseeing the use of those funds until the project is completed and stabilized.

His academic background was focused on environmental and technology policy, but he has worked in a broad range of sectors including politics, business & economic development, mobile technology and land use. From 2011 to 2014, he led the Davis Chamber of Commerce (“DCOC”) as the full-time CEO.

Kemble’s most recently completed redevelopment work is “Meridian Place” in Central Davis. He assembled two underutilized lots and constructed a new 11-unit, 3-story, infill rental project. The project includes one permanently affordable unit, which allowed Pope to be the first developer in Davis to utilize the provisions of AB744 for increased density above the City of Davis standards. In Spring 2019, he will break ground on Trackside Center, a transit-oriented redevelopment in Downtown Davis. The 4-story building includes 9,000 SF commercial on the ground floor, with a large outdoor plaza, and 27 rental units above.

While living in Davis, CA from 2003-2017, Pope served as a political appointee on several community-serving committees. He was Chairperson of the City of Davis Climate Action Team, which created one of the first municipal Climate Action Plans in response to AB 32 and SB 375. He was Chairperson of the City’s Open Space & Habitat Commission and served on the Davis Joint Unified School District’s Property Tax Oversight Committee and Surplus Property Committee.

Kemble currently lives in Midtown Sacramento.

Resources:

Local Government Commission

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - The Future of Transportation: Mobility as a Service

The Future of Transportation: Mobility as a Service

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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05/05/16 • 32 min

TOPICReducing Single-Occupancy-Vehicle (SOV) Commuting IN THIS EPISODE[01:13] Introduction of Steve Raney. [01:59] What is Joint Venture Silicon Valley? [02:45] Steve explains the goals of the Bay Area Mobility as a Service project. [04:11] Why is it challenging to decrease single-occupancy-vehicle (SOV) miles traveled in areas that were designed and built for single-occupancy vehicles (SOV)? [05:13] Steve describes what congestion pricing is and why it’s important to reducing carbon emissions. [07:56] Steve shares what Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is and how it works. [09:34] Steve explains how the software on your smartphone helps you connect with different commuting options. [10:31] Where can people go to learn more about the Bay Area MaaS program, as well as the concept of Maas? [12:10] Are there other industries working to combine compatible fields into one brand? [13:02] Steve describes the Bay Area Maas project. [15:47] How can MaaS be used to create more equitable commuting policies and conditions for low-wage workers? [18:27] Steve shares how he became involved in this work. [19:16] How can people learn more about Joint Venture Silicon Valley? [19:30] Steve shares one change that would lead to smarter, more sustainable, and more equitable communities. [20:10] Steve describes the action listeners can take to help build a more equitable and sustainable future. [20:39] Steve explains what the San Francisco Bay Area looks like 30 years from now. [21:22] Steve shares his thoughts about the rise of Uber and Lyft. GUESTSteve Raney leads Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s Mobility as a Service project. Previously, Steve led autonomous vehicle commercialization studies for Nissan and Google and he led the EPA’s “Transforming Office Parks into Transit Villages” Study. He is the parent of MTC’s Climate Innovations grant program. Steve has 5 university degrees. Learn more about Steve http://www.jointventure.org/steve-raney (here) ORGANIZATIONEstablished in 1993, Joint Venture Silicon Valley provides analysis and action on issues affecting our region’s economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders—from business, government, academia, labor and the broader community—to spotlight issues and work toward innovative solutions. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s umbrella term for our Silicon Valley commute-focused project to improve options besides driving alone. MaaS dissolves the boundaries between different transport modes, providing a more customer-centered, seamless experience while improving the efficiency of the entire transport system. Bay Area employers provide a range of customized employee programs to facilitate commuting: transit passes, Wi-Fi motor coach service, last mile shuttle buses from transit, payroll subsidies and more. TAKEAWAY QUOTES“We focus on difficult challenges, in areas like economic development, transportation, energy, communications infrastructure, hunger, and climate change; and I think we’re a pretty compassionate organization.” “[The drive-as-you-go insurance] is one of the one’s that’s relatively viable politically. It’s not at all a tap-in putt in golf, but it’s something that is more worthwhile to pursue to get something enacted.” “We’re trying to internalize the negative externalities of pollution and carbon and congestion and create a more efficiently functioning mobility market with better choices.” “We know that higher-income workers are more likely to drive alone, so that kind of a policy is a progressive transfer of wealth from high-income folks to low-income folks. So that kind of policy scores relatively high for a congestion-pricing policy, whereas a big increase in a gas tax—because low-income folks, so much of their budget is taken up by transportation costs—that really hits them hard. So there are more compassionate pricing policies within the mix of congestion pricing.”...
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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - Government Alliance on Race and Equity

Government Alliance on Race and Equity

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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12/13/17 • 23 min

Topic:

Strategies and tools for addressing racism personally and professionally

Guest & Organization:

Dwayne S. Marsh serves as Vice President of Institutional and Sectoral Change at the new Race Forward. The new Race Forward is the union of two leading racial justice non-profit organizations: Race Forward and Center for Social Inclusion (CSI). He also serves Deputy Director of Government Alliance on Race & Equity (GARE), a core program of the new Race Forward.

Prior to GARE/Race Forward, Marsh was, for six years, a senior advisor in the Office of Economic Resilience (OER) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. There, he helped advance sustainable planning and development through interagency partnerships, departmental transformation, and funding initiatives managed through OER. He was OER’s principal coordinator for a $250 million grant program and led the development of capacity building resources that reinforced the work of pioneering grantees in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Under his leadership, OER prioritized equity as a foundational principal for its planning and investment initiatives.

Marsh brings to GARE/Race Forward his expertise and considerable experience in coalition building for regional equity and leadership development for policy change. He provides technical assistance and capacity building knowledge to equitable development initiatives that address continuing disparities in affordable housing, transportation investment, and environmental justice.

Before HUD, Marsh spent a decade at PolicyLink, the national organization committed to economic and social equity. Before PolicyLink, he directed the FAITHS Initiative for eight years at The San Francisco Foundation, building a nationally renowned community development and capacity building program that continues to this day.

Resources:

Race Forward

Government Alliance on Race and Equity

Center for Social Inclusion (CSI)

Local Government Commission

2018 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference– February 1-3, 2018

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - Addressing Inequity in Rural California

Addressing Inequity in Rural California

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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11/08/18 • 23 min

Topic:

Smart Growth and Livable Communities Series – the widening disparity in California and the challenges to address across California’s regions

Guest & Organization:

Jim Mayer is President & CEO of California Forward, a bipartisan public interest effort to bolster democracy and improve the performance of government in California. Working with civic and governmental partners statewide, CA Fwd has been the consistent advocate for comprehensive governance reforms that will lead to better results and accountability. As its chief executive, Mayer has helped to usher California’s modernization of redistricting, primary elections, term limits, ethics and transparency laws – to empower voters, encourage bipartisan solutions and restore public trust. He shepherded CA Fwd’s efforts to build capacity within governments to improve outcomes, and to advance a shared agenda among private, civic and public sector leaders to sustainably and equitable increase prosperity.

Resources:

California Forward

California Economic Summit’s Elevate Rural CA Initiative

Local Government Commission

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - The Philadelphia Land Bank and Equitable Community Development

The Philadelphia Land Bank and Equitable Community Development

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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02/18/16 • 21 min

TOPIC

Building Strong Neighborhoods and Communities

IN THIS EPISODE

[2:27] Introduction of Frank Woodruff and Beth McConnell.

[3:16] Frank explains if the goals of equitable development and smart growth are at an impasse.

[4:35] Beth shares if she sees the issue of smart growth and equitable development as being at odds with each other.

[5:25] Beth and Frank give suggestions for how we can move past the impasse.

[7:21] Beth gives an example of a place where they think smart growth and equitable development are coming together in a synergistic way.

[8:50] Beth explains if her model can be imported to other communities.

[9:20] Beth shares the challenge in Philadelphia that the Philadelphia Land Bank seeks to solve.

[11:25] Beth shares what needs to happen to streamline the process of reacquiring properties and the role of the Philadelphia Land Bank.

[13:01] Frank tells how to encourage private investment in neighborhoods while protecting the public interest.

[16:53] Beth shares if she’s encountered a place where people have figured out how to live together.

[18:05] Frank and Beth share one change that would lead to smarter, more sustainable, and more equitable communities.

[18:54] Frank and Beth share one action that listeners can take to help build a more equitable and sustainable future.

[19:12] Beth and Frank share what they think the world will look like 30 years from now.

GUESTS

Frank Woodruff is the Executive Director of the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA). Frank joined NACEDA in September 2010, becoming executive director in January 2012. During a time of significant political and economic challenges for community development, Frank saw this as an opportunity to take NACEDA to a new level of success and sustainability. As our country emerges from the great recession, he believes community and economic development will be a critical tool for those communities and neighborhoods that are organized, demanding, and capable of instituting change.

Beth McConnell is the Policy Director for the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC). PACDC represents more than 100 member organizations, including nearly 50 community development corporations, who work to develop affordable housing, revitalize commercial corridors, and stabilize Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. Beth works to advance a policy agenda that helps them do their great work.

ORGANIZATIONS

The National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) is a national alliance of community development associations. Its member organizations are champions, stewards, and thought leaders for community development at the state and local level. With 43 association members in 28 states, more than 3,500 community-based organizations are represented by their members.

The Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations (PACDC) is dedicated to advocacy, policy development and technical assistance for community development corporations and other organizations in their efforts to rebuild communities and revitalize neighborhoods. Through their policy and advocacy work, they strive to create a more supportive environment for community development activities and to enable members to more effectively meet the needs of lower income residents and advance neighborhood revitalization. In addition, they aim to build the capacity of CDCs through resource and information delivery, a sharing of ideas and practices among CDCs, technical assistance, and promotion of the community development industry. The PACDC’s vision is to see vibrant and diverse neighborhoods across Philadelphia that equitably meet the needs of all community members, preserve and enhance community assets, and foster a stronger city and region.

Today, Philadelphia has approximately 32,000 properties that are vacant and tax delinquent, 8,000 of which are publicly owned and the remainder are in private hands. Most of these – about 24,000 – are vacant lots. The structures are in various stages of disrepair; some can be stabilized and occupied, and others must be demolished. The Philadelphia Land Bank is a powerful tool to return vacant and tax-delinquent properties to productive use. It will simplify the process of transferring properties from public agencies to private owners. It can also acquire privately owned vacant parcels that are roadblocks to revitalization by foreclosing on them. And the Land Bank’s ability to clear liens from titles will make properties more attractive to potential new owners.

TAKEAWAY QUOTES

“We have strategies. There are things that we can do to mitigate those impacts. For example, if you are a property owner in that neighborhood and you can’t keep up with the increase in your property taxes, because your home value has gone up but...

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - Investing in Opportunity

Investing in Opportunity

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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02/04/16 • 19 min

TOPIC

Investing in Opportunity

GUEST

Alan Jenkins is Executive Director of The Opportunity Agenda, a communications, research, and policy organization dedicated to building the national will to expand opportunity in America.

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/alan-jenkins/5/634/570

ORGANIZATION

The Opportunity Agenda launched in 2006 with the mission of building the national will to expand opportunity in America. Focused on moving hearts, minds, and policy over time, the organization works with social justice groups, leaders, and movements to advance solutions that expand opportunity for everyone. Through active partnerships, The Opportunity Agenda synthesizes and translates research on barriers to opportunity and corresponding solutions; uses communications and media to understand and influence public opinion; and identifies and advocates for policies that improve people’s lives. To achieve their mission, they focus on racial equity, immigration, economic opportunity, reproductive health and rights, and African-American men and boys.

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/opportunityagenda

Twitter

https://twitter.com/oppagenda

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-opportunity-agenda

TAKEAWAY QUOTES

“The ideal of opportunity is the notion that everyone deserves a fair chance to achieve his or her full potential.”

“Where the door of opportunity was cracked open a bit, Americans of all backgrounds have always rushed to get in the door.”

“Ultimately it’s up to all of us to make sure that we move from concern, to action, to solutions and that those solutions are lasting.”

RESOURCES

Social Justice Communications Toolkit

American Opportunity Communication Toolkit

Compact for Home Opportunity

Opportunity for Black Men and Boys

THANKS FOR LISTENING

Thanks so much for joining us. Have some feedback or an idea you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review for Infinite Earth Radio on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are super helpful and greatly appreciated as it helps us expose this show to a wider audience – plus, we read each and every one of them!

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - Local Food Systems and Food Justice

Local Food Systems and Food Justice

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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01/21/16 • 24 min

TOPIC

Local Food Systems

IN THIS EPISODE

[2:48] Laura explains the mission at The Center for Regional Food Systems

[3:16] What is the Food and Community project?

[9:43] The importance of creating local food systems

[12:30] Laura defines food justice and sovereignty

[15:30] What motivates Laura?

[17:52] New Partners Pre-Conference Food System Activities

[20:55] Learn more about The Center for Regional Food Systems

[21:40] The one change Laura would like to see to lead to better food systems

[22:34] Actions that listeners can take to build a more sustainable food future

[22:53] 30 years from now: how Laura sees the future of food systems

GUEST

The Michigan State University (MSU) Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) engages the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in developing regionally integrated, sustainable food systems. CRFS extends MSU’s pioneering legacy of applied research, education and outreach by catalyzing collaboration among the diverse range of people, processes and places involved in regional food systems. Our vision is a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for Michigan, the country and the planet through food systems rooted in local regions and centered on food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable.

Laura Goddeeris, AICP, is a Specialist at CRFS and coordinates outreach engaging national organizations in improving food systems and community environments, linking ground-level efforts and national stakeholders to inform policy and systems change. She is particularly focused on exploring opportunities for local governments to support regional food systems. As a part of this work, she has partnered with the Local Government Commission to develop a series of pre-conference workshops on healthy, equitable food systems in conjunction with the annual New Partners for Smart Growth conference. Laura’s background includes more than a decade of experience in research, outreach, and program administration around issues of economic development, community and social equity, and transportation planning, much of it within the context of food systems. She holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and is a graduate of the Great Lakes Leadership Academy Emerging Leaders Program.

TAKEAWAY QUOTES

“Access to good food, food that’s healthy, green, fair and affordable, I think it’s also important to note culturally appropriate, really should be a basic human right that is available to all of us regardless of differences in race, in gender, in ethnicity, in class, all of those things. But the idea of food justice exists because there are all these structural inequities in our food system that impede that access and they are often tied to those differences. So, I see food justice as a lens that we can apply to our efforts to work toward more equitable systems. Food Sovereignty refers to the idea that communities hold the power to determine what a just food system looks like. And I think you will most often hear about that in the context of communities that have been disenfranchised by the food system in the past.”

“I think it’s important for communities to try and foster conversations about what people need and want in their community. I don’t think there is a one size fits all approach for how to incorporate, even just urban agriculture in all cities, it’s really place specific and as you mentioned before, the shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy, think about how that has played out in Detroit and now you have this urban agriculture movement, but some people don’t want to see a city like that shift back in that direction, but some people think its great. So, we really need to continue to have some dialogue about what are the needs and what are the opportunities.”

“I was realizing how food systems really drew, or cut across a lot of areas that were interesting to me, including community development and economic development and also environmental issues and sustainability and so any time I had the freedom to pick an area to do more research in, it was always food systems, even though that wasn’t a focus of my program’s curriculum.”

RESOURCES

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems on Facebook

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems on Twitter

New Partners for Smart Growth Conference

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - Funding Climate Adaptation

Funding Climate Adaptation

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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02/08/18 • 22 min

Topic:

Holistic Approaches to Climate Challenges

Guest & Organization:

Senator Bob Wieckowski represents the 10th Senate District in the California State Legislature. The district stretches from southern Alameda County into Santa Clara County and shares the member’s focus on job creation, clean technologies, protecting our environment and reducing unnecessary regulations.

Mr. Wieckowski chairs the Environmental Quality Committee and Budget Subcommittee 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy and Transportation. He is also a member of the Senate committees on Judiciary; Budget and Fiscal Review; Transportation and Housing; and Ethics. He was appointed by Senate President Pro Tem to serve on the Energy and Environment Committee of the Council of State Governments West and in 2017 became the first Californian to chair the committee. The Senator is a state leader in advocating for climate adaptation programs and has participated on state and regional panels examining green infrastructure investments.

A strong voice in the Legislature for consumers and low-income earners, he received the “Champion of Justice” Award from the East Bay Community Law Center for fighting against abusive debt collectors and oppressive wage garnishments. Statewide organizations have selected him Legislator of the Year and the California Judges Association gave him its “Scales of Justice Award” for his steadfast support for increased court funding. Tech America also named him “Legislator of the Year.”

Mr. Wieckowski is a small business owner and a bankruptcy attorney. He has helped hundreds of families and seniors persevere through economic hardship, keep their homes and live with dignity. He received his B.A. from the University of California and his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. Senator Wieckowski lives in Fremont with his wife, Sue.

Resources:

California Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Quality

California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research – Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP)

California’s Climate Adaptation Strategy – January 2018 – Safeguarding California Plan

Local Government Commission

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities - New Partners for Smart Growth 2017

New Partners for Smart Growth 2017

Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities

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01/12/17 • 35 min

TOPIC

Leaving a Lasting, Tangible Impact

IN THIS EPISODE

[01:44] Mike shares how to register for the 2017 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference.

[01:54] Mike tells how to register for the FREE Equitable Development training from Infinite Earth Academy. Find the registration link in the Resources section below!

[02:31] Kate Meis is introduced.

[02:53] Kate expresses what she is most excited about for this year’s New Partners for Smart Growth Conference.

[06:24] Kate conveys the time frame for the projects to be done in St. Louis.

[07:01] Kate mentions some of the key topics of the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference.

[09:05] Kate identifies some challenges of continuing the momentum towards smarter, more sustainable communities.

[12:49] Mike discusses environmental policies and the effects of moving to a carbon-neutral economy.

[14:26] Kate comments about what smart growth looks like.

[16:04] Kate describes her thoughts on what she sees are the most promising developments impacting smarter and more sustainable communities.

[19:43] Mike mentions the arrival of self-driving cars and trucks and that driving is one of the biggest employers in the U.S.

[22:35] Kate weighs in on the topic of job automation.

[23:46] Mike replies about how we shouldn’t be afraid of technology.

[24:34] Kate responds that we should rethink what change means for our education system and workforce training.

[25:31] Kate relates what the change in administrations might mean for smart growth and sustainability efforts.

[32:00] Mike talks about the high demand for walkable, smart-growth communities and about the shifting economics of energy markets.

[33:04] Kate agrees about the market momentum.

[33:54] Mike tells how to register for the 2017 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in St. Louis.

GUEST

Kate Meis is the Executive Director of the Local Government Commission (LGC). Kate is a champion for local governments; a recognized leader in local climate change adaptation, mitigation and clean energy efforts; and an ardent coalition builder. She obtained a Masters of Science degree in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis, and has a Sociology Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sonoma.

ORGANIZATION

For over 35 years LGC has connected cutting-edge leaders from across the nation. Together they are advancing transformative policies and implementing innovative solutions for sustainable communities. LGC works to build livable communities and local leadership by connecting leaders via innovative programs and network opportunities, advancing policies through participation at the local and state level, and implementing solutions as a technical assistance provider and advisor to local jurisdictions. With roots in California and a national reputation, LGC offers inspiration, information, and partnership for local and regional champions dedicated to building thriving communities that integrate civic engagement with environmental, social and economic priorities.

TAKEAWAY QUOTES

“This year I’m really looking forward to having a tangible impact in the community we’re going to be in in St. Louis. So, in the past we’ve gone, we’ve had a great few days, we’ve done local tours, we’ve engaged our local partners through a local advisory committee, and we’ve made some great partnerships and some great connections, but we had never really utilized all these experts we’re bringing together across the nation to leave a lasting impact in our host city. So that’s our priority this year.”

“We will also be working with some art organizations in three neighborhoods to provide some technical assistance and in critical areas that they identify, and then also working with some local youth to build and install three large, what they’re calling, mandalas in each neighborhood. So they’ll be painted on wood and weatherized, and they’ll be really large installations that focus on themes of transportation and urban renewal.”

“In the U.S. we have roughly four times more parking spaces than vehicles, so I see huge potential to open up that space and to really have communities invest in housing people rather than our cars. And I think the timing is really right for that sort of a revolution: we have seen the pace of car use slowing, people up until now are pretty maxed out on their commute distances, we see millennials turning away from the car, and, like I said, we are seeing ride sharing increasing pretty exponentially.”

RESOURCES

Register for the 2017 New Partners for Smart Growth Conference – February 2-4, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri! Add our brand new Infinite Earth Lab training to your conference registration and receive a special discount....

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Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities currently has 166 episodes available.

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The podcast is about Podcasts, Technology and Government.

What is the most popular episode on Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities?

The episode title 'Sixth IPCC Assessment Report' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities?

The average episode length on Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities is 27 minutes.

How often are episodes of Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities released?

Episodes of Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities?

The first episode of Infinite Earth Radio – weekly conversations with leaders building smarter, more sustainable, and equitable communities was released on Jan 13, 2016.

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