ECO SPEAKS CLE

Send us a textIn this episode, we head to the Rid-All Farm to speak with Keymah Durden, a co-founder of Rid-All Green Partnership. What was once a notorious dumping ground in Cleveland's "Forgotten Triangle", the farm is now one of the largest minority-owned urban farms and a nationally recognized model for urban agriculture, environmental stewardship, and resilience. In this episode, Keymah talks about how Rid-All is growing communities and changing Lives. Rid-All was originally a pest control company started by farm co-founder Damien Forsche. As he worked in public housing projects, Damien observed some things, including what people were eating - unhealthy, processed food due to a lack of access to fresh food and nutrition education. This sparked a dream of bringing a farm to Cleveland's Kinsman neighborhood that would fill that void. That was in 2010. That dream is now a 26-acre campus in Cleveland's Urban Agriculture Innovation Zone. The name Rid-All stands for Redeem, Integrity, and Determination for All Mankind. Tragically, Damien passed away in 2018, but his partners continue to expand the Rid-All mission to honor his legacy and train the next generation of farmers. Carrying on the farming traditions of their African ancestors is central to Rid-All's mission. And that is what makes it truly special. They are not just growing food; they are rebuilding community connections, honoring cultural traditions, and creating pathways to health, prosperity, and circularity. Join us for a meaningful conversation about farming, soil, raising fish, sequestering carbon, celebration, music, learning, health, and the intersection of all these topics. Then go to the farm for Taco Tuesday or Fish Friday in the Rid-All Community Kitchen to experience this special place for yourself.  Guest: Keymah Durden, Farmer and Co-Founder of Rid-All Green PartnershipLearn More:Meet the Rid-All PartnersTraining programsYouth programsVideosFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textOn Friday, April 11, over 300 high school students from across northeast Ohio gathered for the 2025 NEO Youth Climate Summit, hosted by Laurel School and Global Shapers Cleveland. The event brought students together to discuss and collaborate on solutions for climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice.The summit was kicked off with a keynote address by a young climate activist, Sage Lenier. Sage was honored by TIME Magazine as a 2023 Next Generation Leader. She started teaching about climate change while still a student at UC Berkeley and has since founded her own non-profit, Sustainable and Just Future. In this episode, we share her message to the students. Hear what one Gen Z'er has to say to young environmental leaders about meeting the future with excitement and innovative solutions. And hear from Angela Yeager, a teacher whose students in Laurel School's Environmental Justice Semester planned the event. Organizers called it a "beaming light for young people demanding change in the face of the climate crisis." And it was. Thanks for listeneing. Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textHappy Earth Day! In this episode, we discuss the importance of connecting kids with nature and the Cleveland Outdoor Bill of Rights, with Renee Boronka, Director of Conservation Education and Outreach at the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. The Cleveland Outdoor Bill of Rights outlines twelve fundamental nature experiences every child deserves, from breathing clean air to camping under starry skies.  What began as a grant-funded project to better connect urban youth with nature evolved into a collaboration between environmental organizations, libraries, schools, and community groups. Through hundreds of survey responses, Cleveland's children revealed not only what they love about outdoor experiences but also the barriers preventing them from enjoying nature in their neighborhoods.John Marshall High School AP Environmental Science students wrote the Bill of Rights based on community input and guidance from Renee and their teacher, Mary Kennedy Brown. Rights include breathing clean air, safe recreation on Lake Erie, hiking in nature, walking tree-lined streets, camping under the stars, and more. With Cleveland City Council poised to adopt the resolution this month, the Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights serves as a powerful statement of values and a practical framework for future environmental planning. As Boronka explains, similar initiatives in cities like Austin and Baltimore have catalyzed significant improvements in youth access to quality green spaces. Join us to hear the Children read the Bill of Rights they created and how the Western Reserve Land Conservancy and others are addressing the growing disconnect between children and nature, a disconnect linked to concerning trends in physical and mental health. Today's Guest  - Renee Boronka, Director of Conservation Education and Outreach at the Western Reserve Land Conservancy. Learn MoreAbout the Western Reserve Land ConservancyWRLC EventsNature Everywhere (formerly Cities Connecting Children to Nature)Children and Nature NetworkFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textMera Cardenas is a historic preservationist working to connect people to place as the Executive Director of Canalway Partners. We are the people, and the place is the historic Towpath Trail, located within the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. The 100-mile Towpath Trail from Cleveland to New Philadelphia follows what once was a significant transportation artery from the mid-1800s until the railroads came. The trail was completed in 2021 when the final section was constructed in Cleveland, ending at Canal Basin Park following 40 years of planning and $54 million. For Mera, preserving this connection between past and present is her passion and mission as she honors the legacy of her predecessors who envisioned and transformed Cleveland's industrial corridor into its recreational backbone.With her background as a CNN producer and cultural historian, Mera brings a unique storytelling perspective to her role. Under her leadership, Canalway Partners has expanded its community engagement through signature events like the Lantern Parade, environmental stewardship through River Sweep, the Towpath Trilogy and Cleveland History Days, featuring over 70 events highlighting the region's heritage.Canalway Partners started with a meeting of like-minded people 40 years ago who never lost sight of their vision to reclaim Cleveland's industrial valley and bring us a unique, world-class recreational space. Today, Mera Cardenas is its new Executive Director, following the retirement of Tim Donovan, who led the development of the trail. The work ahead will bring us new opportunities to experience the trail and the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage area through expanded public spaces like Canal Basin Park in Cleveland and the many trails linking east and west with the Towpath as the spine and the Cuyahoga River as the source. As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the canal's construction this year, Mera reminds us that our waterways fundamentally shaped our communities: "We're here in Cleveland and in Akron because of the construction of that canal. Everything that came after came from what the canal brought to this region."Learn more at canalwaypartners.com or follow their social media for upcoming events.Learn More:Our Guest, Mera Cardenas, Executive Director, Canalway PartnersCanalway EventsDiscover the Towpath TrailVolunteer with CanalwayHistory and Legacy of the Towpath TrailOhio and Erie Canalway National Heritage AreaOhio and Erie Canalway CoalitionFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textAidan Meany is a young clothing entrepreneur defining a new era of apparel. His team at Found Surface uses 21st-century technology and traditional, natural fibers to produce eco-friendly clothing for companies looking for ethically and thoughtfully produced garments. His new factory in Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood is one of the first in the nation to use digital knitting machines to make clothing that is plastic-free, waste-free, and guilt-free. Aidan found his place in the design industry after educating himself about the fast fashion industry and the toll of overseas production on our fellow human beings and the environment. His mission is to bring production back to Cleveland and rebuild our long-lost apparel manufacturing industry in a way that prioritizes sustainable and regional production and sets the standard for ethical fashion. Join us to hear the origins of his company's name, his innovations, and how he works with his partners in the Rust Belt Fibershed to enable local farmers to process their fiber and take it to market. We also decipher our clothing labels to help make informed choices about our apparel.  Our Guest:Aidan Meany, CEO and Founder of Found SurfaceLearn More:Found Surface - Products, ServicesAbout the Stoll Digital Knitting MachinesAbout Rust Belt FibershedWeaving a Local and Sustainable Textile Economy - Eco Speaks CLECreating a Bioregional Textile Economy with Rust Belt Fibershed - Eco Speaks CLEDesigning a Circular fashion Brand with Faan - Eco Speaks CLEFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textIn our first episode of 2025, we discuss sports and sustainability with Danielle Doza, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Services. As the first executive-level professional in the NBA, Danielle shares how the CAVS organization integrates award-winning eco-friendly practices in fresh and exciting new ways and the collaborative spirit driving sustainability within sports organizations. Join us as Danielle speaks about her dream job and key initiatives at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. These initiatives, including recycling, energy efficiency, education, and various partnerships with WM, Found Surface, and the Green Sports Alliance, drive sustainability in the sports industry. Finally, Danielle offers valuable career advice for aspiring sustainability professionals in our tip time. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to see sustainability thrive in sports.Guest:Danielle Doza, Vice President of Sustainability and Environmental Services with Cleveland Cavaliers (Rock Entertainment Group)Learn More:CAVS sustainability initiativesPartnership with Waste Management (WM) Green Sports Alliance GOAL (Green Operations and Advanced Leadership) Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textJoin us as we wrap up 2024 with community leader and food sovereignty advocate Sara Continenza. Sara is the founder and executive director of Food Strong, a non-profit connecting kids with food since 2016. Sara and her staff work with the Cleveland Municipal School District and other inner-city schools to provide hands-on learning experiences in gardening, nutrition, and entrepreneurship. Recently, Food Strong's mission to educate, empower, and cultivate health through fresh foods just got a significant boost. Community Greenhouse Partners recently gifted them a three-acre farm site on Superior Avenue in Cleveland's east side. The property includes a historic house, church, food forest, farmland, and hoop houses that Food Strong is transforming into its Superior Farm. This neighborhood hub will support food sovereignty, climate resistance, and community connections. An estimated $5 million is needed to realize her vision for the property, along with the help of thousands of volunteers and neighbors. This extraordinary project is urban restoration at its best, feeding bodies, minds, and souls. Join us as we speak with Sara about this project, the wisdom of kids, Food Strong's work, and ways you can help. Our Guest:Sara Continenza, Founder and Executive Director of Food StrongLearn More:About Food StrongAbout The Superior Farm Fix-Up ProjectDonate to Food Strong's Farm ProjectBecome a SupporterVolunteer EveningsFood Strong's ProgramsFollow Food Strong on Facebook and InstagramFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textEco Meet CLE is a gathering of Cleveland's environmental community, organized by the Eco Speaks CLE podcast and friends, to share a beer, have fun, and connect the people and the threads of the exciting work happening in our region. We recorded this episode during our seventh Eco Meet held recently at our favorite watering hole, Great Lakes Brewing Company. This evening featured an "open mic" where people shared news of their work, sought collaborators and promoted opportunities. Ours is a vibrant community with a common denominator: we care about our planet, our community, and each other. Hear about local sustainability initiatives in the northeast Ohio region and ways you can support them and get involved. Learn more about the speakers and their work  Jennifer McMillin: Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council Tait Ferguson: Trust for Public Land Lexie St. Denis: Great Lakes Brewing CompanyVal Flors: Surfrider Foundation and Great Lakes Friendly Restaurants Ditte Wolin and Mary Beth Naim: Third Act Ohio Andrea Villalón: The Lavender Project India Johnson: UA Vistas Tori Agnew-Camiener: Great Lakes International Joint Commission Renata Brown: Cleveland Museum of Natural History Kimberly Lessman: Holden Forest & Gardens Restoration Seed Bank Kelly Clark: Gless Bioregion Network Lisa Hardin: The FarmSTED  - St. Edwards  High School Jeff McNaught: Edgewater Surf Foam Recycling Erika Meschkat: J.M. Smucker Company Corporate Sustainability Angela Yaeger: NEO Climate Summit - Laurel SchoolFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textIn this episode, Cleveland filmmaker Chris Langer speaks with us speak about his new documentary, Ripples of Plastic, which premiered this year at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival and locally at the Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Fest. Chris is a director, producer, and cinematographer and owns Wonderhouse Films in Cleveland. Ripples of Plastic is Chris's first documentary film, which he began during COVID to expose the vast problem of plastic pollution present in our Great Lakes and its effects on aquatic life and human health. Chris tells this story through the voices of those leading the research and working on solutions. Many of those voices have been guests on this podcast. Hear Chris speak about how he came to make this film, the impact it had on him, and the impact he can make through grassroots distribution within the Great Lakes region. Documentary films are powerful tools to transform and spur change. Ripples of Plastic is a call to join the fight against plastic pollution caused by plastic producers and to demand action from our policymakers. Learn how you can help Chris screen this important film far and wide. Learn More:About our Guest - Filmmaker Chris LangerRipples of Plastic - TrailerAbout Wonderhouse FilmsThe Story of PlasticEco Speaks CLE - The Perpetual Problem of Plastic with Jill BartolottaEco Speaks CLE - Trash Fishing with Eddie OlschanskiEco Speaks CLE - Little Spark Refill Shop with Rachel Regula GonzalezFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textIf you need a reason to love Mondays, Slow Roll Cleveland is it. In this episode, Greg and I join Slow Roll Cleveland and several hundred other cyclists for a leisurely-paced bike parade through our urban streets. Slow Roll Cleveland hosts these ten-mile Monday evening rides during warmer months to highlight Cleveland neighborhoods and bring joy and community to riders and residents alike. Our slow roll took off from Shaker Square and took us through the Shaker, Buckeye, and Mount Pleasant neighborhoods. It was a blast. Hundreds of cyclists on bikes tricked out with bells, boom boxes, and lights shouted "Happy Monday" to excited onlookers waving from tree lawns, porches, and driveways. Slow Roll Cleveland has been hosting these inclusive social bike rides since 2013. Board President, Kevin Jones,  spoke with us before the ride about the mission of Slow Roll, how it was founded, and why these rides are so popular. We also spoke with several participants and members of the Squad, the crack volunteers who ensure the rides run smoothly and safely. Come along with us. There is magic in our neighborhoods, in our people, and in the simple joy of riding bikes together.  Guest:Kevin Jones, President of the Board, Slow Roll ClevelandResources:About Slow Roll ClevelandSlow Roll ScheduleVolunteer with Slow Roll SquadFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textAre you curious about making smarter, greener choices for your electricity supply? In this episode, we speak with Jennifer McMillin with the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC).  Jenn is SOPEC's Regional Director for Northeast Ohio and provides tips and insights for choosing a 100% renewable energy supplier for your electricity needs. SOPEC is a leader in community choice aggregation in Ohio, providing competitive rates and substantial savings to residents in member communities, including the City of Cleveland.  In Ohio, we are fortunate to be one of 29 states that allow consumers to choose their electricity supplier. With that power to choose, we can also choose the source of our power including renewable power from wind, solar, biomass, hydro, and geothermal. Green energy suppliers such as SOPEC use Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to document, authenticate, and track that energy flowing into the power grid comes from a clean, renewable power source. Consumers can then select one of these renewable energy suppliers either on their own or participating in their community's contract with an aggregator like SOPEC or NOPEC. Join us as we break it all down for you so you can make and informed, sustainable energy choices. Investments in renewable energy projects are paying off but we have far to go to further green our grid. Choosing a renewable power supplier through our consumer choice is one way we can all show our support. Guest: Jennifer McMillin, Regional Director for Northeast Ohio with the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC)Resources: About SOPEC CIty of Cleveland Community Choice Aggregation Program SOPEC Job Openings Green-e® Certified renewable energySOPEC Solar Assessment ProgramsPUCO Apples to ApplesEPA Green Power CommunitiesFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a textIn this bonus to our conversation with Maria Paparella, Maria shares a personal story of one of the young adults she deeply connected with through her organization Chair-ity. This young adult faced several challenges as she aged out of the foster care system and started life on her own. But with her perseverance, strength, intelligence, and support from Maria, she has become one of the many Chair-ity success stories. This organization truly makes a difference, one person at a time. Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a text"Adulting' is hard, but it's exponentially harder if you are 18 years old and aging out of foster care, alone and without a support system. Here in Cleveland, there's an organization helping to ease the transition by providing donated furniture and household goods to young people who have graduated from foster care and moved into a place of their own. That organization is called Chair-ity, and in this episode, we speak with its founder and executive director, Maria Paparella. Chair-ity is a non-profit based in Cleveland that works to address the unmet needs of young adults aging out of the foster care system. Maria was inspired to start Chair-ity when she was just 16 years old. Ten years later, her organization has been a much-needed friend to 662 young adults by providing essential household goods and furniture and making their first place into a home. Join us to hear Maria's story and how she is creating a community of support for young adults exiting the foster care system. Hear the many ways you can help by donating your time, talent, and treasure. The benefits go both ways. One of Maria's favorite quotes is from Ruth Bader Ginsberg: "Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you." Maria is living this quote, and she hopes you will join her. Guest:Maria Paparella, Executive Director of Chair-ityResources:Follow Chair-ity on InstagramAbout Chair-ity How to Donate  Chair-ity Success StoriesConnect with Chair-ityUpcoming EventsCommunity of Hope (mentor opportunities)Cleveland Angels (mentor opportunities)Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a Text Message.Meet our fellow Cleveland podcaster, Maci Nelson. Maci is a landscape architect, the creator of The Land+Scape Nerd podcast, and a project manager for LAND Studio, a non-profit that connects communities through art and public spaces. In this episode, Maci shares what it's like to design for urban outdoor spaces and the importance of relying on residents' voices to drive the creation of vibrant, inclusive outdoor environments. Through her work at LAND Studio, Maci shares how public art and other enhancements create community-centric environments that reflect who we are as Clevelanders and how nature-based solutions help mitigate climate impacts in our inner cities. Also, hear Maci speak about her podcast, The Land+Scape Nerd, where she shares stories about people and landscapes and provides resources for anyone interested in the outdoor world. In our Tip Time, Maci gives her favorite native plant recommendations to help transform your outdoor space.Guest:Maci Nelson, Project Manager at LAND Studio and creator of The Land+Scape Nerd podcastResources mentioned in this episode:Maci's podcast - The Land+Scape NerdFollow Maci on Instagram@thelandscapenerdLAND Studio projects - Small Giants sculptures at Wendy Park and The City is Our MuseumCleveland Seed Bank workshopsWild Ones Greater ClevelandThe Pollinator PartnershipFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a Text Message.Jeff McNaught owns Edgewater Surf, a surf shop in Rocky River, where he sells a variety of new and used paddleboards, surfboards, and windsurfing gear. The shop also serves as an informal community hub for styrofoam™ recycling. Jeff started this program to provide a local recycling option for the bulky EPS (expanded polystyrene) found inside paddleboards and encasing appliances, TVs, computers, and other large items for customer shipment. This bulky, lightweight, and rigid foam plastic is not accepted in community recycling programs, and the closest recycler is in Dayton, Ohio. Working to fill a community need, Jeff established an EPS drop-off location at his shop and installed a "densifier" with a Food Service Packaging Association grant. This equipment compacts the foam so it can be cost-effectively transported. With both collection and processing up and running, Jeff is now the only processor of post-consumer foam in the Cleveland area while he is still running his shop and getting out on the lake to windsurf. Join us to hear Jeff speak about his vision for scaling this program and what he needs to make it sustainable. Jeff also speaks about what surfing is like in Cleveland and the surfing community and his partnerships with organizations like the Surfrider Foundation working to address problems of plastic pollution. Jeff has turned his passions into his business and is all in. We hope our community will support him.  ResourcesRecycling at Edgewater SurfShop Edgewater SurfAbout Edgewater SurfFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Send us a Text Message.For this episode, I hit the trails with The Cleveland Hiking Club to discover what drives this all-volunteer-run organization with over 1,200 members. The answer? Cool people who are passionate about encouraging and promoting outdoor recreation and making it accessible to anyone who wants to join in. In my interview with the club's Community Engagement Coordinator, Kara Girvin, and David Schiraldi of the Pathfinder Committee, we speak about finding adventure and friendship on the trails and how hiking and spending time outdoors benefits us mentally and physically. Club members lead hikes year-round every day for all levels of hikers. You will find them in the Metroparks, in cities, in our national park, and even in other countries. I recently joined a club excursion to the New River Gorge National Park with 50 other hikers. There were ten hikes over a three-day weekend, and towards the end of this episode, you will hear from some of the members I met on the trail. Join us, experience a hike or two, and check out this welcoming, vibrant community. Anyone 18 and older can hike with the Cleveland Hiking Club. To qualify as a member, one must complete six hikes a year and pay a small fee. Once a member, all miles are logged, and milestones are celebrated. Some members have hiked over 50,000 miles with the club, demonstrating the enduring power of walking together in nature.Resources:About the Cleveland Hiking ClubJoin the Cleveland Hiking ClubHiking ScheduleFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Holden Forest & Gardens is seeding Ohio's forested future through the Holden Seed Bank at the Holden Arboretum, which will soon celebrate its first anniversary. In this episode, we speak with Seed Bank Manager Kim Lessman about how this "restoration" seed bank works, how she became its manager, and how her work forms the core of new climate-fighting reforestation efforts across the region by eliminating a bottleneck in local tree planting efforts - the need for seeds. The Holden Seed Bank collects and processes seeds from native "workhorse" tree species like hickories, oaks, and hemlocks, which local nurseries grow into seedlings to support regional restoration projects and tree planting efforts. The work of the Holden Seed Bank is helping build resilient, biodiverse forests that can face our changing climate by providing thousands and thousands of seeds of local ecotype collected in our region. A Celebration of Seeds event will be held on August 8 at the Cleveland Botanical Garden and feature panelists from Holden Seed Bank, Cleveland Metroparks, the Pollinator Project, and Wild Ones Greater Cleveland to celebrate its one-year anniversary. Join us for all the tree-loving details.   Guest:Kimberly Lessman, Manager, Holden Restoration Seed Bank - klessman@holdenfg.orgResources:About Holden Forest & Gardens About the Holden Seed BankCelebration of Seeds - August 8 at the Cleveland Botanical GardenVisit the Cleveland Botanical Garden and the Holden ArboretumFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we share the recording from our recent May networking event at Great Lakes Brewing Company. This event featured a discussion about greenspace with three local leaders working on expanding greenspace in our urban core and increasing access and opportunities to experience nature through outdoor recreation, especially for our historically underserved communities. Our three speakers from Cleveland Metroparks, the local nonprofit SYATT, and the Trust for Public Land speak about improving our community and environmental health by creating more access to greenspace and the collaborations that amplify their work. At 2:18 our first speaker is Kaela Geschke, the Ohio Parks for People Program Director for the Trust for Public Land. Kell speaks about some of the projects she is working on in our region to create and protect nature-rich places and the importance of that work to the health of our community. At 14:18, our second speaker is Kelly Coffman, a principal planner with Cleveland Metroparks. Kelly speaks about the strategic planning effort to create greenways connecting our inner city areas with our lake and other parks to increase park access. Kelly also shares the latest details on the CHEERS project, which will transform Cleveland's east side Lake Erie waterfront.At 27:30, our third speaker is Erika Hood, the Co-Founder and Director of Equity and Engagement for SYATT (See You At The Top). This local organization provides opportunities for Black and Brown communities to explore nature and outdoor recreation. Erika shares stories about the ski and scuba outings, camping trips, and other outdoor experiences she organizes for people in Cleveland's black community and how these shared experiences are so impactful. Speakers:• Kelly Coffman, Principal Planner with Cleveland Metroparks. • Kaela Geschke, Ohio Parks for People Program Director for the Trust for Public Land. • Erika Hood, Co-Founder and Director of Equity and Engagement for SYATTResources:Cuyahoga County Greenways PlanCleveland Metroparks active Planning & Design projects  Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, Sunny Simon, President of The Cleveland Vegan Society, joins us to talk about veganism and VegFest 2024, coming to Cleveland's Huntington Convention Center on Saturday, June 22. It's the largest Vegan festival in the Midwest, and it will be delicious, fun, and informative for vegans and non-vegans alike. The Cleveland Vegan Society created VegFest over 12 years ago to celebrate veganism and to encourage more plant-based eating. This year's festival features an impressive lineup of activities, speakers, cooking demos, a cruelty-free marketplace, a kids' activity area, yoga, and more. Join us as Sunny shares about becoming a vegetarian and then a vegan thirty years ago and the environmental and humane reasons she advocates for the vegan lifestyle. She also clears up some misconceptions about vegans and offers tips for transitioning to a more plant-based diet. Everyone is welcome at VegFest, where over 13,000 people will gather to eat, have fun, and learn from speakers, including  Sarina Farb, Christopher "Soul" Eubanks, Will Brooks, Dr. Keary O'Connor, and Gwenna Hunter. Cooking demos include chefs Chad Goodwin, Sonia Steele, and Anna Marie Harouvis. Whatever your dietary preferences, there will be something to satisfy everyone's tastes.  Guest :Sunny Simon, President of the Cleveland Vegan Society and Cuyahoga County Council memberResources:Film - Peaceable KingdomThe Cleveland Vegan SocietyVegFest 2024 Top Vegan TV showBitchy Vegan Homo (vegan recipes)Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Can you build a house with mushrooms? You can if you are Chris Maurer, an architect, a mycologist, and a visionary. Chris is the Principal Architect at Redhouse Studio, an architecture firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. Chris and his partners are working to revolutionize how we house ourselves, not with bricks and mortar but with bio-bricks, a carbon-sequestering fusion of fungi mycelium and plant waste. This regenerative, humanitarian-focused "mycotecture" can grow buildings on and off our planet. Mycotecture refers to the use of mushrooms and other fungi for architectural purposes. In this episode, Chris introduces us to the possibilities of the fungi kingdom in creating sustainable building materials. Chris's work is far-reaching. His MycoHAB project in Namibia uses mycotecture to convert waste bush into food and housing. His Off-Planet NIAC project with NASA would convert space radiation into buildings on Mars. Back here in Cleveland, his BioCycler technology promises to recycle dilapidated buildings while remediating our lead problem and rebuilding our city. We are captivated by the power and possibilities of fungi, and you will be too.  Guest:Chris Maurer, Principal Architect at Redhouse Studio ArchitectureResources:Follow Redhouse Studio on Instagram and FacebookMore on the MycoHAB project in NamibiaMore on growing buildings on Mars More on the BioCycler using fungi to remediate waste and rebuild our city. Watch the Fantastic Fungi documentary.Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Jim Ridge is the founder and executive director of Share the River, a non-profit that promotes Cleveland as a waterfront city and sharing everything that makes it a vibrant and engaging space for residents and visitors. In this episode, Jim talks about his upcoming Blazing Paddles Paddlefest on June 22, where hundreds of recreational paddlers and racers will paddle the commercial shipping section of the Cuyahoga River from Rivergate Park up to Cleveland-Cliffs Steelyard and back. Along the way, they will experience how the river has "risen like a phoenix" from its polluted past and is now attracting economic development, tourism, and community pride. Jim is one of our biggest river advocates, even being named Champion of the River by the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern (AOC) last year. He has much to share about how our past, present, and future are inextricably tied to our waterfront and its evolving health. Join us to hear his vision, plus some tips on sharing the river with freighters, about those YAKports, registering for Blazing Paddles, and more. You will surely find new ways to appreciate our tremendous natural resource for its recreational, commercial, and revitalizing potential.Guest: Jim Ridge, Share the RiverResources:About Share the River Follow Share the River - Instagram and FacebookAbout the Cuyahoga RiverKnow Before You Go safety tipsRegister for the Dave Vasarhelyi Memorial Recreational Paddle Map of the lower Cuyahoga River (Federal Navigation Channel)Cuyahoga River Water TrailCuyahoga River and Share the River NewsFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we celebrate Earth Month and the power of local environmental action with the Cleveland Heights Green Team, its co-founder Catalina Wagers, and volunteer Suzanne Zilber. The  Cleveland Heights Green Team was founded in 2021 and is very active, with over 300 volunteers. They have a full calendar of events planned for Earth Month, and during the rest of the year, they are busy organizing green space clean-ups, recycling drives, plastics reduction campaigns, eco fairs, and more. Getting involved with a green team is a great way to channel your environmental concerns into fun and impactful actions. It's also a great way to meet like-minded people in your community. Join us as we hear how this green team was founded, how to get involved with other green teams in Cuyahoga County or start one of your own, and ways to celebrate Earth Month throughout the Land. Check the links below for calendars of events and other helpful information. Guests:Catalina Wagers, Co-Founder, Cleveland Heights Green TeamSuzanne Zilber, Member, Cleveland Heights Green TeamResources:CH Green Team WebsiteAbout the Cleveland Heights Green Team Earth Month in the Heights - Calendar Cleveland Heights Green Team Events - ways to get involvedSustainable Cleveland Earth Month  Other green teams in Cuyahoga County - get involved with your local green teamLaurel School Youth Climate Summit (April 14th) Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we welcome returning guests Patrick Kearns with Re:Source Cleveland (formerly Refugee Response) and Michael Bartunek with Ohio City Farm to update us on the exciting developments at Ohio City Farm and with its operator, Re:Source Cleveland. Rachel Ramos, who manages CSA sales for the farm, also joins us to tell us about the diverse array of fresh produce available in the 2024 CSA program and the new tiered pricing structure. We first spoke with Patrick and Michael in episode 3 two years ago. Since then, The Refugee Response has relocated, rebranded, expanded, and begun a major new initiative at Ohio City Farm: the Roundstone Pavilion. Groundbreaking for the 4,000-square-foot building will take place this year. This next-level investment will bring food to the community year-round by housing a commercial kitchen, a wash and pack station, workers' facilities, a retail hall, and more. Last year, Refugee Response rebranded to Re:Source Cleveland, honoring the organization's past 14 years of providing resources to resettled families and supporting them in becoming engaged, self-sufficient, and contributing community members. The farm is central to that mission, growing local food, community connections, and providing meaningful employement. These developments enhance other investments in the area, like the West Side market and the new Metropark taking shape just below the farm along the Cuyahoga River at Irishtown Bend. Join us as our guests update you on what's happening on the farm, in the neighborhood, and at our community table. GuestsPatrick Kearns: Executive Director, Re:Source ClevelandMichael Bartunek: Senior Farm Manager, Ohio City FarmRachel Ramos: Farm Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Ohio City FarmResourcesAbout Re:Source Cleveland rebranding Ohio City 2024 CSASupport Ohio City FarmSupport Re:Source ClevelandAbout the Roundstone PavilionFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we bring you the conversation from Eco Meet CLE, a Cleveland sustainability event on February 20 featuring local innovators reinventing northeast Ohio textile production. Rather than today's exploitive and resource-intensive system, we can grow a regional, circular system that fosters economic integrity, ecological stewardship, and connection to people and place. Listen and hear from those working towards this goal -  Jess Boeke, the co-founder of Rust Belt Fibershed, a non-profit developing a bioregional textile community; Aidan Meany, a designer and the owner of Found Surface, a Cleveland clothing manufacturer that prioritizes sustainability and is setting a new standard for ethical fashion; Kat Novak, the Associate Director of the TechStyleLAB and the Faculty in the School of Fashion at Kent State University; and Kelly Powers, a farmer and the owner of Powers Acres, a 50-acre certified organic farm in Medina, Ohio, and the future owner and operator of a fiber mill in northeast Ohio. Together, they are creating a fashion ecosystem that rivals the farm-to-table food revolution, only this time, it's with the garments we wear. It's a blueprint for a world where designers, farmers, and consumers all play a part in crafting an industry that respects our planet and community. Guests:Jess Boeke - Co-Founder, Rust Belt FibershedAidan Meany - Founder, Found SurfaceKat Novak- Associate Director, Kent State University School of FashionKelly Powers - Farmer and Shepherd, Powers AcresFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Cleveland Metroparks has always been a preserver and protector of our valleys and the waters that run through them. In 2013, it opened the Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma's West Creek Reservation with a mission to enhance and protect our urban watersheds through scientific discovery, education, and sustainable actions. In this episode, we speak with the center's manager, Bethany Majeski, and the Director of Natural Resources for Cleveland Metroparks, Jennifer Grieser, about how protecting our urban watersheds is so vital for our region and ways we can all be stewards of our local watersheds starting at home where stormwater runoff begins.  Guests:Jennifer Grieser: Director of Natural Resources for Cleveland Metroparks,Bethany Majeski: Watershed Stewardship Center ManagerResources:Confluence: Stewarding Cleveland's WaterCentral Lake Erie Basin CollaborativeWorld Water Day - March 22Cleveland Metroparks Seasonal Job Fair March 11 Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Northeast Ohio can be proud of its sewer district, not only for the skill with which it manages our wastewater and protects our water resources but also for the skill with which it connects with the public, especially its Twitter followers. How did the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District amass more than 60,000 die-hard Twitter followers here in Cleveland and across the globe? In this episode, we speak with Communications Director John Gonzalez about how he uses humor, humanity, sports memes, and more to help people care about the infrastructure beneath their feet and the employees working to protect our environment and health 24-7. Stay with us and hear why poop jokes never get old, about Project Clean Lake, career opportunities, what not to flush, and how a holiday voicemail had everybody crying. The NEORSD isn't just about the business of wastewater treatment; it's about building community through our shared experiences.  Guest:John Gonzalez, Communications Director, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer DistrictResources:Hear the Holiday Message - (216) 361 6772NEORSD Educational ResourcesClean Water Works PodcastProject Clean LakeCareers at NEORSDTwitter Account @neorsdHow Did a Sewer District Grow a National Twitter following?What Science Communicators Can Learn from Sewer Twitter?Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Meet Victoria Avi, owner of Venture Forward Strategies. Victoria has many rich stories and insights from her 17-year sustainability career and her personal life. Victoria immigrated to Cleveland from Azerbaijan when she was just 16 and navigated language, high school, and finally college, where she found her passions for graphic design and the environment. What does it take to weave a life that interlaces a personal immigration story with a genuine commitment to sustainability? Join us for this thoughtful interview where Victoria speaks candidly about her personal and professional journey, why she does this work, what keeps her going, and how she manages "eco-anxiety." Hint: it's all about the deep connections she has made here in Cleveland, where community bonds and eco-consciousness go hand in hand. For Victoria, Life's a Venture and an Adventure. Guest:Victoria Avi, President, Venture Forward Strategies Resources:Ways to ConnectEco Meet CLE, February 20, 2024 Northeast Ohio Women in Sustainability (contact Victoria to be added)  Greyt Culture eventsNortheastern Ohio chapter of Conscious Capitalism Where to Learn More The Ecology of Commerce, by Paul HawkinThe Business Case for Sustainability, featuring Ray AndersonThe Center for Social Impact Strategy, University of PennsylvaniaFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

On December 21, 2021, Greg and I launched the first episode of Eco Speaks CLE to elevate and connect the greater Cleveland environmental community by speaking with those doing inspiring and impactful work. Forty-seven episodes later, as we celebrate two years of Eco Speaks CLE, we are grateful to each guest and each listener. You have become our friends. We hope this first episode of 2024 and its compilation of clips from the past two years will help you find new ways to stay connected, stay positive, and stay active. Featuring:Eddie Olshanski/Trash Fish ClevelandTristan Rader/Solar United NeighborsBritta Latz/Medwish International Tim Jasinski/Lights Out ClevelandSteven Love/Cleveland Plogs Chelsea Shuran/Hunger NetworkJacob VanSickel/Bike ClevelandSemia Bray/Black Environmental LeadersJim Sheehan/Ohio City Bicycle Co-opElissa Yoder/Ohio Sierra ClubMike Sandoval/Evergreen RecyclingRen Brumfield/Cleveland RecyclingNina Savastano/Brooklyn Recycling ProgramNathan Rutz/Tilth SoilDenzil St Clair/Greater Cleveland Beekeepers AssociationEmily Peck/Frayed Knot FarmPatrick Kearns/Ohio City FarmJess Boeke/Rust Belt FibershedDan Brown/Rust Belt  RidersNicole MgGee/Upcycle Parts ShopJessica Davis/Rebuilders ExchangeDebbie Eastburn/Humble Design ClevelandMatt Walters /Cuyahoga RecyclesKathleen ColanJill Bartolatta/Ohio Sea GrantErin Huber Rosen/Drink Local, Drink TapAlex Margevicius/Cleveland WaterMax Herzog/Cleveland Water AllianceRachel Regula/Little Spark Refill ShopPat Conway/Great Lakes Brewing CompanyAlec McClennan/Good Nature Organic Lawn CareAaron Jacobson/FaanwareJoe Rohan, Jing Lyon/BRITE Energy InnovatorsJefferson Jones/Organic ConnectsAmy Roskilly/Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation DistrictCarol Thaler/Great Lakes BiomimicryMarci Lininger/Ohio Pollinator Habitat InitiativeDeb Yandala/Conservancy for CVNPSamira Malone/Cleveland Tree Coalition.Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Medwish International in Cleveland, Ohio, has been making a world of difference since 1993 by recovering, repurposing, and redistributing surplus medical supplies around the globe. This urgently needed humanitarian aid also helps the environment by keeping life-saving resources out of landfills. In this episode, we speak with Executive Director Britta Latz about how Medwish has been bridging the gap between surplus and scarcity for 30 years with the support of an army of volunteers and the help of our northeast Ohio community.  Join us as we take you behind the scenes of MedWish International to learn how teams of volunteers sort, repackage, and distribute over 600,000 lbs. of medical supplies annually to 115 countries and those in need locally. The logistics involved with receiving and fulfilling supply requests from organizations worldwide are extensive. As Medwish marks its 30th anniversary, it celebrates the people in our community who make this life-saving work possible. Hear how individuals and healthcare facilities donate their surplus supplies instead of sending them to a landfill, the army of volunteers and aid workers who sort and redistribute the supplies, and the funders that keep this remarkable organization going. Hear how you might make a difference. Guest:Britta Latz, Executive Director, Medwish InternationalResources:Follow Medwish on Instagram, Facebook and YouTubeGive Supplies Give $$Give TimeFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

We all love a good find at a vintage store and have done our fair share of donating or selling stuff we no longer want. These sustainable actions fuel a booming industry called the secondary market for consumer goods. But how much do we know about the consumer resale market? How can we make good decisions about where we donate, and how can we be savvy shoppers in the resale retail world? Joining us with the inside scoop is Kathleen Colan - a seasoned writer, author, and the founder of KC Media Partners. Kathleen has reported on the resale retail industry and sells vintage goods herself. In this episode, we unlock some of the best places in town to find those pre-loved treasures, share our favorite finds, and hear some tips for savvy shopping that we hope will inspire you to shop secondhand this holiday season.  Guest:Kathleen Colan, Founder of KC Media PartnersC'estParfait.love (Kathleen's vintage on Ebay)Resources:PBS feature: Buy low, sell high: commodifying commerce in the consumer goods secondary market by Kathleen ColanConsumer brand buy-back programsUnboxing Shein on HuluShop Vintage Cleveland and More:Great Lakes VintageGoodwill Bins OutletWorn Wear (Patagonia)Attenson's Antiques and Books  Eclectic Eccentric Monarch BoutiqueFlower ChildSweet LorainAll Things for You  Schoolhouse SalvageROOK ModernMain Street Modern Beachland BallroomBainbridge Antique CenterHabitat Re-StoreFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we bring you the conversation from Eco Meet CLE,  a sustainability event held this October at Great Lakes Brewing Company. The theme of the evening was local food. Over 100 people joined us for food, beer, and a conversation about our local food system with a panel of guests that helped us explore the meaning of the term food system, the various roles within that system, and ways we might make it more local, more accessible, and more inclusive.In this recording, we first hear Lexi St. Denis, the local and responsible food coordinator for Great Lakes Brewing Company, describe her job and the farmers she works with. After that, we hear from Dr. Darcy Friedman, a renowned researcher and the Director of the Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health at CASE. Dr. Friedman moderated our panel of 3 speakers that included Zainab Pixler, the Local Food Systems Strategy Coordinator for the City of Cleveland Department of Public Health; Annabel Khouri, the owner of Bay Branch Farm in Cleveland and a member of the USDA Farm Service agency committee; Jennifer Lumpkin, founder of My Grow Connect, an organization that works to connect the community with agriculture and member of the Cuyahoga County Food Policy Coalition. We've set the table for some intriguing topics - everything from food sovereignty to wealth building for BIPOC growers. And we examine solutions that Cleveland can adopt to improve its local food system, address disparities, and improve health in our communities. So pull up a chair. There's plenty to digest on this episode of Eco Speaks CLE.Thank You, Sponsors! Great Lakes Brewing Co - Brewing Good Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health - CWRUConserva Irrigation of Northern OhioGraziani Multimedia1 PM One Planet MediaSustainable Ohio Public Energy CouncilRET3 Job CorpsLettuce Tree FarmsBlue CSR StrategiesRust Belt RidersCollaborxFood StrongBRITE Energy InnovatorsCleveland Neighborhood ProgressFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode of Eco Speaks CLE, we speak with New York Times bestselling author and climate journalist Jeff Goodell. Jeff has covered climate change for over two decades at Rolling Stone and is the author of seven books, including his latest book, The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death On A Scorched Planet. This is an engaging, thoughtful, and human book filled with stories that help us all understand how we can help address this moment.What would you do if your casual seven-mile hike turned into a fatal encounter with extreme heat? That is one chilling tale we discuss as we dive into the dire realities of our rapidly warming world. Join us to understand the Goldilocks Zone,  how heat is the driver behind many natural disasters, how our bodies react to heat, and the health risks we face even in cooler regions like Northeast Ohio. Stay with us and hear what it will take to address the drive change, the economic costs, legal actions against oil companies, the power of young voters, and how an encounter with a polar bear reminds us that we are all in this together. Guest:Author and Climate Journalist Jeff GoodellThe Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death On A Scorched PlanetFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

What if there was a way to save thousands of innocent birds from lethal collisions with our urban glass structures each year? In this episode of EcoSpeak CLE, we head to Lake Erie Nature and Science Center to speak with wildlife rehabilitation specialist Tim Jasinski, one of the founders of Lights Out Cleveland. Tim shares the challenges migratory birds face in navigating the dangerous cityscape of Cleveland and how we all help make our community more feather-friendly.  Tim takes us behind the scenes of Lights Out Cleveland and The Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, revealing the dedication and commitment of the volunteers who roam downtown streets in the early morning hours during spring and fall migrations to rescue and rehabilitate injured birds. In our Tip Time, Tim shares what to do if you find an injured bird or animal and some of his favorite spots around town to bird watch.Lights Out Cleveland needs more volunteers. You can make a difference by becoming a Bird Collision Monitoring Crew member.  Monitoring and collection volunteers are responsible for monitoring specific areas throughout Downtown Cleveland, collecting/transporting both living and dead birds, and recording data.  Monitoring happens between 5:00 am – 8:30 am, March 15 – ~June 1 and August 15 – mid-November. Opportunities are available seven days per week. To become a volunteer, you will need to join the Cleveland Metroparks volunteer system.Guest:Tim Jasinski, Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist with Lake Erie Nature and Science Center and Founder of Lights Out ClevelandResources:Lights out Cleveland   Lake Erie Nature and Science Center Become a Lights Out Cleveland volunteer Feather Friendly window film  Ohio Bird Conservation InitiativeMake your house more bird-friendly.  Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Whitnye Long Jones is a nature enthusiast, community engagement specialist, and environmental justice advocate. She channels these passions and skills into the non-profit she founded in  2017 called Organic Connects. Whitnye runs Organic Connects with her husband, Jefferson Jones, a lifelong outdoor educator, and outdoorsman. Together, they provide environmental education, outdoor recreation, and nature-based opportunities primarily for urban youth and families with limited access to nature. In this episode, we speak with Whitnye and Jefferson in Jimmy's Treehouse, the outdoor learning classroom at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. We talk about the power of nature to teach, restore, transform, heal, inspire, connect, and prepare our future environmental leaders. Whether it be kayaking, camping in Allegheny National Forest, or building a campfire, the practical skills one acquires outdoors benefit each of us throughout our lives, and as Jefferson puts it, "everybody, whether they're white or black or brown, needs more of the outdoors." Join us to hear how these two black environmental leaders provide these experiences and connect people organically to the outdoors, each other, and the community. It's a reminder of how these organic connections can create ripple effects, fostering an environment where everyone, regardless of their background, can connect with nature in a meaningful way.  Guests:Whitnye Long-Jones, Founder and Executive Director, Organic Connects email: wlj@organicconnects.orgJefferson Jones, Senior Director of Operations, Organic Connects email: jhj@organicconnects.orgResources:Environmental education and outdoor recreation programs Organic Connects Events Partners and FundersCleveland Metroparks Youth OutdoorsConveniently Vegan restaurantCamp JourneyFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Emily Pek is a flower farmer and the owner of Frayed Knot Farm, a small flower farm in Newbury, Ohio, where she produces beautiful, diverse cut flowers and herbs that share stories, bring joy and support equitable and regenerative farming. In this episode, we visit Emily on her farm and discover her journey to becoming a flower farmer, the family roots and community behind her farm, the flowers behind the Saison beer at Great Lakes Brewing Company, and her grandpa's punny joke that inspired the name Frayed Knot Farm. If Emily were a flower, she says she would be Foxglove. It's delicate but tough with "tough" being the operative word behind being a farmer. Starting with just a grass field in 2018, Emily now grows over 100 varieties of annual and perennial flowers and foliage on less than an acre using hand-scale farming practices. She demonstrates how hard work and a "why not?" attitude can turn dreams into reality. Join us on this episode to discover the heart and hard work behind Frayed Knot Farm and Emily's passion for a more sustainable and healthy environment. Her journey will inspire you to pursue your dreams, no matter how big or small.Resources:Frayed Knot FarmFollow Frayed Knot Farm on InstagramEvent FloralsFlower Shares through Ohio City farm Wholesale - The CollabCommunity Partners - Rustbelt Fibershed The Flax ProjectThe joke - a string walks into a bar....Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Evergreen Recycling, based in Clyde, Ohio, is one of North America's largest recyclers of plastic PET bottles and its mission is to make single-use plastic a thing of the past. With four facilities across North America, Evergreen leads the industry in bottle-to-bottle recycling. In our conversation with  Michael Sandoval, Evergreen's corporate purchasing manager, we talked about bottle recycling, the circular economy, and what the future holds. Join us as we explore the world of bottle-to-bottle PET recycling and hear about the complex and fascinating process of converting used plastic bottles back into food-grade quality flake and pellets used to make new plastic pop, water, and soda bottles. We tackle the economics of R-PET and the sustainability goals driving the shift towards increasing recycled content in consumer brands. From the efforts of giant corporations like Coca-Cola to legislative changes, we uncover the factors shaping the landscape of recycling. Resources:Evergreen's Sustainability SolutionsAbout food grade quality RPETEvergreen Plastics, Clyde, Ohio facilityAbout PET Recycling from NAPCORFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we explore the world of beekeeping with Denzil and Sheila St. Clair. Sheila and Denzil have been happily married and very busy for 52 years, keeping bees, raising children, operating their bee business, and founding the Greater Cleveland Beekeepers Association (GCBA). Greg and I caught up with them on a Wednesday evening at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, where they were demonstrating how to do an "alcohol wash" on a hive to determine if it contained harmful mites. This preceded the beekeepers association's annual July picnic. The GCBA supports hundreds of backyard beekeepers from all walks of life. They come together to learn, support each other, socialize, and help spread the word about the essential need for honeybees and beekeeping. Housed at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, the GCBA educates aspiring and existing beekeepers and the public. There are several active bee hives, a bee barn, a pollinator garden, and an observation hive. Join us as we dip into this topic just enough to pique your interest in becoming a beekeeper, spark an appreciation for bees, and inspire you to take a beginner beekeeping course through GCBA. Guests:Denzil St. Clair and Sheila St. Clair - Greater Cleveland Beekeepers Association and owners of Queen Right Colonies, a beekeeping supply house.Resources:Greater Cleveland Beekeepers AssociationBeekeeping classes Beekeeping Supplies from Queen Right ColoniesCuyahoga County Fair Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Eddie Olschanski is on a mission. Five days a week, year-round, Eddie can be seen fishing for trash in his kayak on the Cuyahoga River in the Flats. Outfitted with just a life jacket, a trash grabber, and garbage bags, Eddie and his volunteers have plucked over 50,000 lbs of trash from the shipping canal, the last place the trash can be removed before it drains into Lake Erie. Eddie founded Trash Fish CLE in 2017 to keep our lake clean, educate people about plastic pollution, and encourage people to get out and enjoy the water. For this episode, we joined Eddie on the river, along with two recruitments, Laura and Cheri. Join us as we hear what drives Eddie to do this dirty work, how he feels about "nurdles," and what Cleveland needs to do to rid our river of trash.   Resources:Get Involved with Trash Fish CLE Trash Fish and the Today ShowSupport EddieFollow Eddie on InstagramFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Curious about how the water you use every day gets to your tap? If you live in Northeast Ohio, chances are you get some or all of your water from the Cleveland Division of Water and the process of getting it from Lake Erie to you is fascinating. Today is water appreciation day on Eco Speaks CLE and speaking with us is Alex Margevicius, the Commissioner of Water for Cleveland Water. Alex oversees the 10th largest water system in the US and the largest in Ohio. Join us as he explains how Cleveland Water treats and delivers over 200 million gallons of water to customers in 80 communities daily! Hear about the infrastructure involved, the water treatment process that ensures our water is safe, and how we can protect our greatest natural asset and water source, Lake Erie. What do you think about when you turn on the tap this morning? Resources: Cleveland's Water Treatment ProcessHistory of Cleveland Water - Interactive Timeline Education and Outreach Services2023 Water Quality ReportLead Awareness  Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we hear from a number of Cleveland's sustainability community in this recording from May's Eco Meet CLE event at Great Lakes Brewing Company. The evening featured a community stage where we heard from local environmental organizations about their work and the many ways we can connect and get involved. A lot is happening around town, and we are proud of all the people doing this important work. Listen to their stories here and find what speaks to you. Eco Meet CLE events are presented by Eco Speaks CLE and Venture Forward Strategies and hosted by Great Lakes Brewing Company. Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

The Ohio City Bicycle Co-Op has been helping people use bikes for over 20 years by imparting skills that encourage riding for fun, fitness, and transportation. Guided by the principles of respect, resourcefulness, and reciprocity, the OCBC's small professional staff and its many skilled volunteers refurbish donated bicycles, teach bike maintenance and repair classes, operate a bicycle thrift store, and lead community programs such as fixathons all out of their 12,000 sq ft shop in the Flats. Our guest, Jim Sheehan, is one of the founders and the director of OCBC. Join us as Jim speaks about how the spirit of cooperative work keeps wheels on the road. Hear about the Earn A Bike and Pay What You Can programs, the Idaho Stop, how to recycle a water bottle into a fender, essential bike maintenance tips, upcoming events, and much more. May is National Bike Month, and OCBC has you covered. Guest:Jim Sheehan, Director, Ohio City Bicycle Co-OpResources:About Ohio City Bicycle Co-OpOCBC Learn to Ride and Bike Maintenance classesOCBC Community ProgramsDonate a BikeBecome a Volunteer Bike Collectives NetworkSlow Roll Cleveland Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In honor of Arbor Day, we discuss local efforts to reforest the Forest City with the Cleveland Tree Coalition and the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. Cleveland was once known as the Forest City, but it's not so forested anymore, with less than 18% of tree canopy remaining in the urban core. This tree canopy loss negatively impacts the city and its residents. Two women working to understand those impacts and rebuild our urban forest are Samira alone with the Cleveland Tree Coalition and Alison Ball with the County Planning Commission. Join us for a conversation about the power of trees for community quality of life and how strategic urban planning, planting, and tree stewardship are restoring our taking root in our region for this and future generations.   Guests:Samira Malone: Inaugural Director, Cleveland Tree Coalition Alison Ball, Planning Initiatives Specialist, Cuyahoga County Planning CommissionResources:Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant Program and Cleveland Tree Coalition Grant ProgramCuyahoga County Tree Canopy ViewerCuyahoga County Tree Canopy AssessmentFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

 April is a busy month in the CLE, so we bring you this short Earth Day episode where Diane goes solo and speaks about the first Earth Fest at the Zoo in 1990, what having a sustainability community means, ways to get involved, and what's in store for Eco Speaks CLE. Ways to Connect:Join the Eco Meet CLE 4 Miles 4 Water teamRegister for Eco Meet CLE on May 16Eco Meet CLE on Linked in  Low Power Happy Hour by Conservancy for CVNPTrash Fish with Eddie OlshanskiNEO Sustainability Ladies (connect through hello@ecospeakscle.com)Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Spring has arrived, and here at Eco Speaks CLE, we are thinking about SOIL. It is fundamental to all life on earth, so it deserves our attention. In this episode, we speak with Nathan Rutz, the Director of Soil for Tilth Soil. Tilth is an outgrowth of Rust Belt Riders, transforming food waste into a family of soil products that nourish plants, people, and the planet. Join us as we ponder the importance of healthy soil, which Wendel Berry, the  American poet, essayist, and environmentalist, calls the "great connector of lives."   Guest:Nathan Rutz, Director of Soil, Tilth SoilResources:Tilth SoilAbout TilthCommunity Compost CoalitionOne Straw Revolution by  Masanobu Fukuoka The Gift of Good Land by Wendell BerryFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we learn how BRITE Energy Innovators is helping power the future of energy across Ohio by speaking with Jing Lyon, BRITE's Entrepreneur Programs Director, and Joe Rohan, BRITE's Accelerator Program Manager. BRITE Energy Innovators empowers founders to launch energy technology solutions and operates Ohio's only energy technology incubator in Warren, located in Ohio's "Voltage Valley." Over the past decade, BRITE has helped nearly 600 new energy tech startups and created more than 1,100 jobs. Join us to get to know Joe and Jing as we talk about rock n roll, entrepreneurship, advanced energy solutions for EVs, energy storage, and mobility. In Ohio, our future is BRITE!Guests: Jing Lyon, Entrepreneur Programs Director, BRITE Energy InnovatorsJoe Rohan, Accelerator Program Manager, BRITE Energy InnovatorsResources:About BRITE Energy InnovatorsAbout BRITE's Founder, Rick StockbridgeAbout BRITE's StartupsAbout BRITE's Energy Tech IncubatorFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Meet members of our local sustainability community and hear from local climate leaders in this episode recorded during our second Eco Meet CLE event in February at Great Lakes Brewing Company. First, meet some of the people in the room and then hear from our climate panelists, featuring County Executive Chris Ronayne, Stephen Love with the Cleveland Foundation, and city and county sustainability directors Sarah O'Keefe and Mike Foley, respectively. Chris and Stephen were part of a prominent Cleveland delegation that attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt last fall - COP 27. Hear them relate their experience and critical takeaways, and then hear Sarah and Mike tell us how the City and the County are working to address climate change and create an equitable, clean energy future. So what does the future look like in our region? Executive Ronayne's vision is for us to be the "Freshwater Capital of the Future." Listen and learn about all the work underway to help get us there.   Panelists:Chris Ronayne: Cuyahoga County ExecutiveStephen Love: Manager of Environmental Initiatives at the Cleveland Foundation Sarah O'Keefe: City of Cleveland Director of  Sustainability and Climate Justice Mike Foley: Cuyahoga County Director of Sustainability Resources:The Climate Registry recording from COP27 featuring the Cleveland leadership delegation: Cleveland Climate Action PlanCuyahoga County Climate Change Action PlanPower a Clean Future OhioGo Green Energy FundFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we celebrate the national park in our backyard by speaking with  Deb Yandala, President and CEO of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Donté Gibbs, VP of Community Partnerships. The Conservancy is the non-profit partner of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and its biggest supporter. Its 85 staff work to protect and promote the Park while managing its three stores, volunteers, cultural events, educational programs, and the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.  Deb and Donté talk about the park's origins and what it means to be one of the few cities in the country with a national park in its backyard. How can we not only enjoy the park but also support it, grow it and help make it accessible to everyone in the region?  With its 32, 570 acres, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers countless opportunities for residents of Cleveland and Akron to enjoy and learn from nature. Come with us and explore. Guests:Deb Yandala is the President and CEO of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In her role, Deb oversees the many ways the Conservancy helps connect the community with the park, including managing the park's education, volunteer, and cultural arts programs; operating three stores; managing events in the park, and raising money for park projects. Deb is also involved with the National Park Foundation and is a violist with the Cleveland Philharmonic and other local orchestras. Previously, Deb was the director of the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. Donté Gibbs is the VP of Community Partnerships for the Conservancy. He works across departments, implementing community initiatives, building partnerships, and developing internal and external engagement strategies. Through this role, Donté helped create Skylight Park at Tower City and launch the Rhythm on the River summer concert series in Howe Meadow. Donté brings deep community connections to his work and has been instrumental in leading Conservancy to be more deeply embedded in the community and a national leader in park equity. Resources:Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National ParkMeet Lisa Petit, CVNP Park Superintendent Become a member of the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National ParkVolunteer for CVNPUpcoming Events at CVNP Skylight Park at Tower CityTeddy Roosevelt and other Presidents that shaped our public lands Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

Elena Stachew and Moses Ngong are two young professionals demonstrating the power of youth in action. They lead the Cleveland Hub of Global Shapers. Global Shapers is a diverse community of young people working together to address local, regional, and global challenges through 522 city-based hubs located in 154 countries.  In this episode, we get to know Moses and Elena and hear about the Cleveland Hub's work on climate change, youth empowerment and activism, and racial and environmental justice. There are 40+ Cleveland Shapers and alumni working to shape a healthy, diverse and inclusive future in Cleveland through projects like Culture CLE, the Youth Climate Action Fund, and the Shaping the Future series. While Global Shapers range in age from 18-30, alumni and other partners like the Black Environmental Leaders make this an intergenerational model for change using youth-led solutions.  Guests:Elena Stachew: Curator, Global Shapers - Cleveland HubMoses Ngong: Impact Officer, Global Shapers - Cleveland HubResources:Global Shapers - Cleveland Hub Meet the Cleveland Global ShapersApply to become a Global ShaperFreshwater Cleveland Series on Shaping the FutureAn open source, free, downloadable research paper on Elena's work in biomimicryGlobal Shapers LinktreeShaping the Future SeriesFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In our first episode of 2023, we help you with all your recycling questions and give you options for cleaning out the clutter so you can start your new year off right. Joining us are Beth Biggins-Ramer, the Executive Director of Cuyahoga Recycles, and Matt Walters, the Recycling Programs Coordinator with Cuyahoga Recycles. Hear Beth tell us what's new with recycling, what happens to your recyclables once they leave the curb, and how to find the recycling rules in your city. Also, they have a fourth "R"  for you - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and REPAIR. Matt tells us about the Fix-It Clinics offered at Cuyahoga Recycles to help you repair instead of replace your broken items, plus the growing list of things you can recycle at the District. Stay with us to have all your "What Do I Do With...?" questions answered. Guests:Beth Biggins-Ramer, Executive Director, Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District (aka Cuyahoga Recycles)Matthew Walters, Recycling Programs Coordinator, Cuyahoga RecyclesResources:Second Saturdays- special waste collections Fix-It Repair WorkshopsThink Box makers space at CASEWhat Do I Do With search engineFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we speak with Jess Boeke. Jess and her twin sister Sarah Pottle, are the co-founders of Rust Belt Fibershed and are growing a bioregional textile community within a 250-mile radius of Cleveland. Imagine sourcing your clothing from a regional fibershed where local fiber farmers, workers, and artisans produce natural clothing that originates from the soil and can return to the soil. This is the vision of Rust Belt Fibershed. Jess and Sarah are helping connect us with our clothing the way farmers' markets connect us with our food. It starts with systems thinking and education, then the community magic follows. Listen and hear about alpacas, hemp, flax, natural dyes, microplastics, and what's needed to bring natural textile production into our fibershed and the many ways to engage with this regenerative community.   GuestJess Boeke, Co-Founder and  Executive Director, Rust Belt Fibershed ResourcesRust Belt Fibershed website Community Forum - get plugged into the Rust Belt Fibershed communityDrift Lab Dye Studio - natural and botanical dyeing projectRegenerative Ed - regenerative thinking for our educational systemReading: Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile EconomyFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on fast fashion with  Aaron Jacobson, the creator of faan, a Cleveland-based clothing company. Aaron designs and creates low-waste, locally-made, unisex clothing that supports the philosophy of true circular fashion. Circular fashion is the opposite of fast fashion, which accounts for 10% of global CO2 emissions and exploits workers and the environment worldwide. Hear how fast fashion works as we travel around the world in Diane and Greg's closets and talk about becoming more conscientious consumers. This is the first of several episodes we devote to this topic as we hear from people in our community that help us rethink how we clothe ourselves.Guest:  Aaron Jacobson, Designer | Director FAAN Clothing Resources:Ellen MacArthur Foundation -Fashion and the Circular EconomyA History of Cleveland's Garment Industry - Belt Magazine Good on You - Sustainable and Ethical Fashion RatingsReading Recommendation:  Consumed by Aja BarberFollow us: https://www.facebook.com/ecospeaksclehttps://www.instagram.com/ecospeakscleContact us:hello@ecospeakscle.com