THINKING ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
(AND MORALITY) WITH pATRICK NEWMAN
ECO 651 10 MAY 2002
Patrick Newman is well known in Chico as an outspoken activist, particularly on homeless issues, but more broadly on progressive causes. He also conducts Friends on the Street offering the homeless food and supplies Sundays at the Chico plaza. Patrick also has deep and complex thoughts about morality, and how moral questions intertwine with social justice and environmental concerns. This was a three way conversation with Patrick, Susan, and Steve, though Steve was left in the dust by the complexity and thoughtfulness of the other two's ideas. A must listen show.
Click here to listen or download.
Click here to listen or download.
URBAN SPRAWL AND THE VALLEY'S EDGE PROJECT
WITH KIM MICHL AND ELISA MACLEOD
ECO 650 3 MAY 2022
Kim Michl and Elisa MacLeod are graduating students at Chico State University. They have been conducting research into the proposed Valley’s Edge development in southwest of Chico. Their description of the project was alarming at the least: over a thousand acres of pristine oak savannah to be covered with over a thousand luxury homes, with token “affordable” housing to comply with state law. A draft Environmental Impact Statement has been closely examined by a number of interested citizens and found to be wanting because of loss of habitat for endangered species, carbon emissions, and destruction of open space. . Kim and Elisa articulately explained why Chico Citizens need to resist this urban sprawl.
To read more about the specific plan, go to: https://chico.ca.us/post/valleys-edge-specific-plan
Listen to the program: click here.
To read more about the specific plan, go to: https://chico.ca.us/post/valleys-edge-specific-plan
Listen to the program: click here.
campfire restoration project
with janeva sorensen and stacey wear
eco 649 20 april 2022
The Campfire Restoration Project offers a wide range of camps, workshops, walks, and other events that deal with both the technical and spiritual revitalization of Paradise, California. Janeva and Stacy spoke about projects ranging from grey water systems to composting from spiritual renewal to Native Environmental practices. Their mission is to promote ecological stewardship through education, collaborative community action, and sharing resources. Learn more at http://campfirerestorationproject.org Listen to or download the program by clicking here.
safe streets
with bryce goldstein
eco 648 13 april 2022
Our guest was Chico activist Bryce Goldstein who, with others, has formed Chico Safe Streets. It is dedicated to improving conditions principally for bicyclists and pedestrians. We spoke about the bicycle lanes and pathways that already exist in the area, crediting their positive contributions, but discussing weaknesses in the system as well. Some imaginative alternatives were considered as well. Pedestrian traffic is also in need of attention,making it safe for adults and children to walk near or on area streets without fear of traffic entanglements. Literally as we were speaking, a skateboarder in Chico was hit by a car in the downtown area. 'Nuff said.
Listen to or Download the program. Click here..
Listen to or Download the program. Click here..
making shift happen
with nya van Leuvan and rod fujita
eco 645 29 march 2022
Our guests were Nya Van Leuvan and Rod Fujita coauthors (with Lauren Highleyman and Ashleigh Kellerman) of Making Shift Happen: Designing for Successful Behavior Change (New Society, 2022). They are the co-founders of Root Solutions, an nonprofit group that helps organizations, companies and governmental agencies to identify behavioral leverage points in their initiatives, then assist in the design and implementation of cost-effective and scalable behavioral strategies.
Nya Van Leuvan is the Executive Director. She has an MA from the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at the University of Arizona. She has created educational and outreach materials for the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society on the fragility of earth’s coral reef ecosystems.
Rod Fujita is the other co-founder of Root Solutions. In addition to his role at Root Solutions, Rod is the Director of Research and Development at Environmental Defense Fund’s Oceans Program where he has been working with fishing communities, regulators and business leaders around the world to improve fishery policies for more than 25 years.
As one reviewer noted, Making Shift Happen is “a workshop in a book,” a detailed exploration of behavior change processes and strategies. The first half outlines the how change makers can research, focus, design, and implement projects. The second half describes behavioral building blocks that help activists engage others by helping them develop a sense of belonging and optimistically proceed with their projects. The final chapter focuses on “nature’s longevity,” discussing not only the need to sustain environmental actions but to “take care of ourselves, so that we have the endurance and empathy needed to continue our life’s work.”
Listen to interview: click here.
Learn more about Root Solutions: https://www.therootsolutions.org
Learn more about or buy the book: newsociety.com
Nya Van Leuvan is the Executive Director. She has an MA from the School of Human Evolution and Social Change at the University of Arizona. She has created educational and outreach materials for the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society on the fragility of earth’s coral reef ecosystems.
Rod Fujita is the other co-founder of Root Solutions. In addition to his role at Root Solutions, Rod is the Director of Research and Development at Environmental Defense Fund’s Oceans Program where he has been working with fishing communities, regulators and business leaders around the world to improve fishery policies for more than 25 years.
As one reviewer noted, Making Shift Happen is “a workshop in a book,” a detailed exploration of behavior change processes and strategies. The first half outlines the how change makers can research, focus, design, and implement projects. The second half describes behavioral building blocks that help activists engage others by helping them develop a sense of belonging and optimistically proceed with their projects. The final chapter focuses on “nature’s longevity,” discussing not only the need to sustain environmental actions but to “take care of ourselves, so that we have the endurance and empathy needed to continue our life’s work.”
Listen to interview: click here.
Learn more about Root Solutions: https://www.therootsolutions.org
Learn more about or buy the book: newsociety.com
SUSTAINABILITY MISEDUCATION
WITH KATIE WORTH
ECO 644 22 March 2022
Our guest tonight was Katie Worth. Katie is the author of Miseducation: How Climate Change Is Taught in America. She is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning investigative journalist. From 2015 to 2021, she worked for the PBS series FRONTLINE on enterprise investigations and multimedia stories about science and politics. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, National Geographic, Slate, The Wall Street Journal, and was included in The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2016. Her book is based on interviews with hundreds of students and teachers and surveys of state standards and textbook content. She concludes that although some teachers are doing detailed and even-handed coverage of sustainability issues and problems, many are not, due to lack of training, political and parental pressures, misleading textbooks, and more.
Listen to or download the interview: Click here.
Listen to or download the interview: Click here.
project censored
with andy lee roth
eco 642 8 march 2022
Censorship was the topic of this program, but not of the way in which we usually think of it--with authorities redlining, suppressing, or burning books. Project Censored, established forty-five years ago, publishes an annual book describing important stories that do not receive full publicity for a variety of reasons that lead to de-facto censorship: we just don’t hear about them. We’re not talking about “fake news” here, but legitimate news, including environmental issues, that are essentially suppressed by a variety of powers. Our guest was Andy Lee Roth, the Associate Director of Project Censored and co-editor of Project Censored's State of the Free Press 2022. He coordinates the Project’s Campus Affiliates Program, a news media research network of several hundred students and faculty at two dozen colleges and universities across North America. He earned a PhD in sociology at the UCLA, and a BA in sociology and anthropology at Haverford College. Roth serves on the board of the Media Freedom Foundation, the sponsoring organization of Project Censored.
We found this an especially engaging interview, as Andy helped us understand the pressures put on news media not to highlight particular stories, the effect of social media on journalism in our time, the decline of print news, and how to identify reliable sources of news.
Learn more about Project Censored.
Listen to or download the program
We found this an especially engaging interview, as Andy helped us understand the pressures put on news media not to highlight particular stories, the effect of social media on journalism in our time, the decline of print news, and how to identify reliable sources of news.
Learn more about Project Censored.
Listen to or download the program
butte county landfill
with craig cissell and eric miller
eco 631 1 march 2022
Pictured: The resident falcon at the Butte County Landfill. The landfill uses falcons as a humane way to keep seagulls from the landfill. Seagulls eat trash, carry trash, and can spread disease, etc. Crystal, a White Icelandic Gyre falcon.
Our guests were Eric Miller, Manager of the Waste Management Division and Craig Cissell, Deputy Director of Solid Waste, Butte County. There’s much to learn about what goes on with the things we get rid of. They spoke about the operation of the Butte County Neal Road Landfill, where there is quite literally much more than meets the eye. They described the organization of the landfill, the kinds of waste that can be deposited, and the future of the landfill, which at the present rate is about twenty-five years. We also discussed waste in general in our consumer-and-products oriented world and efforts being made at the landfill to reclaim and recycle some materials. As part of the discussion we learned how the Facility captures methane produced by decaying organic matter and the effects of California's new law prohibiting the disposal of organic waste as "garbage." This was a fascinating and informative interview.
Pictured: The resident falcon at the Butte County Landfill. The landfill sues falcons as a humane way to keep seagulls from the landfill. Seagulls eat trash, carry trash, and can spread disease, etc. Crystal, a White Icelandic Gyre falcon.
Click here to listen to or download the recording.
Our guests were Eric Miller, Manager of the Waste Management Division and Craig Cissell, Deputy Director of Solid Waste, Butte County. There’s much to learn about what goes on with the things we get rid of. They spoke about the operation of the Butte County Neal Road Landfill, where there is quite literally much more than meets the eye. They described the organization of the landfill, the kinds of waste that can be deposited, and the future of the landfill, which at the present rate is about twenty-five years. We also discussed waste in general in our consumer-and-products oriented world and efforts being made at the landfill to reclaim and recycle some materials. As part of the discussion we learned how the Facility captures methane produced by decaying organic matter and the effects of California's new law prohibiting the disposal of organic waste as "garbage." This was a fascinating and informative interview.
Pictured: The resident falcon at the Butte County Landfill. The landfill sues falcons as a humane way to keep seagulls from the landfill. Seagulls eat trash, carry trash, and can spread disease, etc. Crystal, a White Icelandic Gyre falcon.
Click here to listen to or download the recording.
FIGHTING (SUB)URBAN SPRAWL
WITH JARED GEISER AND GRACE MARVIN
Eco 640 february 22, 2022
Our guests on this program are concerned with urban/suburban sprawl in Chico, specifically the proposed Stonegate and Valley's Edge projects in southeast Chico. Jared is on Butte Environmental Advocacy Committee and was strategic in writing the response to the draft Environmental Impact Review for Valley's Edge. He's a Certified California Naturalist and a local advocate for climate action and environmental stewardship. Grace Marvin is Conservation Group of the Blue Oak Group of the Sierra Club and has been fighting sprawl with that organization and with Smart Growth Advocates, which has been opposing urban sprawl projects for the past several years.
Listen to or download the interview with Jared.
Listen to or download the interview with Grace.
Listen to or download the interview with Jared.
Listen to or download the interview with Grace.
CHICO VELO WILDFLOWER CENTURY
with Ashley KoLler
GRID ALTERNATIVES
with Shyla Black
ECO 639 15 FEBRUARY 2022
In the first half of the program, we interviewed Ashley Koller, Executive Director of Chico Velo, which sponsors the world famous Wildflower Century, this year in late April. The ride often attracts as many as 3000 riders, though participation has been a bit down due to Covid. Registration and a Wildflower hoopla take place on April 23, with the ride itself on the 24th.The actual ride features a number of different routes, from a shorter kids' (and adults) ride up to a super challenging 125 mile ride with numerous hill climbs. Ashley also shared with us some of Chico Velo's community projects, including bike safety, trail cleaning, and valet services. Learn more about Chico Velo and the Wildflower Century at
https://www.chicovelo.org.
Listen to the program: Click below.
https://www.chicovelo.org.
Listen to the program: Click below.
We spoke with Shyla Black, Project Manager for North Valley Grid Alternatives, a non-profit company that provides no-cost or low-cost solar for low income people and those in areas of high pollution. It also provides training in solar installation, which can be a stepping stone to employment and a career. She explained the many projects of Grid Alternatives and the various ways they engage with the community. GRID Alternatives envisions a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone. Their mission is to build community-powered solutions to advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy. Check them out at https://gridalternatives.org/
Listen to the interview: Click below.
Listen to the interview: Click below.
DALBIR'S INDIA
with Dalbir Singh
Eco 638 8 February 2022
Our guest on this program was an old friend, Dalbir Singh from the Punjab region of India. About ten years ago we toured the area with him as tour guide. He operates Dalbir's India and continues to conduct highly individualized and informative tours of India, despite many complications due to Covid. We spoke with him, first, about his business and then about various topics about India, including the effects of Covid, the Green Revolution, environmental issues, and more. We were (again) impressed by Dalbir's spirituality and his interest in helping visitors to India understand it's deep cultural and religious roots. Learn more about Dalbir's India: click here.
SMITHSONIAN EXHIBIT AND LOCAL FLAX
with Sandy Fisher
BUTTE COLLEGE SUSTAINABILITY
with Mariah Swyrs
Eco 637 1 February 2022
with Sandy Fisher
BUTTE COLLEGE SUSTAINABILITY
with Mariah Swyrs
Eco 637 1 February 2022
Our first guest on this program was Sandy Fisher, local weaver, flax grower, and all around craftsperson. She told us about having been accepted to an art and sustainability exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. We realize this is a great honor and asked her more about the design of the exhibit, how it will operate, the kinds of people she expects to meet. She has opened a textile school in her studio, been a consultant and instructor at AVL looms and from 2015 to present Associate Faculty member of Butte Community College teaching Fiber Arts. She also gave us an update on the complex and expanding flax-to-linen project that she and others are conducting. For more information, click here: chicoflax.com/who-we-are/
Our second guest was Mariah Swyrs. She's the Sustainability Director on the Student Board at Butte College. She filled us in on a number of projects being conducted or planned for the campus, with particular emphasis on the Earth Day Celebration in April. Butte has an excellent track record in working toward sustainability, and student input is a large part of it. For information on Butte Sustainability, click here. To listen to the interview, click here.
BUTTE COUNTY LOCAL FOOD NETWORK with Pam Larry
ECO 636 25 January 2022
ECO 636 25 January 2022
Our guest was Pamm Larry, extraordinary local activist and the creator of the Butte County Local Food Network, a growing project with a number of efforts to help people grow and eat local food and increase food security. She told us about their many projects, including the Garden Blitz, a mobile Farmers' Market, Victory Gardens,and a multi-age cohort project to teach people how to grow and process food. You can learn more, sign up as a volunteer, and donate at https://bclocalfood.org/. Listen to or download the interview: Click.
OTTERSON ROAD BOONDOGGLE with Chris Nelson
SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL with Mary Muchowski
ECO 635 11 JANUARY 2022
SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL with Mary Muchowski
ECO 635 11 JANUARY 2022
Chris Nelson is the host of the Peace and Justice Program, Fridays, 11:30-1 PM. She is a tireless activist for peace, the environment, people without homes, and many other causes for social and environmental justice. She is currently working to educate the public on the new Otterson Drive extension which, she says, will use taxpayer money to put in a private driveway for a well connected developer, destroying the Comanche Creek Greenway. According to the City website, “The Hegan Lane Congestion Relief Project aims to relieve congestion and improve vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation in southwest Chico. The study area includes Park Avenue, Midway, Hegan Lane, and Otterson Drive, as well as the trails and intersections that connect to these roadways.”
Download or listen to this interview.
Download or listen to this interview.
Our second guest was Mary Muchowski, executive director of Altacal Audubon, the host of the Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway, an event held at the end of January. In addition to describing the festival, she discussed the Pacific Flyway and the birds who use it, as well as the threats to birds and other wildlife due to climate change and declining habitat. Listen or download the interview..
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SITES RESERVOIR
ECO 634 4 jANUARY 2022
In this program we discussing the proposed Sites Reservoir with three activists who are opposed to the building of the Sites Reservoir in Northern California. Regina Chichizola is Co-Director Save California's Salmon <savecaliforniasalmon.org>, a writer for TruthOut, and an advocate for tribal water rights, clean water, and the salmon. Barbara Vlamis is Executive Director and Jim Brobeck is Policy Analyst for AquAlliance, defending Northstate Waters <aqualliance.net.>. By way of background, we read an Associated Press article dated December 15. Reporter Adam Beam presented what seems to us an even handed description of the project and its perceived pros and cons. <Read article> The plan is to build a new lake in Northern California that, when full, could hold enough water to supply 3 million households for one year. Supporters need about $4 billion to build it. Wednesday’s vote by the California Water Commission means the lake — named Sites Reservoir — is eligible for about $800 million in taxpayer money, or about 20% of the project’s price tag.
Listen to or download the program.
Listen to or download the program.