Connecting Communities: Kalamazoo Earth Day

Birds With Seth

Seth Chapman of Birds With Seth tells how his life long love of birds has led him to creating guided bird tours that focus on nature and learning how nature can help us be present in our lives.

Peace House: A Neighborhood Haven for Kids

Meet the three co-founders of Peace House, a free after school program for kids in the Eastside neighborhood, as they share stories along with Jennifer Spicer a current mom with children at Peace House and Pereshieanna Smith one of the first children to come to Peace House and now a supervisor to support the next generation.

Kalamazoo Video Vault

Patrick Hershburger shares his new found artist adventure by archiving what is considered dead media; the VHS tape. Gathering used tapes from persons around Kalamazoo and cataloging them on a site, Patrick gives viewers the opportunity to see life as it was through the lens of the original creator whether through television media choices or real life videography.

The Ecological and Cultural Role of Fire - Mary Parr, Jesse Lincoln, Mitch Lettow

In our last episode, we heard the stories about modern day fire starters who tend to the land by burning it. This episode provides more context about the history of fire in Michigan, going back to the glaciers, and to the first people who lived here. Michigan Natural Features Inventory Website [https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/distribution-maps]

Reintroducing fire to the landscape - Michigan Prescribed Fire Council - Michele Richards, Ryan Koziatek, Dave Brown

Another twist on conservation - helping the ecosystem in unexpected ways. Over the last several years, fires have burned through Canada, California, and Colorado, causing massive destruction. However, burning can be a medicine for our land that prevents disastrous wildfires, and gives native plants a chance against the overwhelming invasives. Our guests from Michigan Prescribed Fire Council have joined us to discuss the fire work they do in Kalamazoo County, and how you can even help. Firecouncil.org [Firecouncil.org]