CREATE Connections

Food Insecurity and Sustainability with Food to Flourish

Episode 6 features Madeline Yang, co-founder of the youth-led nonprofit organization Food to Flourish. Food to Flourish works across the issues of food insecurity and sustainability by working with food banks, advocating for local food banks and their recipients, and establishing seed libraries within public libraries and other organizations. In 2024, Maddie and Food to Flourish helped Nurture Nature Center establish our own seed library! The CREATE Connections podcast centers on the idea that no matter what roles you hold - elected official, parent, volunteer, student, or other - you are a crucial part of climate action in your community. We are all impacted by climate change and other environmental hazards, and we all have strengths and resources we can bring to make our community more resilient.  We will “CREATE Connections” as we interview a variety of guests to explore how they have found their place in the network of people and organizations working to build healthy, sustainable, resilient, people-centered places to live and work. Along the way, we will highlight opportunities for listeners to take action and form new connections throughout our region!  Links and additional resources from the episode: * Connect with Food to Flourish * Website [https://www.foodtoflourish.org/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/foodtoflourish.hq/] * Book - Green Eats: Sustainable Recipes and Activities By Kids, For Kids [https://www.amazon.com/Green-Eats-Sustainable-recipes-activities/dp/B0DNGQV69S] *  From Farm to Kitchen: The Environmental Impacts of U.S. Food Waste, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Nov. 2021 https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/from-farm-to-kitchen-the-environmental-impacts-of-u.s.-food-waste_508-tagged.pdf#page=3 [https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/from-farm-to-kitchen-the-environmental-impacts-of-u.s.-food-waste_508-tagged.pdf#page=3]  * Sign up for the CREATE Connections Newsletter [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/create-community-resilience/create-connections-contact-us/] * More about the CREATE Connections Project [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/community-in-action/create-connections-climate-action-here-there-and-everywhere/] * Connect with Nurture Nature Center * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nurturenaturecenter] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nurturenaturecenter/?hl=en] This podcast was prepared by the Nurture Nature Center under award NA23SEC0080002 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Hope and Collaboration with the CREATE Artists

Episode 5 features 6 local artists who worked with us to create interactive art exhibits displayed at Easton and Bethlehem Area Public Libraries. These exhibits reflect on the major themes of CREATE Connections’ community-wide approach to climate action, and visitors can contribute by choosing an action to pledge to take. The installations will be exhibited at the libraries until later this fall.  Artists participating in the project are: Lynn Alexander, Jamie Cabreza, William Christine, Lauren Kindle, Charles Stonewall, and Cleveland Wall. Additionally, students in Professor and Artist Deirdre Murphy’s “Big Questions” class at Lehigh University contributed works. The CREATE Connections podcast centers on the idea that no matter what roles you hold - elected official, parent, volunteer, student, or other - you are a crucial part of climate action in your community. We are all impacted by climate change and other environmental hazards, and we all have strengths and resources we can bring to make our community more resilient.  We will “CREATE Connections” as we interview a variety of guests to explore how they have found their place in the network of people and organizations working to build healthy, sustainable, resilient, people-centered places to live and work. Along the way, we will highlight opportunities for listeners to take action and form new connections throughout our region!  Links and additional resources from the episode: * Visit the exhibit! * BAPL Open Hours * Mon. – Wed. 9AM – 8PM * Thurs. & Fri. 9AM – 6PM * Sat. 10AM – 5PM * Sun. CLOSED * EAPL Open Hours * Mon - Thurs. 8AM - 8PM * Friday 8AM - 5PM * Saturday  9AM - 5PM * Sunday  CLOSED * More about the artists: * Lynn Alexander - Website [http://www.elynnalexander.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/elynnalexander/] | Easton Book Festival  [http://www.eastonbookfestival.com] * Jamie Cabreza - Website [http://www.jamiecabreza.com] * Bill Christine - Website [https://william-christine.squarespace.com/] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=william+christine] * Lauren Kindle - Website [https://www.laurenkindle.com/] * Charles Stonewall - Website [http://charlesfstonewall.com/] | Video of Work [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_uiPD-zV7g] | Recent Exhibit [https://luag.lehigh.edu/exhibitions/here-and-now-100-years-luag-100-local-artists] * Cleveland Wall - Home Page [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q1j25Kj_oo2-UM5iXptGcW3klh3CdxIFWUH1JflLo8I/edit?usp=sharing] * The Climate Museum [https://www.climatemuseum.org/] * Tell Your Climate Story - Climate Generation [https://climategen.org/take-action/storytelling/] * Climate Art Ideas - 350.org [https://art.350.org/how-tos/make-your-own-climate-art/index.html] * Sign up for the CREATE Connections Newsletter [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/create-community-resilience/create-connections-contact-us/] * More about the CREATE Connections Project [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/community-in-action/create-connections-climate-action-here-there-and-everywhere/] * Connect with Nurture Nature Center * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nurturenaturecenter] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nurturenaturecenter/?hl=en] This podcast was prepared by the Nurture Nature Center under award NA23SEC0080002 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Local Businesses and Sustainability with Nature's Way

The CREATE Connections podcast centers on the idea that no matter what roles you hold - elected official, parent, volunteer, student, or other - you are a crucial part of climate action in your community. We are all impacted by climate change and other environmental hazards, and we all have strengths and resources we can bring to make our community more resilient.  We will “CREATE Connections” as we interview a variety of guests to explore how they have found their place in the network of people and organizations working to build healthy, sustainable, resilient, people-centered places to live and work. Along the way, we will highlight opportunities for listeners to take action and form new connections throughout our region!  Episode 4 features Nature’s Way Market in Easton. We talk to Amanda and Eliana about steps the store takes to be more sustainable, which resulted in them receiving the “committed” level of recognition in the Lehigh Valley Sustainable Business Program, an upcoming sale and maker’s market as part of Climate Action Week, and more of the role small businesses can play in local sustainability and climate action.   Links and additional resources from the episode: * Nature’s Way * Website [https://natureswayeaston.com/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/NaturesWayEaston/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easton.naturesway/] * List of Participating Businesses in the LV Sustainable Business Program [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/lehigh-valley-sustainable-business-program#efaq-participating-businesses] * Info on joining LV Sustainable Business Program and Network [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/lehigh-valley-sustainable-business-program] * Next Sustainable Business Network Meeting * Monday, November 3, 6-7pm * Virtual * Join the LV Sustainable Business Network and representatives from PPL to learn about rebates, cost savings, and resources available to businesses to reduce energy use! Bring any questions about how to save energy in your building. * Not a PPL customer? Many of the tips shared may still apply to you! We’d love to have you join us. Email Lauren (lfosbenner@nurturenaturecenter.org) with any questions! * Register to receive the meeting link at tinyurl.com/PPLNov3 [http://tinyurl.com/PPLNov3]  * Climate Action Week Schedule [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/climate-action-week/] * Sign up for the CREATE Connections Newsletter [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/create-community-resilience/create-connections-contact-us/] * More about the CREATE Connections Project [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/community-in-action/create-connections-climate-action-here-there-and-everywhere/] * Connect with Nurture Nature Center * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nurturenaturecenter] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nurturenaturecenter/?hl=en] This podcast was prepared by the Nurture Nature Center under award NA23SEC0080002 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Global to Local with City Sustainability Coordinators

The CREATE Connections podcast centers on the idea that no matter what roles you hold - elected official, parent, volunteer, student, or other - you are a crucial part of climate action in your community. We are all impacted by climate change and other environmental hazards, and we all have strengths and resources we can bring to make our community more resilient.  We will “CREATE Connections” as we interview a variety of guests to explore how they have found their place in the network of people and organizations working to build healthy, sustainable, resilient, people-centered places to live and work. Along the way, we will highlight opportunities for listeners to take action and form new connections throughout our region!  Episode 3 features Brandon Sullivan, City of Easton Sustainability Coordinator, Sarah DeGrendel, City of Bethlehem Sustainability Manager, and Veronika Vostinak, City of Allentown Sustainability Coordinator. All three were hired in the last couple of years to oversee their city’s sustainability efforts and serve as liaisons between the many different people in city government and in the community working on local environmental issues. We talk about their priorities for the next few years, recent successes, and how residents can get involved with sustainability efforts in their city.  Links and additional resources from the episode:  * Allentown * Allentown Sustainability [https://www.allentownpa.gov/en-us/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Parks-Sustainability] * Take the Climate Action Plan Survey [https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR7DbfIAi0dVDiVsGabCqFg7Xz6PLnQfUTH7lvPoJfAm1QqhR87AJ9mRXbp4fA_aem_QnDXlBYLazMOwAliRb3i2w&id=_D9uG4N5I0asco5Hb-9rDS6Q5zTFSSpOiShft43Tj5lURTNCSjZMWlRRTjJHSFI3TlBYWUVZUVk5Uy4u&route=shorturl] * Bethlehem * Bethlehem Climate Action Plan [https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/getattachment/Public-Works/Climate-Action-Plan/Climate-Action-Plan_City-of-Bethlehem_04-07-21-FINAL-FINAL.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US] * Bethlehem's hub for community engagement, WeBuildBethlehem  [https://webuild.bethlehem-pa.gov/en/folders/cap] * Sign up for the Bethlehem Climate Challenge!  [https://webuild.bethlehem-pa.gov/en/projects/bethlehem-climate-challenge-copy] * Easton * Easton Climate Action Plan  [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/the-city-of-eastons-climate-action-plan/] * Submit ideas or concerns about sustainability and the environment: sustainability@easton-pa.gov [sustainability@easton-pa.gov]  * Easton Urban Conservation Department [https://easton-pa.com/512/Urban-Conservation] * Sign up for the CREATE Connections Newsletter [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/create-community-resilience/create-connections-contact-us/] * More about the CREATE Connections Project [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/community-in-action/create-connections-climate-action-here-there-and-everywhere/] * Connect with Nurture Nature Center * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nurturenaturecenter] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nurturenaturecenter/?hl=en] This podcast was prepared by the Nurture Nature Center under award NA23SEC0080002 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Eating for Personal and Planetary Health with Jason Sizemore

The CREATE Connections podcast centers on the idea that no matter what roles you hold - elected official, parent, volunteer, student, or other - you are a crucial part of climate action in your community. We are all impacted by climate change and other environmental hazards, and we all have strengths and resources we can bring to make our community more resilient.  We will “CREATE Connections” as we interview a variety of guests to explore how they have found their place in the network of people and organizations working to build healthy, sustainable, resilient, people-centered places to live and work. Along the way, we will highlight opportunities for listeners to take action and form new connections throughout our region!  This episode features Jason Sizemore of Butterhead Kitchen, a vegan kitchen offering cooking demos, catering, and small batch products in Bethlehem Township. We discuss the benefits of eating more plants for planetary and personal health, the journey that brought Jason to create Butterhead, and some of Jason’s favorite vegan recipes. Links and additional resources from the pisode:  * Connect with Butterhead Kitchen: * Website [http://www.butterheadkitchen.com]  * 610-686-3000, butterheadkitchen@gmail.com * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/butterheadkitchen/]  * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/butterheadkitchen/]  * The Vegan Calculator [https://thevegancalculator.com/] - Resource Jason mentions to calculate the benefits of each vegan meal you eat * Strategy Spotlight: Eat Local and Plant-Based [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/strategy-spotlights#efaq-focus-on-eating-local-and-plant-based] * Plant-Rich Diets: Project Drawdown [https://drawdown.org/solutions/plant-rich-diets] * Buy Fresh Buy Local - Local Food Finder [https://www.buylocalglv.org/find-local-food/] * Buy Fresh Buy Local - 2024-2026 Local Foods Guide [https://www.buylocalglv.org/app/uploads/2024/06/BFBLGLV_LocalFoodsGuide_2024_WebLg.pdf] * Sign up for the CREATE Connections Newsletter [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/create-community-resilience/create-connections-contact-us/] * More about the CREATE Connections Project [https://nurturenaturecenter.org/community-in-action/create-connections-climate-action-here-there-and-everywhere/] * Connect with Nurture Nature Center * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nurturenaturecenter] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nurturenaturecenter/?hl=en] This podcast was prepared by the Nurture Nature Center under award NA23SEC0080002 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.