Connecting Communities: Kalamazoo Earth Day

Jessica Thompson created Michigan's first Zero Waste Shop & Refillery in downtown Kalamazoo. Our hosts, Patrick Hershberger and Sharon Dever, sat down with Jessica, who may need to add storyteller to her resume. This episode is a lot of fun!

Tom Small is an octogenarian who has been encouraging the creation and conversation of native ecosystems for decades. He started the local chapter of Wild Ones, an organization dedicated to promoting landscaping with native plants. He writes books and teaches at Western Michigan University. In this episode, Tom shares some real knowledge and wisdom about coming together to literally save the world. Get ready for a conversation that guarantees to shift your perspective. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Earth Day Festival or any of its donors. 

Ryan Smith does some incredible work in the unhoused communities in Kalamazoo. He's got some great ideas of what social and structural changes could improve conditions for people, and you will look at the environment differently after hearing from Ryan. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Earth Day Festival or any of its donors. Kalamazoo Together Unhoused: https://www.facebook.com/groups/337329397899542/ Southwest Michigan Democratic Socialists of America: https://swmidsa.com

In this episode our guest, Mitch Lettow, dives deep into the concepts and practices of conservation. If you've ever been interested in habitat restoration and ecology, that is the daily work that Mitch does with the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Learn about the history and science of this work, as well as how you can participate in ecological conservation at home and in community.

This is a very special episode using footage from the Earth Day Festival! Almost every exhibitor is a part of this episode, as well as behind-the-scenes stories and commentary from David Benac, Patrick Hershberger, Sharon Dever, and Dee Chauvin. This episode goes hand-in-hand with the video that can be found at www.publicmedianet.org.

Erin Middleton is the Director of Energy Equity at Carbon Solutions. She is passionate about helping stakeholders make informed decisions about which low-carbon energy technologies make sense for their communities while meeting local, state, and federal climate goals. Join host Bionca Stewart to explore and understand the emerging opportunities for combining science and advocacy.

Steve Walsh and Ellen Nelson talk about the Vine way to celebrate Earth Day - with concerts and music. Self-declared as the Artistic Neighborhood, the energy in Vine speaks to a willingness to reach over the fence to collaborate to keep their outdoors fun and fresh. Specifically, they discuss their neighborhood assessment and how they protect and nurture the diversity on their board. The last episode before Earth Day Festival 2023. Vine Neighborhood Facebook Vine Neighborhood Website

There are so many fantastic musicians in Kalamazoo, but only some who will be performing at the 2023 Earth Day Festival! These musicians are thoughtful in their community engagement and activism. No one-trick-ponies here. For this episode, we hope you will discover some new exciting music, and fall in love with your favorite local artists a little more. Yolonda Lavender (00:00 - 48:00) Santino Jones, Headband Henny, Buddhahand (48:00 - 1:24:00) LoudFeli (1:24:00 - 1:40:00) You can always catch the video of the studio recording at publicmedianet.org Connect with Yolonda online: https://www.instagram.com/soulartistryllc/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/SoulArtistryLLC/ https://twitter.com/soulartistryllc?lang=en soulartistryinfo@gmail.com Connect with Santino Jones online: https://linktr.ee/santinojones https://open.spotify.com/artist/1pqSauZLIr3rq1UruyZ4KG Connect with Headband Henny online: https://www.instagram.com/headbandhenny/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/headbandhennyy/ https://www.youtube.com/@headbandhenny2369 https://open.spotify.com/artist/5TVg3o43tfrceLxSCPTvro Connect with Buddhahand online: https://www.facebook.com/fuzzforhire/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgGfI5AUNQml1bsrPFQ3ezA https://open.spotify.com/artist/1iXXrOfa85SRXk2r00FvrG https://www.tiktok.com/@buddhahandband Connect with LoudFeli online: https://www.instagram.com/loudfelimusic/ https://www.facebook.com/LoudFeli/ https://www.youtube.com/@loudfelimusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TCxC97xp5xhEzHFn5wcst https://linktr.ee/loudfeli

How can one person make a lasting and meaningful difference? Chris Bartley has lived in the Oakwood-Winchell neighborhood for a long time. At one time, Woods lake was so overgrown, it didn’t look like a park at all. Chris wanted to revive the park, so she planted native plants there. Chris believed that native plants would do the most to preserve the park for future generations. Fast forward many years later and Emily Demorest discovers Friends of Woods Lake and commits to continuing the work Christ started there. Join Chris and Emily Demorest in the conversation about the power of native plants, not just to save a park, but to transform residential lawns into low-maintenance ecosystems. Resources from the Show: Seek App: https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/seek_app Email Friends of Woods Lake: friendsofwoodslake@gmail.com Friends of Woods Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOWLkzoo Watch this episode at Public Media Network. Earth Day Social Media https://www.facebook.com/KalamazooEarthDay www.kalamazooearthday.com www.instagram.com/kalamazooearthday https://www.tiktok.com/@kalamazooearthday

The Edison Neighborhood has some awesome projects that are resident-led initiatives that improve the quality of life for those living in the Edison Neighborhood. These projects also have positive impacts for the environment. Stephen Dupuie, the Director of the Edison Neighborhood Association, joins the show to talk about those initiatives, how they function, and why they do so much to improve the quality of life. Edison Community Toolbox:  https://www.edisonneighborhood.com/tool-box Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edisonkzoo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edisonneighborhood/ director@edisonneighborhood.com Earth Day on all social media: https://www.facebook.com/KalamazooEarthDay www.kalamazooearthday.com www.instagram.com/kalamazooearthday https://www.tiktok.com/@kalamazooearthday

Bet you don’t know the story of the first Earth Day. In this episode of Connecting Communities, David Benac tells the story of the first national Earth Day, and the ways that it changed this country.  David, who chairs the Connecting Communities planning committee, also talks about the more recent history of Earth Day in Kalamazoo - Including how people can celebrate Earth Day in 2023. Co-Hosted by Patrick Hershberger and Dee Chauvin. Earth Day on all social media: https://www.facebook.com/KalamazooEarthDay www.kalamazooearthday.com www.instagram.com/kalamazooearthday https://www.tiktok.com/@kalamazooearthday

Patrick Hershberger and Ellen Nelson are professional artists in Kalamazoo. If you have walked, driven, or taken the bus anywhere is Kalamazoo, you have probably glimpsed a mural they were a part of. Patrick and Ellen also volunteer their time and work for Earth Day in Kalamazoo every year. This conversation explores how art can be beautiful and powerful, and how artists can speak to people without using any words at all. Co-Hosted by Dee Chauvin. Photos from Patrick’s website: www.gobonussaves.com Historic Earth Day Images: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zDHiE9gS8iTaQX9j6 Earth Day Banners Bronson Park  https://photos.app.goo.gl/xC56mjUjxd9x8xXE8 50th Anniversary Earth Day Coloring Book slides https://photos.app.goo.gl/tpkiywdn8Zn6PqQk7 Video link for 50th Anniv. Coloring Book  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfWjHOh1PYA Follow Earth Day on all social media: https://www.facebook.com/KalamazooEarthDay www.kalamazooearthday.com www.instagram.com/kalamazooearthday https://www.tiktok.com/@kalamazooearthday

Listen to Dale Anderson and Jennifer Faketty discuss how their local chocolate shop is creating jobs for community members in need of a second chance, whether through a safe work place for recovery, or those with other barriers to employment. All while demonstrating global ethical product sourcing and delighting their customers with unique and organic offerings.

Sister Ginny, as Sister of St. Joseph shares how she and others created Bow in the Clouds preserve. She talks about the beauty of nature and the lessons she has learned while tending the land

Join this episode of Connecting Communities to hear about how wild adventure can be more accessible that you might think. K College has become a resource for students and community members to learn and experience rock climbing, backpacking, and more. They want to create a community, connect people, and design programs that are of interest to the community. It is a perfect time to get involved with this group - so connect with Hannah and Jory in this episode!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kzoooutdoor/?hl=enWebsite: https://outdoor.kzoo.edu

EB Precopia shares about her passion for food and how it led to her building her blog and food tours in Kalamazoo.

Mia Breznau is a young climate activist in Kalamazoo. She has been participating and planning service projects, advocating for legislation, and organizing other young people for public demonstrations. In this episode, Mia shares her story and some of the influential mentors and organizations that have guided her journey. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Urban Bird Treaty (https://www.fws.gov/program/urban-bird-treaty)Ardea Youth Climate Coalition (https://www.instagram.com/ardeayouthcc)Ardea Youth Climate Coalition applications will be open spring 2026 (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9bx5qs2YSxjVU5buYAomcnoasY6rKen9o7qB5t9Z7P98Xqw/viewform)Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition (https://www.kalamazoocrisis.org)Michigan Climate Summit, September 9 (https://www.miclimateaction.org/2025_michigan_climate_summit)Michigan Student Power Alliance (https://www.mistudentpower.org)Michigan for the Many Campaign

Starlite Collective is an artist community led by Erica and Val to support and promote artists in Southwest Michigan. The way they have designed the collective to remove all barriers for their artists, from physical to financial ones. They have applied the same thought and inclusive attitude toward their inaugural Starlite Arts and Music Festival, in Kalamazoo on August 15-17, 2025.Find out more about the festival and purchase tickets at www.starlitecollective.orgFollow them on Instagram to find out what food trucks will be attending the festival!

The city of Kalamazoo has a calendar full of programs for residents that will help them get out and enjoy nature safely. Destiny Stetina joins us to talk about the programs and the impact such programs have had on her own life.Contact info for Destiny: stetinad@kalamazoocity.orgAfter October 1, contact: gishj@kalamazoocity.orgRelevant links:City Sustainability Webpage - City Recycling - Social media:https://www.facebook.com/KalamazooCity/https://www.instagram.com/kalamazoocity/?hl=enOther orgs:Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones - https://kalamazoo.wildones.orgHomegrown National Park - https://homegrownnationalpark.orgiNaturalist + Kalamazoo Invasive Species Project - https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/invasive-species-monitoring-in-kalamazoo

Only a few hundred years ago, our ancestors were just as familiar with the night sky as they were with the daytime sky. Now we are quite separated from it. Steven Crawford, the Planetarium Technician at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, visits the podcast to discuss the night sky, and how to planetarium can help people access the wonder and majesty of it.For information about the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and to purchase tickets to the planetarium, visit https://kalamazoomuseum.org/planetarium