219 Greenconnect

219 GreenConnect podcast host Kathy Sipple speaks with Andrea Proulx-Buinicki, an Andover Dr. neighbor, Dr. Larry McAfee, a retired veterinarian and wildlife advocate.  Property owners of a 13.7-acre parcel on Spectacle Drive in Valparaiso, Indiana are seeking to sell their land. They are within their rights to do so, whether it is to a developer or someone else. Neighbors and environmentalists are concerned about: increased traffic on Spectacle Lake Roadincreased water runoff into lakesloss of wildlifeloss of old growth trees This land is a very special parcel, located in the Valparaiso Moraine at one of the highest elevations. Therefore, water runoff is of greater concern than if it were a flat piece of low-lying land.  The sellers are willing to sell it to an environmental group if money can be raised. An appraisal is underway to determine value as are initial "soft" fundraising efforts. To indicate your desire to contribute to this project, please email project leaders at valpolakesandtrees@gmail.com. (

Want to stop global warming? Learn how citizens from Northwest Indiana can effectively help. Please come to our free CLIMATE ADVOCATE WORKSHOP, led by Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL). CCL is a nonpartisan volunteer group focused on national and international solutions to effectively address climate change. We support a straightforward bipartisan plan to dramatically decrease greenhouse gas emissions. David Holmquist, an experienced CCL leader for the Great Lakes region, will teach effective approaches to build political will and lobby Congress. Our respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is building a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations. All are welcome to attend. We hope you can join us. We know that Northwest Indiana is directly experiencing the effects of climate change and the negative health impacts of the continued use of fossil fuels. This workshop is an opportunity for community members like you to make your voices h

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with author and geologist Ken Schoon about the ancient shorelines and settlements at the south end of Lake Michigan.

Valparaiso University's student group, Earthtones, will host an event open to the public, focused on environmental issues.

219 GreenConnect host Kathy Sipple speaks with Thais Carter from Valparaiso University about the upcoming event they are hosting on Saturday, April 21st from 9am to 2pm in the Helge Center. Bridge/Work 2018 will build on its core principle of connecting theory and practice to bring together voices that speak to the scientific data, spiritual imperatives, and societal implications of the climate change debate. How do varying disciplines — from meteorology and environmental science to theology and political science — connect around this timely topic? How can they help us think about our own roles in addressing a global concern? These will be the questions at the heart of the 2018 conference: Preserve & Prosper?  Method and Morality in Facing Environmental Challenges Read about their confirmed Keynote Speaker, Dr. Janel Hanrahan, here.

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Anne Laker from the Indiana Forest Alliance. IFA is a non-profit, statewide organization of individuals dedicated to the long-term health and well-being of Indiana’s native forests.    IFA serves citizens, organizations, landowners and communities with a wide range of interests in Indiana’s forests.  We provide accurate information to the people of Indiana to involve them in efforts to protect Indiana’s forests and ensure their opportunities for input into decision-making that affects forests.  IFA speaks out for the native animals, plants and other creatures who survive in Indiana’s forests and cannot speak for themselves.

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Madi Hirschland of the Hoosier Solar Initiative Steering Committee about the group's current efforts statewide, training opportunities and how you can get involved.

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Shorecombers founder BJ Smith.

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Michael Green, Executive Director at Climate XChange (climate-xchange.org), a Boston-based education and research non-profit dedicated to providing policymakers and advocates with cutting edge information on market-based solutions to climate change. The group also developed the State Carbon Pricing Network in order to support campaigns in other states and demonstrate the benefits of strong climate legislation at the local level, thereby enabling potential action in other states and eventually nationwide. We'll explore why Climate XChange promotes carbon pricing as the most cost-effective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and what's happening with Massachusetts' legislative session and its potential impact on carbon pricing for the state.  

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Linda Rosenthal, organizer of this event about her work with the Pachamama AllianceWe will explore 4 questions about both the urgency and the opportunity of the times we live in and how you can become an active participant in bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, socially just, spiritually fulfilled human presence on the planet. 1. Where Are We? 2. How Did We Get Here? 3. The New Story - What is Possible Now? 4. Where Do We Go From Here? - What is mine to do? Come with an open heart and mind to be inspired to take action. You will realize that you are part of a larger un-named, unstoppable groundswell of creative, committed people around the world generating the energy to make a difference in how the future unfolds for all life on our one Mother Planet Earth. The symposium will take place on Sunday, September 25th at Unity of Northwest Indiana. Click this link for more details.

Read the full New York Times article here. Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Artist Activist Thomas Frank about some of the details surrounding this tragedy and what some concerned citizens are doing about it. What you can do: Connect with Calumet Lives Matter on Facebook.Connect with Duneland Environmental Justice Alliance on Facebook. Related actions: Attend Awakening the Dreamer Symposium in Hammond, Indiana on 9/25. Details here.Attend Green Drinks monthly meet ups. Subscribe to their email list. Connect with NWI Green Drinks or Green Drinks Gary Group on Facebook  Also referenced in this episode: Radical Mycology - Fungal Remediation and Restoration.CoThrive Timebank - Northwest Indiana neighbors helping neighbors through service exchanges.

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Mario Longoni, Urban Anthropology Manager at The Field Museum and Lara Gonzalez, Calumet Heritage Communications Specialist at The Field Museum about their recent efforts to create a Calumet National Heritage Area. www.calumetheritage.org  

Host Kathy Sipple speaks with Charlotte Wolfe, Regional Coordinator for Sustainable Indiana 2016 about the Green Light Awards. Indiana has long enjoyed the visionary efforts of its early Climate Leaders, the Hoosiers and organizations that have been lighting the way for the green movement to grow. In 2016, we are going to celebrate their achievements and dedication around our state. We are looking for people to nominate groups and individuals for consideration as a a Green Light leader who inspires you. Many projects qualify in the areas of Sustainable Food & Agriculture, Transportation, Social Justice, Environmental Action in Air, Water, & Wildlife Habitat, Energy, and Waste Reduction, Reuse, or Recycling.  We are looking for anyone who has climate solutions for people and the planet! Charlotte and her husband Robert own Prairie Winds Nature Farm in Lakeville, Indiana. Find out more about this initiative on their website.

The Law Review Symposium will focus on environmental issues that affect the United States. Opening remarks will focus on the EPA’s new Clean Power Plan rule addressing climate change and the reduction of carbon emissions from power plants to promote cleaner energy resources. The first panel will address issues that impact agriculture in impoverished rural communities, water resources, and the increase of extreme weather and natural disasters due to climate change.The second panel will compare traditional energy sources and renewable energies, focusing on the following: utility planning, regulations, and the environmental implications. The third panel will provide an in-depth discussion on food security and agriculture focusing on American food systems, water-based farming practices, crop contamination, and genetically engineered foods. Each panel is comprised of scholars and practitioners geographically and politically diverse to provide a balanced discussion of the issues. Click here for full details about

Host Kathy Sipple went live on location to the second day of a 2-day climate camp for teens, held at Prairie Winds Nature Farm in Lakeville, Indiana. 

219 GreenConnect host Kathy Sipple speaks with Raphael Sbarge. Sbarge stars on TNT’s hit series Murder in the First and recurs on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. He has also directed and produced a documentary about climate change, Is There Hope for Planet Earth.  In the little free time that Sbarge has, he founded Green Wish, a nonprofit that helps local green organizations fund projects for their communities. Green Wish currently has chapters in Los Angeles; Lawrence, Kan.; St. Louis; Kansas City, Mo.; and Denver. Chapters are in the works in other cities, including Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On why he founded Green Wish: “After the birth of my daughter, I was struck by how strong and good I suddenly felt as a father. But I asked myself: What can I do and how can I contribute in any small way to leave the world a little better than when I found it, for Gracie?” – Raphael Sbarge, Huffington Post See more info at www.greenwish.com

219  GreenConnect host Kathy Sipple speaks with writer and chef, Lisa Harris, about the joys of cooking seasonally and connecting with the outdoors.

219 GreenConnect host Kathy Sipple speaks with Nance Klehm about her crowdfunding project, The Ground Rules, as well as her passion for soil health and urban foraging.

219 GreenConnect host Kathy Sipple speaks wiith Shane Hansen, the new market manager at Michigan City's Farmer's Market. Shane is not only the market manager, he's an owner of a 13-acre organic farm himself. He's seeking to offer market visitors more of a local food experience, limiting vendors to those that are truly local and bringing in an educational component to the market as well.

219 GreenConnect host Kathy Sipple speaks with Coleen Wilder, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information and Decision Science at Valparaiso University, along with  four of her students: Rachel Laveau, Ben Crowe, Nelson Wagner and Iyanna Harris. Wilder teaches Statistics and Management courses at the undergraduate level and Operations Management in the MBA program. Her research interests are in queuing theory, analytics, and entrepreneurship. She teaches a change management class where students are challenged to find ways to encourage stakeholders to embrace change. For this project, they looked at introducing insects as a protein source and pitched local restaurants to serve them.