January 15, 2021
Hi tree lovers! Today's episode is all about urban forestry. I talk with Heather Dionne, Hartford's first ever female city forester, about what urban forestry really is, some of the difficulties she faces and how climate change has affected her job. Tune in to learn more about the trees and greenery we see in our cities, and how you can help be part of the solution!
October 30, 2020
Hello friends, I am pleased to offer you a new episode of the On the Trail podcast! We are back to discuss nature's role in healing and recovering. Today I talk to Dylan Howley, who had a long road to recovery after being in a bad motorcycle accident. He beautifully explains, in a very raw way, the depression that often comes with painful injuries, and how he used biking and a lot of positivity to get back on track. Just a trigger warning this episode does contain discussions of suicide and alcohol abuse. The information I reference in today's episode can be found below. Please enjoy and don't forget to take a walk in the fresh air!
https://www.who.int/mental_health/media/investing_mnh.pdf
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing
October 16, 2020
Hello friends! Happy Indigenous Peoples Week! Today we are focusing on Indigenous peoples week and an event called THIS LAND: Quinektikut Blanket Exercise, hosted by student leaders from the Native American Cultural Program (NACP), Fridays for the Future (FFF) and UConn Collaborative Organizing (UCCO). Check out my discussion with Sage, Michio and Brittany about their event and collaboration, and their experiences with Indigenous Peoples Day/ week. Walk with Me!
September 14, 2020
Hello trail lovers! Today I interview Kai Addae, co-director at the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op in New Haven. At the bike co-op (where she bikes to work most days), Kai primarily promotes inclusive bike programming for all. She leads all women bike maintenance clinics and participates in diverse rides for bikers at all levels. Kai wants to make sure that biking and cycling is a community for all. Listen here to what she has to say. You can also check out Kai's work here: https://bsbc.co/
August 24, 2020
Walk with me as I talk to Lauren Little, former Outdoor Education Coordinator for Knox in Hartford. We discuss the importance of representation, equity in access to all things outdoors, the power of education - especially when it comes to kids having necessary life skills, and why she left her workplace at Knox.
August 10, 2020
Hey friends, I am back with our next installment of our mini-series all about inclusion, access and equity within the outdoors communities. Today I spoke with Amy Hernandez, a representative from the Connecticut chapter of Latino Outdoors, a nationwide movement to promote Latino people and culture in the outdoors. Here is a quick quote from their website: "As part of this work, we are focused on expanding and amplifying the Latinx experience in the outdoors; providing greater leadership, mentorship, and professional opportunities while serving as a platform for sharing cultural connections and narratives that are often overlooked by the traditional outdoor movement.". Here I have linked a specific Latino Outdoors blog called "Yo Cuento," which is a space for people to share their own lived experiences and a space for people to learn about others perspectives so I highly recommend you check that out after you listen to the podcast.
July 17, 2020
Hey nature lovers! Listen in to this episode of On the Trail as I talk to Maureen Farrell, Community Wellness Director for the regional Western Connecticut YMCA. Today we discuss nutrition, health, preventative measures and how we can achieve some of these things by going outside and getting on our local trails. Listen in and learn some new things about health!
July 10, 2020
Hey friends, welcome back! Today I talked with Susan Smith, former executive director of Bike Walk CT, and Kate Rattan Transportation Program Manager for Southeastern Connecticut Counsel of Governments (SCCOG). We discussed bike advocacy, safety, education and awareness because bike riding is increasing and we need to make sure that all those bikers are smart and protected! Take a listen and I'll see you on the trail!
July 7, 2020
Welcome back to our mini-series! Today I interviewed Herb Virgo of the Keney Park Sustainability Project (KSPS). We talked all about the healing powers of nature and the importance of access, inclusion and education. Does nature bring you peace? Do you think about the people who don't have access to a green space? Listen in as we discuss some of these topics. Walk with me as we learn from Herb's experiences.
https://www.keneyparksustainability.org/