Sustainable Living

#BlackLivesMatter, Book Review, Books, Diversity, Green Economics, Sustainable Living, The Joy Trip Project Reading Circle, Urban Parks, Urban Revitalization / 27.10.2022

Through of the much of the last century, urban neighborhoods populated by Black and brown people, have been defined as places where not to live. Our long history of redlining, deliberate housing discrimination, crime, environmental pollution and benign neglect has systematically made residing in these communities of color undesirable. Success for the brightest and most talented individuals born in these areas is most often expressed by how far their education, talent and hard work can allow them to escape from the sidewalks, streets, shops and storefronts that their...

Environmental Justice, Film Review, Food, Gardening, Interview, Podcast, Sustainable Living, Urban Agriculture, Wisconsin / 20.10.2017

It was the summer of 2017 and I was just coming off a major reporting project. I’d spent the better part of a year working on series of stories about the private land owners, farmers and ranchers and their relationship with the natural world. Modern agriculture is such a big deal, because things like soil health and water quality directly impact the nutrition, physical health and wellbeing of people all over the world.  But farms no matter how big or small also have a profound effect on the...

Charitable Giving, Diversity, Madison, Sustainable Living / 07.01.2015

Working through his non-profit called Mentoring Positives social entrepreneur Will Green has a new venture that aims to boost the economic development of young people in his community. With the support of Metcalf’s Market at the Hilldale Shopping Center in Madison a small group of young men on Madison’s Eastside have introduced a line of canned salsa called Off the Block. Created using sustainably grown tomatoes, peppers and onions this commercial product will help to raise much-needed funds for ongoing neighborhood outreach initiatives while teaching valuable lessons in...

Adventure Activism, Commentary, Life Out Loud, Sustainable Living / 28.11.2013

The day before Thanksgiving I was in the supermarket with a cart full of groceries in preparation for the season’s first of feasts. I have to admit it. I absolutely love pulling together the fixings for all manner of treats both sweet and savory. My wife Shamane plans on making her recently perfected lemon meringue pie and I’m stoked to build my annual batch of spicy pork tamales. The ingredients for these wonderful things we love to prepare and share with friends and family are among the few...

Africa, Bikes, Cycling, Life Out Loud, philanthropy, Sustainable Living / 07.08.2013

Trek Bicycle and World Bicycle Relief (WBR) raised a record monthly donation amount through the “Trek Match” initiative. In the month of July, Trek and WBR partnered for a dollar-for-dollar donation matching program that ignited a huge response. With unprecedented support, over $90,000 was raised in four weeks, which will be doubled by Trek’s matching donation. The money will be used to provide roughly 1,500 bikes for deserving students, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs in Africa. “Trek’s outstanding support in July will make a deep and immediate impact on the...

Adventure Media Review, Film preview, Green Economics, Mountain Film, Special Events, Sustainable Living / 11.04.2012

  There is no greater joy than the gift of happiness. And in celebration of Earth Day “Happy” is coming to Madison. To be more specific the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin is hosting a presentation of Roko Belic’s award-winning feature film “Happy”. The movie will be followed by a lively panel discussion on the topic of happiness hosted by yours truly. After seeing the premiere of this amazing motion picture last year at the Mountain Film Festival in Telluride I knew it just had...