Virtual Forum: Equity by Design
Enrique Peñalosa has spent much of his career advocating for sustainable mobility and quality of life in cities. During his two terms as Mayor of Bogota, Peñalosa implemented a city model that promoted equity, respect for human dignity, and gave priority to public pedestrian spaces − so much so that he was almost impeached for his war to get cars off the sidewalks!
In terms of transporation innovations, he created TransMilenio, a bus rapid transit system inspired by the Curitiba model but with important improvements that trebled its capacity: it moves more passengers per mile than almost all the world´s metros at a fraction of the cost.
In addition, Peñalosa created a 200 miles network of protected bikeways before there were any in New York or Paris; in his second term, the network was extended. In addition, more than 100 miles of greenways and bicycle highways were built.
He implemented a massive urban improvement plan for Bogota´s city center which included demolition and redevelopment of severely crime-ridden areas, the creation of a land bank for providing quality low income housing, and the establishment of an innovative urban project of the highest quality for more than 400 inhabitants.
Since leaving office, Mr. Peñalosa has worked as a consultant on urban strategy and leadership advising officials in cities all over the world on how to build quality, equitable and competitive cities that cannot only survive but thrive in the future. He was president of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, a New York based NGO promoting sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide.
Join us for a conversation with Mr. Peñalosa on how he advanced equity for all residents through thoughtful transportation planning and urban design − and what we should all consider when building the smart cities of the future.
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Growing Black Roots: The Black Botanical Legacy Series
Identification & Discovery: A Botanical Love Story
Brandi Cannon
Middle School Science Teacher & Science Curriculum Coordinator
BIO Ms. Cannon’s research focused on the biology of parasitic plants, understanding the host cues that lead to germination and successful establishment, as well as the role of disturbances like fire in determining plant rooting patterns and genetic diversity, with an eye toward conserving populations of endangered parasitic plants. She brings her experience and excitement for research directly into her classroom teaching, and is also active in school-based and non-profit activities that support diverse communities, including: leading the Kids of Color affinity group and the middle school WISE (Women in STEM Education) club, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator for the United States Quidditch, and the DEI consultant for the International Quidditch Association.
SUMMARY What’s in a name? Is it who you are? Do your traits make you small or tall, bud or blossom, bright or uniquely subtle? Is it your deep roots, tucked safely into the earth, grounded in your heritage? Perhaps its in your DNA, ingrained in a system that was deemed you an integral part of the community: to heal, protect, or nurture. In this talk I will discuss how love is about growing to know yourself., and much like plants you may find that you were misidentified the entire time.
Growing Black Roots: The Black Botanical Legacy Series
Of plants and people: From the past to the present
Nokwanda P. Makunga
PhD. Associate Professor at Stellenbosch University, Department of Botany and Zoology
BIO Dr. Makunga’s research in the field of medicinal plant biology focuses plants of South Africa, using an interdisciplinary approach that combines medicinal chemistry approaches investigating the genetics and molecular biology of secondary metabolites, with ethnobotanical studies investigating local plant knowledge and practices, with a goal to better understand potential medicinal value of South African native plants. Dr. Makunga’s research investigates some well-known horticultural species such as pomegranate but is also actively uncovering the wealth of traditional uses for South African plant species. Her work documenting traditional uses combined with laboratory and clinical assessments of the active compounds and their effects has been foundational in bringing African medicinal floral to the forefront of medicinal chemistry. Dr Makunga was a Fulbright Research Scholar (2017/2018) at the University of Minnesota.
SUMMARY : South Africa is world renowned for its biodiversity and many have recognized that its botanical wealth presents with unique opportunities for conservation and commercialization which can drive economic development. It is a country with many varied indigenous knowledge systems. Having developed within a hyper-diverse floral region, the various practices for utilization of medicinal plants have led to a wide range of ethnic pharmacopeias which are uniquely South African in character. There is certainly enormous scope for this indigenous knowledge combined with the many medicinal plants to contribute both to human health at both locally and at the global level. Through a historical account, this talk will relate how the different cultural practices of the exploitation of plants for health likely arose in southern Africa. Thereafter, by using various examples of indigenous and endemic plant species, Dr. Makunga will explore how biotechnologies are integral to our better understanding of these plants and their unique phytochemistry. Finally, the ways in which such approaches can add a new value to traditional plant knowledge and its custodians will be discussed.
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To learn about the series and upcoming lectures, click here
Growing Black Roots: The Black Botanical Legacy Series
Toxic Soils & Special Plants: Serpentine Endemism in California
Tatyana Soto
Purdue University
BIO Ms. Soto’s research focuses on population genetics, investigating how plant mating systems influence population dynamics and distributions, ultimately determining the genetic structure of populations. Her work at Purdue University aims to understand the negative impacts of inbreeding in self-pollinating wild petunias, and how outcrossing is maintained within the group.
SUMMARY California’s is home to both a majority of North America’s serpentine soil as well as a biodiversity hotspot that includes countless adaptive radiations. Serpentine rock is derived from volcanic rock that is created at the place where two of Earth’s tectonic plates collide, this rock is then eroded into serpentine soil. Serpentine soil is extremely high in heavy metals such as Nickel and Iron & low essential nutrients such as Calcium and Potassium. This makes serpentine soil inhospitable to plant species that have not specially evolved to tolerate these stressful conditions. However, serpentine tolerance has evolved independently multiple times in a number of plant genera. While most serpentine endemics are very poor competitors, they are able to thrive in these desolate pockets of toxic soil. These populations may have low genetic diversity due to their isolation, and current human activities may be reducing their genetic diversity even more, potentially putting them at increased risk of extinction. In this talk, Ms. Soto will present her work on the population genetics of three rare serpentine endemics; specifically a comparison between historic and contemporary genetic diversity.
Soil is Alive!
Just one teaspoon full of healthy forest soil can contain millions of microbial species. One research area at Holden Arboretum studies this incredible diversity and how it fosters forest health. This virtual lecture presents current research on fungi and bacteria in forest soil and how Holden scientists are advancing knowledge in this field.
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Bike Smarts 2020
Attend to learn ways to stay safe & visible while riding your bicycle. Bicycle riding is NOT a part of the workshop.
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Join Bike Cleveland every 3rd Tuesday for informative classes on a wide range of cycling topics. During social distancing requirements our Bike Smarts Classes are FREE to all and will be held virtually via Zoom beginning at 6:30pm EST.
3000 Bridge Ave
Suite 1
Cleveland, OH 44113
United States
Google map and directions
WINGS OF THE WATER
Join Naturalist Jake Kudrna as we hike to the outflow of the southerly wastewater treatment plant in search of a diversity of ducks, bald eagles, and other birds that rely on the river.
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4524 E 49th St
Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
United States
Google map and directions
Transition to a Smarter Fleet (Webinar)
Protect your mobile workforce. Improve fleet safety. Mitigate potential legal liabilities.
It may seem too costly to transition to an electric fleet. Learn how you can get the most out of an EV fleet investment by ensuring that vehicles are charged and ready when drivers need them.
In addition, learn how you can maximize your investment by making the EV charging stations available to the public or employees when not in use by your fleet and then restrict access to your fleet for overnight charging.
Implementing an EV strategy can be easily done. Join us for a discussion with ChargePoint on:
- Lease Considerations
- How to Transition Your Fleet
- Costs
- Industry Standards
Speakers:
- Jimmy Smith, ChargePoint
- Andrew Conley, Chief Program Officer, Clean Fuels Ohio
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At Work: Waste Audits
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Do you have soda cans, cardboard, pens, pallets or electronics? Results from a waste audit provide a map on how to reduce waste including what you can and should be recycling or composting.
Learn the steps to conducting a successful waste audit at your workplace. You'll learn how to interpret the results and apply what you learned to improving your waste reduction and recycling program.