Green Giants Saving Planet Earth

green giants saving planet earth

panel discussion

August 17, 2023

Yanceyville, NC

panel discussion

August 17, 2023

Winston-Salem, NC lecture

August 17, 2023

Winston-Salem, NC

botanic garden tour

August 18, 2023

Raleigh, NC

FEATURING DR FRANCESCO FERRINI PROFESSOR OF ARBORICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE, ITALY

Trees, well-deserving the nickname Green Giants, serve many ecological functions and are critically important for life on the planet Earth Trees are essential components of our ecosystems and major harbors of biodiversity. They are part of the cycle of life, providing food and shelter for many different types of creatures, big and small. Humans depend on trees for many important types of food. With their incredible beauty, trees enhance our lives by bringing joy and calm to our hearts and minds. Trees are important components of our cultural heritage, social connections, and economic development.

Most importantly, Green Giants produce oxygen, essential for life on the planet, which then forms water, also critical for life. Trees use carbon dioxide for chlorophyll photosynthesis, removing it from the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration is believed to be critically important for climate modulation. Carbon dioxide in the air, along with methane, nitrous oxide, and water vapor are the infamous greenhouse gases, thought to be responsible for global warming. Green Giants also play a critical role in air and water quality. They remove deleterious fine particles from the atmosphere decreasing air pollution. Their roots filter water across banks of rivers and lakes, enhance nutrient cycling, and help with soil stabilization and water quality. Green Giants decrease noise pollution and provide shade.

Despite this immense importance, humanity seems to have made it its mission to cut as many trees as possible. Loss of trees and massive deforestation due to savage urban development and large-scale farming are calamities of major ecological proportions. Global warming, loss of biodiversity, and air, water, and noise pollution are catastrophic consequences of our inability to protect these amazing creatures.

We just had the hottest day ever recorded on Earth. This reality is not going to get better unless we act. Knowledge, understanding, empathy, and deep commitment to making a difference are essential at this critical stage in the life of the planet. Our survival and the survival of the planet Earth depend on our actions today!

Dr. Francesco Ferrini, Professor of Arboriculture at the University of Florence (Italy) in a series of presentations, highlights the critical role Green Giants play in climate modulation, preservation of biodiversity, food resilience, and health. He emphasizes that the Green Giants can save the Earth if we give them a chance. He also highlights that environmental protection and environmental justice are important responsibilities we must harbor if we still want to continue to exist on this planet. He describes very important steps each one of us can take to restore the health of our planet.

Join Wild Ones CNC in this multisession forum to learn about the critical importance of protecting our trees, our green spaces, and our native flora and fauna.

PANEL DISCUSSION

EVENT ONE

Green Steps Toward Saving the Planet and Its Inhabitants

Municipal Building Town Hall

158 East Church Street, Yanceyville, NC

August 17, 2023 | free

9-10am Visit to Caswell Community Arboretum

10-11:30am Lecture

11:30am-12:30pm Luncheon ($)

TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS

n Biodiversity in a global change scenario

n How trees respond to environmental stress

n Soil and water quality, soil sealing, and drought management

n Arboretums for biodiversity and ecosystem resilience

PANELISTS

Francesco Ferrini, Ph.D. Professor of Arboriculture, University of Florence, Italy

Gabriela Garrison, Eastern Piedmont Habitat Conservation Coordinator, NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Cindy Simpson, Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator, NC Wildlife Resources Commission

Anna Wheeler, Water Resources, Dan River Basin Association

This event and lunch are organized in collaboration with Ms. Yancey Smith and the Caswell Horticulture Club, of which Ms. Yancey Smith is a founding member..

PANEL DISCUSSION EVENT TWO

Green Spaces, Sustainability & Environmental Health Green Spaces = Green Gold

Parkway United Church of Christ

1465 Irving Street, Winston-Salem, NC

August 17, 2023 | 2-4pm | free

DESCRIPTION

Green spaces in urban settings serve many important functions. They provide recreational spaces for individuals, families, and communities. They enhance the esthetic appeal of neighborhoods. Trees are critical components of climate modulation and they aid with air, water, and sound pollution. Trees are important economic drivers.

For these reasons the term Green Gold is used to highlight the enormous importance of our green spaces. Environmental and spatial justice are necessary to create more equitable and sustainable communities for all residents. In order for this to occur we must develop a better understanding of the connection between the built environment, natural environment, and community. To this end, research focused on exploring the relationships between urban tree canopies, and a wide variety of community indicators is critical. Previous work has connected trees and redlining, urban heat island, and resident health.

Distinguished panelists discuss these complex issues and highlight the important role we can all have in advocating for the health of our communities.

TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS

n Trees, Sustainability, and Circular Economy

n Environmental Justice, Realities, and Challenges

n Food Deserts and Urban Food Forests

n Planning and Managing Future Green Spaces

PANELISTS

Francesco Ferrini, Ph.D. Professor of Arboriculture, University of Florence, Italy

Moriah Gendy, Food Resilience Program Manager, City of Winston Salem, NC

Russell M. Smith, Ph.D. Professor of Geology, Winston Salem University, Winston Salem, NC

Stan Meiburg, Ph.D. Executive Director, Center for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC

Rev. Robert Leak III, NCLCVF/Power Up local organizer, Winston-Salem, NC

MODERATORS

Rev. Craig Schaub, Pastor Parkway United Church of Christ, Winston Salem, NC

Siham Muntasser, MD, President Wild Ones Central North Carolina

LECTURE EVENT THREE

Urban Trees for Health and Well-Being

Wake Forest University - Porter Byrum Welcome Center Auditorium

1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC

August 17, 2023 | 6-8pm | free

Introduction by Stan Meiburg Director, Wake Forest Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability

By sharing knowledge, best practices, and fostering collaboration, this talk strives to inspire urban planners, policymakers, and communities to prioritize and integrate urban trees into the fabric of our cities, promoting a healthier and happier urban future for all.

The importance of urban trees in enhancing human health and well-being cannot be overstated. By examining the latest research, innovative practices, and community engagement strategies, the presentation seeks to promote integrating urban trees into urban planning and design for the progress of society.

During the talk, studies showcasing the positive effects of green spaces on mental well-being, stress reduction, and community cohesion will be presented. Attendees will learn about the therapeutic qualities of nature and how urban trees can serve as restorative environments, promoting relaxation, and improving overall quality of life.

BOTANIC GARDEN TOUR EVENT FOUR

Juniper Level Botanic Garden, Raleigh, NC

Tour will be led by Dr. Patrick MacMillan and Mr. Tony Avent

August 18, 2023 | 10am - 2pm | Wild Ones Central NC members only | free

DESCRIPTION

Juniper Level Botanic Garden is a not-for-profit, 28-acre educational, research, and display garden. Established in 1986, JLBG is an institutional member of the American Public Gardens Association.

The garden actively promotes and preserves botanic diversity by bridging the gap between botany and horticulture through plant study, identification, educational outreach, and global plant exploration, and by selecting, breeding, and propagating new and little-known perennials to share with plant researchers, botanic gardens, and gardeners around the world.

In the quest for new plants, JLBG has initiated over 80 botanical expeditions and sponsored many more, both domestic and international, since 1994. JLBG also works closely with the top plant explorers and breeders around the world to grow and evaluate the best in new ornamental plants. Few, if any, plant nurseries or botanic gardens match the diversity of its plant collection, which currently numbers over 27,000 taxa, of which many have original provenance data.

EVENT SPONSOR

The Wild Ones Central North Carolina chapter promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem resilience through the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant communities.

Contact: Siham Muntasser wildonescentralnorthcarolina@gmail.com

The Wild Ones Central North Carolina 2422 Reynolda Road, Suite 1, Winston Salem, NC 27106

www.centralnorthcarolina.wildones.org

DONATIONS KINDLY ACCEPTED