EVENT TWO: Green Spaces, Sustainability, & Environmental Health

green giants saving planet earth

EVENT TWO PANEL DISCUSSION

Green Spaces, Sustainability & Environmental Health

Green Spaces = Green Gold

August 17, 2023, 2-4pm

FREE (please submit registration)

Parkway United Church of Christ

1465 Irving Street

Winston-Salem, NC

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

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.

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

DONATIONS KINDLY ACCEPTED. REGISTRATION:

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

MODERATORS

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

Siham Muntasser, MD, President Wild Ones Central NC

REGISTRATION FOR THESE EVENTS IS FREE.

Panel Discussion: August 17, 2023, in Yanceyville, NC | Panel Discussion: August 17, 2023, in Winston-Salem, NC

Lecture: August 17, 2023, in Winston-Salem, NC | Botanic Garden Tour: August 18, 2023, in Raleigh, NC