Singer/Songwriter and climate/energy activist Lindsay Facknitz joins host Ellen Johnson-Fay to share how and why she added activism to the busy life of a mother of two young children. From January 2019 through August of 2020 Colorado Springs Utilities is developing a new Electric Integrated Resource Plan. Lindsay wants to mobilize citizens to let our utility know they want the coal-fired Martin Drake Power Plant closed as soon as possible, and to urge the municipal energy provider to adopt renew...
Mar 29, 2019•33 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Local food and farmers, composting, permaculture, renewable energy and recycling are among the topics of conversation and announcements as we try something different – “Open Mic” at a Green Cities monthly Green Drinks event. At every Green Drinks attendees get the chance to introduce themselves and make announcements about important local environmental issues and events. We usually exclude these from the Peak Environment podcasts, but decided to experiment and make those announcements the featur...
Mar 23, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 19
The Colorado Springs Environmental Action Summit on March 5, 2019 brought together organizations and individuals working on environmental action – in order to coalesce a more effective environmental movement. Members and leaders from over 50 organizations, including Sierra Club, 350.org, ENACT, Green Cities Coalition, the Pikes Peak Justice & Peace Commission, and GrowthBusters. Kevin Mitchell of Empowerment Solidarity Network provided the keynote address, which was followed by a panel that ...
Mar 14, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 18
We've heard about our Watershed and Foodshed, but did you know we have a Fibershed? Learn why it matters what cloth you choose and where you acquire it. Judith Rice-Jones shares what she has learned about the clothes we wear, the fabrics from which they’re made, and our “fibershed,” a concept originated by Rebecca Burgess. Judith is an ecological and edible gardener, master gardener, native plant master, and wildscaping instructor. This program was recorded at the February 22, 2019 luncheon meet...
Mar 10, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Water is in short supply on the Front Range of Colorado. You probably knew this, but the details might surprise you in this episode of Peak Environment . Where will the 20-plus metropolitan water districts in El Paso County get their water in the future? Water rights are already being shifted from farms in the Lower Arkansas Valley to cities in the I-25 corridor. What’s being done to protect farming? These are presentations made at the monthly Sustainability in Progress (SIP) event on February 2...
Mar 01, 2019•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 16
From growing gardens to creating community to transforming lives, take a peek at what your community library's Green Team is all about. Pikes Peak Library District Regional Manager Michael Doherty and Senior Library Assistant Debbie Vitulli join host Ellen Johnson-Fay for a tour of the Green Team’s many activities. LINKS: Green Team on Facebook Food Not Bombs Colorado Springs Contact the Green Team UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS: Friday, February 22, 2019 Fibershed - Care What You Wear , Judith R...
Feb 21, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Keeping our local farms intact and productive is in everyone’s best interest, but it takes much more than just shopping at the farmers market. Creating, nurturing and growing local agriculture will be explored at the Foodshed Forum in Colorado Springs February 22-23, 2019. In this episode of Peak Environment , co-producer Ellen Johnson-Fay discusses the forum with Sean Svette, Asst. Manager of the SWELL program at UCCS. “This is about making really nutritious food available to everyone,” Ellen r...
Feb 12, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 14
You’ve probably heard palm oil production is causing deforestation and biodiversity loss on a massive scale. You might be surprised, however, how many products contain palm oil. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Tracey Gazibara shares how the zoo protects species and habitat by supporting efforts to produce Sustainable Palm Oil. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was the first zoo to join the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Over a dozen other zoos followed. Tracy explains why we shouldn’t boycott palm oil,...
Feb 06, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 13
What is permaculture? According to Becky Elder, it’s not what you do, but how you think about what you do, using nature as a guide. The co-founder and chair of Pikes Peak Permaculture joins host Ellen Johnson-Fay for a very brief permaculture primer. The conversation includes a great tip on eliminating some or all of your lawn. Also, why you may not need or want to do battle with weeds. Becky provides an interesting perspective on “weeds.” This episode of Peak Environment comes to you courtesy o...
Jan 29, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Agriculture and local food play a vital role in the Pikes Peak Regional 2030 Sustainability Plan. Three local food practitioners share how local groups are promoting agriculture and local food in the Pikes Peak region. The speakers share how their work is supporting the goals to: promote urban agriculture and knowledge about food encourage regional collaboration and cooperation promote healthy behaviors around food and food waste Speakers: Barbra Gibb - Pikes Peak Urban Gardens View her slide pr...
Jan 23, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Locally grown grains are essential to successful and sustainable local food economies. Beyond environmental impacts, there are also social, health and economic benefits to our communities. UCCS Sustainability, Wellnss & Learning Manager, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, and mastermind behind Grain School, Nanna Meyer, joins Peak Environment Co-Producer Ellen Johnson-Fay to briefly describe her local food and nutrition activities at UCCS and to offer details about the upcoming Grain Sc...
Jan 02, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Now that Coloradoans ARE able to collect rainwater, with some limitations, you’ll want to pick an expert’s brain about smart rainwater harvesting. In this episode of Peak Environment, we’re sharing permaculturist Becky Elder’s “Rainwater Harvesting” class from the 2018 People’s Tiny House Festival. This episode of Peak Environment comes to us courtesy of Pikes Peak Permaculture, celebrating 15 years of Permaculture education, inspiration, and support throughout Colorado’s Pikes Peak Region. LINK...
Dec 12, 2018•55 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Local nonprofit organizations play a key role in creating a healthy, sustainable community. Many nonprofits are working towards the goals of the 2030 Sustainability Plan and need community support in various ways. This episode features a discussion of the giving nature of the Pikes Peak Region. This episode of Peak Environment is courtesy of the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future. It features presentations made at the organization's November Sustainability in Progress meeting. Join us (free)...
Nov 27, 2018•59 min•Season 1Ep. 8
There is a lot of good sustainability practice happening in the Pikes Peak region. The Green Cities Coalition was formed in 2008 to connect the good people and organizations working in this area and foster collaboration. In this episode of Peak Environment, Green Cities Chair Konrad Schlarbaum chats with podcast co-producer Ellen Johnson-Fay about the history of the Coalition, and exciting future plans. Ellen is also a member of the Green Cities Coalition Steering Committee and Green Cities Loca...
Nov 15, 2018•24 min•Season 1Ep. 7
“Stop Dissing the Grass,” was the cry of turf expert Nick McNamee to permaculturist Becky Elder. In the arid southwestern United States, thirsty, manicured grass lawns have been getting a bad rap. Is it deserved? Or is there more to the story? This episode of Peak Environment brings you a fascinating discussion held at the October luncheon meeting of the Pikes Peak Environmental Forum. The Pikes Peak Environmental Forum informs the community in Colorado Springs on issues of environmental import....
Nov 01, 2018•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 6
October’s Sustainability in Progress meeting, hosted by the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future, gives us a glimpse of the amazing powers at the disposal of Colorado Springs citizens through the city’s website and its app for smartphones. Jay Anderson, Open Data and Citizen Engagement Administrator for the city, provides a tour of the myriad ways you can get information about what’s important to you, and inform the city of issues it needs to know about. Drew Johnson of TechWears emceed the me...
Oct 23, 2018•49 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Arts and culture are an important part of a vibrant community, and strong community ties are crucial to a resilient, healthy economy. The Pikes Peak Region is lucky to have many organizations dedicated to Art in its many forms. September’s Sustainability in Progress meeting, hosted by the Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future, provided a preview of Arts Month (October), plus a glimpse at two exciting venues – the Manitou Art Center and the Ent Center for the Arts. Your emcees are Drew Johnson o...
Oct 03, 2018•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Is your house going to erupt in flames or be buried in a landslide? Who are “boosters” and what have they done for Colorado Springs? And how do we measure environmental impact? Who said geology and history are dull? This episode’s stories about environmental and geologic history in the Pikes Peak Region will keep you on the edge of your seat. This episode, courtesy of Peak Alliance for a Sustainable Future , features these presentations from the August 15, 2018 Sustainability in Progress program...
Aug 23, 2018•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 3
What does it take to have sustainable landscapes in our city? Does this mean removing all plants and putting rocks in our yards, or cutting down all the trees to save water? Heck no! Learn from experts in lawn care, utilities, and the city’s foresters. Speakers: Catherine Moravec, Water Conservation Specialist at Colorado Springs Utilities Steve Moll, Owner of Clean Air Lawn Care Dennis Will, Forestry Division of City of Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation This was the July 2018 Sustainability...
Jul 26, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, the June 20, 2018 Sustainability in Progress program celebrated the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride. In this episode of Peak Environment, we hear from: Aubrey Day, El Paso County Healthy Environment Planner Kate Brady, City of Colorado Springs Senior Bike Planner Jolie NeSmith, Executive Director, PikeRide (new...
Jun 21, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
