Hey beautiful people, Happy Spring! On today's episode, I celebrate the beginning of Spring with a description of the Spring Equinox (March 20, 2023 in the Northern Hemisphere), a handful of my favorite developments in environmental spaces I'm connected to, and finally, a collection of seasonal reflection questions.

With Winter's chills shifting into Spring's blooms, I've frequently returned to the idea of "giving myself permission to change." This could be changes in my mind, goals, behaviors, or anything else in my life that does not or will not serve me throughout this new season. I've included some reflection questions related to this idea that you might find helpful.

Here's to a wonderful Spring season for you and your communities! ~Akil 💚

Spring Reflection Questions 💭

1. What seeds have I planted in my life this winter? What plants will emerge from these seeds?
2. What less than positive behaviors have I held onto or developed over the course of winter?
3. What positive behaviors do I want to grow into this Spring?
4. How can I continue to nurture myself and the seeds I’ve planted?
5. How can I love myself through any growing pains I might experience this Spring?

Links for Further Exploration

CEI 2022 Annual Report: https://www.communityecologyinstitute.org/uploads/1/4/2/5/142549131/cei_2022_annual_report_3-5-23.pdf 

CEI Acquires the Green Farmacy Gardens: https://www.communityecologyinstitute.org/green-farmacy-garden.html

Hoya Harvest: https://earthcommons.georgetown.edu/action/hoya-harvest-garden/

Spring Equinox 2023: https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-vernal-or-spring-equinox/

Flower Photos! https://photos.app.goo.gl/7rD3WLQYWCbPZPKt8

Hey beautiful people, Akil here! :))

On today's episode, I commemorate the Fall Equinox (September 22, 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere). This marks the half-way point between the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year and beginning of Summer) and the Winter Solstice (the shortest day of the year and beginning of Winter).

With just three months left in 2022, I am this moment to reflect on our society's seemingly counter-intuitive response to Nature's seasonal changes. I'm also pausing to express my gratitude for making it this far into the year and to stand in solidarity with the millions of people facing climate change fueled devastation in Pakistan, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere.

Sending my love and best wishes for this new season!

How to Support People in Pakistan and Puerto Rico:

• "How to Help Pakistan Flood Victims" from PBS News Hour
• "Here's how to help people in Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Fiona" from NPR

Help me raise funds for our Community Engagement Center 💚 https://www.flipcause.com/secure/fundraiser/MTMzNDUx/73852

*Editor's note* Akil here! I re-uploaded this episode a few days after posting once I realized I uploaded the wrong file! Hope you enjoy the correct episode :)

Happy start of September and back to school season! On today’s episode, Akil sits down with Willow Volkert. Willow is currently a sophomore at Georgetown University studying Humanistic Ecology through Georgetown’s Interdisciplinary Degree program. As Willow describes, Humanistic Ecology “focus[es] on the sustainable alternatives necessary to fight climate change… and create a more sustainable and just world” as well as “the values that are necessary to create such a world.” She is also the current Co-President of GREEN (Georgetown Renewable Energy and Environmental Network)

Topics in this conversation range from Willow’s pandemic-era personal growth to cultural conditioning regarding environmentalism. We also discuss gap years, sustainability on campus (challenges and progress) , how to use privilege constructively in sustainability, and the importance of “doing the little things where you can”.

Key Terms

• Gap year: "term for when students take time off between high school and college. Though it’s typically called a gap year, some students take more or less time off in between high school and college" (Western Governors University)
• Work trade: "where volunteers offer their time and skills to work in exchange for free accommodation" (Tales of a Backpacker)
• Regenerative agriculture: "agricultural practices that focus on the health of the ecological system as a whole, not solely on high production yields of crops" (Sustainable America)
• Permaculture: "Permaculture integrates land, resources, people and the environment through mutually beneficial synergies – imitating the no waste, closed loop systems seen in diverse natural systems." (Permaculture News)
• ‘Āina: the land; that which provides (this Hawaiian term has various nuanced definitions—this definition is just one of them)
• Aloha ‘Āina: "love for the land of Hawai'i" (Aloha Āina O Hawai'i)
• Municipal solid waste (MSW): "waste collected by the municipality or disposed of at the municipal waste disposal site and includes residential, industrial, institutional, commercial, municipal, and construction and demolition waste" (Hoornweg et al., 2015).

Guest Info (Instagram)

• @willowvolkert: main account
• @willowexistingonearth: "page for musings and thoughts"
• @willows_adventuresyay:...