The Zero Waste in ACTION Blog article, Soil Health: regenerating the foundation of life, announces the new Ei primary focus; the Changing of the Guard: Welcome Tim Trefzer to the Ei Leadership Team! article passes the baton from Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) Co-Chairs Scott Seydel and Doug Kunnemann to new SFCI Chair Georgia World Congress Center Authority Director of Sustainability Tim Trefzer.
To support new directions within Soil Health, Ei welcomes Kiss the Ground, One More Generation and Park Pride to the Ei Strategic Ally Program.
Kiss the Ground
Founded in 2013 by Ryland Engelhart and Finian Makepeace, Kiss the Ground (KTG) is a California-based non-profit focused on supporting farmers build healthy soil everywhere.
In August 2015 KTG released The Soil Story, a four-minute video that explains the Earth's carbon cycles in an easy-to-understand format; soil is the hero for regaining carbon cycle balance. The ZWA Blog article, Carbon Crisis: simply a matter of balance, showcases The Soil Story within the carbon dialogue.Ei served on The Compost Story Launch Team for the impressive May 2017 release in conjunction with the International Compost Awareness Week. As The Soil Story sequel, The Compost Story explains why compost is a regenerative solution for depleted lands.
Kiss the Ground: How the Food You Eat Can Reverse Climate Change, Heal Your Body & Ultimately Save Our World by Josh Tickell is scheduled for a mid-November 2017 release. A full-length documentary film based on the book and narrated by Woody Harrelson is slated for a 2018 release. Per the KTG website:
At the January 2018 U.S. Composting Council Conference hosted in Atlanta, Finian presents on the Ei-hosted panel, Compost's Empowering Role in Sustainable Soils, moderated by Ei Founder Holly Elmore.Kiss the Ground (2018) is a feature-length documentary exposing the lives of scientists, farmers, ranchers, activists and policymakers on the front-lines of the battle to save the world’s soils – and our species. Experience the hope, passion, and commitment inspired by a solution at once complex, and yet so simple; a solution long overlooked because no one thought to look right under our feet. Directed by award-winning filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell of Big Picture Ranch.
With a strong foundation in-place, Ei is excited to explore future collaborations with KTG.
One More Generation
Though initially an animal conservation non-profit, OMG quickly understood the dramatic impact plastic pollution has on animal welfare. Thus, OMG launched the Plastic Awareness Coalition on February 22, 2011, Carter's 10th birthday.
World-renowned for their work on plastic pollution education and animal conservation, OMG shares their important message through a variety of vehicles:
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| Olivia & Carter @ CPF Gala (CPF – John Amis) |
- Awards - Carter & Olivia were the 2014 Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) Young Superheroes for the Earth Award; there are many other awards.
- Prominent blogs - Olivia writes for The Huff Post and the National Geographic Education Blog.
- Local media - OMG is featured in a plethora of local, regional, and national media.
- Speaking engagements - TEDxYouth May 2016 talk and many more.
- Personal appearances - OMG President Jim Ries (Carter & Olivia's father) often dresses up in a 500-bags costume for public appearances; the costume is made with the average number of bags used by a person annually.
The One Less Straw Campaign educates on the travesty caused by the 500 million plastic straws used by Americans each DAY; the campaign aligns with Ei's focus on the Macro Cost of Micro Contamination, targeted at microplastic pollution in our soils.
With a vast hospitality, foodservice, and corporate network, Ei will promote the One Less Straw Campaign to established connections.
Park Pride
Founded in 1989, Park Pride (PP) is the only nonprofit organization working with communities all over Atlanta to improve their parks. Under the helm of Executive Director Michael Halicki, PP adopted a new strategic plan in 2016 focussed on deepening impact in the communities and parks served. The 2016 Impact Report shares the strategic plan components and successes.
The Power of Parks: PP helps neighborhood groups make the best use of greenspaces that contribute to the overall health and well-being of Atlanta. Per the website:
Park Pride PhilosophyPark Pride believes in the Power of Parks. Great parks have the power to increase our quality of life and strengthen the fabric of our cities. They are places for members of the community to gather, play, relax, and lose themselves in nature, encouraging mental and physical health. Great parks promote community engagement, safety, and revitalization. They spur economic development and benefit tourism. Great parks make our citizens happy, our communities strong and our cities sustainable.
Park Pride MissionTo engage communities to activate the power of parks.
Park Pride VisionWe envision a nationally recognized network of locally inspired parks, greenspaces and trails that engages individuals, strengthens communities and transforms Atlanta.
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| Michael & Tim Trefer @ Fall LAI meeing |
Michael accepted his nomination to Lambda Alpha International (LAI), a prominent land economics honorary, and joins Holly as an active Atlanta Chapter member. At Holly's invitation, Michael presented at LAI Atlanta Chapter fall meeting in mid-October hosted by Piedmont Park Conservancy. The IMPACT Blog article, Lambda Alpha International Atlanta Chapter: growing membership, influence and impact, introduces LAI along with its history and designated purposes.
Building off established relationships, Ei is excited to partner with the new Strategic Allies on empowering programs focused on soil regeneration.
We are honored to be working with you ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jim! The Ei Team is excited to work with OMG, especially on the One Less Straw campaign!
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