Imagine a small patch of land, at a school, in a park, or even a vacant city lot, transforming into a thriving forest in just a few years. In this episode, we explore how Miyawaki forests are turning everyday spaces into vibrant, living ecosystems with the help of dedicated organizers and community support.

Episode Overview

In this episode, we speak with Neelam Patil about her work bringing Miyawaki “Green Pocket” forests to Berkeley and beyond.

We dive into what sparked her journey into climate action, what it really takes to turn an idea into a planted forest, and how these projects are creating meaningful, lasting impact for students and their communities.

What We Cover

About the Miyawaki Method

The Miyawaki Method is a technique for creating dense, fast-growing native forests that support biodiversity and long-term ecosystem health.

Learn More

Final Thoughts

This conversation is a reminder that meaningful climate action can start locally with one idea, a committed group of people, and a willingness to take the first step.

Thank You

Thank you to Neelam Patil for sharing her experience and insights.

What if your wedding dress could carry generations of love and reflect who you are today?

In this episode, we sit down with Meranda Crosby, founder of Herstory Bridal and Design and The Shoppe at Hillcrest in Reno, Nevada. Meranda helps brides redesign wedding gowns passed down through generations, transforming heirloom dresses into one-of-a-kind creations that honor the past while celebrating a bride’s own story.

Meranda’s love of fashion began early, from designing outfits for her Barbies to obsessively watching Say Yes to the Dress. That passion led her from Reno to Los Angeles, where she studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) and later worked in the costuming department at Disneyland.

Ultimately, her love for bridal design, storytelling, and her hometown brought her back to Reno, where she founded Herstory Bridal and Design, a business rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and the belief that every dress has a story worth honoring. By reworking existing gowns, Meranda reduces textile waste while helping brides step into their next chapter with intention.

Through her second venture, The Shoppe at Hillcrest, Meranda has also created a community-centered space that uplifts local artists, makers, and creatives, making her work as much about people and place as it is about design.

This conversation explores fashion as storytelling, the emotional power of heirloom garments, and how sustainability and creativity can go hand in hand.

Meranda Crosby is the founder of Herstory Bridal and Design and The Shoppe at Hillcrest in Reno, Nevada. With a background in fashion design and costuming, Meranda specializes in redesigning heirloom wedding gowns into custom bridal pieces that honor history, sustainability, and personal storytelling.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mike Bald, founder and owner of Got Weeds?, based in central Vermont. Mike has spent many years working in terrestrial invasive species management, but his approach is far from the traditional “spray and kill” mindset.

Instead of quick fixes, Mike works with the land over time—carefully transitioning landscapes so that invasive species gradually lose their foothold and native plants can reclaim their place. His work is rooted in patience, close observation, and deep ecological understanding, resulting in long-term restoration rather than temporary suppression.

Serving Vermont and throughout New England, Mike manages invasive species safely and effectively without relying on chemicals. He also trains land stewards, homeowners, and professionals, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to care for their own landscapes. His meticulous documentation of treatment outcomes has been shared at conferences and workshops across New England, the Midwest, and even Ireland.

Through years of hands-on practice, Mike has demonstrated that non-chemical invasive plant control is not only possible—it is often the preferred approach for landowners committed to true stewardship. His core message is both simple and profound: Stewardship = Presence.

Though trained as a biologist, Mike sees his role as “reading the landscape”—understanding the natural dynamics at play and responding thoughtfully. His work focuses on reducing ecological stressors, improving soil health, supporting native species, and gently but relentlessly suppressing invasive plants. He continually experiments with adaptive methods tailored to the unique conditions of each site, and he generously shares his insights to build collective capacity for ecological care.

Mike Bald - Got Weeds? Contact Information:

Website:  https://choosewiselyvt.wordpress.com/

Email contact:  [email protected]

In this episode, we spotlight the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank (MARSB) and the critical role it plays in strengthening native plant supply chains, supporting regenerative land management, and protecting regional biodiversity. We explore how MARSB is working to better connect native plant material end users with commercial growers—and why this coordination is essential for successful restoration and conservation efforts.

Our guest, Amy Kousch, recently joined MARSB as Outreach Liaison and brings over a decade of experience in regenerative agriculture and native plant work. Her background spans hands-on fieldwork, laboratory research, nursery and farm management, teaching, grant writing, and collaboration with community partners. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Communications, a Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension Education, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in plant and soil science. She is deeply committed to the health of the Northeast’s watersheds, plant communities, and broader ecology.

A major focus of this conversation is MARSB’s new Online Marketplace, an initiative designed to make native plant material needs more visible and accessible. Amy shares how MARSB is engaging end users through needs assessments and outreach, encouraging longer-term planning, and creating a platform where organizations, practitioners, and communities can post their native plant needs—helping growers plan ahead and increasing the availability of regionally appropriate native plants.

To learn more, check out Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank's website:  https://www.marsb.org/

Read about the Six-Point Program to Develop a Native Plant Material Supply Chain Throughout the Mid-Atlantic:  https://www.marsb.org/marsb-six-point-program

In this episode, we talk with Tara Pike, the founder of the Rebel Recycling Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the university’s first Sustainability Coordinator. Tara has spent nearly three decades leading sustainability efforts on campus and across Southern Nevada, transforming how communities approach recycling, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship.

We explore Tara’s journey from her undergraduate thesis project in 1995 to her leadership in local and national sustainability initiatives, including the Christmas Tree Recycling Committee and Campus Race to Zero Waste. Tara shares the challenges, breakthroughs, and future opportunities in building lasting sustainability programs that truly make an impact.

Whether you’re a student, a sustainability professional, or simply curious about what it takes to drive real change, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration from one of Nevada’s leading voices in environmental action.

Tara Pike launched the Rebel Recycling Program in 1995 after researching its feasibility as part of her Environmental Studies/Biology degree at UNLV. In 2009, she became the university’s first Sustainability Coordinator, leading campus-wide initiatives to improve environmental performance. Tara also serves as the long-time chair of the Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee and is Vice President of the Campus Race to Zero Waste board. Her work has shaped sustainability efforts throughout Southern Nevada and beyond.

In this episode, we chat with Ally Marielle, the driving force behind “Aydan & Ally’s First Annual Baby & Kids Clothing Swap” in Hillsdale, NJ. Ally took it upon herself to organize this event to help moms in her community swap gently used baby and kids' clothes. After four months of collecting and sorting donations in her basement, she’s ready to make a difference for local families. Tune in to hear Ally’s inspiring story, how she’s bringing her community together, and the impact she hopes this swap will have on moms helping moms.

To learn more about hosting this type of event visit Ally's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/ally.marielle

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Stratmann, the visionary behind the Inner Magnet process, a transformative approach that has revolutionized executive and corporate coaching. With over 25 years of experience, Kevin shares his innovative methods for unlocking focus, optimizing energy, and creating new possibilities for both individuals and groups. We explore how his Inner Magnet practices can lead to powerful productivity, creativity, and enhanced relationships—all while empowering you to achieve your goals in making a positive impact on people and the planet. Whether you're looking to make a difference in your personal life, career, or the world around you, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tools to help you create meaningful change. Tune in to discover how Kevin’s unique approach can inspire you to think differently and take purposeful action for a better world.

Website:  https://imi.works/

YouTube Channel - Transform Your Thinking With Inner Magnet: https://www.youtube.com/@transformthinking

Inner Magnet Free Community Skool  https://www.skool.com/innermagnet/about

In this episode, we reconnect with Basil Camu, the visionary behind Leaf and Limb and Project Pando, two impactful organizations based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Basil shares his journey and insights on cultivating and distributing free native trees for reforestation across urban, suburban, and wild landscapes with less well-known methods that help speed up the success of local reforestation projects. As the author of the inspiring new book From Wasteland to Wonder: Simple Strategies for Healing the Earth in Urban and Suburban Spaces, Basil offers practical advice on restoring natural ecosystems. Join us for an engaging discussion on the importance of reforestation, the beauty of native plants, and the simple steps we can all take to heal the planet.

Join us for an illuminating episode of the “Locals Share Green Living” podcast as we delve into the transformative realm of eco-restoration through the lens of Miyawaki forests. In this episode, we are privileged to be joined by Maya Dutta, a trailblazer in ecological restoration, as she shares insights from her pioneering journey in establishing the first Miyawaki forest in the northeast region of the United States with her work with Biodiversity for a Livable Climate and community partners.

Miyawaki forests, inspired by the visionary Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, offer a potent solution to combatting biodiversity loss and climate change while fostering resilient ecosystems. Maya Dutta takes us on a captivating journey, unraveling the intricate process of planning, organizing, and fostering partnerships with local organizations to bring this innovative concept to fruition.

Through Maya's expertise and dedication, we gain invaluable perspectives on the intricacies of implementing Miyawaki forests as a sustainable strategy for ecological regeneration. From selecting native plant species to cultivating community engagement, Maya shares profound insights illuminating the path toward a more biodiverse and livable planet.

Tune in as we explore the profound impact of Miyawaki forests on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and the collective efforts needed to usher in a future where nature thrives alongside human civilization.

Biodiversity for a Livable Climate:  https://bio4climate.org/

More about the Miyawaki forest program:  https://bio4climate.org/miyawaki-forest-program/

Volunteering in the Boston area:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBwSH4G8PQ16rBAsZHxwjyGNDWWS4nZepAmZovAJOsXGzPAw/viewform

In this episode, we sit down with Richard, affectionately known as Rick, whose career in environmental protection and public service spans over three decades. Starting in 1988 with RKR Hess Associates, Rick's expertise in percolation testing and more led him to establish Fisher Environmental Services. Join us as we explore his remarkable journey, from his role as a Sewage Enforcement Officer to managing townships and finally retiring in 2022. This is a conversation about a life dedicated to service, and environmental advocacy.