In this episode, Addie sits down with Bianca Clarke — parks advocate, community-builder, and Director of the 10-Minute Walk Program at Trust for Public Land — to talk about equitable access to nature, climate resilience and why neighborhood parks are critical climate infrastructure in addition to providing opportunities for local outdoor recreation. From childhood moments that sparked her environmental path to the national effort to ensure every person lives a 10-minute walk from a green space, Bianca shares what it means to design for connection, invest in community and build a future where nature is truly for everyone.
We talk about:
How early experiences outdoors shaped Bianca’s path into conservation
Why millions of people in the US lack access to a nearby park — and what that means
How Trust for Public Land designs parks with communities, not for them
Climate resilience: heat mitigation, flood protection, and “sponge parks”
The social power of parks - belonging, safety, and everyday connection
…and much more!
Links
Trust for Public Land (TPL)
TPL’s 10-Minute Walk Program
TPL’s ParkServe Program
TPL’s Schoolyard Initiative
Moore Aloha — Ama OluKai Foundation
Going Green: A Kid’s Handbook to Saving the Planet
Keywords
parks, public lands, equitable access, climate resilience, urban heat, flood mitigation, sponge cities, green space, community design, environmental justice, nature-based solutions, neighborhood parks, social connection, mental health, outdoor equity, conservation, climate adaptation