Celebrating Earth Day with Parks and Recreation — April Bonus Episode

The April issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and
on today’s bonus episode we’re diving into one of this month’s
feature stories, “Celebrating Earth Day.” which explores how park
and recreation professionals across the country are bringing Earth
Day events to their communities during the month of April and on
Earth Day, which takes place on April 22 – and, this year is the
52nd anniversary of Earth Day.

Joining me on today’s episode is the author of the article, NRPA
Director of Community and Environmental Resilience Ayanna
Williams. Prior to joining NRPA a little less than a year ago,
Ayanna was the Healthy Cities Director at The Nature Conservancy
in Georgia, and she also served as the Director of Community
Building with Park Pride for more than a decade.


Throughout Ayanna’s career, she has cultivated a broad
perspective and deep understanding of environmental resilience,
building and maintaining relationships, and engaging in work that
depends on diverse local partnerships and the support of national
institutions.


Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Ayanna and
what led her to a career in the community building and
environmental conservation space. You’ll also learn:


How local park and recreation agencies are celebrating Earth
Day in their communities as a day of action for the planet

How agencies are using creative solutions to address
challenges with hosting Earth Day celebrations

What Ayanna would focus on if she were planning an Earth Day
event in her community

What we can all do beyond Earth Day to ensure environmental
justice is a priority to those with decision-making power

What gives Ayanna hope for the future of our communities and
planet (and why there’s no downside to hope)

And much more!



Related Links:


Park.Change. Tool

Exploring the Climate.Park.Change. Toolkit (Webinar on April
14, 2022)

Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz

NRPA Green Stormwater Infrastructure Certificate Program