The Environmental Justice PPN has kicked off 2018 by leading virtual conversations for members involved in, inspired by, and interested in pursuing environmental justice through education, research, and practice. In early February, the PPN hosted a virtual presentation and conversation on the Environmental Justice + Landscape Architecture: A Student’s Guide, developed by three MLA students from Cornell and RISD. Look for Tuesday’s Field post with more information on the first draft and how you can help shape the resources, case studies, and activities included in the guide!
On March 8, Viviana Franco, Executive Director of From Lot to Spot (FLTS), will be joining the PPN conversation on equitable community engagement. FLTS, based in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, CA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2007 as a direct result of the relationship between lack of accessible green space and the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods. FLTS’ unique approach involves grassroot, community engagement to ensure disadvantaged communities contribute their voice in developing healthy spaces in their neighborhoods. Viviana will be discussing her organization’s approach to providing equitable community engagement as well as some case studies where those principles have been applied.
More on FLTS’ work:
WHAT WE DO…
- Create community-designed greenspaces in underserved neighborhoods and lead community engagement efforts so that communities have a direct voice in developing projects in their neighborhoods.
- Build pocket parks, gardens, micro-greenspaces, walking paths, bicycle paths, and other innovative spaces that not only help beautify the community, but provide environmental benefits while creating social connectivity.
- Create more livable, vibrant communities, by the community. We distinguish ourselves by authentically engaging and working with communities from the ground up.
- Through communities’ voices, FLTS creates much needed greenspaces like parks, community gardens, walking trails, playgrounds, and much more.
FLTS IS UNPARALLELED IN…
- Authentically working with communities, one family at a time.
- Listening to communities needs and translating that into action and projects.
- Making sure communities of color have equitable access to healthy resources, including healthy food access, recreational opportunities and spaces that create healthy communities.
- Making sure communities of color have a voice at the policy table.
- Our commitment to working towards equity in all things regardless of your socio-economic background.
To learn more about FLTS in advance of the virtual discussion, check out their online video “From Lot To Spot: A Lot To Imagine.”
To join the call on Thursday, March 8 and future conversations, sign up for the Environmental Justice PPN by contacting propractice@asla.org.
by the Environmental Justice PPN leadership team