In this episode, Sarah talks with Jimmy Kern about Network 49's Environmental Justice Committee, the committee's plan and the way that vine trellises can mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Jimmy is chair of Network 49’s Environmental Justice Committee. He has also had these experiences:

1976-80: Botany minor, University of Pennsylvania

1975-77: Established and coordinated a community garden in West Philadelphia

1980- 82: Agronomy MS, Penn State University

1983-85: Development Sociology coursework, Cornell University (rural stratification and land tenure in Tanzania)

1985 - 2008: Travel in East Africa

1986-89: MEd, Temple University; High School teaching in North Philadelphia

1990- 2009: High School teaching, Cove School, Northbrook; Developed and supervised prairie restoration project on North Branch of the Chicago River

2010-2011: Chemistry coursework, Northwestern University

2012-2016: High School teaching, Richards Career Academy, Back of the Yards, Chicago; Developed and supervised greenspace project adjacent to the school

2013 -2015: Member of Greater Englewood Urban Task Force

2013- 2015: Member of Roseland-Pullman Urban Ag. and Community Garden Network; Member of Institute for Community Affairs

2014-2015: Graduate-level coursework on sustainable food systems, Duke University; Volunteer at Duke Campus Farm; Member of the Duke University’s Food Research Working Group; Volunteer with SEEDS, an urban agriculture program in Durham; Researcher for Rural Advancement Foundation International

2016 to present: Tutoring immigrants and refugees in Rogers Park, West Rogers Park, and Edgewater (Pan African Association; RefugeeOne; Centro Romero)

He also makes fine furniture and cabinetry (hand-crafted joinery)!

Support the show

House Warming Podcast, Episode 022: Human Composting: A Cleaner, Greener End with Iyana Simba of the Illinois Environmental Council.

In this episode, Sarah talks with Iyana Simba about the Chicago Department of Environment (spoiler: it is up and running)!

Iyana currently serves as the City Programs Director at the Illinois Environmental Council where she oversees advocacy, coalition building, aldermanic relationships and organizing related to environmental issues before the City of Chicago. Previously, she has served several roles at IEC including Clean Water Policy Director, Clean Water Advocate and Intern. In her most recent role as Clean Water Policy Director, she oversaw policy development, coalition building and advocacy related to water issues in Illinois. Iyana’s work continues to ensure water among other environmental issues are salient to both the public and decision makers.

Prior to working at IEC, she attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and graduated with honors with a degree in Public Policy and a Sustainable Cities minor.

Outside of her work, Iyana enjoys engaging in local politics, painting, hiking and traveling. She is also a member of the Environmentalists of Color Network and the Chicago Urban League’s Metropolitan Board.

Support the show

This episode provides updates on podcast episode releases (every other Monday!) and an announcement describing the first three interviews of the season!

Support the show