Entwining Greenspace: Community Action To Counter Urban Heat Island Effect with Jimmy Kern

House Warming Podcast, Episode 023: Entwining Greenspace: Community Action To Counter Urban Heat Island Effect with Jimmy Kern of Network 49. 

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)!