How To Talk to the "Other" Side
Wednesday, July 29
Kevin Wilhelm, author of a new book by the same name
America is as divided as ever, and with each “side" becoming more entrenched in their own views, nothing is getting done. Sustainability business consultant and author Kevin Wilhelm has developed a much-needed toolkit that provides both hope and practical strategies for finding common ground and win-win solutions for people who deeply disagree with you. His book will equip Americans to address our nation's largest public health, economic and environmental challenges.
Transcript and handout coming soon!
Oh the Veggies You'll Grow! What To Plant Now in Dallas
Tuesday, July 14
Dr. Kara Casy, Director of Urban Agriculture at El Cento and
Darciea Houston, nutrition and wellness consultant
Looking to improve your health while growing fruits and vegetables? We can show you how to garden in your window, on your porch or balcony, or in your back yard.
Join us for tips on growing your own healthy fruits and vegetables at home, on a budget! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, with a little inspiration you'll be well on your way to improving your health, while saving money.
Review the Q&A forum on What to Grow Now
Managing for Sustainability
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
by Dr. Gemmy Allen, Dallas College faculty member
Organizations are powerful entities. Though they have the potential to harm in the pursuit of profit, they have just as much potential to do good. This good is referred to as corporate social responsibility (CSR) or sustainability. McKinsey & Company defines sustainability as "the management of environmental, social and governance issues." Thus, a company's CSR efforts are measured by three pillars of sustainability: environmental, sociocultural and economic.
Sustainable practices are defined as those that:
- at minimum do not harm people or the planet and at best create value for stakeholders and
- focus on improving environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in the areas in which the company or brand has a material environmental or social impact (such as in their operations, value chain or customers). Harvard Business Review excludes companies with a traditional CSR program that supports employee volunteering in the community — this does not by itself qualify as sustainability.
Although many organizations are embracing sustainability efforts to one degree or another, getting employees to back these efforts has presented more of a challenge.
How can employees be motivated to choose to improve sustainability performance?
About Dr. Gemmy Allen
Gemmy S. Allen is a faculty member and coordinator of the Management and Business Administration program at Dallas College North Lake Campus. Her bachelor's and master's degrees are in business administration, and her Doctor of Education degree is in leadership (Ed.D.) from Lamar University. Her awards include being named Outstanding Mountain View College Faculty Member and receiving the Golden Oak Award, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce; the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence in Teaching Award at Mountain View College and North Lake College; the award for Mountain View College Innovator of the Year; and member of Innovation of the Year at North Lake College, Cedar Valley College, LeCroy Center and District Office.
She is the co-author of the textbook "Management: Meeting and Exceeding Customer Expectations," now in its 11th edition. In addition, she has co-authored several discipline-specific, internet-related books and has developed several online classes.
Watch the Managing for Sustainability webinar video.
View the transcript for the Managing for Sustainability video. (DOC - 75KB)
Invasion of the Ecosystem Snatchers!
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
by Brie Day, Dallas College biology professor
What can you do to protect our native species and habitats? Join us as we learn why the invasion of exotic species in the United States such as Asian Tiger mosquitos, garlic mustard, cowbirds, Zebra mussels and European starlings is one of the greatest threats to ecosystem biodiversity and sustainability. We'll also explore how human activities help exotic species. This free webinar is part of the Sustainable U Lunch and Learn series produced by Dallas College and EarthX.
About Brie Day
Brie Day has a passion for projects that help our environment and educate students and the community about science and sustainability. Brie has taught full time at the community college level for more than 18 years, teaching more than 28 courses in the environmental and biological sciences. She currently teaches in the areas of general and environmental biology at the Eastfield campus in Mesquite, where her curriculum focuses on project-based, hands-on education, both in the lab and in the field at Samuell Farm.
Brie recently won the Eastfield College "Excellence in Teaching – Piper Professor Faculty of the Year" award. Throughout her career in higher education, Brie has worked to build K-12, university and industry partnerships for educational initiatives in the biological and environmental sciences.
Brie's education includes the completion of three years toward a doctorate (achieving ABD status) in environmental and natural resources science: evolutionary molecular genetics of salmonids from Washington State University, Vancouver. She also holds a master's degree in biological sciences: conservation biology/invasion ecology from Illinois State University and a bachelor's degree in biological sciences: ecology/evolutionary biology/behavior from the University of Maryland at College Park.
View the Invasion of the Ecosystem Snatchers webinar.
Print the Invasion of the Ecosystem Snatchers handout transcript.
Foodscaping: Grow Your Own Food in Your Front Yard
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
noon-1 p.m.
Free webinar by Dr. Kara Casy, Dallas College
Learn how to grow fresh fruits and vegetables in your front yard (or back yard) through our first Lunch and Learn webinar. See several examples of how to switch out coleus for kale and begonias for beets in any space you have available while achieving a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing design and abiding by city codes. Please visit the registration link below to participate in this event.
View the Foodscaping webinar.
View the Foodscaping webinar handout (DOC - 2.75MB).