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By Betsy Friauf

Vegetables on a table in front of a garden and building in sunny weather.
Nov 23 2020, Betsy Friauf

Community garden founder shares lessons learned

Community gardens require community involvement and empowerment for success. While location, soil, and experienced gardeners matter, community buy-in is crucial. Initiatives must be locally driven, embracing Asset-Based Community Development. Effective organizing and adaptability, alongside embracing teachable moments on sustainability and social justice, help gardens flourish and support local communities.
Map with clustered data points marked by numbers and colors.
Oct 22 2020, Betsy Friauf

Network aims to pinpoint air pollution in DFW

Downwinders at Risk launched SharedAirDFW, a network of air quality monitors in Dallas-Fort Worth to track particulate pollution. Partnering with local institutions, they aim to gather data for advocating relocation of polluters. The project seeks 100 monitors and open data access to improve community health awareness and decision-making.
Sign on lawn saying "MOVE THE BATCH" near a tree, with additional text below.
Sep 22 2020, Betsy Friauf

Garland neighborhood fights new polluting foe

A citizens' group in Garland is legally contesting a concrete batch plant that they claim will worsen existing pollution linked to severe health issues. This effort is part of a long-term campaign to address contamination by industries, highlighted by recent EPA findings of hazardous lead levels near a former battery plant.