Food Systems Planning

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 • 5:00 p.m.

For planners there is no better time than now to start thinking about where our food comes from, beginning with the farm and ending on our plates. With a global food crisis gaining momentum what role can planners play in both preservation and improvement of the food system?

Lynn Peemoeller, co-chair of the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council, will discuss the environmental, health, social justice, and policy implications of food, and she will share her perspective on how APA's Community and Regional Food Policy Guide informs the planner's role in the complex food system.
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Lynn Peemoeller is a food systems planner who lives in Chicago and works on projects and policy to support sustainable agriculture, strengthen the local food system, and encourage environmentally sound economic development. Peemoeller has more than 10 years experience with farmers markets throughout the country and was previously the program director at Sustain. Currently she is an independent consultant working on community food plans and a freelance writer on planning, food, and nature. Peemoeller is on the board of directors for Slow Food Chicago, and a co-chair of the Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council.

Enhancing Your Community through Tree Preservation

Tuesday, January 13, 2008 • 5:00 p.m.

Technical know-how is only one part of protecting trees during the land planning process. Understanding and overcoming the hidden barriers to tree preservation are also critical to planning success. Planners, property owners, engineers, landscape architects and contractors want — and are increasingly required — to save trees. But team members may not be fully aware of the obstacles and opportunities that are present when preserving and building a tree-filled community.

When tree preservation is integrated throughout a project, when communication is a top priority, when roles are clear, and when an understanding of development constraints inform the planning process, innovative and effective solutions emerge.

Todd Degner will talk about the common barriers to tree preservation as well as proactive steps for overcoming them. Join a discussion of the process involved in protecting trees in planning, construction and land development projects — for long-term tree survival and for community success.
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Todd Degner is the Business Manager of Tree Preservation and Land Restoration for The Care of Trees. In this position he has increased tree preservation awareness and gained recognition in the Great Lakes planning, engineering, and architectural communities as a premier provider of tree preservation expertise and service. His work with not-for-profit organizations like Openlands and Chicago Wilderness has provided energy and direction for a regional tree preservation and land restoration vision that will protect natural resources throughout the Great Lakes region for generations to come.