Centenary Students Give Student Perspective at Last Night's ABS Greenways Meeting

A quick summary of last night's meeting:

Present were Mallory Coburn, Sarah Savage, John Davenport, Loren Demerath, Carolyn Manning, and Feico Kempff.

We were unusually good last night at creating a list of realistic, short-term to-do's (thanks Mallory!). These were aimed at the proposed new greenway section from Alexander to East Elmood.
Among the tasks:

• contacting Matthew Linn to ask him to be a leison with the owner of land who he happens to know (Loren)
• drawing up a document that describes how no harm would come to the owner by leasing the land to a greenways land trust.
• Carolyn's been working a lot on the greenways publicity package and will show that soon, but to allow her to finish that, Loren will be sending her the summary of the research on how property values increase and crime rates decrease with the addition of greenways or bike paths to a neighborhood.

Mallory mentioned that painting crosswalks at the streets that intersect with the bayou/ditch would help with any trail; and maybe a flashing light to cause cars to notice and stop.

Sarah noted that Centenary could sponsor educational sessions for biking safety and etiquette; also recommend routes to students for getting around the city; especially for getting to Target, Barnes and Noble, etc. Could be for elementary, jr. high schools, etc., could do it at the gold dome parkinng lot; could then take them outside the parking lot to show them it's o.k. To ride. Mallory said if I'm awaren of a rudimentary path/trail that's safe and away from traffic; asking or not for permission but just making the trails. Establishing trails would be useful to show people where to go; otherwise you're caught in an unsafe ploace.

John asked which route would be best to establish first? Pierre Bayou from Oakley to 70^th was noted; easiest to do.

Sarah noted most students don't have their bikes here; Carolyn said the culture could change. Mallory said if we have a trail it would facilitate use. There are groups that could be asked to use a trail, that could then...

It was mentioned that a meet-up ride event could help establish a trail along whatever section of a clear, wide drainage ditch area we choose.

As others have noted, the presence of bike racks downtown and around the city could get people thinking about riding around town.

Feico had just come from Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting on Greenways and green systems; MPC has engaged Goody-Clancy to update their development for the next 20-30 years; They discussed greenways and parks and how they come about through donations and developers who are required to set aside land; often don't come about through planning. Most of the implementation will take place through zoning. The changes will come about through ordinances. One of the problems in the older part of the city is large trees falling or being cut, and an ordinance could make people to have to replace trees if they cut them down.

Carolyn described the ordinances used around Dallas, and how they help maintain the value of nieghborhoods. Planting bradford pears vs. trees that canopy can hurt the neighborhood.

Tomorrow, members of the Coates Bluff Greenway team will be meeting with Sharron Swanson and Paula Hickman to explore the ways Sharron's firm might be able to help us, and how we can create an organization to handle the funding for the project.

Next week, we'll meet about where to paint sharrows for biking, Greenway Day, and as well other topics and events related to making our city more bikable and walkable!

Growth and Institutional Ghange Addressed by Dr. Davenport in his Greenways Class at Centenary College

Dr. John Davenport lectured today on “Society and Nature: Understanding the Human Landscape”

Here are the notes:

Population growth in the U.S. Was depicted; southwest, southeast, northeast showed high growth; counties in the panhandle of florida are among the fastest growing in the country.

Examining the Phoenix ares, Sun City and Mesa are “galactic commuter zones” and how growth changed the area. Pumping water out of the Colorado River into the suburbs led to great growth, particularly for Mesa.

Quoting and paraphrasing from the NPR story done on the area's growth:

90% of Phoenix has been built since 1950. The expansion leapfrogged into agricultural lands. Developers sold image of outdoor living with patios and warm weather. Air conditioning made it livable in the summer. “The goal was to get as many people as possible to live there.” Mesa is as big as Pittsburgh, and Tempe as big as Kansas City. A consequence has been that the average temperature has gone up 11 degrees in the last ten years. “Soon there'll be a day when it doesn't go below 100 for 24 hours.”

The story raised the question, though, of whether the city needs a dense center, or whether sprawl is what people actually want. It gives them a yard and space. And that's a culturally valued lifestyle.

Gentrification is often tied to mixed outcomes; therefore, provisions needed for maintaining certain portion of mixed housing.

North Little Rock has attempted to bring in money through conferences, pro baseball and basketball.

Homeowners in Argenta AR, formed together to change the neighborhood. NeighborWorks is a homeowner program. Argenta Community Development Corporation has been sucessful 'cuz it's “never taken it's eye off the ball”.

Dr. John then shifted to to talk about the social processes that influence change.

Institutions make it happen, by giving resources and constancy.

But two misconceptions:

1. Ideas and values are unchanging
2. Education is key to changing behavior

But that's not the only way to create change; Institutions can change behavior by changing the landscape, rules, events, etc.

Prior to the industrial revolution, “nature” was seen as daily, immediate basis of agricultural production and lievelihoods.

America's twin inventions—rapid urbanization and rapid movility—opened up new conceptions of nature during late-19^th and 20^th Centuries. More downtime, leisure time and disposable income, wealthy and middle-class citizens turned outward from industrial city, in hope of witnessing a new aesthetic of the sublime—a wild, rugged landscape.

An alternative approach stresses our connection to nature in the places where we live and work.

Refashioning home landscapes is necessary component of preserving far away wilderness settings.

Institutions involved the norms, rules, and routine behaviors that guide human activity.

Changing human behavior, then, is a matter of both education and understanding how institutions work, change, and/or don't change.

So, e.g., having a land trust is an institutional structure that makes greenways and routines possible, as is blogs, meetup.org, etc.

Behaviors become institutionalized or taken for granted as the way things are done. But those patterns can be broken or changed by other institutional actions.

Attempts to change institutions often encounter resistance because change affects the interests of many different actors. Power, or the ability of individuals and groups to influence others, is an important aspect to institutional change.

But change is necessary, since institutions often don't allign harmoniously with biophysical and social realities. Also, many institutions may not be sufficiently flexible and adaptable to function for the community as conditions as change.

Centenary Student student, Derek Dalzell wrote me:

"Thought you might like to see this. this is the greenway next to my house in michigan that i ride atleast 4-6 times a week for either fun or to get around the city. Thought maybe one day this could be in Shreveport. Don't know if this is exactly what you are going for, but, it tends to suite my community very well."



This is exactly what we're going for -- one form of it anyway. Note how it follows a utility route; a common practice in greenway design.

New Greenway, Cylcovia, and other topics at last meeting

In attendance at the last regular meeting: Matthew Linn, John Inman, Maurice Loridans, Loren Demerath, Carolyn Manning, Cynthia Keith.

The group discussed:

• the Coates Bluff greenway route
  
• sharrow painting
  
• group riding and greenway events
• cohabitat's planned shared workspace
• what would attract young educated people to move to Shreveport
• a new stretch of greenway from Alexander to Gregg St.

After updating the group on the past weekend's trail plotting, Matthew mentioned that Robert Vienitie is the engineer for the Riverscape development. We discussed the different route options, and whether or not there needs to be a path through development the development at all.

Maurice noted that the paint on the sharrows was not going to last and that we need funds for lasting paint. Matthew mentioned that that city officials had told him they could help us find appropriate paint.

Carolyn has joined GRITS (Girls riding in the streets) and will report on what its like.

Maurice talked about our naturally occurring Cyclovia moment that's approaching for the two major parades. (The one pictured here is in Bogota.) The area in front of Shreve City is only part of the route that has to ridden around, but there people can use the westbound lane freely. Maurice and wife Valerie will be wearing costumes, and the Demeraths are planning on riding as well. The group won't officially meet anywhere, but it does have to be done before the parade starts, and you've got all afternoon to do it. (Loren has since scheduled a meeting time at meetup.org; sign up there and see it under Carolyn's group "Urban Bikers".)

John Inman, a student at LSUS who commutes to class by bike, volunteered to help with painting, and will also share his favorite routes on the map of recommended bike routes we've been compiling for NLCOG. John has also volunteered to be interviewed by KSCL about his bike communting to LSUS and work.

(For some reason the group then discussed the association of ADHD with lead... go figure.)

It was noted that Cohabitat's first "Jelly" was well recieved at Columbia Cafe; 30 people attended. Carolyn noting she plans on leasing the group room when she gives seminars. It was said the anticipated rate was $24 per day, which would give one a desk, free access to coffee or keg beer or whatever they have on hand; access to a quiet room, and a group room. Examples given included someone who does contractor work and doesn't want to meet with people at his home. There are attourneys who rent space where the executive suites are in the Beck building, but those are closed spaces there, and not the shared open space that Cohabitat would offer and that would invite more collaboration and create more sense of community.

Carolyn received a call from a small tech firm that wanted to know what there was for young people to do in Shreveport. She mentioned Mardi Gras, restaurants, bayous and fishing and hunting, the Norton art gallery, Sciport. Loren mention that poker tournaments are now a real draw for educated people who are not gamblers in the classic sense of betting against the house; poker's popularity has become a national phenomenon.

The group then discussed the new greenway behind Centenary. Matthew talked about the trails he used to walk along Pierre Bayou between Alexander, Elmwood, and Gregg St. The group examined the map and became excited about the possibilities of this trail, part of which goes through another urban forest. Loren later communicated the possibility to the head of the Centenary Environmental Association, Malari Coburn, who already expressed interest in creating a trail along the bayou between Alexander and Kings that runs behind the Centenary athletic fields, shown here.

Carolyn talked about starting a meet-up group (which she did the next morning, and which Loren has since joined). One of the purposes would be to start to meet at a certain time to go on a ride together. Allowing people opportunities to bike together lets them experience biking in Shreveport in a very safe, secure, socially enjoyable way.

Carolyn and Cynthia expressed concern that Greenway Day won't happen because it takes time to plan it. Matthew says it'll happen, not to worry. Loren expressed confidence in Ian's organizational abilities based on his track record.

Next week's meeting will be Greenway focused, with students from Centenary possibly attending.

Patches, Corridors, and Matrixes in Making Greenways

Dr. John threw out his back over the weekend and is playing hurt today. But, it might make him looser and score more than ever during his lecture. Sometimes that happens.

Any landscape can be described as a mosaic of repeating patterns of patches and corridors, and the matrix within which these elements are positioned.

The ratio of elements to each other is important for how the environment is able to sustain organisms. For example, two patches of forest may be able to be separated at some distance and have certain animals use both patches, especially if there is a corridor of forest linking them.

Generalist species tend to be able live near humans and adapt well to us, e.g., deer and cayotes vs. bobcats. Edge generalists can utilize corridors. Others, such as Blue Jays, that need to use forest cover to escape Cooper's Hawk, wouldn't venture out into the corridors. But, "stepping stone" habitat patches can be introduced to help such species. Otherwise, a "unified metapopulation" might become isolated and would tend to inbreed and die. On the other hand, corridors can spread disease, so one needs to know about the species one is connecting through a new corridor or stepping stones.

The patches may not be homogeneous themselves, though. Within patches there is a diversity of flora and areas, or of wet and dry lands.

Functional connectivity - how does the connectivity of elements help a species function, e.g, spread their genes.
(The inverse, "functional isolation" - might also benefit a species in terms protection from disease, etc.)

There is a point at which fragmenting a patch can be suboptimal for a species; that's the point where one has fragmented it's "home range". If that's done, the species may be able to limp along for a while, but it won't take much to kill it off from there.

E. O. Wilson's Theory of Island Biogeography...

The first sentence of a book Dr. John is reading by Humphries is: "Most of the interesting things in life happen at the boundaries"

Raperian zones are transition zones between patches, such as between forest interior and meadow, stream, bayou, etc. They offer:

• structural complexity (to live)
• dependable water (to drink)
• rich soils and biomass for food (to eat)

There are important areas. E.g., 80% of species in upland Arizona depend on raparian corridors.

Often small landowners can collectively have the cummulative effect of gragmented home ranges and hurting ecosystems.

Cohabitat resonates with ABetterShreveport

At last night's ABS meeting Matthew Linn reported that Cohabitat's first "Jelly" was well-recieved by the 30 people who attended last Saturday morning. Indeed, at the same meeting Carolyn Manning happened to mention that she plans on using their group space for her seminars. Last week April Dahm and Loren Demerath met with Mark Hand, John Grindley, Stuart Clason, and Blake Burris to hear the "Cohabitat" concept. If you want to know what it's all about, and how it can make Shreveport better, read on.

Cohabitat in Shreveport will be a non-profit organization, interested in giving people a place to work with similarly trained or interested others. Typically, shared workspaces like cohabitat have been used by creative professionals looking for a place to get work done with the focus that an office provides outside their own homes. These people are also looking for the kind of community that offices often provide, and out of which relationships and collaborative efforts can emerge. They are often relaxed atmospheres. Stuart said, "I wanted to work at a place where I could bring my dog and where there was a kegerator." Beyond the possibility of beer (hey, don't knock Stuart's dream, Charles Dickens did a lot of his writing while sipping pints at the pub!) and beyond the possibilities offered simply by working alongside others who have might have complementary skills, shared workspaces facilitate collaboration by hosting "jellies," where folks have the chance to present their work and ask for feedback or advice.

Why would we care about this? Especially those of us who aren't looking for a place to use our laptops and cell phones? Because Sociological research tends to indicate that increased mobility (as in an open plan of shared work space in contrast to rooms of rented office suites) yields greater connectivity (as in collaborative work vs. working alone at home), which in turn leads to greater productivity and economic opportunities. Sounds like Cohabitat's success would lead to a better Shreveport. We're rooting for you Cohab!

Animal paths followed for north section of Coates Bluff trail

Another group of us this past Sunday continued the task of plotting a trail from the Montessori School up to Stoner Ave. Jeff Jeff Girard, Maurice Loridans, Ian Webb, Jon Soul, Will Smith, Janine Demerath, Loren Demerath and Feico Kempff all pitched in.

Here, Jon Soul points to an animal path.

A bit further on, Gus Demerath points to a large earth mound, the humble abode of some creature that no doubt never attended Magnet, even living so close!

At various points we were torn as to which side of the water to go on. One idea is to have a "loop" where a low traffic, more primitive trail is on one side, with a higher traffic, better packed trail on the other. Of course, where it actually goes on the eastern portion would be at the discretion of the Riverscape Developers. Where ever it ends up being, though, people living near it are likely to value it.

Pictures don't do it justice, but it's really a beautiful setting. This shot is looking over the bayou pond to the high school through the trees. Turtles, fish, snakes, foxes, beavers, nutria, who knows what else. All part of the beautiful natural world!

Recyclers Activate for the Highland Parade

Wanna do good for mother earth while you revel at the Highland Parade this year? Consider joining Andy and Jon. They said they had a blast doing it last year and were astounded at how much they collected!

This year, the mighty Highland Parade celebrates its 25^th anniversary on February 14 (start time 2 PM) with the timely yet tasteful theme of “Highland Goes Green.” To that, Dear Reader, we say, “OK.” Once again, Jon and I arrive modestly (albeit with our hats set at a rakish tilt) to ask for your assistance and to spew forth offers you can’t beat. Said rewards include:

1. We are once again coordinating recycling efforts during parade staging (10 AM – 2 PM) at Byrd High School and are looking for some folks to help us with that. Local recycler, Hughes Recycling, is accepting everything that we collect, so nobody has to take anything home—our job will be to staff a recycling tent and to help the parade participants recycle their stuff (breaking down cardboard boxes, loading up the collection bins, etc). It’s pretty cool to hang out during the staging process, and if you’ll just smile at folks, you might even score a free burger or two.
2. However, because we are thinking about you the whole time, we have also reserved a slot in the parade for a pedestrian (in the walking sense) float. We are not committed to participate, but we have the option to be a part of the parade with a float that has no motorized vehicles (e.g., we could walk, bike, crawl, etc). Should we do this, kids would be welcome to participate. We have no formal concept in mind, so if anyone has any ideas, we’re interested. Being thinkin’ flellers, we have already considered the obvious stuff for a green-themed outing—recycling-bin drill teams, compost bins on wheels, etc--but we would be willing to consider your ridiculous idea as well.

This offer is for a limited time only; hurry and act now before the supplies run out. We ask that anyone who is interested in either (or both) of these activities contact me or Jon and let us know. We are committed to doing the first of these, and if there is sufficient interest, we could do the second as well. (There is a chance—although uncertain at present—that Montessori School parents could earn some service hours for the setup).

So what’s this about the parade happening on Valentine’s Day, you ask. Won’t that be a scheduling conflict? Well, Mr. Pitt/Ms. Jolie, we really don’t think so. Those of you with kids are certainly not going to be doing much Valentining on a Sunday afternoon, I’ll tell you that. And if your Valentine’s Day plans include weeping all sad and lonely by the cabin door, we can help with that too. Contact us; we would love to see you there. (And if you know someone who may be interested, please forward this email to him/her, as we have worked with weird folks in the past and are unafraid to do so again).

Andy Goldthwaite: cgoldthwaite@comcast.com

Jon Soul: jonksoul@gmail.com

First "Jelly" at Cohabitat tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the first "jelly" at Shreveport's first shared work space, "Cohabitat," a non-profit organization run by Shreveporter John Grindley, and former Shreveport native and software developer Blake Burris.

The concept of behind places like Cohabitat is to increase the productivity of creative and collaborative work by increasing the connections between similarly and complementarily skilled people. Those connections are created and nurtured by giving them a space where they can work in proximity to one another, and regularly providing forums for presenting work and getting feedback and ideas.

It should be a terrific way to fertilize the ground for creative and collaborative work in Shreveport. Good luck, Cohabitat! We're rooting for you!

"CoHabitat is teaming up with the Columbia Cafe to bring you the area's first coworking "Jelly!" on January 30th @ 10 a.m.

As we're working diligently to get CoHabitat up and running in Shreveport-Bossier, we want to meet and find out a little bit more about you! Whether you're ready to settle down into a coworking community or you just want to learn more about the coworking concept, CoHabitat would like to invite you to come out for our first Jelly, January 30th at Columbia Cafe from 10 a.m. until noon or later.

On the agenda for our first meet up:

- We'll talk about the concept of coworking and the status of bringing the CoHabitat to life in Shreveport-Bossier.
- We'll give anyone who's interested a chance to talk about what what they're working on.
- We'll pick your brain a little bit about what you need from a coworking site.
- We'll finish up with some networking/coworking time, so feel free to bring your laptop and come ready to cowork!

This event is free to anyone who's interested, and the coffee is on CoHabitat!

We hope to make this a regular series of events, so don't miss your chance to be a part of the first!

Want to learn more about CoHabitat? Visit us online at facebook.com/cohabitatshreveport and twitter.com/cohab

What is Jelly?
"Jelly is a casual working event. It's taken place in over a hundred cities where people have come together (in a person's home, a coffee shop, or an office) to work for the day. We provide chairs and sofas, wireless internet, and interesting people to talk to, collaborate with, and bounce ideas off of.

You bring a laptop (or whatever you need to get your work done) and a friendly disposition." (courtesy of workatjelly.com )


John Grindley
318-230-0157 - Mobile
twitter.com/johngrindley

Interested in coworking/shared workspace?
facebook.com/cohabitatshreveport
twitter.com/cohab

Below is are pictures of the future of home Cohabitat on Commerce St. It's a beautiful building inside, parking's easy, and it's near downtown businesses, restaurants, bars, and hip apartments.

Green Streets and Stormwater Planters Articles via Tim Wachtel

The following is from Tim Wachtel, a planner for SPAR. Thanks Tim!

I thought that this article was timely. Entitled "Green Streets Pave the Way to Greener Communities" By Jason A. King, ASLA, and Shawn Kummer, it talks about two street projects in Portland and how "green" cuts across many areas of concern, it's not necessarily easy or quick, but it can respond to a wide variety of needs.

http://land.asla.org/2010/0126/ppn.html

If you're not familiar with "stormwater planters," here's a description:

"Stormwater runoff flows downhill along the existing street curb until it reaches the first of four stormwater planters. A 12-inch curb cut channels the street runoff into the first stormwater planter. Once inside the planter, the water is allowed to collect until it reaches a depth of six inches. The landscape system within each planter allows the water to infiltrate in the soil at a rate of four inches per hour. If a rain event is intense enough, water will exit through the planter’s second curb cut, flow back out into the street and eventually enter the next downstream stormwater planter." And another article from Portland:

http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=29323&a=123776