Shows
ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeDoing Right Ecologically and Ending in CourtIn this episode of ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a Time, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with Long Island science teacher and homeowner Amiee Kemp, whose decision to replace her front-yard lawn with native plants landed her in court — and turned her into an accidental advocate for ecological change. What began as a personal effort to “transform this yard into a functioning ecosystem” evolved into a powerful local test case about how suburban communities define beauty, order, and environmental responsibility. Amy describes how her garden now absorbs floodwater, supports dozens of species of birds an...
2026-01-2222 minChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeSelling Sustainability: Two East Hampton realtors promote healthy & pollinator friendly yardsIn this episode of Changehampton Presents, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with East Hampton real estate professionals Eileen Mullen and Michael Schultz about an unexpected but essential partnership in the shift toward healthy, sustainable, pollinator-friendly landscapes: the real estate community.Together, they explore how buyer expectations, long-standing lawn aesthetics, and misconceptions about deer, ticks, and “tidy” landscaping shape what gets planted—and what gets cleared. They also discuss how realtors, by virtue of their trusted relationships with buyers, can play a pivotal role in reframing what a beautiful, valuable, and healthy landscape looks like in the Hamptons.From...
2025-11-2430 minChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeBill McKibben, environmental & democratic activistThis episode of *Change Hampton Presents: Save the Planet One Yard at a Time* features writer and activist **Bill McKibben**, discussing his memoir *The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon*. McKibben reflects on his suburban childhood in Lexington, Massachusetts, and how the U.S. shifted from community-minded values in the 1960s–70s toward hyper-individualism, inequality, weakened democracy, and climate inaction. He critiques the legacy of the Reagan era, the role of suburbanization in eroding community, and the shift in Christianity from communal to individual salvation.McKibben underscores the stakes of climate change, praising the Inflation Reduction Ac...
2025-09-2535 minChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeStudents Steward Healthy Landscapes with ReWildSummaryThis episode of Change Hampton Presents: Save the Planet One Yard at a Time features high school students Shirley Jiang and Griffin Beckmann, interns and youth organizers with Rewild Long Island’s Summer Intern Program. They share their hands-on experiences in ecological restoration projects across East Hampton, including planting native species, removing invasives, composting, and maintaining community pollinator gardens. Both reflect on their motivation to fight climate change, the skills and community they’ve gained, and the hope they find in seeing peers and neighbors join the movement. They also discuss the challenges of balancing commitments, tran...
2025-09-1633 minChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeHealthy Yards and Bedford 2030**Episode Summary:** In this episode of ChangeHampton Presents, host Francesca Rheannon explores the "new land ethic" with Filipina Dahan, founder of HealthyYards.org, and Midge Iorio, Program Director of Bedford 2030. The discussion centers on transforming suburban landscapes to be more environmentally friendly, focusing on biodiversity, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainable practices. The guests share insights on community engagement, legislative efforts, and shifting perceptions around landscaping. **Segment Summaries:** * **(0:00-0:02:31) Introduction to HealthyYards.org:** Filipina Dahan discusses her journey from landscaping to advocating for sustainable yards, highlighting the lack of l...
2025-08-2532 min
ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeShade Garden for Uncommon Pollinators at LongHouse, East Hampton, NY🌱 A Shade Garden for Uncommon Pollinators at LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton, NYIn this special episode of Changehampton Presents, we take you on an immersive audio tour of the ReWild Woodland Garden for Uncommon Pollinators at LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, NY.Originally produced by our friends at ReWild Long Island—who generously granted us permission to share it—this episode explores how native plantings can restore biodiversity, even in shady, often-overlooked corners of the landscape. Host Francesca Rheannon is joined by ReWild South Fork co-leads Lurie Petroske and Chris Liem, as well as native plant a...
2025-07-0726 min
ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeGrasslands Matter: Ecology, History and Hope with Betsy McCully & Bruce HorwithIn Episode 6 of Changehampton Presents, host Francesca Rheannon delves into one of Long Island’s most endangered and overlooked ecosystems: native grasslands. Guests Betsy McCully, environmental writer and author of At the Glacier’s Edge, and Bruce Horwith, conservation biologist and ecologist, unpack the rich ecological history, biodiversity, and climate resilience offered by grasslands. They explore how these ecosystems evolved, the impact of colonization and development, and how community-driven restoration can help reverse biodiversity loss. They refer to the Native grassland pollinator meadows that ChangeHampton is creating on the grounds of East Hampton Town Hall. This episode is a must...
2025-06-1842 min
ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimePerfect Earth: Re-imagining Yard Care with Edwina von Gal & Tim WheelerFrIn this fifth episode of Changehampton Presents, host Francesca Rheannon welcomes renowned landscape designer Edwina von Gal, founder of the Perfect Earth Project, and ecologist Tim Wheeler, Perfect Earth’s Homeowner Educator. Together, they explore a transformative vision for land care—one rooted in nature-based practices, healthy habitats, and eliminating toxic chemicals. From closing the loop on your property to launching an Earth School for a new generation of “land carers,” Edwina and Tim challenge the cultural norms of traditional landscaping and offer exciting, practical alternatives to help listeners reconnect with the land and create thriving ecosystems in their own back...
2025-06-0241 minChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeHealthy & Sustainable Lawns & Yards; Two lawncare specialists tell us howIn this episode of Changehampton Presents, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with two seasoned experts in sustainable lawn and yard care: landscapers Paul Munoz and Paul Wagner of Eastern Long Island. Together, they explore how ecological landscaping can reverse environmental damage, enhance biodiversity, and create healthier communities. From organic lawn care to learning to work with leaves, to ecologically healthy ways to deal with ticks and other pests, this engaging conversation dives into practical strategies,for creating healthy eco-systems and human communities.
2025-05-1938 min
ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeFrom Turf Lawn to a Healthy Yard; ChangeHampton activists describe their processIn this inspiring third episode of *Changehampton Presents*, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with Leonard Green, co-founder of Changehampton, and actor/director/journalist Paul McIsaac about transforming traditional lawns into thriving, biodiverse ecosystems. They share their personal journeys of replacing grass with native plantings, the critical role of keystone species like oaks and blueberries, and the cultural resistance to eco-conscious landscaping. The conversation also introduces Changehampton's newest initiative: the 1,000 Healthy Yards Campaign, aiming to restore ecological balance, yard by yard. --- ## 🌱 Show Notes — Episode 3: **Turning Turf Lawns to Healthy Yards; ChangeHampton Activists Describe the Process **Hosted...
2025-04-2533 minChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeSave the Planet, One Yard at a Time - Episode 2: Landscapers Creating Non-Toxic Resilient GardensIn this episode of Changehampton Presents: Save the Planet One Yard at a Time, host Francesca Rheannon speaks with Abby Lawless, designer of the East Hampton Town Hall Pollinator Garden, and Jason LaGarenne, owner of Whitney’s Landscaping. Together, they discuss the evolution, philosophy, and impact of East Hampton’s public pollinator garden and its upcoming expansion into native grassland meadows. This inspiring conversation explores how native plants, ecological landscaping, and community engagement can help combat biodiversity loss and build resilience to climate change—starting in our own backyards.Detailed Show Notes🌿 Segment 1: Designing for Pollinato...
2025-04-1033 minChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a TimeThe ChangeHampton StoryChange Hampton is an organization founded by Gail Pellett and Stephan Van Dam, aiming to promote restorative landscaping and a new land ethic focused on native plants and reduced chemical use. Their mission involves educating the community about the ecological benefits of native species and the negative impacts of conventional lawn care practices. They established a model pollinator garden at East Hampton Town Hall and are developing native meadows to showcase beautiful, sustainable alternatives. Inspired by the Homegrown National Park movement, Change Hampton encourages individuals to transform their yards into habitats, offering resources like a native plant selector on...
2025-03-2430 min