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Sustainability and Nature 

Charlotte Wildlife Stewards, the Charlotte chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation hosted a panel of regional experts for a discussion on the human and economic benefits of connecting to the natural world. Topics included the importance of quality green space in municipal urban and suburban development. The panel also addressed our disconnect from nature, the challenge of communicating scientific processes, and took questions from the audience. 

​The purpose of this panel session was to increase awareness to the human species' connection to nature and to explore the social, economic, mental and health benefits that result from our interactions to the natural world." Why should we care about the natural world? What can cities do include nature in their development and planning?

UNC Charlotte Center City in uptown Charlotte -Directions 
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Topics:


​What is quality green space in an urban setting? Why is it important?

Is quality measured by human conditioned visual aesthetics, form or function? 
Should quality include consideration of a healthy ecosystem?

What about the human connection to nature and our health?

We are actually mammals, but are we part of nature, or separate from nature? Can humans continue without nature? Is technology keeping us indoors?


​How do you communicate Science?

Scientific fact - what happened to it? 
​Providing information that people can relate to, comprehend, and accept may not be enough.
Asking the right questions to get to the heart of the matter. 
​Is it Science vs Business?

The Panel

​Heidi Pruess, Chair of the Mecklenburg Park and Recreation Commission.  Heidi is a Certified Environmental Professional since 2006 and has a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Engineering from the Oregon Graduate Institute.  Having a career spanning more than 25 years, Heidi has worked as an ecologist for a natural resources consulting firm in Portland Oregon, a project manager for the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe in Arizona, environmental manager at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Community and Sustainability Manager for Mecklenburg County and is currently an Environmental Educator and Field Trip Coordinator with the Great Outdoors University a National Wildlife Federation program.  Heidi is a certified Central Carolinas Master Naturalist and an Environmental Educator in North Carolina.  Aside from her work and education history, Heidi is happily married with two wonderful children and loves to travel the world.
Emily Scofield - Emily Scofield is a career environmentalist, a lover of nature, a proponent of Creation Care and the author of ‘CoCo & Dean: Explorers of the World’.  From her science education at Queens University and University of Georgia to her career as Director of Energy and Sustainability at JLL, Emily understands the physiological benefits of nature.  She advocates for human interaction with the environment whether people are indoors or out.
​Marvin Bouknight - Marvin Bouknight is a native of South Carolina, where he grew up in the great outdoors.
His passion led him to a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University, where he has worked as a commercial fish hatchery manager, analytical chemist,
naturalist, and wildlife biologist for both public and private organizations, conservation areas and preserves, and residential communities for over 30 years. As a professional wildlife photographer and author, Marvin published his first book, “South Carolina’s Lowcountry...Naturally”, which is a study of the flora and fauna of the South Carolina Lowcountry through the lens of his camera. He currently serves as the
director/head naturalist of Discovery Place Nature, and as a certified beekeeper, manages and maintains the museum’s beeyard and observation hive.​
Doug Shoemaker - Dr. Douglas A. Shoemaker is the Director of Research and Outreach at UNC Charlotte's Center for Applied GIScience with a background in landscape ecology, geospatial analytics, and social survey . He applies interdisciplinary thinking to challenging socio-ecological problems worldwide. His research targets a key challenge facing society today: estimating the potential for landscapes to support expanding human activity while sustaining essential ecosystem services.
Dennis Testerman - Dennis is the first generation born off of a So. Appalachian mountain valley farm that’s been in his family since 1789. That farm, with it’s old growth forest—and his parents’ careers in public health—continue to shape his world view in an age of climate change. He has worked alongside farmers and gardeners in Nigeria, Pakistan and North Carolina, growing food while conserving natural resources that provide clean air and water. 
Dennis currently serves as the Stewardship of Creation Enabler for the Presbytery of Charlotte and Moderator for Presbyterians for Earth Care. 


​Paisley Azra-Lewis  - is a student in the UNCC Health Psychology PhD program and a graduate assistant at UNCC Counseling and Psychological Services. Her research focuses on the cognitive and emotional benefits of walking in nature.