Who Is This Blogger?

Thanks for taking some time to read this blog! I hope you check back often and continue to find it interesting. Let me know by commenting or emailing me personally and contribute to the dialog.

Some context: My name is Sarna. I grew up on the Westside of Lansing and I've lived in Traverse City for almost 7 years. I left Michigan during school and came home again for the trees and water. My studies focused on the relationship between people and their places. Why are some public spaces empty and others lively? Why do some spaces make us feel safe and others not? How can infrastructure encourage users to make wiser choices?

This research ties directly with my work at SEEDS, a nonprofit organization based here in Traverse City. At SEEDS we choose to work on projects that give us opportunities to transform 'wastes' into resources - whether those wastes are from ineffective planning or a toilet.

I love working for SEEDS because I am able to work in and with my local community to create positive solutions. Some of my favorite projects include

• Great Lakes Bioneers, an intellectual and joyous gathering place for those meeting at the crossroads of ecology and social justice. Look into our upcoming conference October 19-21, 2007 at NMC!
  
• Something Fresh, the CD & Cookbooklet that pairs Michigan musicians with recipes using farm market produce. Hear Daisy May, Seth Bernard, Glenn Wolff, Claudia Schmidt and more here.
  
• Oryana Natural Food Cooperative's green-building expansion. Doubling the size of the store, the expansion team worked within a strict budget to make an efficient and beautiful building.

Of course, my current favorite project is working with the City and the County on developing data about our greenhouse gas emissions. Read on!