Vacant lots into green spaces; 5K blocks cleaned & more

Get the TL:DR on local sustainability news before the holiday weekend

The Tioga-Hope Park and Garden hosted its second annual Unity Dinner on June 28, celebrating community green spaces. Neighbors and green space advocates enjoyed live music, food, and discussions on preserving urban gardens, highlighting the importance of transforming vacant lots into accessible green spaces amid urban development and gentrification. Philadelphia Inquirer

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s “One Philly” cleanup, part of her Clean & Green initiative, has reached over 5,000 blocks in a month, with 13,000 more to go this summer. The initiative addresses litter, vacant lots, abandoned vehicles, potholes, and graffiti. Residents’ opinions are mixed: some appreciate the effort, while others believe more extensive cleaning is needed. Billy Penn

How is the government working on improving the region’s resilience during climate change? Get a refresher from the EPA Mid-Atlantic 2024 Summit recordings.

The holiday weekend is forecast in the 90s. Here’s what to do during extreme heat in Philly. WHYY Climate Desk

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.