ChangeHampton Presents: Save the Planet, One Yard at a Time

Summary Gas-powered leaf blowers have become a flashpoint in communities across Long Island, raising concerns about noise, air pollution, climate impacts, and public health. But what happens when homeowners, landscapers, equipment manufacturers, and environmental advocates come together to explore alternatives? In this episode of ChangeHampton Presents , Francesca Rheannon takes listeners inside t...

Summary:  Southampton Town Council members, Thomas Neely and Michael Iacilli discuss a new proposal to control landclearing during property development in Southampton.  After much consultation with community organizations, civic groups, environmental organizations, they are proposing a new Land Disturbance Ordinance that attempts to stipulate how many sq ft o properties of different sizes can be c...

Summary: In this episode of Changehampton Presents , host Francesca Rheannon speaks with Matthew Shepherd of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation about the critical role insects play in sustaining ecosystems—and the alarming decline many species are facing.   From the “windshield effect” to the loss of habitat and widespread pesticide use, Shepherd explains what’s driving the disappear...

How East Hampton Was Saved: Voices From the Front Lines of Preservation In this episode of Changehampton Presents , we sit down with two men who didn’t just witness East Hampton’s environmental battles—they helped shape them. Rick Whelan and Barry Raebeck trace the arc of East Hampton’s modern preservation movement, from the explosive growth pressures of the 1970s and ’80s to the grassroots organi...

In 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...

In 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 ab...

This 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, an...

Summary This 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 maint...

**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....

🌱 A Shade Garden for Uncommon Pollinators at LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton, NY In 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 ho...

In 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...

In 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 lo...

In 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 e...

In 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,...

In 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 mead...

Change 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...