Before joining the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy team in 2016 as a trail planner, Kevin Belanger spent many years in the active-transportation world. He received master’s degrees in both Environmental Studies and Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon, where he wrote his thesis on walking and biking habits in suburban multifamily housing. After completing his formal education, Kevin spent time in the consulting world and then as the bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for a suburb in Maryland.
Lately, Kevin is focused on an exciting project I’m so excited to share with you all – it’s the Great American Rail-Trail, a signature project of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to connect the country via a 3,700-mile-long mult-iuse trail between Washington, DC and Washington State. His favorite part of the job is seeing the light bulb go off in people’s heads when they see what this trail can do for them and their communities.
Today we’ll talk about yet another human being who left a job that looked great on paper but wasn’t filling up his cup – and how he turned that around into work and a life he is passionate about.
We talked about:
So with that, let’s listen in and gear up for what’s next.
Where to find Kevin and other links:
BEFORE YOU LEAVE - If you are enjoying the shows, I hope you’ll subscribe, rate, review, and share with your friends!
About Lisa Gerber:
Lisa advises CEOs and senior-level management on how to use the power of storytelling and effective communication to influence action and bring ideas to life.
She guides companies through the digital maze of constantly changing tools to build discovery, loyalty, and ultimately help them achieve their own big leaps.
When she is not in her office, she might be out skiing or trail running. This is where she does her best creative problem-solving.
To learn more about booking Lisa for consulting, speaking or workshops, visit www.bigleapcreative.com.
Alexis Biddle is the Great Communities Program Director for 1000 Friends of Oregon who’s mission is to work with Oregonians to enhance our quality of life by building livable urban and rural communities, protecting family farms and forests, and conserving natural areas.
Alexis works on issues like housing, transportation, infrastructure, and more, in towns and cities outside of the Portland Metro region. Based in Eugene, he travels the state to work with residents, city planners, and local decision-makers to ensure that Oregon's urban and rural communities are not just livable, but thriving. Alexis holds a master's degree in Community and Regional Planning as well as a law degree from the University of Oregon.
You’re going to learn today how he discovered his interest in land use - when he witnessed great social inequity while he was putting himself through law school as a taxi driver. Since then, he has worked with transit districts, city and state planning departments, and as a transportation consultant. His position with 1000 Friends has allowed him to complete his passion and work on both land use and transportation to serve all residents of communities across the state.
We talked about the risk of loss of farmland, and how he and the team at 1000 Friends of Oregon use policy and litigation to manage growth. We’ll learn about middle housing to control climate change and encourage economic mobility. Alexis also speaks to what makes the public input process more engaging. Great stuff whether you're in conservation or a concerned citizen. So with that, let’s listen in and gear up for what’s next.
Where to find Alexis and other links:
BEFORE YOU LEAVE - If you are enjoying the shows, I hope you’ll subscribe, rate, review, and share with your friends!
About Lisa Gerber:
Lisa advises CEOs and senior-level management on how to use the power of storytelling and effective communication to influence action and bring ideas to life.
She guides companies through the digital maze of constantly changing tools to build discovery, loyalty, and ultimately help them achieve their own big leaps.
When she is not in her office, she might be out skiing or trail running. This is where she does her best creative problem-solving.
To learn more about booking Lisa for consulting, speaking or workshops, visit www.bigleapcreative.com.