At Eupterra, we believe in environmental stewardship, and do our part to act locally while thinking globally. This means that we are committed to making a positive impact on the communities in which we live, work, and play. We also believe in giving back through volunteerism — both locally and internationally — where possible.
Here are just some of the ways we give back:
Urban Canopy Internship with the Ecological Advocacy Committee
Starting in 2021, Charlene joined the Ecological Advocacy Committee as a committee member to advise the Board of Park Commissioners on matters concerning the perpetuation of a healthy ecological system within the parks and public lands of South Bend, IN. During this year, Charlene helped establish the Wildlife Coexistence Plan to effectively address conflicts arising with the increasing population levels of Canada Geese found in nearly all of the City of South Bend’s parks.
The following year, in 2022, Charlene was elected Secretary of the EAC. In conjunction with her role, she has assisted in one of the park’s Urban Forestry Internships to help college students populate a healthy urban tree canopy for downtown South Bend while considering biodiversity, ecologically sound principles, and practical park management techniques.
Urban Canopy Interns
Meet the Urban Canopy Interns! These five young adults have spent their summer helping the City of South Bend meet their goal of reaching 40% canopy coverage by 2050. We know that canopy coverage is vital in heat regulation, stormwater absorption, and carbon absorption—and by reaching 40% canopy coverage by 2050, each of these factors will be significantly improved. The ultimate goal, too, is a higher quality of life for South Bend residents in years to come!
Raymond Frazee
Mary Clare Elliot
Ray Rivera Baez
David Kanczuzewski
Luke Sanford
But how exactly did the interns go about meeting this goal? They took a multi-pronged approach. The Urban Canopy Interns worked on obtaining demographic data from South Bend neighborhoods regarding interest in the program, attended community events to promote the benefits of trees themselves, updated existing tree inventory, and found underutilized and optimal lots within the city to help expand the native tree nursery program. Their work resulted in valuable new land for the forestry department to use, as well as backing for a budget proposal to expand the City’s tree planting capacity. It may have been a short summer, but they certainly managed to fit a lot in!
South Bend Code School Internship by Eupterra Foundation
Eupterra Foundation partners up with South Bend Code School to provide internships to students for real world experience in designing and re-vamping the blog website. Working on platforms such as WordPress, Shopify, and implementing creative design work; SBCS interns are able to not only better the experience of online readers of our ethnobiology blog, but also to grow with us in tackling technological change year after year.
A big thank you to all the SBCS interns who have helped us over the years. Here are some photos and videos of students who have pitched in:
Supporting and growing Purple Porch Farming Co-op in northern Indiana’s Midwest
Encouraging local producers and economies by providing a downtown grocery store and café featuring quality, fair trade, and sustainable goods.
Starting in 2009, Charlene helped to build this regional co-op alongside many other future member-owners. By 2014, they had raised enough funds to turn PPC from a gathering at the Lang Lab parking lot to a solar powered grocery store and café serving South Bend, IN’s bustling metro crowds. In 2017, Charlene joined the Board of Directors for the farming co-op to help lead the store as it continues to grow and influence the surrounding Michiana community.
Press
Blogs
Gwendolyn Fiola – (Attempting) to Deal with Anxiety
Magazines
SageWoman Magazine by BBI Media- A Journey of Dance and Flowers – Blessings of Air: Birds, Bees, Butterflies & More Issue – December 2019
Featured Event
1 Million Cups South Bend Chapter – featured presentation – October 2017
Roseland Rotary Club – featured speaker – November 2017
Sunrise Movement – featured writer – October 2019
