Greening the Urban Landscape
Numerous recent studies in the U.S. and abroad have focused on the benefits of beautiful, natural surroundings to health and happiness. Cities and urbanites are paying increasing attention to the impact of their connection to the outdoors. How has access to green space in urban areas in the Philadelphia region evolved over time? What has the relationship between the city and the natural environment been in contrast to today? And how have these shaped our understanding of what makes a healthy urban life?
Tim Bennett gives us insights on Bennett Compost’s efforts to make composting easy and accessible for all Philadelphians, and Peggy Prevoznik Heins shares the work that Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids is doing to realize its vision for a school garden in every pre-K through middle school in Delaware.
About the Speakers
Tim Bennett graduated from the Fox School of Business at Temple University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He founded Bennett Compost with $100 and a desire to make composting easier for Philadelphians. Today, Bennett Compost operates the largest curbside composting program in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, serving more than 6,000 households and 100 businesses every week, employing 25 people, and keeping over 4 million tons of food waste out of landfills every year.
Peggy Prevoznik Heins joined the Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids (HFHK) team in 2024 eager to support HFHK’s vision for a school garden in every pre-K through middle school in Delaware. As chief growth strategist, she helps articulate the organization’s strategic direction, map and monitor the accompanying growth plan, and manage internal operations for its growing team. An educator and community organizer at heart, Peggy is the founder and former CEO of Serviam Girls Academy, a math and science teacher, and former director of Parish Social Ministry at Catholic Charities, among many other roles.
About the Series
The Joseph Priestley Society (JPS) promotes a deeper understanding of science, technology, and industry, with an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Speakers are leaders from a wide variety of large and small chemical companies and the financial, consulting, and academic communities. Watch past events at sciencehistory.org/jpsvideos.
For more information about this event, please contact jps@sciencehistory.org.
Featured image: “First Aid to Trees Transplanted!” Advertisement for Dowax, 1937
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