Jen's Love for the Earth
Jen Riedel was a steward of the Earth and loved to feel connected to nature through time in the trees and at the beach. She participated in polar plunges and pier to pier swims. She laced up her boots and frolicked into forests and would sit by small streams and set up a hammock to read. But not only did she appreciate the sights and sensations of nature she also deeply cared for the Earth. She loved eating from the Earth, she taught us all about composting and the importance of recycling. Jen led by example in limiting her use of plastics and also limiting her purchases of fast fashion. Jen used to bike places and walk up the street to her local coffee shop. She loved supporting local businesses as a way to reduce waste. Any chance to leave the car behind and feel connected to the ground was taken. She also traveled and loved to explore the Earth. She was adventurous and passionate about getting out and learning and absorbing everything she could in her short time. Jen was open to people of all cultures in all walks of life. Jen was scuba certified and learned to sail while living in Boston. We will always miss the ways she taught us to be a better resident of Earth in our temporary stay.
Some of Jen's favorite places in Raleigh were NCMA and Dorothea Dix. She was also deeply embedded in the Downtown Raleigh community. She lived in Thinkhouse and was part of the original HQ Raleigh. Jen worked for Citrix and for Deep South Entertainment. She participated in Creative Mornings and represented Raleigh as a Global Shaper. Jen hosted baller dinners and helped connect local entrepreneurs together. She also loved to plan picnics in the park with hula hoops, ukuleles, and bringing community out into spaces she treasured.
Last year on Earth Day we celebrated Jen's life with a memorial service and a trash pick up at a local park and this year we continue the tradition of honoring Jen in a way that really just screams, her name. We are grateful to partner with The Great Raleigh Clean-Up and The Exploris School for this years trash pick up! We cannot wait to do good in the Raleigh community in Jen's name.
Why is Earth Day celebrated?
The tradition of celebrating Earth Day began in the 1970's. Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and also helps to raise awareness of the need to protect Earth for future generations. Some of the initial legislation after starting Earth Day was the Clean Air Act updated in 1970 and the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Earth Day brings people together from all over the world and helps generate conversations about past, present, and future issues. The hope of Earth Day is to preserve the Earth for all walks of life no matter their origin.
Reference: National Geographic
How to help us build a sustainable future?
It might sound obvious but the best way to help build a sustainable future is by getting involved. It is going to take really intentional efforts every day to make a big change. It's going to take all of us to make the changes that are needed to continue to conserve, preserve, and protect our Earth for future generations. A couple of small ways; skip the straw, limit fast food and fashion, consider carpooling, and take your bike or walk when possible to local places. When you're at your neighboring greenway or park bring a glove and a trash bag and keep trash from entering our sewage systems. This will greatly reduce the amount of trash that ends up in our streams, rivers, lakes, and eventually the ocean. Consider how you manage waste and recycle or up-cycle when possible.
In this space I wanted to share a couple of resources that are meaningful that I know Jen valued. Here are a few and brief description that I would like to pass along.
Jen was a Global Shaper in Raleigh and in Boston. She was selected to speak at Davos in 2022 which took place in May shortly after she passed away. I know Jen highly valued the work of United Nations.
Jen deeply cared about the oceans at there are two organizations that we are really excited about.
For more Hey Jen, It's Me events keep following along on @heyjenitsme on instagram and stay tuned for what's ahead.
