OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Inside Benson Theater, the applause wasn’t for people’s work on stage, but rather for what they do when the curtain closes.
One Omaha, a nonprofit, hosted four environmental activists to share their work in the community. It was the third and final session of its “From the Ground Up” speaker series.
This is the second time the nonprofit put it on. Through a survey, they asked people what they want to learn about. Last year, it was housing development.
This year, it’s environmental justice, defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as fair and meaningful involvement of all people in decision-making as it relates to having a healthy environment to live, learn, and work.
The activists shared what they do to protect people in Omaha from negative environmental impact and how others can get involved. Cheryl Weston is a North Omaha community advocate.
“It’s when we come together we have power,” said Weston. “There is funding out there in order to assist those problems.”
She was joined by an engineer working to reduce harmful lead across Omaha, an advocate bringing awareness to food access in the metro, and someone trying to the get the City of Omaha to address frequent flooding at Cole Creek. All four people are tackling different issues related to the environment. Through their work, says Alex O’Hanlon with One Omaha, they hope to involve others.
“Is it going to be working with elected officials? Is it going to be working with your neighbors? Is it going to be a combination of both?” said O’Hanlon.
Those interested in watching the speaker series can find it on One Omaha’s website here.
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