Ecological Health Drives Human Health
Ira Pastor, ideaXme longevity and aging Ambassador and Founder of Bioquark interviews Scott Quitel, founder of Land Health Institute (LHI) and Director of Social Entrepreneurship and Assistant Teaching Professor at the Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University.
Ira Pastor Comments:
On the last several shows we have spent time on the different hierarchical levels of the health, wellness, and aging process.
We’ve spent time talking about our bodies, at the level of the very small: our genes, proteins, cells, etc., studying these deep biological processes that are behind our health and unfortunate transition towards disease and aging.
We’ve also ventured beyond the human organism as we’ve talked about the importance of our immediate micro-environments, the importance of the human connection with other parts of the biosphere, and our important connection to animals; with insects and microbes, with trees and nature in a broader context.
But just like our need to take care of our bodies (per regenerative and rejuvenative medicine), we also have a responsibility to take care of our immediate environments for the purpose of our survival, to develop what I’ll call a regenerative ecology.
While we may hear things in the press about these so called “blue zones,” these tiny, pristine, isolated communities possessing populations with exceptional health and longevity, it’s estimated that by 2050 almost 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities, and we will need to come up with better solutions for all those people to ensure our continued existence and vitality.
Scott Quitel
Today, we have a fascinating guest who is really in the epicentre of these activities, and is going to take us further along this theme and into the future.
Scott Quitel is the founder of Land Health Institute (LHI), as well as Director of Social Entrepreneurship and Assistant Teaching Professor at the Close School of Entrepreneurship at Drexel University.
Land Health Institute
LHI is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit whose mission is to “Put Nature Back” through exploration, environmental education, and community-based land revitalization. Its core philosophy is grounded in the belief that healthy land is at the root of healthy communities.
Land Health aims to build environmental awareness and appreciation while enhancing the environmental, social, and economic vitality of a city.
Quitel holds an BA from Brown University, an MBA from Temple University, and a JD from Temple University.
Scott has extensive experience in horticulture, geology, soil science, ecologically-based land use planning, ecological restoration analysis, and ecological landscape design and construction.
And as we’ve discussed on previous shows about the importance of “getting out in nature,” Scott is one of the most prolific providers of educational ecology and design-oriented tours and hikes, which he leads for people of all ages in natural areas in and around Philadelphia, the 5th largest city in the US.
Today we will hear from Scott:
About his background, how he became interested in law, business, and science, as well as how he became interested in this exciting area of regenerative ecology. We’ll also hear more about activities at the Land Health Institute, activities away from the University, involving local high schools and elementary schools in getting the message out to children about the importance of regenerative ecology. Finally, we’ll hear about future visions in moving the mission forward.
Credits: Ira Pastor interview video, text, and audio.
Follow Ira Pastor on Twitter: @IraSamuelPastor
If you liked this interview, be sure to check out our interview on Systems Medicine with Dr. Leroy Hood.
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