Wellness Wednesday — Public meeting on community health set for Tuesday

Bring your suggestions for making Omaha a more active, safe and healthy community to the Livestock Exchange Building, 4920 S. 30th St., on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a public meeting on community health.

The event, which serves as the kickoff of Environment Omaha’s community health component, will be in the building’s south ballroom.

Environment Omaha, launched by the City of Omaha and Omaha by Design in November 2008, is a new policy development initiative that’s creating a comprehensive environmental section for the city’s master plan.

Environment Omaha addresses five content areas:

• The natural environment;
  
• Urban form and transportation;
  
• Building construction;
  
• Resource conservation; and
  
• Community health.

Webcast and more information Those unable to attend the meeting can watch a live webcast at www.environmentomaha.com. For more information, contact 402-554-4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.

The guest speaker for the event is Mark Fenton, one of the nation’s foremost experts on walking and the host of “America’s Walking,” a new series on PBS. Fenton has become a vocal pedestrian advocate and recognized authority on public health issues and the need for community, environmental and public policy initiatives to encourage more walking and bicycling.

Fenton’s presentation will be followed by an information open house. Information stations pertaining to active communities, safe communities and healthy communities will be set up.

City staff and members of Environment Omaha’s Community Health Advisory Committee — which includes faculty members from UNMC’s College of Public Health — will be available at each station to answer questions and record comments.