About the Authors
Blake Frino received a B.A. in English from San Francisco State University. Her focus in college was in creative writing, but her passion for writing started at the early age of 14 with songs and poetry. At that time, Blake also became a vegetarian and developed a strong commitment to protecting animal rights and the environment. She writes for magazines such as LA Splash, OC METRO, Irrigation & Green Industry and Soil Erosion on numerous topics from food reviews to health, fitness and environmental issues. Blake is also working on a children’s book which she hopes will influence children to embrace greener choices that affect the animals living on our planet.
Greg Hardwick started his writing career communicating environmental and social issues after obtaining a Degree in Environmental Science in 1998. After travelling extensively throughout Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and Australia, Greg wrote several articles based upon culture, people and their natural environment. He currently edits and contributes to a local environmental newspaper called Econews and has been published in various national and international magazines. Currently based near the town of Noosa Heads, on the Queensland coast in Australia, Greg lives on a 5-acre property of native bushland, where he maintains a solar-powered house and enjoys growing his own food and hiking when between writing assignments.
Michael Chiacos holds a BA with Honors in Environmental Studies from Lewis and Clark College. He specializes in transportation issues for the energy program of the Community Environmental Council in Santa Barbara, California. His work focuses on policy, outreach and programs to accelerate the adoption of more sustainable transportation options. Major current initiatives include work to expand the availability of biofuels stations in Southern California and coordinating a Transportation Task Force to examine the top strategies for reducing fossil fuel use in the transportation sector. In his spare time he homebrews his own biodiesel for his 45 mpg VW Jetta.
Liesl Bradner began her writing career at Florida State University and has over 15 years in the newspaper business working for The Los Angeles Times and The Orlando Sentinel. She is currently a freelance writer covering eco-friendly topics for Sun Community Newspapers which include the Studio City, Encino and Sherman Oaks, California neighborhoods where she is always discovering new ways to go green. She is also an actress and mother of two children. Liesl believes in the importance leaving this planet a better place for our children. She sets a good example for her kids by doing things such as recycling, taking fewer trips around town and taking shorter showers. A native of Pennsylvania, Liesl currently resides in Los Angeles.