The first public hearing before Governor Inslee's climate change panel was held in Spokane this past Wednesday (Oct. 16.)    "The red part of the state was actually quite green Wednesday."
http://crosscut.com/2013/10/17/olympia-2013/116974/green-spokane-inslee-receives-support-climate/

The next hearing is on Wednesday, October 23 in Seattle.  Some of us from Skagit are going and we hope others will be able to attend as well.   We want to say a big YES to clean energy development and policy in our state.   Our future depends on significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Get a preview of the kinds of things you may hear about and information you can use to send in your own comment. Jessica Finn Coven is the WA State Director for Climate Solution (www.climatesolutions.org)  She does an excellent job of spelling out the mission of this group, with just the right amount of very clear detail. I learned stuff during the interview.

Her big message? Contact your legislators! Let them know how much you care about climate change. Email comments to: climateworkgroup@ecy.wa.gov

Check out Ginny Wolff's interview with Jessica Finn Coven, Washington State Director for Climate Solution on www.speakupspeakoutradio.org. It's on the top of the list.

There is a December 6th 2 - 4 pm meeting in Olympia is at the House Hearing Room A at the State Capitol Campus.  According to the website for the Workgroup, the details are below. That url is:  http://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/economy/climateWorkgroup/default.aspx 

Opportunities like this don’t come along every day. But right now, Washington residents have a very unusual—and very real—opportunity to press for serious climate policy. Two public hearings in October, plus one in December, represent the best opportunity in ages to speak up and demand strong action on climate change.

Here’s the back story. In the last legislative session, Governor Jay Inslee’s first piece of successful legislation directed the state’s legislative leaders to come back to the table in 2014 with serious proposals to reduce Washington’s greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent. If it’s not obvious, that’s a very big deal.

Read more

  


    
 To view invite in your browser and to sign petition even if you cannot attend.

We can build a better future for our kids, but we need your help.  

Governor Inslee and his Climate Workgroup are meeting in Seattle and they want to hear from you! On October 23rd, they’re holding one of three statewide hearings, in Seattle. This is your chance to demand solutions from our leaders that are on scale to meet the climate challenge. And this is the time to let them know you want them to invest in growing our clean energy economy.

What:  Public hearing on how Washington achieves our climate pollution reduction goals – Governor Inslee will be there and wants to hear from you!

When:  Wednesday, October 23rd, 6-8 pm. (sign in to testify begins at 5 p.m.)

Where: Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle

Why: The Climate Legislative and Executive Workgroup will recommend policies to meet Washington’s greenhouse gas emission limits. Tell them what climate action means to you and why you want to see bold action!

Want to do more and help us make calls to encourage folks to attend? Contact Jason Merges at:Jason.merges@gmail.com or at 603.361.6045 to find out how you can help.

Please RSVP today.

Hope to see you there!  And please spread the word on Facebook.


  Joelle Robinson
  Field Director
 
 

P.S. Learn more here from Sightline Institute and we need everyone to comment whether you are able to attend or not. 

Sue Mitchell of Friday Creek Habitat Stewards would like to invite you to Watershed Species Luminary Workshops running Oct. 2-11 and the Illuminating the Skagit Watershed Trail Celebration October 12 from 5:30-8:30.
For more information go to skagitcleanwater.org.

Four years ago, Sarai Stevens co-founded Bow Little Market and Chuckanut Transition as a response to the global environmental, economic and social problems we face. Inspired by love and concern, she initiated this collaborative effort to create a resilient, rural community network her children could grow up in and inherit.  In 2009, after working for years towards sustainability on her own land, she found her strength and enthusiasm dwindling in the face of fear and the dawning realization that isolated efforts would never be enough to face the uncertainty and challenges ahead. It is Sarai’s hope that by recreating local economy and functioning community, we can overcome the differences that divide and begin to create local resiliency - the ability to cope with, adapt to and overcome challenges.  

As a parent, she argues we should be open and honest with children about the economic, environmental and social crisis they are inheriting as long as we actively model empowerment, positive action and cooperation.  She wrote and illustrated the book of papercuts, Seeds For A New Day, for the Skagit Human Rights Festival to facilitate this dialogue and to emphasize the great opportunity that stands before us if we choose to grasp it.  After all, she argues, we can’t control what we are responding to, but we can control how we respond, and we can recognize this as an opportunity to build more joyful, healthy, more connected lives.  In a world that often seems pretty crazy, we have an opportunity to create pockets of flourishing community that make sense. 
The event is meant for the young and old.  Sarai provides blocks, books and toys for young children to play with and the freedom to move around during reading and discussion.  Afterwards, Sarai engages the audience and asks them to share their positive visions of a future they would like to be a part of creating.  
For more information, visit: Transition Fidalgo and Friends website at http://transitionfidalgo.org/node/4722

Offered by Steve Hoffman of NW Center for Sustainability and Chuckanut Transition. Steve lives on Samish Island and he and his wife, Maria care deeply for the future of their community and their children. The course is ambitious, and designed to be transformative for both individual and economy.

·       The course can be taken in-person, as an online/in-person hybrid, or entirely online; though it is based in Skagit County, it can be taken by anyone, anywhere, with an internet connection, and participants can go at their own pace;

·       Transformative experiences are front and center:  field visits;  relevant public hearings and events;  films and public presentations; engaging (optional) online activities to supplement in-person experiences; thoughtful discussions;

·       There is no “agenda”; the goal is to have experiences that inform and make an impact, and to have the most unbiased discussions possible;

·       Practical knowledge is strongly emphasized:  to understand attempts at “solution,” and ways to make a difference;  to help with course participants’ volunteer or paid work;  to help folks consider climate change or sustainable energy-related career directions; 

·       Diverse age groups are welcomed—from precocious “pre-adults” (for they are the future) to senior citizens;

·       Key results of the course will be documented on the internet, for maximum impact;

·       The course is very low-cost and “nonprofit,” with a sliding scale and scholarships available.


More information is available at the links below:

Course Flyer:  http://nwcenterforsustainability.org/Climate_Change_Course_Flyer.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):  http://nwcenterforsustainability.org/FAQ_Climate_Change_and_Sustainable_Energy_Course.pdf

Those who are interested can send an email to info (at) nwcenterforsustainability.org  .  I hope you can share this widely!

Hello everyone!  Please note attached promotional flier for an upcoming Rain Garden Training, which is being held throughout Puget Sound.  Note the training is scheduled in Skagit County on November 12th and 13th.  Registration required.   The training is intended for landscape designers, engineers, public works staff, installers and landscape maintenance staff, landscape architects and landscape business owners.  Please feel free to post and/or share this info with anyone who may be interested.
Kristi Carpenter
Skagit Conservation District
2021 E. College Way, Suite #203
Mount Vernon, WA  98723
(360) 428-4313

Press Release
For Immediate Release: October 3, 2013
Betty Carteret: friends@skagitbeaches.org  360-688-0311

Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship  
Friday, October 11th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
 
Are you interested in the marine environment? 
Would you like to be inspired, informed and connected with other locals involved in stewardship?
 
You are invited to a Screening of “Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship” on October 11th, 5:30—8:00 PM at the Northwest Educational Services District Building, 1601 R Avenue, Anacortes.
 
Sponsored by Friends of Skagit Beaches Trail Tales Program and Skagit County Marine Resources Committee with support from Shannon Point Marine Center, this documentary shares inspiring stories of how diverse stakeholder groups in communities across the country have worked with each other to address marine issues and make a difference in their communities.
 
The one-hour screening will be followed by a panel discussion with local representatives from research and education, shellfish industry, tribes, agriculture, state agency and restoration/stewardship programs.
 
Doors will open at 5:30 PM for refreshments, informational displays and an opportunity to meet participants and sponsors. The film showing begins at 6 PM with the panel discussion at 7:15 PM.
 
For more information, contact Betty Carteret friends@skagitbeaches.org  360-299-8553
 
Patti J. Chambers, Administrative Coordinator
SKAGIT COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS
1800 Continental Place
Mount Vernon, WA  98273
Telephone:  360-336-9400, Ext. 3497
Direct Line:  360-419-3497
E-Mail:  pchambers@co.skagit.wa.us

Free and open to the Public! 
October 30, 6 P.M. 

WSU Mount Vernon Graduate Student Committee Presents: 
2013 Harvest Seminar 

Dr. Allison Carruth 
Slow Food in Digital Times: Seed Banks and Seed Networks 
 
Dr. Carruth will examine digital media in the context of seed banks and grassroots seed networks.