Transition Fidalgo & Friends
Seventh Generation Supper
Tuesday, March 25
Linda Sanford emceed an evening that included live music by Andrew Velin and a presentation by
Dr. Daniel Najera on "Lessons Learned from the Honeybees." Attendance was 39.
Vision 2030: The vision document is now in the final review stage by the task force. We've been presenting short summaries from each section at recent supper meetings - tonight Eric Shen gave the main points from Energy and Rich Bergner from Natural Resources. The full document will be available soon, and it will be the focus at our April 29th supper meeting.
Announcements:
Presentation: Lessons Learned from the Honeybees
Dr. Daniel Najera's research at Green River Community College focuses on the intelligence of honeybees, and he noted that he has yet to find the edge of that intelligence. (Out of 50 experiments, he has been able to "stump" the bees only 3-4 times.) Honeybees are the first organisms to be documented as having color vision; they engage in intricate "waggle dances" to help each other find food; they're able to cool and warm themselves when needed; and they can recognize human faces. The bees live in a social structure more complex than our own, in a colony of between 50,000-100,000 with 3 "castes" (drone, worker, queen) who work together for the success of all. A bee colony requires flowering plants, and those plants can only survive with good soil and water. The ecosystems the bees (and humans) depend on are suffering from human over-population, and misuse (and over-use) of natural resources. Another huge problem is our disconnect from the natural world - Najera stressed the value of education based on direct experience, something that is lacking in most young people's lives. Honeybees, because of the multiple problems they are facing right now, are "flagship" organisms that can remind us of our absolute connection to the rest of life. We cannot make it on our own...sustainability, Najera says, is about "WE" not "me."
Evelyn Adams for
Bud Anderson, Secretary
Transition Fidalgo & Friends works to grow a more resilient community with a reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
Visit transitionfidalgo.org. and find us on Facebook
Seventh Generation Supper
Tuesday, March 25
Linda Sanford emceed an evening that included live music by Andrew Velin and a presentation by
Dr. Daniel Najera on "Lessons Learned from the Honeybees." Attendance was 39.
Vision 2030: The vision document is now in the final review stage by the task force. We've been presenting short summaries from each section at recent supper meetings - tonight Eric Shen gave the main points from Energy and Rich Bergner from Natural Resources. The full document will be available soon, and it will be the focus at our April 29th supper meeting.
Announcements:
- Eric noted that handmade and commercial reusable bags could be had for a $5 donation that would go toward helping to print copies of the Vision 2030 document.
- Sequoia Ferrel had garlic and potatoes for sale at the supper, and encouraged people to fill out surveys to help her decide which vegetables to grow this year at Gaia Rising Farm. She can be reached at gaiarisingfarm@gmail.com
- Sylvia Cooper mentioned that the Mt. Erie Garden is doing well but could use donations for such items as tools and clipboards for kids. She also encouraged people to shop at the Skagit Co-op this Friday ("4% Friday") - a percentage of Co-op receipts will be directed toward the Skagit Gleaners.
- Laurie Racicot and Sommer Carter are starting up a regular Transition "Hootenanny" event for "kids of all ages" on the first Saturday of every month, beginning May 3. Details to come in April.
- Erica Pickett encouraged people to attend the first public input session for updating the city's comprehensive plan on Thursday, 7 pm, at City Hall. The meeting will kick off w/historical background, comp plan 101, and some info on the city’s demographics. Attendees will break into small groups for a visioning exercise focused on three questions: (1) What do I love most about Anacortes now? (2) What am I most concerned about? and (3) What do I hope happens in 2035? See www.cityofanacortes.org/planning/2016compplan
Presentation: Lessons Learned from the Honeybees
Dr. Daniel Najera's research at Green River Community College focuses on the intelligence of honeybees, and he noted that he has yet to find the edge of that intelligence. (Out of 50 experiments, he has been able to "stump" the bees only 3-4 times.) Honeybees are the first organisms to be documented as having color vision; they engage in intricate "waggle dances" to help each other find food; they're able to cool and warm themselves when needed; and they can recognize human faces. The bees live in a social structure more complex than our own, in a colony of between 50,000-100,000 with 3 "castes" (drone, worker, queen) who work together for the success of all. A bee colony requires flowering plants, and those plants can only survive with good soil and water. The ecosystems the bees (and humans) depend on are suffering from human over-population, and misuse (and over-use) of natural resources. Another huge problem is our disconnect from the natural world - Najera stressed the value of education based on direct experience, something that is lacking in most young people's lives. Honeybees, because of the multiple problems they are facing right now, are "flagship" organisms that can remind us of our absolute connection to the rest of life. We cannot make it on our own...sustainability, Najera says, is about "WE" not "me."
Evelyn Adams for
Bud Anderson, Secretary
Transition Fidalgo & Friends works to grow a more resilient community with a reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
Visit transitionfidalgo.org. and find us on Facebook
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