Sno-Isle News May 2023

Inspiring and energizing, Sierra Club Outings connect people with nature for the benefit of both! 

Learn about our certified leaders who are trained to ensure the safety of our participants, and to share their knowledge about the environment and history of the places we love. You'll meet several leaders from across the state who will share their enthusiasm with pictures and stories about magnificent places you can visit. 

We're rebuilding our outings program that paused during the pandemic. You'll have the opportunity to join us hiking, birding, kayaking, canoeing, bicycling, snowshoeing and skiing. Better yet, become an outings leader.
 

Please register and invite your friends!

Photo by Tom Crisp

We did it. The League of Women Voters, the Sierra Club and others prioritized this bill to save our state forests. Hundreds went on record supporting it. It passed with very large majorities in both chambers. It will preserve 4,425 acres of land this year, including salmon streams as well as globally rare forests.

We need to thank our legislators and the Commissioner of Public Lands Hillary Franz. Commissioner Franz provided important leadership on Trust Land Transfer and should be recognized for her efforts. Brighten her day, send her an email at cpl@dnr.wa.gov.

Do you want to help protect mature forests in Snohomish County? Talk to county officials about pathways to preserve forests as well as replacing revenue for trust land beneficiaries. Training is available to make effective testimony. You can learn more at the May 16 meeting. Can't attend? Contact Kate Lunceford for talking points. kurlykate888@gmail.com

The Electrified Home of the Future
Snohomish PUD online
Thursday, May 11, from 12 to 1 pm

SnoPUD will talk about what the electrified home of the future may look like. Topics will include home battery storage, vehicle-to-grid charging, solar power, heat pumps, induction cooktops and more. Bring your questions!

Snohomish Spring Tree Tours
Sunday, May 14, at 11 am and 1 pm
Carnegie Building, 105 Cedar Ave.
City of Snohomish

These two-hour guided walking tours of the many historic trees in the city of Snohomish are free, although donations are accepted. Ability to stroll through the lovely old neighborhoods is the required fitness level.

Guided Snohomish tree tours are offered semi-annually, one will be offered in October. Self-guided tours can be taken at any time, using the Snohomish Tree Tour brochures, available in City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce.

Chaos and Community Resilience Webinar
Thursday, May 18, at 4 pm

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund group is sponsoring this webinar to explore what community resilience looks like and how it can become the norm.

   The webinar features a panel of organizers, thinkers, and advocates for community resilience from across the country.

 Bolt Creek fire 2022

Electrify Everything In Your Home
Wednesday, May 23, at 7 pm on Zoom

This Zoom session will help you plan how to decarbonize your home and use the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and rebates.

Nancy Johnson and Wendy Ferry are the presenters in this event sponsored by Sno-Isle Sierra Club, Climate Reality Project of Snohomish County, Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Climate Team and Interfaith Climate Action.

If there is enough interest, we'll start a "support group" to help folks work their way through the process.

A Chance to Get Rid of Styrofoam

Wednesday, May 31, from 10 to 2 pm
Everett Community College Parking Lot F
2000 Tower Street

The Students for Environmental Action club at Everett CC is hosting this drive-through styrofoam recycling event. Clean styrofoam with tape removed will be accepted. There is no cost for recycling, but food bank donations would be appreciated.

Saturday, June 10, from 2 to 4 pm
Northwest Stream Center
600 128th Street Southeast, Everett

Nature artist, educator and author Tony Angell teams with Professor John Marzluff, internationally acclaimed crow and raven researcher, for a presentation benefitting the Northwest Stream Center's Sustainable Infrastructure Campaign. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy an outdoor adventure along the 1/2 mile nature trail at the Stream Center. Admission $30. 

Overall, it was a good session for Sierra Club and League of Women Voters priority bills. Passing with bipartisan support were HB1181, which adds climate change considerations to the Growth Management Act, and HB1110, missing middle housing. On the conservation front, the Trust Land Transfer bill, HB1460, is on the Governor's desk. There's also money in the budget for land purchases.

Kicking Gas: A Whidbey Success Story

The Kicking Gas Project has converted 64 homes in South Whidbey Island to ductless heat pumps so far this year, reaching nearly 2/3 of the year's goal of 100 homes in just 1/3 of the year. Derek Hoshiko has spearheaded this project, which is sponsored by Sno-Isle Sierra Club.

Earth Day Energy Block Party a Hit

Drive Electric Earth Day was part of Snohomish County PUD's Energy Block Party in Everett and attracted about 2,000 visitors.

Curious attendees checked out more than 20 electric vehicles, and were able to talk with owners about their experience with plug-in hybrids and newer battery electric vehicles. We also had an electric motorcycle and several electric bicycles. The show was organized by Bill Trueit, founder of the Snohomish County Electric Vehicle Association, with help from Sno-Isle Sierra Club.

Photo by Bill Trueit

Free tacos were a draw at the recent Edmonds Earth Fair. Volunteer chefs Carol McClain and Nancy Vandenberg made and gave away tacos as they demonstrated the safety and ease of planet friendly induction cooking. Sno-Isle Sierra Club volunteers Barbara Steller, Nancy Johnson and Tom Crisp enjoyed explaining the induction cooking stoves.

Future public events will need more volunteers. Ready to help, even if we aren't making tacos? Please contact Nancy at Nancy.Johnson@Washington.SierraClub.org

You Don't Have to be a Political Guru

Can you help identify political candidates in Snohomish and Island counties who support Sierra Club values? Our Political Committee seeks members to volunteer about an hour a week in May, June and maybe into July. Work involves suggesting candidates, reviewing questionnaires, and candidate interviews on Zoom.

Snohomish County contact: Mike Mallory at mike@mikemallory.com or 425-502-0900.

Island County contact: Malcolm Cumming at mcumming@whidbey.net or 360-914-0070.

Support Outreach Efforts with the Public

It's that time of year! Warmer weather allows us to go to events like summer markets where we reach out to the public to inform them about our goals and projects. These "tabling" events don't happen by themselves. Friendly people are needed to staff them and creative people are needed to create appealing displays.

If you have time and talent to contribute this way, contact Ann Posner noraposner@Washington.SierraClub.org

Help Prioritize Our Goals for 2023

Please take a few minutes to respond to this survey, letting us know what is most important to you. Also think about how you might participate in actions that are of interest to you. If you can help, please describe your interest on the survey form.