Third Thursday Meeting & Social
Legislative Priorities: Status and Actions
February 16th from 7 to 8 pm
Last year was a great legislative session, with substantial action to address the climate crisis, protect the environment, and ameliorate social disparities. This session looks to be another landmark session in those areas.
Barb Boyle, State Chapter Legislative Committee Chair, will join us to fill us in on this year's progress, how our priority legislation is proceeding, and some actions we can take to help our state stay on the right track to mitigate the climate crisis, achieve climate and environmental justice, and protect our wild lands and animals. |
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Please register to receive the Zoom link and additional details. |
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Urban Tree Canopy Policy Process
The proposed urban tree canopy policy is in the environment element of the county Comprehensive Plan currently being updated. League of Women Voters Snohomish County wrote it, and Megan Dunn, county council chair, introduced it. Changes proposed by county staff were considered and responded to by League of Women Voters and Futurewise. The revised proposal went to the county prosecutors' office Feb 1.
Stay tuned: Be prepared to testify when the planning commission has a briefing in May. |
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More tree protection: Trust Land Transfer supporters with Senator Rolfes, sponsor of the TLT bill to preserve our forests. |
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Environmental Priorities Coalition Lobby
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday,
Feb 14, 15, & 16
Team up with other activists, speak up for environmental health and justice, and gain the skills to be a persuasive constituent. You can attend online issue briefings, learn how to lobby, hear from environmental champions, and meet virtually with your elected officials. |
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Sign Up For Legislative Updates!
Bills are moving quickly through the legislative process. Let's keep the momentum going. Sign up for legislative updates and take action.
To guide your action during the legislative session, sign up for the Washington Conservation Action "Hot List" and the Washington State Sierra Club legislative updates. |
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Snohomish Comprehensive Plan Comment
Citizens have an opportunity to comment on amendments proposed to county policies affecting land use, climate change, tree canopy retention, housing, transportation and more. County Planning and Development Services is conducting outreach focusing on a different topic each month through May. If you wish to receive action alerts researched by Futurewise, contact Kristin Kelly at edpas2016@gmail.com. |
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Help Island Transit Go Green
The Whidbey Island bus system is committed to reducing its carbon footprint while continuing to help the community reduce theirs. The agency is seeking community input for a zero emission feasibility study. United Student Leaders of Whidbey has helped influence Island Transit to move forward. They are asking community members to show community support by participating in this survey. |
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Student protest demanding declaration of Climate Emergency in Island County. |
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Railroad Efficiency to Reduce Climate Stress
Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 am via Zoom
The February meeting of the League of Women Voters Natural Resources Committee features Lael White of the Climate Rail Alliance. Lael will discuss better utilization of rail to address the need for equitable mobility and environmental justice, sustainable and efficient transportation, and short-term reductions in transportation emissions. The Climate Rail Alliance was formed to bring more awareness to the need for rail as a climate mitigation solution. |
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Training for Great Backyard Bird Count
Friday, Feb. 11 from 10 to 11 am
Edmonds Native Plant Demonstration Garden
Get information and skills to prepare you for participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Perfect for beginning birders and families to gain bird identification skills with Dr. Alan Mearns. Bring your binoculars for a practice session. Then you will be set for the bird count during the weekend of February 17-20. |
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Kicking Gas on Whidbey
Friday, Feb. 17 online
Kicking Gas is a Whidbey Island initiative to help low-income residents transition from oil, propane, or wood heat to electric ductless heat pumps. Tune in to hear about the purpose and people behind the campaign, and about the savings that can be achieved by switching to ductless heat pumps through the Kicking Gas campaign.
This is a time-limited opportunity. Tell your friends and neighbors. |
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Green Drinks Comes to Edmonds
Thursday, March 2 at 6 pm
Salish Sea Brewing Company Boathouse
518 Dayton St. Suite 104, Edmonds
The Edmonds Environmental Alliance invites everyone concerned with local environmental issues to get together informally with others interested in environmental issues. Green Drinks is an international organization encouraging this type of gatherings. There is no program, just a chance to meet like-minded people. Come and share your ideas for making this a fun monthly event. Save the date. |
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Stick around to enjoy music
from The Sidekickers. |
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A Busy Time for Streamkeepers Projects
Big stream restoration projects were completed on Issaquah Creek and Juanita Creek, Streamkeeper Academy events resumed, and several thousand visitors enjoyed the NW Stream Center Natue walk, including King TV's Evening Magazine crew.
Several tree planting projects next to local salmon streams are scheduled from now through May, and volunteers are needed for stream restoration projects during summer months. If you want to help, send a message to aass@streamkeepers.org |
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Environmental Journalism on Composting
The Everett Daily Herald recently published two informative articles about composting. One explained the Organics Management Law and the other was a "How To" article about composting. The two articles, by environmental journalist Julie Titone, inspired an editorial in The Daily Herald about limiting food waste for the good of the environment and to combat hunger.
In case you missed them, here are links to the articles.
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Master Gardener Jackie Trimble and her backyard compost bin.
photo by Annie Barker / The Herald |
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Volunteer Clean Up on Pilchuck River
A cold and rainy January day didn't keep members of Green Snohomish from showing up to collect trash from the banks of the Pilchuck River near the junction with the Snohomish River. The final total was 35 full trash bags, five tires, plus other large items.
Contact Green Snohomish with suggestions for future cleanup locations: leadership@greensnohomish.org |
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County Planning Commission Opening
Qualified Snohomish County residents are invited to apply for an opening on the Planning Commission. Qualifications include having interest in, knowledge of and/or professional experience in land use, zoning, or other aspects of community growth and health. Further qualifications include having an understanding of the full housing continuum, ranging from low-barrier housing to market-rate housing. For more information, email karen.anderson@snoco.org or click below for application form. |
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It is written on the arched sky;
it looks out from every star.
It is the poetry of Nature;
it is that which uplifts the spirit within us.
~ John Ruskin
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