Local / Regional News

Controversial Elwha timber sale makes the news

Map of timber sales in the Elwha watershed.

Planned logging represents a growing controversy over the state’s forest-management practices and its sale of timber in the face of climate change. Read more from the Seattle Times.

Elwha Forest Fund hopes to stop the clear cut.

Aug. 17- Clean transportation for all in WA– Washington’s Sierra Club begins statewide planning to transition to clean transportation. Join online on Zoom, 7pm, 8/17. Sign up here.

Rally for legacy forests in Bellingham, Aug. 22, 5-6:30pm

On August 22-23 the Board of Natural Resources (BNR) holds their annual retreat in Whatcom County. This is an opportunity to tell the BNR to become the climate champions we need and enact a mature forest conservation policy now!” More info here.

Can’t make it–Email and leave a message with Commissioner Franz (360) 902-1000 or hilary.franz@dnr.wa.gov

8/23 and 8/30, 6:30pm – Washington 350 webinar Intro to the Economy, Capitalism and Alternative Systems. Zoom link for this two-part online webinar.

Inspiration

WA activists race to document mature forests

KNKX image of old growth tree — Kate Lunceford and Jim Oliver rest after bushwhacking to measure a 200 year old mature Douglas Fir. Image: Bellamy Pailthorp / KNKX

Community activists estimate there are about 6,000 acres of unprotected mature forests on state lands in Snohomish County alone. Even though these forests contain trees that are over 100 years old, they don’t meet DNR’s narrow definition of old growth. Read more from KNKX here.

National / International News and Actions

How extreme weather is fueling the right wing

As temperatures have spiked, conservative backlash around the world to climate policy may have also reached a fever pitch, says Time magazine. Read more here.

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe says: “This reaction is disappointing but not surprising, as climate denial primarily stems from an aversion to the solutions themselves.” (Watch this Global Weirding episode. ) “This is why it’s more important than ever that people understand the benefits of climate solutions.”

“We’re living the climate emergency” – Native Hawaiian Kaniela Ing on Fires, Colonialism & Banyan Tree – Democracy Now interview is here.

Aug 14: Meaningful Movies presents an online viewing of “Banana Land: Blood, Bullets, and Poison” – take a deeper look into the world where bananas are grown and how people and the planet are affected.

Ecosystems near Texas-Mexico border “choking” from efforts to stop migrants–The Guardian reports on destruction from Texas’ border actions.

Solutions

Stop local food waste- be a gleaner!