Local / Regional News Before May 15, support the Elwha Watershed Protection Project Trust-- The City of Port Angeles has submitted an application under DNR’s Trust Land Transfer Program to transfer 3,089 acres of state forest lands into protected status. Community support is a key. Comments accepted through May 15. Use this link. Living on …
Olympic Climate Action supports the City of Port Angeles’s “Elwha Watershed Protection Project”.
Forest Service: your “greatest good” goal right now should be to protect our older forests
By Jim Furnish and René Voss, The Missoulian Kai deSilva --Pixabay In the early 20th century, Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service wrote what is now considered the agency’s mission statement: Where conflicting interests must be reconciled, prioritize “the greatest good of the greatest number in the long run.” This approach …
Is Green Growth Possible?
We can do this...if we want... In this podcast, Ezra Klein interviews Hannah Ritchie, a Scottish data scientist and author of Not the End of the World, about sustainability in relation to climate change, energy, food and agriculture, biodiversity, air pollution, deforestation, and public health. Bottom line: we can now decouple our economies from heating …
Support Sen. Booker’s biomass-reform bill
From Tyler Gilmore <tyler@350pdx.org>: 350 Portland has been getting involved in resisting industrial biomass as corporate bad-actor Drax plans to expand to the Pacific NW, proposing a plant in Longview, WA. We have learned much about industrial-scale energy production via biomass, and every part of the industrial biomass process has adverse climate and community impacts. To …
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Hot Off the Wire — 4/29/24
Local / Regional News https://youtu.be/8pVx6bo8wIA?feature=shared Save the WA Climate Commitment Act from climate arsonists - A Seattle Stranger report. Get involved at No on Initiative 2117 WA legislative recap from 350WA.org League of Conservation Voters endorses Randall Environmental Speaker Webinars: 4/30, 4pm -- Building Climate Leadership, 5/2, 4:30pm - Lawyering for Climate Justice Thursday, 4pm. …
Watch the Last Stand — Saving the Elwha River’s Legacy Forests
Photo -- John Gussman Beautiful story and images to capture the struggle to protect the Elwha River and its watershed. Watch now
Forest Conservation Spring Celebration
Celebrate our recently protected forest! When: May 11, 2024Where: Wandering Joy Campground (Private)233035 US- 101, Port Angeles
Discourses of climate delay
Where is your favorite politician on this axis? Where is your old uncle? And where are YOU? Click to see the full cartoon
Climate Forum will Feature Dr. Nick Bond, UW Climatologist
May 12th, 12:30-1:30 pmOlympic Unitarian Fellowship1033 N Barr Rd, Port AngelesThe event is free and open to the public. Parking is available on site. Dr. Bond's presentation will cover the past, present and future climate of the Pacific Northwest with a focus on its impacts on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. The …
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Hot Off the Wire — 4/15/24
Local / Regional News Image: NOAA 2024 Earth Day art Clean a beach for Earth Day! Washington Coastal Clean Ups, Sat. April 20 - sign up here. 4/22 - Take a guided forest immersion walk for Earth Day. Sign up with Dungeness River Nature Center. Earth Day to Election Day - Join WA Conservation Action …
New tool available to help you make clean energy upgrades
Check out The Switch Is On if you want to electrify your home, lower your energy use, save on utility bills, and cut climate pollution. It’s a one-stop shop to help you navigate the process of upgrading your home with clean energy technologies like a new heating and cooling system, heat pump water heater, or …
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Help Clallam County Reduce Risk and Plan for the Future
Clallam County has a survey running through May 10 regarding hazard planning, which will guide the County's future hazard-mitigation efforts: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2310b0f0d7b042b39f0f2ef624d7500c?portalUrl=https://websrv31.clallamcountywa.gov/portal Consider answering this 10-15 minute survey and asking for greater preparation for climate risks such as flooding, drought, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, wildfire, smoke, and extreme heat events. To help you, you might want …
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Conserve Water
Rain Barrels at Tammy's home. For info on storing rainwater during our increasingly dry season, contact Tammy Dziadek at tammydzi@yahoo.com. For hired help with water conservation via rainwater storage, I, Tammy Dziadek of Port Angeles, highly recommend Ryan Bates (RSB Builders, 360-912-1844, rybates@gmail.com). Ryan and his helper Steve created an efficient, effective rainwater collection system via …
Dave Upthegrove earns key endorsements for Lands Commissioner
King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove Photo: Andrew Villeneuve/NPI By Andrew Villeneuve, The Cascadia Advocate The endorsements from former Democratic Commissioner Peter Goldmark and Washington Conservation Action come at a critical juncture in the campaign. Read more
Hot Off the Wire — 3/31/24
Local / Regional News 4/1-4/7: Food Waste Prevention Week has free and fun events all week! Follow WSU Clallam Extension on Facebook and Instagram for event listings. 4/2 Trivia Night at Angeles Brewing features fun, food waste facts and fermented beverages. Win prizes! 4/20 Washington Coastal Clean Ups - sign up here. No on 2117 - An …
Court Halts Logging Over Climate Impacts
King County Superior Court rules that DNR violated SEPA by failing to disclose and mitigate the climate impacts of logging mature 'legacy' forests Mature legacy forests in the Wishbone Timber Sale area are safe for now due to successful litigation by CSE and its partners. Seattle – For the second time in two years, a Washington Superior …
Come Celebrate Food Waste Prevention Week
April 1-7, 2024 Come celebrate Food Waste Prevention Week with free and fun events all next week, including food waste trivia, recipe demonstrations, and informational tabling! Stay tuned to the WSU Clallam County Extension social media pages and website for more exciting updates, and check out foodwastepreventionweek.com to learn about the international campaign and see webinars and …
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Supt. Reykdal calls for BNR reforms
Board needs more transparency, diversity, inclusion In a February letter to Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and his fellow Board of Natural Resources members, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal calls for significantly more time for the Board to evaluate proposed timber sales and for the public to comment on them, as well as …
Hot Off the Wire — 3/17/24
Local / Regional News 3/19, 3pm - Plants Get Sick - Monitoring Sea Grass Wasting Disease in a Changing Climate - This free NOAA webinar focuses on Northern California's sea grass meadows. Register here. 3/19, 4pm - Disruptive Energy Futures - a WWU Institute for Energy Studies webinar. Zoom registration 3/19, 6:30-7:30pm - WA Divestment …
Celebration for Protection of Elwha Forests
and cancelation of the Power Plant timber sale Sunday, March 24, 2024
OCA signs letter with hundreds of green groups urging Biden to expand LNG freeze
from foodandwaterwatch.org A letter delivered today to President Biden from more than 560 environmental, climate, health, and advocacy organizations around the world applauded the administration’s decision to halt pending liquefied natural gas (LNG) export approvals to non-free trade countries and called on the administration to expand the pause to halt the permitting of new LNG infrastructure and …
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DNR, please read your signs
From a sign at the Nisqually Refuge...
Hot Off the Wire — 3/3/24
Local / Regional News Image: Climate Solutions Only 1 week left in Washington's legislative session - The 350 Civic Action team wants help advocating for the 3 priority items listed below. Sign up here. • Capital Budget: Support Encumbered Lands Proviso & Prioritize Mature Forests Conservation • Transportation Budget: Improve Rail Allocation • Capital Budget: …
Blue Glacier’s Change Over the Past 40 Years
March 21, 6:30PM on Zoom, RSVP here Glaciers are the spring of life for the valleys below and one of our planet’s key indicators of a changing climate. In 2022, father-son duo Chip and Will Freund set out to document how one specific glacier has changed in our lifetime for their project, Blue Glacier Then & …
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OCA signs on: Stop logging mature/old-growth fed forests!
TemperateSage -- Pixabay The OCA Board of Directors unanimously agreed to sign onto this petition, from The John Muir Project alongside a coalition of over 200 conservation, climate, and social justice organizations, as well as 200 leading scientists, urging President Joe Biden to issue an executive order halting logging inall mature and old-growth forests on …
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WA House Bill 2405 needs your Support
dlsdkcgl --Pixabay Even in states with financial officers that purport to care about sustainability, way too many pensions are failing to push the companies they invest in to align with global climate goals. Public pensions in the United States are responsible for investing and stewarding nearly $8 trillion. Read the full article. Divest Washington will …
Killer whale calf J60 missing
J16 and J60- January3, 2024 (Encounter #3) Center for Whale Research The Center for Whale Research is sad to report that the youngest member of J pod, J60, was missing during our most recent encounter with the pod. On January 27, 2024, researchers conducted a photo ID survey of J pod in San Juan Channel …
Hot Off the Wire — 1/28/24
Local / Regional News Image: Climate Solutions The 2024 Washington State legislature has a short session so we have to act quick! Jan. 31st is the first hard cutoff-- Bills will die if they haven’t passed out of policy committees. Green Amendment, Community Solar and the right to repair are in jeopardy. Here's how to get …
Hot Off the Wire — 1/14/24
Local / Regional News Fight for climate action in WA state - the short 2024 state legislative session has begun! Here's how to get involved: Weekly through March 7 --Join 350.org's Civic Action Team. Help advance climate friendly and just transition legislation. Sign up to get 2 action emails a week. Every email includes: Clear information …
Hot Off the Wire — 12/31/23
Local / Regional News These trees saved, for now Power Plant timber sale in Elwha watershed cancelled despite having been auctioned off to the highest bidder in July. Read more. The forest we've saved - The Legacy Forest Defense Coalition looks back on successes from this past year in Washington state and discusses taking DNR …
Hot Off the Wire — 12/17/23
Local / Regional News Sunday, 12/17, 6-7:30pm: The values of our local mature forests with Dr. Dominick Dellasalla. Also, a presentation about the city's application to protect 3,000 acres of older forest in the Elwha watershed, under the state Department of Natural Resources’ Trust Land Transfer program–link here. Location: Sons of Norway Scandia Hall, 131 W. …
Presentation: Values of Our Mature Forests
With world-renowned Dr. Dominick Dellasala Sunday, December 17th -- 6-7:30 pm Sons of Norway Scandia Hall131 W. 5th StreetPort Angeles, WA Dr. DellaSala will be coming to Port Angeles and giving a special presentation about the values of our local older forests which have not yet reached old-growth, and why we need to let them …
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Clallam Commissioners ask DNR to participate in Natural Climate Solutions program
Recommend a parcel near Lake Sutherland On December 12, the Clallam County Commissioners sent a letter to DNR nominating a timber sale with mature forest as a priority parcel for conservation under the Natural Climate Solutions program of the Climate Commitment Act, becoming the eighth county wanting to participate in this program! Clallam County historically has been …
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Hot Off the Wire — 12/3/23
Local / Regional News Make Your Voice Count: WA Climate Response Strategy UpdateThe WA Dept. of Ecology is working to update the state's current Climate Response Strategy. Provide input by filling out this survey and participating in a listening session:-- Dec 5 at 1230PM (Register Here)-- Dec 6 at 6PM (Register Here)-- Dec 7 at 10AM (Register Here) Dec. 10, 3pm: Sea Otters ecology and conservation …
The Forest for the Trees
by Rena Priest -Citizen of the Lhaq’temish [Lummi] Nation and Washington State's 2021-2023 poet laureateI have seen a tree split in twofrom the weight of its opposing branches.It can survive, though its heart is exposed.I have seen a country do this too.I have heard an elder saythat we must be like the willow—bend not to …
OCA to Clallam Commissioners:
OCA points out the multiple benefits of the Natural Climate Solutions program.
WA State Building Code Council Votes to Protect Energy Codes
Ensures they are among the most climate & health friendly in the nation OLYMPIA, WA—The Washington State Building Code Council (SBCC) voted today to adopt amendments to statewide energy codes for new residential and commercial buildings, ensuring that they are among the most climate and health-friendly in the nation and are insulated against gas industry …
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Hot Off the Wire — 11/19/23
Local / Regional News https://youtu.be/XA7Fau9IpzU?feature=shared Dec. 1 and 2: The Alaska Suite - a live musical reverie on the tenuous beauty of the Arctic. It's a story of beauty, loss and hope with music, poetry and images. Dec. 1, 7 pm: Port Townsend, Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2333 San Juan Avenue. Tickets here Dec. 2, 2 pm: …
Hot Off the Wire — 11/05/23
Local / Regional News Nov. 6 and Nov. 7: A chance to protect Clallam County's older forests The Elwha watershed has some big trees. Image: @forest2sea **Monday, 11/6, 10:00 am: Dr. Catharine Copass from Olympic Forest Coalition will present “DNR Natural Climate Solutions Program - Opportunities in Clallam County” during the county commissioners’ work session. Listen in or …
SALMON, CEDAR, ROCK AND RAIN
A love offering for the Olympic Peninsula Photo -- Art Wolf In Salmon, Cedar, Rock & Rain, Tim McNulty explores the Olympic Peninsula’s complex—and ongoing—story of development, conservation, restoration, and cultural heritage, while writers from the Lower Elwha Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam, and Makah Tribes, and Quinault Indian Nation share some of their …
The Alaska Suite: a story of beauty, loss and hope
Seattle-based, award-winning composer Nelda Swiggett brings her five-piece chamber jazz ensemble to Port Angeles, Sequim, and Port Townsend on Dec. 1-2 for a tour of her original work, “The Alaska Suite: a story of beauty, loss and hope.” This concert is a musical reverie on the tenuous beauty of the Arctic. But it is not just a …
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Plantation forests are water hogs…
...so why don't they have to apply for water rights? Originally published in the Peninsula Daily News, 9/30/23 Goumbik -- Pixabay It’s well-known that forest clear-cuts adversely affect stream flows in multiple ways, such as by increasing surface temperatures, damaging water absorbing organisms and causing faster runoffs. Not so well known is that the more …
Hot Off the Wire — 10/23/23
Local / Regional News 10/23: A special presentation in Port Angeles: Sea level rise here and around the world Port Townsend during a recent king tide. Image Jeff Taylor In this Olympic Climate Action program, a coastal hazards expert discusses the science and impacts of rising seas, including threats here on the Olympic Peninsula. Location: …
OCA supports the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s development of a Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
October 12, 2023Re: Lower Elwha Klallam Proposal for BIA Climate Change Planning FundingDear BIA Climate Change Resiliency Program reviewers,Olympic Climate Action is in full support of the efforts made by the Lower Elwha KlallamTribe’s climate change planning team to prepare for the effects of climate change in the LowerElwha Klallam (LEKT) community through the development …
Hot Off the Wire — 10/09/23
Local / Regional News Port Townsend during a recent king tide. Image Jeff Taylor 10/23: Sea level rise here and around the world - In this special Olympic Climate Action program, Dr. Ian Miller, a coastal hazards specialist for Washington Sea Grant, will present a program on the science and impacts of rising seas, including …
A Special Presentation: Sea Level Rise Around the World and Here at Home
To watch the video of the presentation, click here When: Monday, October 23, 2023, 6:30-7:30 p.m.Where: Port Angeles Library, Carver Room Waves splash buildings in downtown Port Townsend, 10-15-16. Photo by Jeff Taylor for local king tide monitoring project. As our warming climate melts glaciers and expands ocean waters, sea-level is rising worldwide. Dr. Ian …
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Local Homes on National Solar Tour Oct 7, 2023
David Large Home David Large and Janis Burger will participate in the National Solar Tour sponsored by the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society. Despite its name, the Solar Tour is not solar-specific but rather covers all aspects of climate-friendly living: homes, vehicles, and landscaping. Time: 10 am -- 4 pm, Location: 1328 Bent Cedars Way, …
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Hot Off the Wire — 9/23/23
Local / Regional News Volunteers building emergency channels in the Dungeness River to ease fish passage.Photo by Hansi Hals Drought strands Dungeness River salmon - Low water levels on the Dungeness River have stranded thousands of salmon but irrigators and volunteers are trying to help out. Read more from Dungeness Nature Center here. Also, get …
Hot Off the Wire — 9/12/23
Local / Regional News Stage 3 water shortage in Port Angeles declared - Restrictions come in response to continuously decreasing flows in the Elwha River, the City’s primary source of drinking water. Learn about the restrictions. Also, get resources about rainwater catchment systems from King County. Image: King County Natural Resources & Parks Dept.. Timber …
Hot Off the Wire — 8/27/23
Local / Regional News Cool down with a free shade tree Summers are hotter and the urban tree canopy in Port Angeles is disappearing. The city is stepping in with a free shade tree program. Get a tree or volunteer . Bellingham rallies to save big trees https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=LJeYvMokyDw Monitoring old growth logging in BC- Forest …
Presentation on Elwha Legacy Forests & the Power Plant Timber Sale
Hot Off the Wire — 8/12/23
Local / Regional News Controversial Elwha timber sale makes the news 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- …
STATEWIDE RALLY FOR LEGACY FORESTS–BELLINGHAM, AUG. 22, 5:30-6:30
Art by Shelly Gould On August 22-23, the Board of Natural Resources (BNR) will be holding its annual retreat in Whatcom County. This is an important opportunity to deliver our simple message: "Commissioner Franz and BNR, become the climate champions we need you to be: enact a mature forest conservation policy NOW!" We will rally on …
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Controversial WA timber sale near Elwha River rankles conservationists, and Port Angeles leaders
Daniel Kim -- The Seattle Times Reporter Isabella Breda for the Seattle Times provides an in-depth look at the views from many sides about the Department of Natural Resources harvesting 80+ year-old forests in the Elwha River watershed. Read her article.
Hot Off the Wire — 7/30/23
Local / Regional News Judge OKs logging in Elwha watershed Despite community opposition, the timber sale will proceed. Read more here. Take action with the Center for Responsible Forestry . Oregon town buys a forest to build an economy based on tourism, not logging - Read more here. Study finds forest protections lead to reduced …
Hot Off the Wire — 7/16/23
Local / Regional News https://youtu.be/8U0kC3qFkhQ Who’s ready to tell a wild, 12,000-pound killer whale to stick his tongue out and say “Aaah”? Find out about SeaDoc in this Salish Sea Wild video. July deadlines for forest preservation - More info: Center for Responsible Forestry --To ensure Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz puts an end …
Please join us for Civic Minds + Creative Hearts: Climate Change and Resiliency next Thursday, July 20th, from 6-8 pm.
Learn from community professionals about climate change issues from sea to summit, including the long-term glacial monitoring research at Olympic National Park that inspired the “Terminus” project and exhibition. GET TICKETS FOR CIVIC MINDS
330,000 call on BLM to protect our older forests
In response to a public comment period on a proposed Conservation and Landscape Health rule, more than 330,000 members of the public and supporters of environmental advocacy groups, including Environment America, called on the Bureau of Land Management to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests managed by the agency. “From the redwoods and Douglas …
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OCA calls for protection of older federal forests
Letters sent to BLM, USFS In response to calls for public comment in response to President Biden's Earth Day 2022 call to develop policies to protect America's older forests, OCA submitted comments to the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. Here are our comments to the Forest Service from our perspective here on …
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Celebrate the struggle! ‘Twas ever thus…
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters." —Frederick Douglass, speech in 1857 in Canandaigua, NY
Hot Off the Wire — 7/2/23
Local / Regional News Olympic Climate Action participated in statewide banner protests last week. July deadlines for forest preservation - More info: Climate Forests and Center for Responsible Forestry STATE ACTIONS- To ensure that the Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz, puts an end to logging the last remaining mature forests in western Washington, send …
Washington Conservation Groups Call on Lands Commissioner Franz to Preserve our Remaining Mature Forests
Art by Shelly Gould As part of the Week of Action for PNW Forests and Climate happening June 24-July 2, the Washington State Lands Working Group releases an open letter from more than 25 organizations to Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, calling on her to: Publicly commit to bring forward a new policy and …
Scientists: Preserve Large Trees and Mature/Old-Growth Forests to Help Stem the Biodiversity and Climate Crises
Scientists' letter to the federal government re: rulemaking on older forests "As scientists with expertise in forest ecosystems, climate change, and natural resources, we fully support global efforts to protect large trees and old forests (mature and old growth) from logging along with restoring logged forests as natural climate solutions¹. . . . There is …
Coordinated Banner Action June 26th, 2023
As part of a coordinated regional action of the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance, OCA members held banners supporting protection of our older forests on Monday morning at the Black Diamond overpass over Hwy 101. Similar banners were dropped over I-5 from southern Oregon to the Canadian border. Activists across the state are calling upon the state Department of …
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OCA Members Protest DNR in Olympia for Clearcuts of Mature Forests
OCA members traveled to DNR Headquarters in Olympia Tuesday, joining others from the Washington State Lands Group of the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance, calling on Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz to halt cuts of the state’s older forests, our carbon workhorses, while a longer-range plan can be developed that incorporates the Natural Climate Solutions potential of these …
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Hot Off the Wire — 6/18/23
Local / Regional News Deadlines in June and July for federal forest preservation comments Open comment periods for federal rules are a rare opportunity for public input in protecting mature and old- growth forests. More info: http://www.climate-forests.org/take-action By June 20: DOI rulemaking: How might the BLM use this rule to foster ecosystem resilience of old …
New Trees Are No Substitute for Old Trees
The fires in Canada underscore the need to let our current mature forest grow old. Warmer and drier conditions will weaken this resistance and make even these mature forests more prone to wildfire. This is very likely an important factor with the fires currently burning in Canada. | Megan Albu/AFP/Getty Images Across America, forests on …
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I Pledged $1 Million to Plant New Trees. My Money Could Have Been Better Spent.
Clayton Cotterell for The New York Times I asked the Forest Service to guarantee that the saplings planted using my money would not grow up only to be logged later by the timber companies. The agency declined. But overcome, I suppose, by pie-in-the-sky do-gooderism, I pledged the money anyway. Over the next few years, over …
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Hot Off the Wire — 6/4/23
Local / Regional News There's No Time to Waste, It's Time to Let Forests Grow Old forests on federal lands capture and store vast amounts of carbon pollution and should be a cornerstone of U.S. climate policy. Tell the Biden Administration it's time to let them grow. ‘We’re going to need so many seedlings’ for reforestation …
Contact the Clallam Commissioners and DNR to ask for a pause on upcoming timber auctions of older forests
At the May 16 Clallam County Commissioners meeting, 22 people called for a pause on DNR timber sales on older forests (such as “TCB23” and “Power Plant” in the Elwha watershed), until newly-enacted tools for older forest protection are implemented and understood. Despite this massive input, Commissioners French and Johnson decided they do not support …
OCA comments on older federal forests…you should too!!!
Comments due June 20 OCA just sent letters to the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management asking them to begin rule-making to protect the nation's climate-critical older forests from their #1 threat: logging. Older forests on federal lands capture and store vast amounts of carbon pollution and should be a cornerstone of U.S. …
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Hot Off the Wire — 5/21/23
Local / Regional News Clallam County PUD endorses dam removal County Public Utility District joins the City of Port Angeles in supporting breaching the lower snake dams and replacing their services. Read more from Save our Wild Salmon. Local timber sale updates Image: Forest2Sea Photography May 23 and May 30- The Center for Responsible Forestry says: "Just …
Clallam County PUD endorses Snake River dam removal
The Board of Commissioners of Clallam County PUD #1, on April 10, became the first public utility district in the region to come out in favor of restoring a free-flowing lower Snake River. The utility serves citizen-owners on Washington State’s North Olympic Peninsula. The commissioners unanimously approved a resolution that minced no words. The resolution makes these key …
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Jerry Franklin tells it plain: We need our older forests!
The UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences (SEFS) welcomed Dr. Jerry Franklin, SEFS Emeritus Professor, as the 2023 Sustaining Our World Speaker. Dr. Franklin spoke on “What the Old Forests Taught Us: Forest Stewardship in the 21st Century”, with Q&A following. Franklin's program description: A revolution in our understanding of forests – what they …
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Hot Off the Wire — 5/7/23
Local / Regional News WA legislative session closes with some successes Climate Commitment Act funds WA state forest protection --State legislators in Olympia invested a landmark $83 million in forest conservation and management. This funding marks the first time the state government will set aside timber acreage strictly for its carbon value, by designating it …
LETTER:Cut elsewhere
We need more loggers, not less.We gathered earlier this year on the banks of the Elwha River.An Indigenous elder welcomed everyone to their lands.They called on us to not be divided, thanked us for caring for the forests and river.Asked us to be grateful, to forgive.Environmentalists, loggers, tribal people were all there with families.Port Angeles …
May 7: Forestry talk by OCA’s Ed Chadd, OUUF Sanctuary
Our Forests, Our Climate, and Our Communities: Weaving a Healthier Web Sunday, May 7, 12:30 pm Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sanctuary 1033 N. Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA- Good parking - open and free to all - Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action forests chair, will speak on forest & climate issues, focusing on WA state. In …
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Climate Commitment Act Funds Go to Washington State Forests in Historic Recognition that Forests Play a Central Role in Reducing Emissions
Laura Otýpková -- Pixabay April 24, 2023, Olympia, WA — State legislators in Olympia invested a landmark $83 million in forest conservation and ecological forest management practices to boost carbon sequestration on state lands. This funding marks the first time the state government will set aside timber acreage strictly for its carbon value, by designating it …
Forest Service takes key step toward 1st national rule to protect mature, old-growth trees, forests
Announcement advances Biden’s 2022 Earth Day Executive Order The 42 Divide logging sale in the Roseburg, Oregon Bureau of Land Management district. Photo Credit: Hanna Anderson WASHINGTON, DC – According to reports, the U.S. Forest Service announced Thursday a pathway for protecting mature and old-growth trees and forests as part of a strategy to improve …
Hot Off the Wire — 4/22/23
Local / Regional News April 22: Earth Day Events Earth Day Spring Fest Concert, 4/22, 3pm, at the Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N. Barr Rd. Sequim. Beach clean-up, 4/22, with Washington CoastSavers! Choose a beach on the Olympic Peninsula and have fun removing debris. Register here. Earth Day Mulch Event, 4/22- Help the North Olympic …
Mini-Forest Revolution
Rewilding our Communities for Climate Resilience Thursday, April 20, 2023 4:30 pm -- 5:30 pm In-Person at WWU: Academic Instructional Center West, Room 204Online on Zoom Register Now About the Event What holds some 500 species, sequesters 500 lbs. CO2/year, is several degrees cooler than its surroundings, soaks up lots of rainwater, and is co-created …
Support both our older forests and our timber economy
Kaylee Galloway, Whatcom County Council - Bellingham Herald, 4/12/23 Whether you are traversing trails surrounded by old growth trees or cheering in the stands of the Deming Logging Show, forests have long been at the core of our Whatcom County culture and economy.In recent months, residents across Whatcom County have turned to their state and …
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End The Era Of Fossil Fuels Call!
WebinarWednesday, April 19, 2023 -- 5:00 pm The 350 Network Council will be hosting a mass mobilization webinar called END THE ERA OF FOSSIL FUELS call! This will be a space to take stock of the fossil fuel resistance movement after Biden's approval of the Willow Project and plug in people at all levels of …
Hot Off the Wire — 4/9/23
Local / Regional News April 22: Earth Day Concert April 22, 3pm, at the Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1033 N. Barr Rd. Sequim. Take action on WA climate legislation-- There's still time to get local lawmakers to act for climate justice. Join the 350 WA Civic Action Team here. April 16: Kick off Earth Week at …
Save our mature forests for climate, wildlife, water
"Working Forests" do little for our climate Editorial by John Talberth, Center for Sustainable Economy Everett Herald, April 8, 2023 A recent commentary (“Keep state’s working forests in climate change fight,” The Herald, March 18) gets it dead wrong: Forests that are left to grow, big, tall, and old capture and store far more carbon …
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The Inflation Reduction Act Can Save You Money
by Cynthia Bratz, Local 2020 What if you could reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time? The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the biggest climate bill in US history, will help many Americans reduce their home energy costs and go electric. The High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) was included in the …
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Earth Day Concert April 22
Saturday, April 22, 2023 -- 3 pm1033 N. Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WAOlympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Oceana.orgworthyvisions.com
Presentation on Elwha Legacy Forests — April 24
Website: https://elwhalegacyforests.org/oat-powerplant-tcb23/Contact: jwendyrae@gmail.com (831)818-0265 What is a Legacy Forest? -by Elizabeth Dunne, Earth Law CenterThey are naturally regenerated 2nd growth forests and aren’t monoculture plantation forests, generally last harvested prior to 1945. They contain large-diameter trees, complex forest canopies and understories, biodiversity, and old forest characteristics, including snags and large wood on the forest floor. …
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May 7: Forestry talk by OCA’s Ed Chadd, OUUF Sanctuary
This event has been rescheduled from its original April 1 date Our Forests, Our Climate, and Our Communities: Weaving a Healthier Web Sunday, May 7, 12:30 pm Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sanctuary 1033 N. Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA- Good parking - open and free to all - Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action forests chair, will …
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Carpe Diem Moment on Forests and Climate Policy
"Include mature forests … not just old growth" "Nationwide MOG protections would establish U.S. leadership on the Paris Climate Agreement (natural sinks and reservoirs) and the Glasgow Forest Pledge to end deforestation and forest degradation. It would demonstrate progress toward 30 x 30 and present a global model for effective forest and climate response. "Most …
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The Jefferson County Connectivity Fair 2023
Sunday, April 16th, 1:00 -- 5:00 pmFree admission to all! As we emerge from the isolation of these past pandemic years, we are all eager to reengage with our community, meet new faces, and support the activities that keep our region dynamic and connected! Come join us as we are inspired by the short film, …
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Retrofitting Existing Homes for Energy Efficiency
Lots of great ways to save energy and save money at home Our local energy expert and OCA member, David Large, recently gave this great presentation on money-saving energy incentives and home retrofitting tips. Check out the Zoom recording below. Retrofitting Existing Homes for Energy Efficiency - The passcode is: ^?GISu0*
Hot Off the Wire — 3/26/23
Local / Regional News April 2: Forests, Climate, Communities--Weaving a Healthier Web Aldwell forest is being logged near the Elwha River watershed. Image: Forest2Sea. This special presentation by Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action forests chair, focuses on forest management and recent initiatives that see environmental protection as an opportunity to recreate rural communities and economies …
Lovely Poem by Rena Priest, Washington State Poet Laureate
"These Abundant and Generous Homelands" Rena Priest, Washington State Poet Laureate Watch Rena Priest, a member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation and Washington State Poet Laureate, read "These Abundant and Generous Homelands" poem, written to the theme of “A Vision For A More Equitable 2023” at the 2023 State of the State address during the joint legislative session. …
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April 2 event postponed-Sunday Forestry Forum
Stay tuned for a new date and time- thanks! Our Forests, Our Climate, and Our Communities: Weaving a Healthier Web Stay tuned for this event: Sunday Forestry Forum at the Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Sanctuary! 1033 N. Barr Rd, Port Angeles, WA.Good parking and the event is free. Ed Chadd, Olympic Climate Action forests chair, will speak …
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Hot Off the Wire — 3/13/23
Local / Regional News March 16: Save energy, save money at home- a special Olympic Climate Action webinar Inflation Reduction Act home savings. Image: Environmental Defense Fund. How to Save Energy and Money at Home is a special OCA webinar by David Large, whose Sequim home makes more energy than it consumes! Learn about what you …
Paul Stamets Supports Legacy Forests
Paul Stamets at Elwha River overlook "Our old growth forests are undervalued – we should not be deceived that short term gains in selling lumber accurately reflects the value of the intact biodiversity resident within these ancient stands. In particular, varieties of Agarikon (Fomitopsis officinalis aka Laricifomes officinalis) are now known to have potent antiviral properties. But …
Rally supports Elwha Legacy Forests
You can still take action Rally go-ers next to the Elwha river in an eye shape, symbolizing that we are awake to what is happening in the Elwha Valley. Picture from forest2sea.com. From Nina Sarmiento, Olympic Region Coordinator for the Center for Responsible Forestry: This past Sunday we had a rally to show support for Legacy …
Rally to Save our Legacy Forests March 5
Elwha Observation Area With the ongoing logging of legacy forests in the Elwha valley going up for sale by the DNR this year, there is a need for us to rally and make some noise! Please join us on Sunday March 5, 2023 from 12 pm - 2 pm, at the Elwha Observation Area (off Highway 101 at the …
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