"Environmental justice challenges us take action
to create a just society,
so that the benefits we receive in our lives
do not come at the expense of others.
Earth justice asks us to first, acknowledge, and then redress
how environmental impacts fall first and most severely
on those who receive the least of the benefits
and are mostly powerless to effect changes.
It also means that justice must be extended beyond
human societies to include
all beings
whose lives are shadowed by the burdens imposed on them
by the inappropriate, unsustainable, sometimes cruel,
and destructive life-styles of our species."
~ Green Sanctuary Program Manual
Environmental justice or Earth justice, encompasses a wide variety of issues.
It's roots are tangled in spiritual degradation, social inequity and environmental exploitation.
In fact, it's difficult to separate them. All three aspects are intricately interwoven and so
must their solutions be interwoven as well. BUF's Green Sanctuary Program recognizes this triad
and will be working closely with Social Justice, Worship and RE teams to put forward programming
that addresses the spiritual, social justice and environmental aspects of our lifestyle and the
necessary changes to be made not only in our congregational life, but in the greater community
as well. In this joined effort, hopefully we can begin the healing process not only for the
Earth, but ourselves as well.
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Environmental Justice Organizations
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Click here to enter the environmental justice
organization listing page or head into the
Information Center here or (on the menu to the right). The environmental justice
organization page will list local, national and international organizations invovled in
conservation and other environmental efforts. The information center link will take you
local/regional resources, recommended readings, articles, and video resources in a variety
of environmental topic areas. Each and every one of these organizations needs support, so
pick one, two or a few and begin working with them!
One requirement for the Green Sanctuary Program certification is the establishment of a long-term
partnership with an outside organization that is involved in some form of environmental justice
effort. It is hoped that through these partnerships BUF and other organizations will be able to
boost their capacity to create change. It is the aim of the GSP that its projects will aim toward
benefiting to those who directly suffer the impacts of the environmental degradation. At this point
in time, BUF is engaged in at least three long-term, ongoing relationships, and will hopefully be
adding more in the future, including a more formalized relationship with another organization:
Transition Whatcom. These relationships include:
Long-term Collaborations: Sustainable
Connections
Sustainable Connections supports our greater community's innovators in green building, sustainable
agriculture, renewable energy, supporting independent businesses in town centers, and mentoring a
new breed of entrepreneurs that have designed their business with a sustainable vision. BUF has
recently become a full-fledged member of this organization. Above and beyond that, several BUF
members are individual members of this organization as well. Many BUF members attend events,
classes, workshops put on by this organization that has sustainability as its overall goal.
Long-term Collaboration: Nooksack Salmon
Enhancment Assn.
"NSEA's mission is the restoration of sustainable wild salmon runs in Whatcom County. This is
accomplished through a variety of programs and activities. Since several BUF members were
already involved in this organization, it was thought to establish a more formal relationship
through the Green Sanctuary Program and support its efforts in salmon habitat restoration.
Long-term Collaboration: Bellingham and Lummi
Food Banks
Whatcom County Food Banks work diligently to provide sorely needed food resources to our less
fortunate population. Although there are six food banks in Whatcom County, BUF has a special
relationship with both the Bellingham Food Bank and the Lummi Food Bank. GSP encourages BUF
members not only to support the local food banks with regular food items, but also through the
"Grow A Row" program, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) donations and always encourgages
members to provide local, organic and/or fair trade food donation items.
Long-term Collaboration: Transition Whatcom
A result of the formation of the Whatcom Peak Oil Task Force, was the beginning and on-going
evolution of Transition Whatcom. Transition Whatcom is a networking hub of individuals and
groups that work towards sustainability and a post-carbon society. Although Transition Whatcom
is still in its infancy, BUF already has several if its individual members involved with this
organization, has co-sponsored/hosted events by TC and will continue to engage and support
this organization in the future. BUF will be hosting Transition Whatcom's Leadership training
in June 2010. Look for details.
Whatcom Wildlife Area
http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/whatcom/
The Whatcom Wildlife Area has eight units totaling 4,960 acres north of Bellingham in Whatcom
County, with the majority within a few miles of Puget Sound and about ten miles south of the
Canadian border. More than three miles of the Nooksack River are adjacent to the wildlife area.
The Tennant Lake unit is situated in the Nooksack River’s mainstem floodplain and the river hugs
the unit’s western border. Most wetlands in the lower Nooksack were diked and ditched by the
beginning of the 20th century.
Habitat types here include submergent and emergent marsh, grasslands, open water and deciduous,
coniferous and mixed forest. Without disturbance, the climax vegetation in this area would be
western red cedar and Douglas fir. The Whatcom Wildlife Area contains a wide range of wetland-
and riparian-dependent species, as well as upland species. The area supports important habitat
for wintering waterfowl and is located on the Pacific Flyway.
It was purchased beginning in the 1940s primarily for waterfowl habitat preservation and public
recreation, with more recent acquisitions focused on salmonid habitat preservation.
Whatcom County's Wildlife Area units include:
British Petroleum
Intalco
Lake Terrell
Lummi Island
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Nooksack
Pine and Cedar Lakes
Tennant Lake
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June Food Donations Go To The
Lummi Reservation Food Bank
June 1 - June 30
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The month of June has been designated to support the Lummi Reservation Food Bank which serves
all residents (both Indian & non-Indian) living on the reservation and on Lummi Island. It is
being stretched to the limit because of the huge demand it is experiencing. This is one of six
Whatcom County food banks. The demand for food is huge and growing daily. With our economy
faltering, more and more people who used to contribute to the food bank are now finding that
they are in need and are using these services. BUF has agreed to send our food donations to the
Lummi Food Bank one month every quarter. They need canned vegetables (green beans and corn),
canned fruits, dry cereals (corn flakes, cherrios, etc., they get oatmeal in bulk), any kind
of tomato products like sauces, canned tomatoes, flour, sugar, canned milk, beans, pasta, and
rice. Please go through your cupboards or pick up something extra for the blue tubs. They stand
ready to gather your gifts. It is critical that we, as a community, don't fail in our commitment
to feed the hungry and be generous to those struggling to get by. We need to be in this effort
for the long haul! The June 13th service will be the food donation blessing service.
To view past environmental events and projects, click here.
The UUA On
Environmental Justice
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The UU Ministry
For The Earth
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