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Music: "There'll Come A Day" by Irthlingz
• Words and Music by Bob Killian, courtesy of Irthlingz
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which
we are a part . . .
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Main Site Links - Click on any of the icons below to learn how the Green Sanctuary
Program works within the many aspects of congregational life.
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New Ministry Team
A New Ministry Team looking to form (Gateway Pacific [Coal] Terminal?)!
Now that the environmental
impact study hearings and commenting session are over, there is still plenty of work to be done in
protecting Whatcom County and other counties throughout the country. For example, there is a bill
before the WA State Legislature that would “expedite” the permitting process for projects such as the
GPT, bypassing any input from local communities and governments. Other legislation is also being proposed
that would strip control from local governments, weakening environmental laws and more.
Sometime in late 2013, the first draft of the EIS is scheduled to be released. Other communities throughout
the PNW are facing similar challenges and are/will be going through their EIS scoping processes. Deb Cruz is inviting
like-minded individuals to join together and continue addressing the concerns and impacts that the GPT
and other such ventures would have on the health and well-being of our communities.
Goals could include discussions on a BUF resolution opposing the GPT, working with other area UU Churches to
adopt resolutions, regional (PNW) UU activities and efforts, preparations for the release of the first draft
GPT EIS, identifying other “development” projects that would have similar impacts, identifying legislative
actions and public education efforts, etc.
Excellent opportunity for all you environmental activists, social justice advocates and democracy proponents.
Offer up your recommendations and your ideas! Anyone interesting in continuing this discussion and/or taking
action, contact Deb Cruz at dwcruz@comcast.net.
New Ministry Team: Transportation
Recently, a new ministry team was approved and they will be dealing with educating and
engaging the congregation in alternative and sustainable forms of transportation. They are just getting geared
up so stay tuned for more information.
No events at this time.
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Adult Sunday Forums
Green Sanctuary has offered to provide a speaker for the RE Adult Education
forum series. At a minumum, on the third Sunday of every month, we will bring
in a local community organization to present information and lead a discussion
in specific environmentally-related issue.
All forums are held in the Conference Room from 9:15 –10:15 am
March 3, 2013
Habitat For Humanity with Executive Director John Moon, Resource
Development Director Chris Simpson, and Volunteer Coordinator Christa Murray
Habitat for Humanity Whatcom - Chris Simpson coordinates fundraising and acquisitions. She began
volunteering with Habitat by initially joining a "Women Build" project in Skagit County, then later helped organize
Whatcom County Habitat’s first and second Women Build projects. Christa Murray is a graduate student at WWU, pursuing
a Master’s degree in adult education. She became interested in Habitat’s work after a mission trip to Ethiopia where
she was deeply moved by the poverty and wealth disparity she saw in the country. A short video will be shown.
March 17, 2013
Rachel Vasak, Executive Director, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Rachel will be providing an overview of Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and the work
that is required to restore self-sustaining wild salmon runs to Whatcom County. She'll focus on recent examples and
highlight projects and programs from last year as well as share opportunities for community members to become involved
in the future.
March 31, 2013
Rosalinda Guillen, C2C Executive Director, "Farmworkers and Domestic Fair Trade: Is Whatcom
County Ready?"
Rosalinda will continue the discussion of the domestic fair trade model as a solution to immigration
reform, economic stability, farmworker rights and sustainable agriculture.
April 7, 2013
Duane Jager, Executive Director of ReUse Works, Appliance Depot.
ReUse Works executive director, Duane Jager, will
share how Appliance Depot promotes a sustainable local economy by creating jobs from waste. He will share how their
nonprofit collaborates with social service agencies to provide job training for low income workers in a business that
salvages, refurbishes and sells home appliances. Using a win-win-win formula, Appliance Depot empowers low income workers,
protects the environment, and provides affordable appliances without using virgin materials.
April 14, 2013
Sonja Wingard, Founder and Director of Animals as Natural Therapy.
With the aid of therapists and riding coaches, Sonja, a nurse of 38 years, has created a safe, nurturing place on her farm,
Windy Acres, for youth and adults to begin to heal their hearts and souls, where they can rebuild their capacity to feel safe
in relationship through building relationships with animals, and to learn how to care and connect again.
April 21, 2013
To be Announced
May 12, 2013
"Lummi Life Stories" with Juanita Jefferson
Juanita will explain her experiences of being born,
raised and employed in two cultures, Lummi and white. She believes that Nature is essential for spiritual practice. Juanita
graduated from Fairhaven College, then served for many years as the Lummi tribal archivist.
May 19, 2013
Pinky Vargas, Efficiency Outreach Manager, Puget Sound Energy Description forthcoming
June 16, 2013
Jessie Dye, Program and Outreach Director, Earth Ministry (Washington Chapter of Interfaith
Power and Light (IPL))
Description forthcoming.
June 23, 2013
Community to Community (C2C)
Description forthcoming
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Spring is coming! There are lots of films, gardening workshops, environmental effort fundraiser and more during the month of March!
For information on other events happening in the area, check out our
Community Calendar site.
Who Bombed Judi Bari?
March 7, 2013
Join Producer Darryl Cherney and Earth First! co-founder Mike Roselle for a special QandA after the film!
"The film, produced by Cherney, makes a clear and cogent case (later upheld by a court verdict) that police and
FBI falsified evidence in order to discredit Bari's cause." Ronnie Scheib, Variety. This riveting and yet musical
and wry award-winning documentary is about the legendary Earth First! and labor organizer Judi Bari. Judi Bari was
car-bombed in Oakland in 1990 while on college tour with Cherney (the film's producer) to save the redwoods. Despite
receiving many death threats, the pair was instantly arrested by the FBI and Oakland Police for bombing themselves.
They sued the authorities for violations of the constitution. The film is composed entirely of archival footage,
including appearances by Bonnie Raitt, Woody Harrelson, Jerry Brown and David Grisman. Stricken by cancer after
surviving the bombing, Bari narrates the film herself via her deathbed deposition for the trial she won't live
to see. Follow Bari and Cherney through the incredible array of rare footage as they battle to save not only the
redwoods, but themselves, as well. Interesting Tidbit: The opening song from the film is performed by Bellhingham's
own eco-troubadour, Dana Lyons.
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Limelight, 1416 Cornwall Ave. Bellingham
Cost: Varies
Contact: (360) 647-1300
NSEA's Annual Community Celebration
March 13, 2013
Special guest speaker Mike McHenry - Fisheries Habitat Manager for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. He will be
sharing an overview of the Elwha dam removal project and the restoration status - specifically regarding fisheries
restoration and revegetation plans. Don't miss this opportunity!
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 pm
Location: The Majestic 1027 N. Forest Street Bellingham
Cost:
Contact: 360-715-0283
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Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network Fundraiser: Seals and Sea Lions
of the Salish Sea - Speaker Dr. Joe Gaydos
March 21, 2013
Dr. Joe Gaydos, of the SeaDoc Society, speaks on the seal and sea lions of the Salish Sea, with emphasis on
the harbor seal pup satellite tagging program. Dr. Gaydos is an informative and entertaining speaker, as well as
the leading researcher on the seal satellite program and is speaking on the subject for the first time in the
Bellingham area. He is chief scientist for the SeaDoc Society and serves as chair of the science panel of the
Puget Sound Partnership, the Washington State agency charged with restoring Puget Sound. All proceeds go to
benefit the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping live and
stranded marine mammals in Whatcom County. This event is sponsored by Whole Energy and the Food Co-op. This is
an independent event promoted by a renter of the facility. Any comments or opinions expressed do not necessarily
reflect the opinions or policies of Mount Baker Theatre.
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Mt. Baker Theater, Encore Room, Commercial Ave., Bellingham
Cost: Tickets $7.00 adult, $6.00 student, plus applicable fees.
Contact: (360) 734-6080
Basic Veggie Gardening in Whatcom County
March 30, 2013
Grow your own! Our resident vegetable expert will share their experiences growing veggies in Whatcom County. We’ll
cover watering wisely, fertilizing, harvesting, and the best varieties for crops in Whatcom County.
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Bakerview Nursery, 945 E. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham
Cost: Free
Contact: (360) 676-0400
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Bellingham Earns No. 1 Small City in NRDC's
Smarter Cities Project
Situated on Bellingham Bay at the northern end of the Puget Sound, Bellingham is both a
university town and an industrial center, home to an aging pulp mill owned until 2001 by Georgia Pacific and other
facilities that required waterfront access. Over the last 20 years, however, Bellingham has transformed itself from
a manufacturing port to a post-industrial city, while updating some of its industrial facilities and remediating others,
including the brownfield sites at the pulp mill. The city is well served by transportation options, including an Amtrak
train from nearby Vancouver to Seattle and points farther south and a ferry to Alaska. It is home to a large number of
parks and provides easy access to nearby mountains and boating, celebrated in the city's annual Ski-to-Sea race, an
89-mile relay race combining cross-country and downhill skiing, running, bicycling and mountain bike riding, canoeing
and kayaking. Even for the less athletic, the mild weather makes for year-round outdoors activities (assuming you don't
mind the rain). The city has also been recognized by the EPA Green Power Communities program for drawing 11 percent of
its total electricity usage from renewable sources, putting it in second place among the most successful cities in the
program. And in May 2008 ICLEI honored Bellingham for its climate action plan. A network of green businesses in town
find their forum in Sustainable Connections, established in 2002 to educate business owners in sustainable practices,
connect them to one another and market their efforts. Sustainable Connection has since become the model for green
business networks across the country.
Green Building Ranking: #4
Transportation Ranking: #7
Green Space Ranking: #1
Air Quality Ranking: #1
Recycling Ranking: #4
Energy Production and Conservation Ranking: #2
For more information see
NRDC's Smarter Cities.
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Next step for a Whatcom Watershed Preserve
The Whatcom County Council today approved the next step toward
a Lake Whatcom Forest Preserve. Creation of the preserve will restore old-growth forests within
a watershed that provides drinking water for about 90,000 people, half the people in Whatcom County,
including Bellingham.
On November 12, the County Council authorized the County Executive to enter into an agreement with
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to work together to set the stage for creation of the preserve.
DNR manages about half the Lake Whatcom watershed and the various types of trust lands are scattered.
Under the agreement, DNR will block up forest board lands in two areas in the watershed: above Northshore
and around Sudden Valley. Whatcom County will pay administrative and appraisal costs, and meanwhile DNR will
not log on the lands proposed for transfer. When the process is complete, sometime in 2010, the county will
decide whether or not to transfer these lands from DNR to the county parks department.
The process will likely ultimately lead to 8,400 acres of timberland, about 25% of the watershed moving from
DNR management to county parks management. The county intends to manage the preserve for low impact recreation
and for restoration of old-growth forests.
To read the rest of the article . . .
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