Tag: conservation

Storyofstuff.org is asking us to petition McDonald’s and Coca-Cola: Stop Attacking Europe’s Plastics Law

On By Brian BerardoIn Environment, Health, Plastics, Uncategorized

An excellent petition sponsored by storyofstuff.org to get Coca-Cola and McDonald’s to stop using single-use plastic in their products.  Please check it out….

McDonald’s and Coca-Cola: Stop Attacking Europe’s Plastics Law
Take Action NowTell McDonald’s and Coca-Cola leadership to stop hindering implementation of the EU’s plastics law.Sign the Petition
https://action.storyofstuff.org/sign/mcdonalds-coca-cola-stop-attacking-europe-plastics-law/?t=14&utm_medium=email&akid=475859%2E206479%2E72bfuI
Last month, we released the latest video in our Exposed series featuring Saabira Chaudhuri, a former WSJ reporter, lifting a lid on McDonald’s extensive lobbying campaign to extricate itself from the PPWR and weaken the law as a whole before it was passed. Now that it has passed and the regulations are about to kick in, they’re back at it.It’s critical that these companies are not successful. Please send a letter to McDonald’s and Coca-Cola executives right now to help defend one of the strongest plastics reduction laws in the world and show US corporations they can’t quietly rewrite global public health and environmental protections behind closed doors.Europe’s landmark plastics law is supposed to take effect this August. McDonald’s and Coca-Cola are hoping the public won’t notice what they’re doing before then – let’s prove them wrong!For healthy people and a healthy planet,
Sam, Alex, and all of us at The Story of Stuff Project
Join the Conversation
The Story of Stuff Project runs on donations from people like you. Please make a one-time contribution, or better yet, sustain our work by signing up to be a monthly donor. Any amount makes a difference!Donate
The Story of Stuff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations to The Story of Stuff Project are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law in the United States.unsubscribe

Exciting news from Substack – this is a FANTASTIC substitute for plastic packaging – check it out….

On By Brian BerardoIn Environment, Food and Animals, Good News, Health, Plastics, Politics, Uncategorized

This comes to us from PLUM HOLLOW in substack: https://substack.com/@plumhollow/note/c-244925080?r=1mij3p&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action . This man is harvesting the plant “Water Hyacinth”, which is the world’s most invasive aquatic weed, and producing a product that looks and acts just like plastic but is biodegradable!!! As PLUM HOLLOW says in her post, “PROTECT THIS MAN AT ALL COSTS”! WOW!!!!

Forwarding March Elwha Legacy Forest Coalition News and Events!

On By Brian BerardoIn Environment, Forestry, Uncategorized
Hi Forest Friends!Our highlight this month is our 2nd Annual World Water Day Event!
In addition, we have ways for you to add you voice to save our legacy forests.As always, thank you for your continued support for ELF!  

Join Us for World Water Day Events!A Three Day Event: – a film, a water blessing and a hike(to view all events, click on the three dots on bottom left of this section if they appear)
Friday, March 20 – 6-7:30pm, Peninsula College, Little Theater (502 E. Lauridsen Blvd, Port AngelesSALISH SEA TRILOGY –  Enjoy 3 short films about the Southern Resident Orcas and the Chinook salmon they depend on for prey. Award winning filmmaker Jessica Plumb (50 min,) plus post-screening discussion with Jessica, Elizabeth Dunne (Earth Law Center), Howard Garrett (Orca Network) & Freddie Lane (Lhaq’temish) about rights of orcas and our relation with them. Free & Open to the public. 
Saturday, March 21 – 12pm at Hollywood Beach, Port Angeles,WATER BLESSING CEREMONY – led by Linda Wiechman (Lower Elwha Klallam) and Freddie Lane (Lhaq’temish). Indigenous-led ceremony to honor our sacred waters. 
Sunday, March 22 – 11 -2pm at Salt Creek Recreation Area Striped Peak trailhead (3506 Camp Hayden Road, Port Angeles).SALT CREEK FOREST HIKE Join Elwha Legacy Forest coalition members for a community hike to explore a legacy forest under threat of clearcut logging on WA Dept. of Natural Resources managed land adjacent to Salt Creek Recreation Area. Learn more about what you can do to help protect this important habitat and beloved recreation area! elwhalegacyforests.org.Contact Freddie Lane, (360) 391-7560, protectors@elwhalegacyforests.org.Thanks to all who joined our last hike! 

Can you help spread the word? Access our materials for flyers and social media posts HERE 
IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITES to Take Action!
1. Take Action for Salt Creek Legacy Forests
Here’s an example of an email you can share with your friends to help them take action along with you (feel free to cut and paste): 
Hello _____ , 
Legacy forests next to the Salt Creek Recreation area are under imminent threat of logging by the WA Department of Natural Resources. We stand to lose some of the most incredible and accessible coastal rainforests on the entire Olympic Peninsula. To learn more, plus see photos and maps, visit the Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition Salt Creek/Striped Peak web page. 
Can you take 5 minutes TODAY to: 
          – Call (360) 902-1004 and email Public Lands Commissioner Upthegrove
          (cpl@dnr.wa.gov) and tell him why he should stop the logging of legacy forests
          next to Salt Creek Recreation Area.Please copy 24th District legislators mike.chapman@leg.wa.govsteve.tharinger@leg.wa.govadam.bernbaum@leg.wa.gov
Subject line: Don’t Log Salt Creek & Striped Peak Legacy Forests
Send this to at least 5 friends and ask them to take action today!
We’ve succeeded in protecting legacy forests before, but we need your voice to make it happen!  

2. Take Action “Parched” Timber Sale and Update

As many will recall, the “Parched” timber sale in the Elwha Watershed has been a hotly contested sale, sparking litigation and a multi-week tree-sit and blockade last Spring. Since that time, multiple efforts have been underway to stop the clearcut logging of this legacy forest important for habitat, cultural practices, stream flows, and the City’s water supply.  
Last Spring, Legacy Forest Defense Coalition identified threatened plant communities in the Parched timber sale area. Under DNR’s own policies, it must modify the sale to protect this area.
Last week, Earth Law Center sent a letter to DNR requesting that it substantially modify or cancel the sale as a result of these rare plant communities, in light of the recent court decision in Center for Sustainable Economies et al. v. DNR (which requires DNR to consider alternatives to clearcut logging), and to resolve the pending lawsuit brought by Earth Law Center, Center for Whale Research and Orca Network (Earth Law Center v. DNR). This lawsuit points out how the DNR has failed to consider impacts of its logging activities on the Elwha River and failed to consider how its actions impact the right to a healthy environment.
Senator Chapman also sent a letter inquiring about the status of the Parched timber sale and urging DNR to utilize Natural Climate Solutions funds to protect this rare plant community.  
Logging these forests makes no sense, particularly as the DNR is looking at creating a conservation area in the Elwha Watershed. (For background, see this press release HERE from Earth Law Center and Center for Sustainable Forestry). The nearly 200 acres that make up the “Parched” timber sale clearly fit within the definition of lands important for conservation. 

Please call and email the Commissioner of Public Lands and email DNR today to tell them to cancel the “Parched” timber sale.   
Dave Upthegrove:  CPL@dnr.wa.gov (360) 902-1004Olympic Region:  olympic.region@dnr.wa.gov dnrrepslpresales@dnr.wa.gov.
Please also take a moment to email Senator Chapman (mike.chapman@leg.wa.gov) to THANK him for his work in securing funds to support the process of creating a conservation area in the Elwha Watershed and for sending the DNR a letter about Parched!Photo by Scott McGee 
March 17th Monthly Zoom meeting

When – Tuesday, March 17th 5pm – 6pm
Where – This will be a Zoom meeting
Why – This is a great chance to connect with your fellow Elwha Legacy Forest Coalition members, have meaningful conversations, get updated on recent developments, network and learn how you can volunteer.
ELF Monthly Meeting on Zoom
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84054515111?pwd=ajNSSHlTR1lUZ2pOeVQxSjV1SXRldz09Meeting ID: 840 5451 5111
Passcode: legacyTime: 5pmPlease attend and share with any friends who may be interested in the group.           Donations to the Elwha Legacy Forest Coalition              are Welcome!Click on this link to make a donationand help support our work.               Thank you!                                                    Photo by Scott Mcee 
Find us on Instagram and Bluesky!Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition is on Instagram. Please click here to check us out and share our posts with your friends!
Click here to follow Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition on Bluesky!

Friends of the Elwha Legacy Forests dates for February:

On By Brian BerardoIn Environment, Forestry, Politics, Uncategorized






Hi Forest Friends,


We have a couple of reminders for this month’s newsletter. We hope that we see you at one or both of these in person opportunities to connect with your fellow ELF members.
 
Salt Creek Legacy Forests Update


We are grateful to everyone who sent emails and made calls and joined the sign on letter. We have more than 1,000 signatures.. and many orgs and businesses so far. Please continue to share, call and email Commissioner Upthegrove at 360-902-1004 / cpl@dnr.wa.gov or the WA Board of Natural Resources at bnr@dnr.wa.gov.


If you’d like to volunteer for the salt creek campaign, please come to the Tuesday meeting or email us at protectors@elwhalegacyforesfs.org.
Right now our main need is to keep spreading the word.




Unfortunately, the BNR did approve Tiger Stripes on Feb 3 but it has not yet been auctioned. We are advocating for protection of this entire stretch of forests. It’s a gem of the Olympic peninsula!


Let’s hold Upthegrove accountable for his campaign promise of protecting legacy forests and iimportant recreation areas!


 


IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITES! Mark your calendars!
 


1. February 17 – Meeting Reminder
Our planned special meeting event for this month has been postponed. Please stay tuned for more details on this in the coming weeks. 
New meeting location – This month’s meeting will be in person at the Lower Elwha Tribal Center. Please come and bring a friend!

When – Tuesday, February 17th 6pm – 8pm
Where – Lower Elwha Tribal Center, Room 13
Why – This is a great chance to see your fellow Elwha Legacy Forest Coalition members in person, have meaningful conversations, get updated on recent developments, and network. Please come and bring your ideas for protecting our forests.

***This will be a combined in person/ zoom meeting. If you would like to attend via zoom, see the information below.

ELF Monthly Meeting on Zoom
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84054515111?pwd=ajNSSHlTR1lUZ2pOeVQxSjV1SXRldz09
Meeting ID: 840 5451 5111
Passcode: legacy
Time: 6PM- 8PM
Please attend and share with any friends who may be interested in the group!


 


2. February 21 – Salt Creek Community Hike





Birds Eye View Unit 1                                                              Photo by Scott McGee


When – Saturday February 21st 10 am
Where – Salt Creek Recreation Area Striped Peak trailhead
What: Please join ELF coalition members for a community hike to explore a legacy forest on DNR managed land adjacent to Salt Creek Recreation Area.


Under Commissioner Franz, DNR planned timber sales in this area. Based on Commissioner Upthegrove’s campaign promise, we expected DNR to cancel these sales. Unfortunately, DNR has not yet done so, and this spectacular forest is still at risk of clear-cut logging.  Please join us to explore the area and learn more about what you can do to help protect this important habitat and beloved recreation area.


We’ll meet at the trailhead just northeast of the gate into Salt Creek on Saturday, February 21st, at 10 a.m. Bring a water bottle, snacks, and hiking poles if you need them. The trail includes some elevation gain and uneven ground. See you there! 




Check out our Salt Creek web page to see stunning photos and learn more!





The Birds Eye View timber sale includes large, mature Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, and Big Leaf Maple, with some tree trunks up to six feet across!
Photo by Scott McGee
 


World Water Day – Date to be announced!
This was a highly successful event last year. Thank you to all who joined last year!
Photo by Scott McGee
 


Find us on Instagram and Bluesky!
Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition is on Instagram. Please click here to check us out and share our posts with your friends!


Click here to follow Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition on Bluesky!



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https://elwhalegacyforests.org

A bit of good news for a change:

On By Brian BerardoIn Environment, Forestry, Good News, Health, Plastics, Politics, Uncategorized

With all of the environmental setbacks we’ve been experiencing of late, there’s some heartening news from the United Nations. At the very least, it’s a step in the right direction. U.N.’s top court says failing to address climate change could violate international law:
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/climate-change/un-top-court-icj-climate-change-international-law-reparations-rcna220528

Join a Nationwide Protest on April 5th

On By Brian BerardoIn Environment, Forestry, Health, Politics, Uncategorized

Until this evening, I was unfamiliar with the website wardrobeoxygen.com, but they’ve done a splendid job of laying out the various groups that are organizing and why they’re doing so. We’re at a pivotal time in our nation’s history and this is not the time to sit on the sidelines. Please check out this website if you care about what’s going on in the United States today and want to understand the scope of this event: https://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/details-on-the-april-5th-national-day-of-protest/ .