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Sierra Club at the Recent Dungeness River Festival
Hear Why We Need to Protect the Miller Peninsula
Thursday October 19, 7PM on Zoom
In the 1980s, Sierra Club leader Darlene Schanfald became a whistleblower when she learned of a secret deal between Washington State and the multinational firm, Mitsubishi, to develop land that had been set aside for a state park. Outraged citizens were able to kept the land for a state park.
Over the years, with no state funds for developing the park, the park became a day use site for hikers, non-motorized bikers and equestrians, one of only 17-day use parks in State Parks' system. But now, State Parks has taken a page from Mitsubishi and plans to intensively develop the parkland, destroying its natural and ecological features.
Join our monthly presentation for a walk through of this park and the threats it faces.
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Hear About Restoring Grizzly Bears in the North Cascades
Wednesday, October 18, 7PM on Zoom
The US Department of the Interior is considering restoring grizzly bears in the North Cascades. A decision to move forward could produce one of the most incredible victories for the North Cascades National Park and its surrounding ecosystem.
Meet Dr. Chris Serveen, President and Board Chair of the Montana Wildlife Federation and Co-Chair of the North American Bears Expert Team for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Come learn more about grizzly bear recovery efforts, grizzly biology, and how humans have learned to successfully coexist with grizzlies in other parts of the country.
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Photo: Illinois Valley Chapter, Sierra Club
Is Biomass the Solution or The Problem?
Thursday October 19, 5PM on Zoom
The biomass industry is looking to expand into the Pacific Northwest. More and more money is being allocated for thinning and logging in the name of wildfire safety. How are these related, and what does this mean for our wildlands, timberlands and rural communities?
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Protect the Peninsula's Future is proud to have as its 2023 annual speaker Dr. James Karr, Professor Emeritus, UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences
Thursday, November 9 at 7 PM on Zoom
The last fifty years have seen major changes in our understanding of water resources and how to protect them. Dr. Karr's development of a rigorous approach to biological monitoring and assessment some 40 years ago broadened the focus beyond just narrow chemical criteria to include actions to protect ecological health. This approach is now a standard component of water resource management employed by more than a hundred countries. We need informed citizens to demand that human and ecological health be at the forefront of managing our water resources. Find out from Dr. Karr how you can play a role.
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Olympic Peninsula Environment in the News
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(Olympic Cougar Project Examines Mountain Lion Kitten)
Crowding Out Mountain Lions: Expanded development on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, viewed as a climate refuge for people, is encroaching on prime wildlife habitat. As big cats find it harder to avoid people, many are winding up dead. Peninsula cougars, cut off from mainland populations by highways and waterways, are more inbred and less genetically diverse than any cougar population in the state, recent research shows. The Olympic Cougar Project started in 2018, overseen by Panthera and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's wildlife manager, Kim Sager-Fradkin, focused on studying cougars as a barometer of wildlife health in the north peninsula. Research from Panthera has also revealed the numerous ways cougars boost biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
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Clallam Forests at Risk: Washington DNR continues its clear-cutting of legacy forests on the Peninsula despite widespread opposition from elected leaders and citizens. Representative Mike Chapman recently wrote this to DNR: "The City of Port Angeles is an underserved rural community that relies on the Elwha River as its sole source of drinking and industrial water. Port Angeles City management and Council has expressed valid concerns that logging in the Elwha Watershed compromises efforts to restore endangered salmon habitat; threatens other endangered and recovering species; destroys essential carbon sinks; and threatens the City’s sole drinking water source."
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Volunteer Environmental Opportunities in Our Community
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Climate Action Committee Openings: The joint Port Townsend / Jefferson County Climate Action Committee (CAC) has a few current openings. The CAC serves as an advisory group to the City of Port Townsend and Jefferson County on climate action policies, programs and priorities. The principal role of the CAC is to advise the County and the City on greenhouse gas emissions, preparing for climate impacts, monitoring progress, and conducting community outreach. Committee members normally serve for a term of 3 years. For more information, click on the application below or contact Laura Tucker at 360-379-4491.
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Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee Seeks New Members: The Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is seeking to diversify its membership and fill four volunteer positions on the committee. Members are appointed for a four-year term and commit to attending monthly meetings at 6-8pm on the first Tuesday of every month, participating in project subcommittees (including possible fieldwork), and working collaboratively to respond to emerging issues. For more information, click below. |
Join the North Olympic Sierra Club Leadership: The North Olympic Group is a volunteer-based organization that promotes sound environmental policies, supports environmental champions for public office, and gets people outdoors to enjoy the beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. Each year we elect new members of our executive committee. Current members are Darlene Schanfald, Bob Sextro, Genie Mixon, Norm Baker and Peter Guerrero. Contact us if you're interested in joining us. Send a brief description of your background, interests, and how to contact you.
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Find Out About Environmental Education Opportunities at Peninsula Community College
Our June guest, Jennifer Johnston, told us about exciting environmental educational opportunities at Western Washington University’s College of the Environment and its campuses throughout the Salish Sea--including Peninsula Community College. Watch the video of this event here:
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