04/16/2009: "Warm Up For Earth Day"

By Helen Venada

Visitors are drawn to our area by its rich marine environment. My visitors from southern California often remark that they are stunned by the deep green of the Pacific Northwest.

We islanders are so fortunate -surrounded by the north Salish Sea and by a green backdrop that inspires us and nurtures and supports all life in the San Juans. To re-energize this Earth Day we, as individuals and as a community, can express our appreciation for our bountiful environment as we pledge to give back to nature. We can learn to better protect and steward the place where we live. We can challenge ourselves to be greener!

The theme of the upcoming (April 22) celebration of Earth Day, “Sustainable San Juans,” is “GREENING YOUR HOME, YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR FOOD."

Please join us to share ideas about how to use fewer resources and less energy, to create less waste and pollution, and to provide for a healthier, sustainable local food system. What we do now will color the future of these islands. Evens starting April 16th; and then on the 17th and 18th.

I hope you’ll register to attend the 3 days of events and explore the shades of green that you’re most comfortable with. Please check out http://www.stewardshipsjc.org for more details and to register or call the Stewardship Network of the San Juans at 378-2319 to let us know you’re coming. You don’t want to miss out on the delicious lunch provided by the school's Experience Food Project on Saturday!

(Helen Venada is the SJC Waste Reduction and Hazardous Waste Coordinator for Public Works)