Earth Day Spokane

Join an introductory class designed to help you take care of your bike!

• Come join the annual Trail clean-up on Saturday April 16, 2011. Over 300 volunteers from the community and our Adopt A Mile groups come out to prepare the Trail for the upcoming season.

Recruiting all volunteers to the Dishman Hills Natural Area! Based at Camp Caro, we will work on a variety of projects to improve accessibility and “curb appeal” of the land.

http://www.avistautilities.com/community/blog/archive/2010/01/27/free-energy-fair-offers-free-tips-and-tastes.aspx

Next week’s Earth Day Spokane planning meeting will be at Isabella’s Restaurant and Gin Joint instead of Sun People Dry Goods. So that is next Wednesday the 23rd at 4 p.m. at Isabellas. That date should look familiar to all of us for TWO reasons.
1 – that means as of that meeting date we’ll have exactly ONE MONTH to go until Earth Day Spokane 2011
2 – March 23rd is the cut-off date for registration for Earth Day Spokane 2011. Please get your forms in by that day and remind those that you handed forms out to that they need to get them in by that day. We can’t have people registering late as we begin working on the schedule and schematic.

Saturday, March 26th

$15

Are you afraid to begin bike commuting in the City of Spokane? This workshop is for you! Join Pedals2People to learn the basics to get started commuting in the city. Topics will include: safety 101, bike laws, riding in traffic, how to choose your route, who are the local resources for commuting, types of panniers, and the bare bones of common mechanical issues encountered when commuting. We will also have an opportunity to hear from local commuters and “reformed” commuters about their personal experiences in the city. Bring your bike and if you want to get your hands dirty, P2P will be available to discuss some basic bike maintenance.

Pre-registration is required – only 20 spaces available!

Proceeds go to Pedals2People.

Register at the store or Sign-up online.

We’re happy to introduce a unique way to carry groceries and other goodies on your bike — bucket panniers! These panniers are made locally at the Pedals2People shop from repurposed laundry buckets, metal stock from Earthworks Recycling, and bike tire inner tubes. They’re available at Sun People Dry Goods for only $10 each.

Pedals2People is a non-profit organization in Spokane. Their mission is to use the bicycle as a tool to empower people and build healthier communities. They believe that the bicycle is an approachable, healthy and sustainable option for transportation, Pedals2People also works to connect with other organizations in order to further extend its ability to recycle, reuse and rehabilitate bicycles.

A Faith & Environment Network event to raise awareness about climate change and the need to care for creation in our community

Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
127 East 12th Avenue
Spokane’s South Hill

This year’s annual event in Spokane will feature:

* Artists and naturalists discussing environmental mindfulness including: Lynn Schott, poet and environmental activist from Kettle Falls, WA; Scott Kolbo, Associate Professor of Art, Whitworth University; and Dan Matiatos, biologist and Refuge Manager, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.
* A presentation on the Dark-Sky movement which seeks to preserve and protect the nighttime environment and our heritage of dark skies through envrionmentally responsible outdoor lighting,
* A time of music, readings, and meditations from various faith traditions, and
* Turning off of lights in the Cathedral at 8:30 pm in observation of Earth Hour and in solidarity with Spokaneand international neighbors.

A light supper will be provided. A donation of $15 is suggested for the event, but all are welcome regardless of donation.

Earth Hour is an event when individuals, businesses, and cities turn their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. At Earth Hour 2010 a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. It included the Earth Hour event offered in Spokane by the Faith and Environment Network.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider the Mt Spokane 2000’s expansion proposal at their May 19 meeting. Documents relating to the proposal have been posted on the State Parks website at http://www.parks.wa.gov/plans/mtspokane2/.

Building on last year’s momentum, TLC, REI, the Dishman Hills Natural Area Association, Spokane County Parks, Spokane Mountaineers, Backcountry Horsemen, and others will be sponsoring a service day on Saturday, 4/9 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. This project will include planting trees and shrubs, noxious weed removal, trash cleanup, trail maintenance, and preparation of a native plant garden. Everyone is welcome! For more information and to register, please visit www.REI.com/Spokane.

Help celebrate International Migratory Bird Day!

Turnbull NWR and the Spokane Audubon Society will host a community work party at the Refuge on Saturday, 5/14 from 9 a.m. until noon. Support their ongoing efforts in restoring native riparian habitat to benefit birds and other wildlife species. Hundreds of native saplings will be planted, and fencing will be built at the project site to protect the trees from deer, elk, and moose browsing. Potluck lunch to follow the work party. Everyone is welcome! Please call 235-4723 to register.