(Artwork by Alexia Ledesma)
Help push two climate bills over the finish line
ACTION ALERT
The 2021 legislative session is wrapping up on June 27, and there are still important bills that need YOUR support. Now is the time to demand clean energy and efficient new buildings. Help to push these two climate bills over the finish line.
100% Clean Energy for All • HB 2021
House Bill 2021 adopts one of the most ambitious plans for decarbonizing our electricity grid in the country. The plan is grounded in a collaboration between environmental justice groups, electric utilities and organized labor, to name a few. If passed, it would commit Oregon to obtaining 100 percent of its electricity from clean and carbon-free energy sources by 2040 and contains strong protections to ensure Oregonians have stable energy bills and reliable power as we make this transition to clean energy. HB 2021 will spark economic development in the renewable energy sector and create more family-wage jobs for clean energy, storage and transmission projects across the state. Every part of Oregon can and should be part of the state’s transition to 100 percent clean energy — this bill will help ensure that’s the case. Learn more here.
Letting Cities Reach for Big Energy Savings • HB 2398
Cities in Oregon are currently not allowed to require more energy-efficient construction than our lagging statewide building code. This means that communities committed to building more efficient and affordable homes can’t voluntarily adopt any codes that require better homes to be built. HB 2398 is a sensible step that establishes a more energy-efficient “REACH” building code in Oregon that cities and counties can choose to adopt. Cities across the state are looking forward to cleaner, more efficient buildings that lock in energy and cost savings for residents, as well as reduce climate pollution from the start. The Joint Ways and Means Committee needs to pass both of these bills so then both chambers can vote before the session clock runs out on June 27.
Contact your legislators here: climatesolutions.salsalabs.org
We’re hiring a Membership & Corporate Giving Manager
Applications are due July 6, 2021.
The Membership & Corporate Giving Manager is a key part of our team that raises funds to support The Environmental Center’s annual operations. This position requires a mix of direct phone and email communications with individual and corporate donors and donor prospects, regular production of letters and print communications, support for planning and implementation of events and data management. This is a full-time, 32 hours/week position, with potential for growth to 40 hours/week in the future. The wage range is $20-$25 per hour.
View job announcement here: envirocenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Membership-Corporate-Giving-Manager_Final.pdf
An ode to our intern, Erika Cook.
Erika worked with our Youth Education team from September 2020 through June 2021, and her hard work developing content and expanding programs did not go unnoticed! We enjoyed Erika’s creativity, spunky spirit and her dedication to our mission. In the spirit of spunk and creativity, we give you… an ode to Erika. Keep reading!
And in case you haven’t seen Erika’s compilation of Lunch Bite blogs, view them here.
Rethink Waste Project wants your feedback
Are you finding the resources you need to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost in Deschutes County? Have you made a change at home, school or work? We’d like to hear from you! Let us know how we are doing and you will be entered to win a to-go kit, a cookbook or a $50 gift card to Central Oregon Locavore.
Please visit our Rethink Waste webpage to complete the form. Thank you.
Update on Waste Legislation
Senate Bill 582A, Modernizing Oregon’s Recycling System
The bill has now been assigned to the Joint Subcommittee On Natural Resources and had a work session scheduled on June 16. You can watch the recorded session here. It’s exciting to see that the bill is moving forward since it has been sitting in the Joint Committee On Ways and Means since April 13 (two whole months!). Stay tuned for the outcome of the work session here.
Soil Health for School Garden Workshop
Educators, let us know you’re interested. We’re excited to partner with Deschutes County Soil & Water Conservation District and Middle Deschutes Watershed Council to put together a Soil Health for School Gardens Workshop that will be offered this October. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this simple google form to help us find the best time to schedule this. (This does not commit you to attending.)
Virtual Field Trip to Sakari Farms
Our Garden team visited Spring on her tribal educational farm earlier this month to help plant carrots and potatoes. Watch our short virtual farm field trip! The potatoes and carrots will be harvested this fall and incorporated into a soup served in all Bend La Pine meals for National Farm to School Month lunch. Check out our YouTube channel for more short videos.
OUR PICKS
Juneteenth — Saturday, June 19 from 11am-5pm *VOLUNTEERS NEEDED*
This fun, family-friendly event will feature dynamic speakers who will share the history of Juneteenth, music, food (both island and American), dancers, face painting for the kids, a variety of educational exhibits, artistic displays and recreation. Sign up to volunteer here.
Free admission for the entire community; COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed. Please bring your own lawn chair.
All-electric Yard Care — June 23 at 12pm
Small gas engines are a leading source of air pollution. Learn why battery-powered outdoor equipment is the superior solution, and how to ditch the gas. Register for the free webinar here.
New plant-based cookbook by Bend author
Co-authored by Bend resident Jules Schnedeker, BEEFLESS CAKES: Easy Plant-Based Recipes featuring Beefless Cakes sets out to show how easy and fun plant-based cooking can be. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to local vegan organizations.
