February 1st was cause for many celebrations this year. For one, February brings an end to January, which many of us believe to be the longest month of year, figuratively speaking of course. In 2022, February 1st was the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a holiday celebrated by over 2 billion people worldwide. Imbolc, a pagan holiday to mark the mid-point between the winter solstice and spring equinox, also fell on this day. And while I don’t celebrate the quiet evenings of winter coming to an end, I do celebrate the changes each season brings and try to remain open to the lessons we can glean from these natural processes.
Here at The Lands Council, February 1st was the day Naghmana Sherazi officially joined our staff as the new Climate Justice Program Director. We are thrilled to have Naghmana on our team! The position of Climate Justice Program Director is relatively new, but one that is critical to our work. In the past year, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking back to the UN’s latest Climate Report. We now know unequivocally that the actions we take today to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions will have a direct impact on the livability of the planet in 30 years. I believe The Lands Council’s Climate Justice Program Director serves our entire community, not just the mission of The Lands Council, by empowering those who are most negatively affected by climate change to build resiliency in the face of a warming planet. I’m excited for the compassionate, community-oriented perspective Naghmana brings to this position, and know that many of you will feel the same.
One other cause for celebration: our annual auction fundraiser, April Showers, will be LIVE and IN PERSON for the first time since 2019! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 16th, and read on to find your official invitation in this newsletter issue or on our website. We’re excited to host our event at the beautiful Arbor Crest Winery this year, so you definitely don’t want to miss out on that view! Unable to attend? Consider donating an item to our silent or live auction if you’d still like to support us. Although I know that after two years of COVID, I’m ready to eat, drink, and be merry in person.
Whether you’re still hitting the slopes or dreaming of summer, you’re taking time to read these musings because you’re passionate about the protection of our forests, water, and wildlife, and for that I want to reiterate how deeply grateful I am. Wishing you a cozy winter’s end, and hoping we will all enter spring with renewed vigor for the preservation and revitalization of our public lands, natural resources, and community at large.
I can hear the faint crackle of thawed earth making way for crocuses now…
Gratefully,
Amanda Parrish