I've always enjoyed paying attention to how seasonal changes from week to week can evoke different moods and sensations. In spring, each week inspires new plants to bloom, and pent-up energy is released in great bursts. Fall is a time for winding down, and the rolling fog clinging to valley floors serves as a spooky reminder of winter's slower pace ahead. But then I remember the beaver, and how fall is when beavers work the hardest to build a food cache for the coming winter. Squirrels too, collect the unwanted fruit from our trees with alacrity. The Katnai National Park in Alaska even has a Fat Bear Week at the start of each fall to humorously track the gluttonous behavior of its resident bears this time of year. So maybe fall isn't so sleepy after all.
Perhaps since we take our cues from nature, here at The Lands Council we've got a busy fall season ahead, with plenty of opportunities for you to join us. Inside this newsletter you'll find out about opportunities in October to plant street trees with us and the City of Spokane as part of our SpoCanopy program. In another exciting collaboration, on October 23rd we're partnering with Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, US Fish and Wildlife, and Avista on this year's Reforest Spokane Day. Learn more about how you can join our team of volunteers as you continue reading.
You may have also read about us in the local news last month. As a leader of Protect Spokane Action, a group formed to protect our community's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, we successfully won a lawsuit to keep a ban on the regulation of natural gas off the local ballot. Only coordinated political efforts will ameliorate the effects of climate change, so while victories like these take an enormous amount of work from many stakeholders, we're ready for the challenge. In fact, we're planning to hire a full-time climate justice program director by the end of the year.
I'd like to end by sincerely thanking all of you that recently renewed your membership to The Lands Council. We are commonly most generous with what we most prioritize, and I'm so grateful that The Lands Council's mission to preserve and revitalize our forests, water, and wildlife is one of your priorities. One final way you can help our cause: cast your vote in our upcoming board member election. We'll send you a full list of the candidates and voting instructions in an email soon. Until then, be well and enjoy what fall brings your way.
Gratefully,
Amanda Parrish