By Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director
That was a divisive election. I’ll leave it at that. Today is a time of uncertainty. But here is what I know.
Together, we will continue to protect what we love – clean water, the health of our families, and wild places that inspire.
Real change happens locally when we make plans around a kitchen table, a library, or a Grange hall.
Good ideas grow from the ground up. That is why we invest in community organizing. Local knowledge plus a fierce desire to protect our home place is a powerful recipe.
Federal law matters. I’m not naïve. It matters a lot for the environment, social justice, and so many issues we care about. But, we design campaigns to focus on state and local decisionmakers. The State of Washington and Oregon decide the limits for toxic pollution in our water. Our states can tax carbon pollution. Cowlitz County can say no to a coal export terminal. Portland is passing a ban on large fossil fuel infrastructure. We can, and must, make a difference in our towns, our states, and our region.
Playing inside with my 3 and 5 year olds this morning (“Dad, I tasted soap – it tastes like worms.”) helped my perspective. This place that we live and this river that we love is worth protecting over the long haul. Now is the time to do everything in our power to stand up for clean water, a healthy climate, and all current and future worm-tasters.
Our challenge is difficult. I know we can rise to the challenge.
Your support is critical. Together we can enforce and defend environmental laws, push for safer limits on toxic pollution, and prevail over the biggest fossil fuel projects in America. Donate here to power this work in 2017.
