Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts

Free program from Humanities Washington about the eruption of Mount St. Helens

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Eric Wagner
Come join the Sno-King School Retirees to hear about our local epic event: the eruption of Mount St. Helens on Thursday, May 18, 1980.

The program, from Humanities Washington, is free and open to the general public.

Thursday, February 16, 2023.

Doors open at noon for refreshments and Program is at 1pm. Edmonds School District ESC, 20420 68th Ave W, Lynnwood WA 98036

Our presenter, Eric Wagner is a writer and biologist. He holds a PhD in biology from the University of Washington, where he studied penguins. He is the author of three books, including After the Blast: The Ecological Recovery of Mount St. Helens.

Update: added date of event

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City of Shoreline now accepting ideas for Environmental Mini-Grants

Thursday, February 2, 2023

The City of Shoreline offers up to $5,000 per application to individuals, community groups and business owners for projects that help our environment and community.

Accepting ideas now through February 28, 2023. You can apply in one of two ways:

1. Fill out the online idea proposal form using a computer, tablet or smartphone (preferred)

2. Print and fill out a PDF or Word version of the form and submit it via email to sbruemmer@shorelinewa.gov or by mail to: Environmental Program Specialist, 17500 Midvale Ave. N., Shoreline, WA 98133. Note: All physical copies must be received by February 28 to be considered.

We are especially seeking to fund project that address one or more of our 2023 priorities listed below:

1. Prepare our community for climate change impacts: Potential impacts include extreme heat, wildfire smoke, floods, and mental and physical health risks, especially for vulnerable populations.

2. Work toward a zero waste Shoreline: Reduce garbage, support the reuse and repair of products, and increase recycling and composting.

3. Protect and restore our natural habitats: Plant trees, take care of our waterways, and create more green spaces to improve air quality, provide shade and protection from heat, and reduce flooding, among other benefits.

4. Reduce fossil fuel use in our cars and buildings: Support ways of getting around that don’t need gasoline or diesel fuel like biking, walking, and electric vehicles. Improve building energy use by converting natural gas heating systems to electric options.

Visit shorelinewa.gov/environmentalminigrant for more information.


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The Miyawaki Urban Forest History Project at the Shoreline Historical Museum

Monday, January 30, 2023

A Miyawaki forest being planted on the outskirts of Paris, France. Photo courtesy Boomforest

By Sally Yamasaki

For the last two years, community volunteers have been meeting at the Shoreline Historical Museum to come up with a plan to utilize the field next to the museum buildings. The museum, located at 185th and Linden in Shoreline, services the communities of Lake Forest Park, Shoreline and North Seattle.

Aerial view of the Museum with the adjacent empty field

What is visioned by the museum volunteers is to develop an incremental plan for the adjacent empty field that would incorporate local history, the environment, and educational programming with the intent to build community.

Recognizing the climate issues we all are facing and the U.S. aim to cut emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, the museum community volunteers researched the Miyawaki method of afforestation.

Volunteers at the Shoreline Historical Museum
Photo by Sally Yamasaki

A Miyawaki forest is a type of urban forest that utilizes a technique that creates dense, diverse, and sustainable forests. This method involves planting a number of diverse native species in a small area and allowing them to grow naturally without any pesticides such that after three years, the forest becomes self-sustaining.

Community members Sally Yamasaki and Sarah Phillips recently made a presentation on how a Miyawaki Urban Forests could become the walls of their future history project, a concept being explored at the Shoreline Historical Museum.


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2022 Lake Forest Park Water District Water Protector awarded to Kim Josund

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

l-r General Manager Alan Kerley, David Hammond, honoree Kim Josund, Bill Donahue and Eli Zehner.

Customers of Lake Forest Park Water District enjoy untreated well water because we pump from an aquifer that has consistently produced an adequate supply of quality water. We value this resource and in an effort to encourage the protection of it, each year the district recognizes someone that has made a prominent effort to protect it.

The 2022 award was recently presented to Kim Josund “In recognition of your dedication to protecting and enhancing the natural environment and for your leadership in building partnerships within our community.”

Kim has a background in science and ecology and from a young age has had an appreciation for unspoiled nature. As president of the LFP Stewardship Foundation she has taken an active role in the community to ensure the preservation of the resources that we value. 

In this capacity, she was instrumental in bringing the Save Our Salmon project to McAleer creek which helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving our water resources.

Congratulations Kim! Your continuing engagement, leadership and advocacy for protection of our community’s resources are important, exemplary and inspirational. On behalf of the LFPWD community, thank you!

LFPWD Commissioners Dave Hammond, Eli Zehner, Bill Donahue, our General Manager Alan Kerley, our District staff and community thank her for her service.



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Presentation on Miyawaki Urban Forests at online meeting of Environmental Rotary Club of Puget Sound

Monday, January 23, 2023

Photo by Dino Kužnik, Danehy Park Forest

Community members Sally Yamasaki and Sarah Phillips will be making a presentation on Miyawaki Urban Forests, a concept being explored at the Shoreline Historical Museum. 

Join them at the Environmental Rotary Club of Puget Sound's meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 12:30pm over Zoom.


 

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Thornton Creek Alliance meeting Thursday January 26, 2023 on Zoom

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

 
Thornton Creek Alliance general meeting via Zoom Thursday January 26, 2023 from 7-9pm. To register email thorntoncreekalliance@gmail.com


Thornton Creek Alliance (TCA) is an all-volunteer grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring an ecological balance throughout the Thornton Creek watershed.



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Puget Sound Energy and Fortescue Future Industries forge partnership to explore Green Hydrogen Development

Monday, January 16, 2023

BELLEVUE. PSE and Fortescue Future Industries ((FFI) have announced that they will form a working partnership to evaluate opportunities around the development, storage, transportation and use of green hydrogen. The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to accelerate the growth of the regional hydrogen ecosystem.

FFI, a global green energy company, announced earlier this year that they are evaluating the feasibility of converting the former Centralia coal mine into a green hydrogen production facility. The proposed plant would repurpose existing fossil fuel infrastructure to create green hydrogen at scale.

Lower carbon fuels like hydrogen have the potential to transform the energy landscape and help utilities like PSE solve some of the biggest challenges with the transition to clean energy. Under the terms of the MoU, PSE and FFI seek to establish a framework for potential green hydrogen supply agreements as well as pursue other opportunities for collaboration. The two companies will establish a steering committee and working groups to take this effort forward.

“As the largest utility in the state, PSE has a big stake in supporting the growth, adoption and stabilization of the hydrogen economy,” said Josh Jacobs, Vice President of Clean Energy Strategy at PSE. 
“We see lower carbon fuels like hydrogen playing a key role in decarbonizing the electric system as well as the piped energy system. Carbon-free, flexible resources such as hydrogen will be crucial to complement the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar and maintain a stable grid.”

CEO of FFI North America Andy Vesey said: “This is an important step forward to help utilities such as PSE to decarbonize their operations.

“There is significant demand for green hydrogen in North America and FFI is on a mission to meet this demand. The Inflation Reduction Act and Canada’s 2022 Fall Economic Statement make North America one of the best places in the world to invest in green energy,” added Vesey.

PSE has an aspirational goal to be a Beyond Net Zero Carbon energy company by 2045. As a part of this ambitious goal, PSE is committed to transforming its own energy supply as well as helping other sectors, such as transportation, to reduce carbon emissions.



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Environmental Mini-Grants available from City of Shoreline

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Photo courtesy City of Shoreline
Have an idea for a project that helps our community and the environment?

Apply for a Shoreline Environmental Mini-Grant. Your project could get up to $5,000! 

We are seeking projects that help prepare our community for climate change impacts like heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding.

Accepting your idea February 1-28, 2023. 

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Climate Action Shoreline: Ending war is a climate issue

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Hiroshima to Hope Festival at Greenlake
August 2022 Photo by Diane Lobaugh
By Diane Lobaugh

One of the biggest threats to life on our planet is war. Ending war is an important part of Climate Action yet is a difficult topic to look at and talk about.

War kills and hurts people and causes enormous damage to the environment, the eco-systems and other species. 

Building, transporting, and using weapons, emits huge amounts of fossil fuels, destroys infrastructure, food production, homes, hospitals, entire communities. 

Pollution from war contaminates bodies of water, soil, and air, making areas unsafe for people to inhabit.

Communities in the U.S. like Shoreline study and report on what causes the most emissions, and how we can use less fossil fuels. 

The U.S. military data is not included in these reports. Yet the U.S. Department of Defense is the largest institutional consumer of fossil fuels in the world and a key contributor to climate change. 

Every year, our armed forces consume millions of barrels of oil to power ships, vehicles, aircraft and ground operations. That is a LOT of fossil fuel! 

The 2022 UN report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has very little information about the effects of the military sector on climate. Emissions from armed forces, military bases and military equipment cause considerable environmental harm around the globe but were excluded from climate treaties such as the UN Paris Agreement 2015.

Olympic Rainforest
Photo by Diane Lobaugh
What can we do as climate activists living in the U.S.?

  • Tell our stories. Every one of us has a story about the impact of war on our lives, on our generation, in our families and on our ancestors. The hurts of war can make it hard to be hopeful, to stay connected to others and to trust each other.
  • Climate Action. We can make ending war part of every climate action plan, locally, in our state and country.
  • Learn about U.S. military bases, their environmental impact and use of fossil fuels.
  • Learn about U.S. arms sales, the building/selling of arms, internally and worldwide. This is a huge, billion-dollar business. From a climate perspective, massive resources are extracted from the earth to build weapons, then they cause massive destruction when used, and then more are needed.
  • Say NO to building more nuclear weapons. Nuclear war is a threat to our planet and humanity. There is a UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons that we can learn about and encourage our country to sign.
  • Support universal demilitarization. Military budgets and personnel could be used to help the transition to a sustainable, renewable, clean-energy future.
  • Add your ideas.
Our local, national and world communities are in this together. What we do, and where we put our efforts, matters. For the future of humanity, the earth, islands, and ocean, we can end war and live in peace.

I hope to see you in the neighborhood.

---
Past Shoreline Area News articles based on the pamphlet from Climate Action Shoreline: Start Over Every Sunday, Fossil Fuel Free Friday, Supportive Saturday, What is Climate? and Thinking about our World Community. Climate Action Shoreline



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Learning young to care for the community

Monday, January 2, 2023

Photo by Seth Laster
By Kathy Plant

The saying goes that a photo is worth a thousand words. The first day of 2023 finds these two hard working good citizens out with their dad cleaning up trash on Fremont Avenue. 

We thank them for reminding us all that none of us are too young nor too old to make a difference. 

Thanks to all of you for caring about our community and doing whatever you can to make Shoreline a better place for everyone. 

2023....here we come!

(Editor Note: Let me know if this family would like to be identified by name)



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What should we do about climate change in Lake Forest Park?

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Here's what to do about climate change in Lake Forest Park:

1. Take the Lake Forest Park Climate Action Survey here. December 31, 2022 is the last day to take the survey.

The Lake Forest Park Climate Action Committee is working on a plan for the city. The committee is looking at the specific sources of emissions in the city and what the city can do about eliminating or reducing these emissions. 

The Climate Action Committee will be developing a climate action plan. The objective of the plan is to reduce our community’s use of fossil fuels and help us adapt to our changing climate.

2. Take the survey and tell the committee: What are the issues you are concerned about? What should the city be doing?

3. Join the Newsletter

4. If you would like to stay up to date on the Climate Action Committee’s work join the “Notify Me” link on the City’s website.



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Ecology news: Washington adopts plan for transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

OLYMPIA – Today, the Washington Department of Ecology updated its Clean Vehicles Program to require that all new, light-duty vehicles sold in Washington meet zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) standards by 2035.

Washington is only the third state in the nation to adopt the expanded ZEV standards since an historic decision by the California Air Resources Board paved the way in August. 

Under a law passed by the Washington Legislature in 2020, Ecology is required to follow California’s strong emissions standards for cleaner vehicles. A further 15 states are also committed to transitioning to zero-emission transportation.

“The EV revolution has begun, and momentum will only continue to build over the coming years,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. 
“I’m excited to see the future unfold as more and more electric vehicles and charging infrastructure come online, battery range increases, and ZEVs transform into the most affordable and convenient option for almost everyone in Washington.”

Under the new standards, “ZEVs” include electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and plug-in hybrids with at least 50 miles of all-electric range.

Most major automakers are increasing ZEV production now, including some that are already committed to the emerging trend of 100% ZEVs for new car sales by 2035. ZEVs currently make up approximately 13% of new vehicle sales in Washington, and numerous new models – including trucks and SUVs – are being introduced to the market. 

Studies indicate that many ZEVs are cheaper to own over the long term than comparable gas- and diesel-powered vehicles due to major fuel savings and lower maintenance costs.

“These new standards will accelerate a market transition that is already happening,” said Laura Watson, Ecology’s director. 
“They’re designed to incentivize manufacturers to produce more affordable, clean vehicles in a wider array of models to suit everyone’s needs. And by targeting transportation – the state’s largest source of harmful greenhouse gas emissions – these standards will make a significant contribution on our path to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

The new ZEV standards begin with model year 2026, affecting 35% of new passenger vehicle sales. Auto manufacturers will be required to sell 6 to 9% more new ZEVs per year until ZEVs make up 100% of new sales starting in model year 2035. The standards do not apply to the use or sale of older, gas-powered vehicles.

In addition to requiring 100% ZEVs for new car sales by 2035, today’s adopted standards include California’s rules for cleaner, heavy-duty internal combustion engines, early-action credits for ZEV sales in model years 2023 and 2024, and a one-time fleet reporting requirement.

Ecology has adopted the new standards after a six-week public comment period. The department received and responded to more than 1,400 comments.

The transition to ZEVs will work alongside Washington’s other major new climate policies – the Clean Fuel Standard and Cap-and-Invest Program – both of which begin on Jan. 1, 2023.



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Clean air and the asphalt plant in Kenmore

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Asphalt plant in Kenmore
On October 26, 2022, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) issued a Final Order of Approval for a new permit for the Cadman Asphalt plant in Kenmore. 

The permit includes new conditions for the plant, including air quality standards and testing.

On November 22, 2022, Cadman appealed the permit to the Pollution Control Hearings Board and filed a motion to “stay” (i.e. delay) the new permit conditions pending the appeal.

In December, the Kenmore City Council voted to file a petition to the Pollution Control Hearings Board for the City to intervene in the appeal, with the intent to assist Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in arguing for upholding the conditions of the permit. 

The City’s request to intervene was granted. The Pollution Control Hearings Board will likely decide whether to approve or deny the stay some time in the second half of January 2023. 



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Musical play: “The Little Town That Could,” Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at Third Place Commons

Saturday, December 3, 2022

The Rotary Environmental Club of Puget Sound is sponsoring the musical play: “The Little Town That Could,” Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 6:30pm at Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park Town Center, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE..

The play is free and open to the public so come join us in an all community written and performed musical as we sing our way together to saving our Kokanee salmon.

This 30 minute, child-friendly musical takes place in Lake Forest Park's Lyon Creek where two little salmon, Frye and Alevin, befriend Tillie, a young girl, and ask her for help. 

Because of climate change, the creek is warming, and the two fish are not sure they will be able to survive to make it back home. Tillie is tasked with a big job to save her fish friends. 

After asking several adults to help her to no avail, Tillie begins to learn that through optimism and a belief in herself and her community that even what seems impossible can be surmounted.


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Plan to cut statewide fuel emissions 20% starts January 1, 2023

Monday, November 28, 2022

Photo courtesy Dept of Ecology
OLYMPIA – On Jan. 1, 2023, Washington’s new Clean Fuel Standard will begin cutting greenhouse gas emissions from transportation – the state’s largest source of carbon pollution.

Over the next 12 years, the new standard will reduce annual transportation emissions statewide by 20 percent, or about 4.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

That’s comparable to taking more than 900,000 cars permanently off the road.

The Washington Legislature passed the Clean Fuel Standard in 2021 and directed the Department of Ecology to implement the program beginning in 2023. Today, Ecology adopted the final rules for the Clean Fuels Program to meet that deadline.

“We have to make it easier for people and businesses to use cleaner transportation options,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. 
“The Clean Fuel Standard will jumpstart investments in low-carbon fuels, help expand our state’s infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles, and give consumers better choices as we grow our clean energy economy.”

The new Clean Fuels Program uses a market approach to incentivize fuel producers to reduce the “carbon intensity” of their products by 20 percent by 2034 – four years faster than first proposed. The accelerated timeline comes in response to strong public feedback and an independent economic analysis and fuel supply forecast that show 2034 is an achievable target.

California, Oregon, and British Columbia have adopted similar programs for transitioning to low-carbon fuels. Even before Washington’s program formally begins, fuel producers and energy suppliers have moved to increase clean fuels production. Most notably, BP America committed last year to invest $269 million to double the production capacity of renewable diesel at its Cherry Point refinery, near Ferndale.

“We’ve seen encouraging interest from businesses that want the opportunities clean transportation fuels will bring,” said Laura Watson, Ecology’s director. 
“We’re excited to work with businesses and communities across the state on this new program, and to integrate it with our other climate policies, especially our zero-emission vehicles and cap-and-invest programs.”
 
More information here


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Join the LFP in Action Book Club

Saturday, November 19, 2022

The LFP in Action book club at Third Place Books is a place to have deep conversations about climate, solutions and resilience. 

To kick off this book club we will spend several months discussing the anthology "All We Can Save". The book is available at Third Place Books with a 20% discount.

“This astounding and ambitious eco-anthology is filled with whip-smart essays, heart-wrenching poems, and stunning visual art from an all-female cast … those who’ve been left out of the climate debate for too long … a powerful chorus of women armed with solutions for our changing climate.”
— Self

We begin our journey Wednesday November 30, 2022 from 6pm – 7:15pm, in person at Third Place Books. Upper level of Town Center at the intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.

Everyone is welcome. We will build connections to each other, and an understanding of the climate movement as seen through the eyes of the female voices represented in this anthology.

What to read for our first meeting
  • Adrienne Rich Poem (on the page before the table of contents)
  • Begin (the editor's notes)
  • Calling In by Bastida
  • A Handful of Dust by Kate Marvel

These short and provocative pieces are our first reading. If you are interested and haven’t quite had time to finish the reading you are welcome.

For more information, including where to meet, contact Mimi miriam.bertram@gmail.com or Sarah tanjatogether@gmail.com 

Please put "LFP In Action" in the subject line of your email.



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Shopping Locally can reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions

Friday, November 18, 2022

By Sarah Phillips

There is some good news on the Greenhouse gas emissions front. Technology is making cars and trucks that are much more efficient in terms of CO2 emissions. And electric cars and trucks are increasingly part of the vehicle picture. 

However, we are starting from a high level of emissions. In March 2022, 10,942 vehicles were registered in Lake Forest Park. That is about 1.04 vehicles for each resident 18 years old or older. Only about 500 of these vehicles (4%) are electric. On average, each fossil fuel-powered vehicle produces a little over 2 metric tons of Greenhouse Gasses in a year.

Here is what a metric ton of CO2 looks like:

Image from creative commons

As more people move to the Seattle area, greenhouse gas emissions due to transportation continue to increase. This is why it’s important to be mindful of the CO2 each fossil fuel-powered trip puts into the atmosphere. Is that trip worth the emissions it produces? Is there a way to reduce my own mileage and the mileage of trucks and other vehicles that bring things to me?

Of course, no one expects residents to stop all online ordering. However, it’s good to keep in mind that shopping locally this holiday season (and anytime!) is not only a win for our creative residents but at the same time, is a win for greenhouse emission reductions. And THAT is a win for everyone, because it reduces the rapid heating of the atmosphere we all depend on.

If you are interested in local climate issues, please take the Lake Forest Park Climate Action Committee survey .



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Shop Local and save on Greenhouse Gas Emissions - craft fairs in November and December

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Photo by Armand Micheline
By Sarah Phillips

This is the season of local craft fairs. Local artists, crafters, painters, potters, jewelers, welders are getting their wares ready to sell at markets.

Shopping close to home this year is worth a try! You can find unique items not available elsewhere, you don’t need to pay shipping costs AND shopping for locally sourced goods has the huge added benefit of not generating delivery truck CO2 emissions. 

This turns your purchase into a gift for yourself, your neighbors, and future generations of Earth’s inhabitants by limiting greenhouse gas contributions to the atmosphere where they work as a blanket to heat our climate.

Here is a sampling of local events.

Saturday, November 19, 2022

St Matthew Craft Fair
9am- 4pm
30+ vendors
Free Admission

ShoreLake Arts Underground Holiday Market
10am - 4pm
Free Admission
Jewelry | Textiles | Crafts | Arts |
Food Trucks | Gourmet Foods | Holiday Music | Workshops
Shoreline City Hall Covered Parking Garage

Edmonds Landing Art and Garage Sale
11am - 2pm
Free Admission
Artwork | crafts | cards | furniture | household items

Sunday, November 20

Lake Forest Park Farmers Market Holiday Craft Fair
10am - 2pm
Free Admission
Textiles| Jewelry | Crafts |Candles| Handmade Soaps | Woodworking |Holiday wreaths

Lake Forest Park Farmers Market
10am - 2pm
Free Admission
Winter fresh food, smoked salmon, potatoes, broccoli, fudge, baked good, jams

Saturday and Sunday, December 3 - December 4

Heartful Rootz Winter Maker’s Market
10am - 5pm
Free Admission
BIPGM winter maker's market. hundreds of high quality handmade local gifts


Saturday, December 17

Shoreline Farmers Market Harvest Market
10am - 2pm
Free Admission
Winter produce and handmade local gifts


Sunday, December 18

Lake Forest Park Farmers Market Holiday Craft Fair
10am - 2pm
Free Admission
Textiles| Jewelry | Crafts |Candles| Handmade Soaps | Woodworking |Holiday wreaths

Lake Forest Park Farmers Market
10am - 2pm
Free Admission
Winter fresh food, smoked salmon, potatoes, broccoli, fudge, baked good, jams

Open all the time

Shorelake Arts Gallery
Tuesday – Saturday, 12 - 5pm
The ShoreLake Arts Gallery is a not-for-profit gallery and gift shop featuring rotating art exhibits (every 6 weeks), as well as jewelry, ceramics, paper goods, glass, textiles and more by local artists.

The Chocolate Man
Monday- Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am to 6pm
Sunday 11am to 4pm

Why shop local?

Fun art showcases and market events support local crafters and artists. By sharing their delightfully creative, unique work with us they directly vitalize our economy.

In addition, shopping local can reduce emissions from air freight and the delivery vehicles. Greenhouse gasses GHG are emitted by all cars and trucks that are fueled with fossil fuels. These Greenhouse gasses can stay in the atmosphere for a century. It is as if the GHG are a blanket surrounding the earth. This results in warmer climate, rising seas and can affect our health and our ecosystem



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LFP Stewardship Foundation (LFPSF) annual meeting at Red Sky Gallery and Zoom Wednesday with author David B. Williams

Monday, November 14, 2022

Native Kokanee freshwater salmon
LFPSF Annual Meeting at Red Sky Gallery (or via Zoom*)
featuring guest speaker author David B. Williams

Join Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation (LFPSF) on Wednesday November 16, 2022 from 7-9pm in-person at the Red Sky Gallery (upper level LFP Town Center) or virtually via zoom*. 

Hear about our accomplishments and discuss our priorities for the coming year.

Come early 6-7pm to shop Red Sky Gallery's collection of art, cards, jewelry, accessories and gifts

Come, meet current and prospective members of the Board -- we are all volunteers and your neighbors! We want to hear from you about local environmental issues and ideas.

Local author David B. Williams
After a brief business meeting, we will enjoy a talk by author and naturalist, David B. Williams. His award-winning book, Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound is a deep exploration of the stories of this beautiful waterway. 

He is also the author of Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography, as well as Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City. Williams is a Curatorial Associate at the Burke Museum and writes a free weekly newsletter, the Street Smart Naturalist.

We are looking forward to having an in-person event and appreciate the generosity of Debbie Tomassi to host our meeting at the beautiful Red Sky Gallery.

Refreshments including light appetizers from Vulpine Taproom and wine will be served.

Pre-registration is required to join via Zoom. Email us at info@lfpsf.orgto receive the zoom link.



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Preparing your garden for a changing climate, soil

Sunday, November 6, 2022

Photo by Lee Keim
By Lee Keim

Have you noticed unusually early Spring blooming shrubs and trees in your yard? 

Do your berries and apples show signs of low fertilization, more sun scald and drought and earlier leaf drop? 

Is your water bill higher each year? 

Is your house being invaded by brown stink bugs this fall like mine? 

What is happening here?

These subtle seasonal changes are being noticed by those of us lovingly caring for our gardens and yards. 

It is predicted that the US Hardiness Zone in our area will increase by 1/2 zone in the next few decades due to global warming.

The realization that changes to the earth’s climate will affect all aspects of our lives is a hard lesson to accept. When we recognize the grave danger on a personal level, learn what can be done to restore earth’s natural systems and resolve to act our part, there will be reason to believe our world, can be prepared for the changes to come.

One of the most important activities to prepare your property is to make sure you have healthy soil.

“Healthy soil can store more carbon; absorb water like a sponge before becoming saturated, making it more resilient in a dry year; and improve water quality by retaining more water, which reduces runoff ..” April Simpson PEW Stateline article 8.23.2019

Plant dense plantings and mulch thickly with leaves or wood chips. No bare soil! Use cover crops in the garden during dormant periods and roughly chop them in two weeks before spring planting. This will decrease winter compaction and increase organic matter and carbon dioxide up take.

With these techniques you will be creating healthier soil and doing your part to reverse the damages to our planet’s precious ecosystems.



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