Earth Share of Washington

Earth Saving Tips for the Holidays

Don't Be in the Dark This Winter
As the days get darker, we turn the lights on earlier and leave them on more each day. Lighting accounts for about a quarter of all electricity consumed in the U.S. Here are some ways to lighten the energy load while keeping your home bright:

• Replace light bulbs. Regular incandescent light bulbs are inefficient, with 90% of their energy going to generate heat not light. Replace standard lamps with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs -- they cost more per bulb but are far more efficient and last up to ten times longer. Over the life of one CFL, you can avoid replacing up to 13 incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy! Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.
• Use lighting controls. Photocells turn lights on and off in response to natural light levels - for example, on at dusk and off at dawn. Crank timers, which are spring-driven and similar to old oven timers, limit lights to short durations where the need for light is brief. Occupancy sensors activate lights when you enter a room and turn them off after you leave. They are good for areas of infrequent use, such as storerooms.*Dimmers* reduce the wattage and output of light bulbs. They also significantly increase the life of incandescent bulbs.
• Don't overuse kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans. Left on for too long, these fans can pull out much of your heated air.

Other lighting tips

• Clean fixtures and lamps annually by wiping off the dust (make sure the bulb is cool first).
• Clean or repaint walls. Dirt on surfaces reduces the amount of light they reflect and make the room feel darker.
• Turn off incandescent lights when you’re not using them, even if you’re just leaving the room for a few minutes.

ALTERNATIVE GIFT-GIVING GUIDE
It's that joyous season of gift-giving -- why not consider alternatives to typical store-bought gifts? Doing so will help reduce landfill waste as well as other forms of pollution. Here’s our holiday list of ideas for less-wasteful, more creative giving!

• Make dinner for someone or cook other homemade food and deliver it.
• Make a video of family members, friends, and loved ones.
• Offer your talents, such as photography, financial planning, or hairstyling.
• Make a book of family recipes.
• Plant a tree in someone's name.
• Baby-sit or pet-sit.
• Give tickets to an art exhibit or museum.
• Give a gift certificate to a used book or music store.
• Give a sports- or health-club membership.
• Give frequent flyer miles.
• Give an adventure or experience (a day of hiking or canoeing, for example).
• Give tickets to concerts, sporting events, shows, whale-watching trips, etc.
• Give an Earth Share CharityGift tm that helps protect the environment. (visit http://www.earthshare.org/CharityGift.html).
• Give a plant sprouted from one in your own garden.
• Provide a gift certificate for a lesson (tennis, swimming, drumming, etc.).
• Create a photo album or have an old photo restored, enlarged and framed.
• Weed, water, or help establish a friend's garden.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season from all of us at Earth Share of Washington!

Stories of a Wildlife Rescue - "Follow the Leader?"

- By Kevin Mack from Earth Share organization PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

On October 18th, five large wooden boxes stood side-by-side in a field. The only sounds that could be heard came from a cacophony of gulls and crows arguing over the rights to spawned-out salmon carcasses on the banks of the Green River nearby. The occupant of one of the wooden boxes was restless, and the box rocked noticeably as the animal shifted its weight. PAWS wildlife interns Tamara Hollinger and Lindsey Edwards climbed on top of two of the boxes; PAWS staff member Marnie Tyson climbed on top of a third. Officials from the King County Parks Department took up positions on top of the two remaining boxes. On my signal, the doors to all five boxes slid upward simultaneously. With looks of anxious anticipation on their faces, everyone waited to see what would happen next.

This story began on May 17th, when a small, spotted Black-tailed Deer fawn arrived at PAWS after being found in the middle of the road. She had apparently been hit by a car and had scrapes on her head, neck and mouth. She was joined eight days later on May 25th by a male fawn that had suffered bite wounds on his head and throat during a predator attack. He had somehow survived, but had become separated from his mother in the process. A third fawn arrived on June 2nd after being found alone and hungry in the middle of the road. A fourth fawn, unintentionally orphaned by well-meaning people who were not aware that mother deer leave their young unattended for long periods of time, was brought in by a state fish and wildlife agent on June 14th. A fifth fawn arrived on June 15th, and was treated for a large laceration on the top of his head that had exposed part of his skull.

All five fawns were placed on a formula feeding schedule and began to gain both strength and weight, and with a little help from the PAWS staff, the three injured fawns quickly healed. The fawns had the run of a large, thickly vegetated outdoor pen, and their growth could be monitored by the ever-rising “browse-line� that they created as they munched away at leafy vegetation within their reach. By late summer they had been weaned, and by mid-October the deer were ready to set out on their own.

At the release site, the deer that had been restless in her carrier was the first to exit. She was somewhat stressed from the ordeal of capture and transport, and she was panting as she trotted out into the field. Next, two of the males emerged. They cautiously walked about eight feet before stopping and turning to look at one another. The two deer locked gazes for several seconds as if each was hoping the other could explain exactly what had just happened, and then they moved further out into the field. As they moved away, the third male’s head slowly emerged from his transport box. Still standing in the doorway, he looked back over his shoulder at the humans sitting on the boxes above him. After staring for a few seconds, he turned and walked away. We waited for the final deer to emerge from her transport box. She finally exited, tail first, and then trotted off to join her small herd.

The five deer gathered closely together in the field, sniffing the air, the ground, and each other. Their ears twitched. They seemed to be trying to make a decision. One of the females started to wander off in the direction of the river. The other deer noticed this and must have thought she was on to something. They followed her in a single-file line. After traveling about 30 yards, the lead female stopped and turned around. The four deer that were following her also stopped. The female looked at her followers, and they looked back at her. After a few seconds of indecision, all five deer walked back to the middle of the field.

Back at their starting point, the deer reassessed their surroundings. This time one of the males broke off from the herd and began to move toward a stand of trees in the opposite direction of the river. As before, the other four deer fell into line behind this perceived leader. They followed him for about 50 yards, at which point he stopped and turned around. The followers looked at the leader, and the leader looked at the followers. Eventually, the entire herd continued on toward the trees. There no longer seemed to be an identifiable leader, rather they were moving as a coordinated unit. Noses to the ground, they faded into the tall grass, now following the lead of a scent trail that was beyond my ability to detect.

Victory for Cyclists in Washington State Legislature

- Submitted by Bobby Mullins of Earth Share organization Bicycle Alliance of Washington

Great news for anyone who rides a bicycle in Washington: thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates all across Washington three bills passed the 2005 legislature that will help make bicycling safer for all users. The bills include:

• HB 1108 which prohibits passing when bicyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement or farm equipment is in view and approaching from the opposite direction.
• HB 1254 creates a Share the Road license plate available for purchase in late '05 or early '06 with the funds to be used for bicycle and pedestrian education and safety programs; and
• SB 5186 calls for comprehensive plans to include an inventory of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

HB 1108 is particularly meaningful, as it stems from a tragic Mother’s Day crash that happened near Walla Walla during 2004. Eight highly experienced bicyclists were traveling single file on the shoulder of Highway 124 when a car passing a cattle truck and another vehicle struck and killed Ann Weatherill, a 50-year-old teacher and mother.

In June of 2004, Bicycle Alliance of Washington board member Cynthia Putnam and Executive Director Barbara Culp traveled to Walla Walla at the invitation of cyclists upset and grieving over Ann’s death. “You might think that bike riders and pedestrians are safe and legally protected when they are on the road’s shoulder, but prior to this law change, the shoulder was a legal No Man’s Land,� ,� said Barbara. “If you killed someone when they were on the shoulder of the road, you would not necessarily be charged with any crime.�

The Bicycle Alliance contacted the 16th District Representative Bill Grant and asked him to sponsor legislation in Ann's memory. The law states that it is illegal to use the left-hand side of the road to pass when a bicyclist or pedestrian is within view and approaching from the opposite direction. The law also requires that motorists pass at a safe distance to the left of bicyclists and pedestrians who are traveling on the right-hand side of the roadway, or an adjacent shoulder or bicycle lane.

Citizens Speak Out at Hanford Meeting

- By Hyun Lee from Earth Share organization Heart of America Northwest Research Center

On Wednesday, November 2nd, the public engaged in a direct dialogue with the Hanford Clean-Up decision-makers at the Hanford ‘State of the Site’ public hearing in Seattle’s University District. 150 concerned citizens attended this 4 hour meeting, meeting with heads of US Department of Energy, WA Department of Ecology, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Turnout was largely due to the organizing efforts of Heart of America Northwest Research Center (HOANW), the leading Hanford Clean-up Watchdog group. Hanford is considered the most polluted site in the Western Hemisphere due to the million gallons of radioactive waste leaked out into the soil from High-Level Radioactive Waste Tanks.

The timely State of the Site hearing fell on the one year anniversary of the passing of Initiative 297, which prohibits sites to import new mixed radioactive waste until that site has been cleaned up to meet state and federal requirements. Citizens voiced their support for the implementation of the principles of I-297, which passed with over 70% of the votes last year. Jay Manning, director of WA Department of Ecology (Ecology), asserted that the state must use its authority to make Hanford Cleanup a priority, an encouraging show of support in the battle to stop Hanford from becoming a National Radioactive Waste Dump.

For more information about Hanford Clean-Up or Heart of America Northwest Research Center go to www.hoanw.org or call (206) 382-1014. Learn how you can help protect the Columbia River for future generations by becoming a citizen advocate.

Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

• December 3 - Duwamish River Habitat Restoration – Planting - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - GSA Marsh, Duwamish River, Diagonal Ave S and E Marginal Way S (Hwy 99) Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards at their GSA Marsh restoration site on the Duwamish River. Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs such as red alder shore pine and nootka rose in order to provide shade and habitat to the critters that call GSA Marsh home. No experience necessary. Children 10 and under must have one to one adult supervision. Bring sturdy footwear, dress for the weather (event takes place rain or shine). Bring your own sack lunch and plenty of water. If you have tools and work gloves, bring them along, but if you don’t they will have some to spare. Sign up today by contacting Troy Coleman at oldsven@myuw.net
• December 4 - Solar Power Workshop, Is Solar Power in Your Energy Future? - 2:00 to 4:00 PM -Ballard Library Meeting Room 5614 22nd Ave. NW - Solar Washington and Sustainable Ballard invite you to a public discussion with slides. Answer your questions about how people are using solar in Western Washington now, how the newly passed incentives may help motivate you to get started, what the real costs and potential benefits are, and who some of the local contractors are. For more information, contact Andrea Faste (energy guild coordinator for Sustainable Ballard) at 783-6963 or e-mail amfaste@comcast.net.
• December 6 - Wilderness and Imagination - Featuring Subhankar Banerjee, Terry Tempest Williams, and David Allen Sibley - 7:30 PM - Benaroya Hall - A special evening featuring internationally acclaimed Arctic photographer Subhankar Banerjee; noted ornithologist, bird illustrator, and author David Allen Sibley; and poet and environmental activist Terry Tempest Williams. “Wilderness and Imaginationâ€? focuses on the vital relationship of natural resources and culture. The three speakers offer richly nuanced views of nature. Terry Tempest Williams’s book Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place (1991) is cited as a classic of American nature writing. Preservationists consider The Sibley Guide to Birds (2000) a monumental achievement. Subhankar Banerjee took the breathtaking photos featured in the landmark photographic exhibit, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land. The speakers will reflect on philosophical, literary, and visual presentations of nature. They will comment on ways in which the natural world has historically been perceived and consumed in our society, as well as the resulting impact on environmental policies. Order tickets online at http://www.lectures.org/boxoffice.html.
• December 10 - Mercerdale Hillside Restoration - 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Join EarthCorps, Mercer Island Parks and Recreation and community members in working to save this forested park. Community members have been working steadily since 1998 to restore this local park that is threatened by the spread of invasive plants. These invasive plants, if uncontrolled, cover and kill trees, carpet the forest floor, and prevent the sprouting of tree seedlings. This project is part of a larger effort to restore Mercer Island Parks. If you are under 18 years of age: go to miparks.net and click on volunteer opportunities. The Volunteer Activity-Youth Form needs to be signed by a parent, or call Paul West at 206.236.3544 to receive the form via mail or e-mail. Snacks, tools, and gloves will be provided! For more information contact 
Robin Berry, Project Manager, 206.793.7361 robinb@earthcorps.org.
• December 17 - Hamm Creek Habitat Restoration - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Hamm Creek – Duwamish River, 10000 W. Marginal Pl. Seattle, WA - Join People For Puget Sound and Sound Stewards at their Hamm Creek restoration site on the Duwamish River. Volunteers will be removing invasive weeds such as Himalayan blackberry, Scot’s broom, butterfly bush and reed canary grass where they threaten to overtake native plants. No experience necessary. Children 10 and under must have one to one adult supervision. Bring sturdy footwear, dress for the weather (event takes place rain or shine). Bring your own sack lunch and plenty of water. If you have tools and work gloves, bring them along, but if you don’t they will have some to spare. Sign up today by contacting Kathleen Ryan at katryus@yahoo.com.
• January 7 - Priorities for a Healthy Washington Legislative Workshop - 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM - Seattle Pacific University, Gwinn Room - Attend the annual Priorities for a Healthy Washington Legislative Workshop as the state’s leading conservation groups prepare for the upcoming legislative session. Attendees hear from legislators, environmental lobbyists, and members of the media and others regarding the community's Priorities for a Healthy Washington. These priorities include legislation for cleaning up Puget Sound, phasing out toxic chemicals that impact children’s health, promoting renewable fuels and recycling e-waste, and defending against attacks on our land protections in Washington State. The workshop is hosted by Washington Environmental Council. Space is limited, so register online at http://www.wecprotects.org/join/legworkshop_reg.cfm or call 206-622-8103. Contact Amy Zarrett, WEC Organizer, at 206-622-8103 or amy@wecprotects.org with any questions.
• January 26 - Priorities for a Healthy Washington Lobby Day in Olympia - Join the state's leading conservation groups and hundreds of citizen lobbyists to push for the passage of the Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislative package (see related item above). During Lobby Day your will hear from legislators that are championing the Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislation, receive a training on how to lobby from top environmental lobbyists, and have a chance to meet face to face with your elected officials. And don’t forget the party in the evening! Lobby Day is hosted by People for Puget Sound. To register go to www.pugetsound.org/lobbyday or contact Jim Dawson at, jdawson@pugetsound.org or (360) 754-9177.