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Faith Based Climate Action 9/9/23

Faith-based Climate Action Team

  • Business meetings: 1st, 2nd, & 4th Thursdays, 7:00 to 8:15 PM, by Zoom at <Link> 
  • Interfaith Green-teams business meeting: 3rd Thursday, 7:00 to 8:00 PM, by Zoom at <Link>
  • Informal social meeting: 5th Thursday, 7:00 to 8:00 PM, by Zoom at <Link>  

All are invited and encouraged to participate. Contact:Jed Irvine <jedirv@gmail.com> or Michael Hughes <michael.a.hughes1951@gmail.com>

Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni: Nearly 1 Million Acres of Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon Safeguarded

National Park Service Awards Over $603,000 to Indian Country and Native Hawaiian Organizations

After Decades Of Oil Drilling, Indigenous Waorani Group Fights New Industry Expansions In Ecuador

Tribe getting piece of Minnesota back more than a century after ancestors died there

Philippines: Indigenous knowledge takes on climate crisis

Sustainability push: Pacific Northwest to take a green turn in potato farming

Producers  protecting and restoring our lands

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing EV markets. This is why

On the last day of winter, Australia reached record 37.5 pct renewables share for the year 

Electrify America begins operations at 75MW ‘Solar Glow 1’ site

EU fossil fuel burning for electricity fell to lowest on record in 2023, data shows

Coal Stabbed In The Back Again By New Floating Solar Array 

Striking Gold – A Molecular Mystery Solution for Potential Clean Energy

Powered by wind, this $10B transmission line will carry more energy than the Hoover Dam 

Philippines’ Largest Inland Lake To Host Large-Scale Floating Solar Projects Producing Up To 1,800MW 

U.S. Solar Panel Shipments Increased 10% Last Year

Toothpaste Tubes Are a Hot Mess—Here’s the Eco-Friendly Alternative We Love

There is no more important climate work than the influencing of legislation and policy, whether at the national, state, or local level. Climate Action Opportunities, refreshed weekly on Saturdays, provides three or four curated, quick opportunities to do just that.

To help assess the engagement of UUFC members and friends in faith-based climate action and to encourage such action, please anonymously  <Share> the number of the actions below you take this week. Optionally, you may  anonymously also share other recent climate action. 

The organizations whose calls to action we amplify, and the number from each organization, are listed <here>

Sat 9 Sep

EarthJustice

Steel-mill Emissions: The 10 steel mills operating in the U.S. release more than 500 tons of toxic metals into the air each year. Despite the need for stronger protections, the EPA has proposed a weak rule to regulate those emissions. Urge EPA to strengthen the rule

Native Organizers Alliance

Block new oil & gas leases: President Biden has committed to honor Tribal treaties and recognize nation-to-nation relationships with Tribes, but he has undermined his promises by approving harmful fossil fuel projects despite Indigenous opposition. Using his current authority, President Biden can block new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, and deny federal permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure like pipelines.  Start Writing

Sierra Club

Oregon State Forests: Oregon’s Board of Forestry will soon decide the fate of a long-awaited Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to manage state forests. It is  important for the Board to hear from Oregonians who value healthy forests, strong salmon runs, clean water, recreation, and climate resilience! Take Action

UUs for Social Justice

Climate-Smart Farm Bill: The 2023 Farm Bill presents an important opportunity to create a food and agricultural system that provides healthy food for all while helping to avoid a climate crisis and improving equity for consumers and producers. A climate-smart farm bill can achieve many important goals: protecting soil fertility, improving water quality, helping farmers cope with extreme weather, and saving energy.  Tell Your Senators

Of Note This Week is a source for current climate-change information at the local, state, and national levels.  It is refreshed weekly on Saturday.

Sat 9 Sep

Cosmos

Climate change is messing with photosynthesis

IEEE Spectrum

African Hydropower Confronts Cheap Solar and Wind

Inside Climate News

Green Groups Are Divided Over a Proposal to Boost the Nation’s Hydropower. Here’s Why

Katharine Hayhoe

Weekly Newsletter, 9/2/23

Politico

How the power grid survived a hot, hot summer

Popular Science

What’s the most sustainable way to mine the largest known lithium deposit in the world?

SciTechDaily

Climate Change’s Deadly Legacy: How Rising Temperatures Fueled Ancient Aggression

The Conversation

Research reveals who’s been hit hardest by global warming in their lifetime – and the answer may surprise you

The Guardian

Anger is most powerful emotion by far for spurring climate action, study finds

Tue 12 Sep, 4:00 PM, online

Clean Energy Revolution: What’s the Next Big Step? It’s been one year since President Biden signed the historic Inflation Reduction Act, an unprecedented investment into clean energy. Since the signing, over 211 clean energy projects have been announced across 38 states—a true clean energy revolution! Or so we’re hoping. So far, countless clean energy projects have faced challenges with grid transmission, interconnection, and siting. The clean energy revolution is at risk of being stopped right in its tracks. At this webinar you’ll hear from experts on the most impactful policies for responsible transmission, interconnection, and siting reforms. Register

Thu 14 Sep, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Corvallis-Benton Co.Public Library 

“GROWING A VEGETABLE GARDEN” LECTURE SERIES

Shonnard’s nursery manager/educator Darren Morgan on how to tend your garden soil, from soil testing and amending to cover crops, mulch and other methods of covering for nutrients, controlling weed growth, and allowing earlier spring planting. 

Sun 17 Sep, 2:00 -4:00 PM, Central Park Gazebo

Local rally to support the NYC March to End Fossil Fuels, prior to the Sept. 20th UN Climate Ambition Summit, urging world leaders to commit to phasing out fossil fuels.  Our house is on fire! All hands on deck!! Join the bucket brigade to muster climate action and nurture hope. Speakers, music, skits, chants, art, and tabling info by climate groups.  Please walk, bike, bus, scoot, or carpool to the rally.

Sun 17 Sep,  5:45 – 7:15 PM, Natural Grocers, 1235 NW 10th Street

WHOLE FOOD PLANT-BASED POTLUCK   We are vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores who are attempting to eat and/or learn more about the health benefits of a WFPB diet. First time attendees do not need to bring a dish. RSVP for more details about this monthly potluck; usually the 3rd Sun. 

Wed 20 Sep, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, online

Eco-municipality Webinar 1:  Virtually visit the rural Arctic Circle, Swedish community, Overtornea, that was inspired to rise up from population loss and other hardships by taking an ecological and participative approach to economic revitalization. Join us to celebrate their 40 years and to learn about the evolution and ongoing success of the eco-municipality of Overtornea with the founder and leader of the Swedish Eco-Municipality Movement, Torbjorn Lahti, co-author of The Natural Step for Communities.  Register

Thu 21 Sep, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Common Fields, 545 SW 3rd Street

INVASIVE ASH BORER AND AREA FORESTS   Ecology Pub Talk by Jennifer Killian, City of Corvallis Urban Forester, presenting information on the invasive Emerald Ash Borer and its impact on area forests. A portion of food/beverage sales benefits Marys River Watershed.

THUR 21 SEP 21, 7:00 – 8:30 PM, Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave. Online option, contact: audubon.corvallis@gmail.com

“The importance of Fire in Ecosystem Restoration” Aaron Groth

Wed 18 Oct, 7:00 – 8:30 AM, online

Eco-municipality Webinar 2:  Virtually visit the eco-municipality of Karlskrona in the south of Sweden. Learn about the science-based framework of the Swedish network of ecomunicpalities, SEKOM, and the Karlskrona eco-municipality.  Register

Queerly Beloved September

Join LGBTQ+ folx and allies for social gatherings centered on queer issues and themes. We understand the importance of queer community, and our goal is to provide a safe space where people can find that sense of belonging right here in Corvallis. We meet monthly on the 3rd Sunday in the afternoon. All are welcome! Questions: connect@uucorvallis.org

Movie Night

The next queerly beloved will be September 17th, 4pm-7pm! We will be watching The Prince, written by and starring Abigail Thorn the “trans princess of TERF Island”.

“The Prince is a transformative new play that has everything: sword fighting, lesbianism, Hamlet, and disappointed parents”

The play is 2 hours long, so those who want to stick around after for discussion are welcome to! Content warnings include language, misgendering, and stage fighting. I’d say its ~PG-13 mainly due to language. Feel free to bring snacks to share if that strikes your fancy 🙂

We will meet in Room 7 or on the Social Hall deck depending on weather and equipment logistics.

Hope to see you there! – Lily Hislop

Ham on Wry

Friday, September 29th, 2023, 7:00 -8:30 pm in the Social Hall

Improv games and theater sports with UU friends! No experience necessary. Participation in the games is entirely voluntary. You can simply sit back and enjoy the merriment if you wish. 

Hosted by Jim Whiting, Priscilla Galasso, and Anya Ballinger

Connect Up event – connect@uucorvallis.org

Shakespeare Outing

Love’s Labour’s Lost

Friday, September 15, 2023 7:30 pm

See Rachel Kohler onstage in another rollicking Shakespearean production. Will she be in a wheelchair? That is a story for another time!

Buy tickets online: merelyplayersoregon.com

A group from UUFC are going to sit together. Contact Priscilla Galasso for more info.

Group Camping at Cascadia

group camping at cascadia

Come and join in fun and fellowship while camping at Cascadia State Park. A group site has been reserved with a limit of 25 campers. Plans include group meals on Friday and Saturday evening, time for hiking, exploring, building community, and much more. Only tent camping is available at the site. Bring your own tent, personal gear, and food. Carpools are encouraged. Cascadia State Park is about 50 miles from Corvallis.
September 14th – 17th, (Thursday – Sunday)
Come out for all or part of the event. More information will be available with registration confirmation. 
Completion of registration form and payment of $15 per person (max $45 for family) is required. Space is limited.

Questions: contact Julie Halter or Nancy Gill
Payment by check to UUFC with “Cascadia Camping” in the memo line.
Click here to register: Registration Link

camping poster

Tuna Roast

tuna roast

Join us on Labor Day – Monday, September 4th for the return of the Tuna Roast. This is a family friendly picnic gathering at the Lions Shelter in the SE corner of Avery Park. Come for games and visiting at 4:00 pm, food at 5:00 pm.

Grilled Fresh Tuna, potatoes and corn on the cob will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. You are also encouraged to bring your own picnic plates, silverware and cups to reduce waste, along with lawn chairs. There will be games and activities for all ages! 

There will be no Sunday service on August 3 – the Tuna Roast therefore serves as a kind of in-gathering. Reverend Jill will lead us in song and words of intention around 5:00 pm.

Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles: help marinate and grill tuna, clean and cook corn on the cob, help with set up, pick-up truck(s) needed to haul tables and extra grill, assist with activities, help with tear down and clean up. 20-30 people will be needed to help make this event the best one ever! Set up begins at 3:00 pm.

Sign up to Volunteer

Email greet@uucorvallis.org with any questions.

This event is for UUFC members, friends and their loved ones. We welcome a small donation of $5 per person, although no one will be turned away.

Energy Upgrades for Homes

Energy Upgrades for Homes with Fossil (Natural) Gas. Nancy Evenson, a retired architect who offers Home Retrofit Clinics through the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, will speak from personal experience to both the:

  • Technological advances that make heat pump and induction
    technology incredibly clean and efficient.
  • Homeowner experience in navigating the switch from fossil
    gas to electricity.

Monday 7 August, 6:30 – 7:30 PM in the UU Social Hall, also available by Zoom, Contact michael.a.hughes1951@gmail.com

Hosted by the Faith Based Climate Action Team

REMOVAL OF INCENSE CEDAR TREES

Affected areas marked in red.

Sadly, many of the tall cedar trees along the east boundary of UUFC’s property will have to be removed this summer, probably in August. After 4 years of discussion, consulting, and much review the Board of Trustees has approved the removal of 30 trees from our east property line for safety reasons. The removal will start sometime in August, 2023. No oaks or other hardwoods will be removed. This is reduced from the proposed removal of 47 trees that was recommended by Corvallis Arborist LLC in 2022.

Because of the danger of the tall Incense Cedar trees falling on our or our neighbors’ buildings we have had to make the hard decision to remove them. We hired Corvallis Arborist LLC (JonPywell) to evaluate all of the trees on our property and he produced a detailed report in November of 2022.  The bottom line is that he recommended that we remove 47 trees because they are a threat to buildings. The threat is that as the trees get bigger, they are more likely to be blown over by strong winds.  Many are already leaning. The UUFC Board of Directors has reviewed this recommendation and had discussions with many of you and settled on a plan to remove 30 trees that appear to be the most threatening.  This is not something they have done casually.  These trees were planted in 1952 by two of our beloved congregants and have been a valued part of our campus for over 70 years.

We have contracted with a very experienced tree removal contractor, Mid-Valley Woodsmen (Josh Cantrell), who will have to climb each tree and cut small portions from the top and lower them down with ropes.  Josh is very aware of our desire to have as little impact on the remaining trees and vegetation as he can.

Because these trees have to be cut into small segments to get them down safely, we will not be able to sell the wood as sawlogs.  Most of the wood will be chipped and sold to a paper mill or used for landscaping.

Links to documents

Arborist Report

Map of Trees to Cut

Contract

Quote

YOUTH EVENTS CALENDAR

Mark your calendars for fun! Bring a friend! All youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join us for our monthly events.

Updates to the calendar will always be posted here. Registration links will be sent to all registered youth 2 weeks in advance of the activity. To receive email updates, please register for YRUU here.

Please contact Director of Religious Exploration, Skyla King-Christison, for more information on this or any other UUFC program for children and youth.

Women’s Retreat 2023: Save the Date (updated)

The UUFC Women’s Retreat 2023 Planning Team asks that you Save The Date of October 13-14 for our upcoming Fall retreat at the UUFC building. Attendees need only identify as women in a way that’s significant to them. Our theme this year is “Mindful Compassion” and our keynote speaker is Jana Svoboda. We will share lunch and dinner on Saturday, and there will be three workshop hours for smaller interactive sessions. 

We look forward to being together again as a sisterhood!

Amy Ayers, Priscilla Galasso, Kris Egan, Ann Marchant, Joyce Marvel-Benoist, Kimi Mayo, Bonnie Morihara, Sharon Seabrook, and Heather Thomas. 

Email: womensretreat@uucorvallis.org