Weekly Call To Action - August 20,2023

Quote of the Week:

“Our feelings about public officials often serve as a reflection, or perhaps an affirmation, of our own personality quirks. A 2021 study found that voters tend to prefer candidates with personality characteristics that mirror their own.” Daniel Cox, The Liberal Patriot

---

WA State Actions: 

Tell DNR and King County Council: 
STOP the “South Paw” Timber Sale!

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is trying to log 75 acres of 90-100 year old mature forest in Tiger Mountain State Forest. The “South Paw” timber sale contains Douglas Fir and Big Leaf Maple trees over four feet in diameter and borders a residential neighborhood.

Tiger Mountain is an important ecological refuge for urban residents of King County; clearcutting its mature forests and turning them into tree plantations goes against the recreation, cultural, and environmental needs of King County residents.

DNR is accepting public comments for this sale. Please send this pre-written comment to DNR and King County Council urging them to cancel South Paw. Add a sentence or two saying why you care about protecting mature forests and/or Tiger Mountain from being clearcut. Last time we sent over 2,000 emails to protect Wishbone. Let’s try to double that by sharing this campaign with our friends and family who love forests!

Last month King County Councilmembers wrote a powerful letter asking DNR to pause the “Wishbone” timber sale and to stop logging mature forests in King County. DNR should honor this request and stop this sale as well. South Paw has not yet been approved by DNR, so we have a great opportunity to get it canceled!

Action: Tell DNR and King County Council: STOP the “South Paw” Timber Sale! 

---

​Tell Commissioner Franz and Clallam Commissioners: STOP the “Power Plant” timber sale in Elwha Watershed!

A grassroots coalition of people and non-profit organizations have launched the Elwha Legacy Forests campaign to protect the Elwha River Watershed from extractive logging. A critical 126 acre stretch of Forest called "Power Plant", bordering the Olympic Adventure Trail and trail to the Elwha Dam removal site, is under imminent threat. “Power Plant” is a diverse mix of 100 year old Douglas-fir and cedar, with naturally regenerated understory, making it a unique habitat. 

Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) just auctioned “Power Plant” to the highest bidder. Logging activity could begin soon, but it is not too late! Speak up today to protect the iconic Elwha River and its Forests! Please take less than a minute to click the link and tell Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz and Clallam County Commissioners to STOP the Power Plant sale and SAVE this Forest.

The City of Port Angeles has sent 2 letters formally requesting that DNR pause this timber sale. The City expressed concerns that logging of this forest compromises efforts to restore endangered salmon habitat; threatens other endangered and recovering species; destroys essential carbon sinks; and threatens the City's sole drinking water source.

A lawsuit brought by Earth Law Center, Center for Whale Research and Keystone Species Alliance points out that industrial logging poses a threat to the watershed’s health by reducing in-stream summer flows, and presenting landslide and erosion hazards. Yet, DNR has never studied the impacts of logging on the Elwha River Watershed. 

DNR sells timber to generate revenue for beneficiaries, like counties, schools, libraries, and fire districts. The revenue from "Power Plant" to these beneficiaries is $459,200. DNR shouldn't be logging in this area at all. But, if we offer DNR this money, it has no excuse to log. That’s why this win-win idea – which gave birth to the Elwha Forest Fund – is gaining traction. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated!

Action: Tell Commissioner Franz and Clallam Commissioners: STOP the “Power Plant” timber sale in Elwha Watershed! ​

---

​Federal Actions:

Tell Starbucks to Come Clean on Cocoa

Background: Action from Green America

Starbucks is not just a coffee company. There are over 35,000 Starbucks stores worldwide offering over 20 beverages with chocolate. 
​
That’s a lot of cocoa beans. 

Starbucks claims to source its cocoa responsibly. But when it comes to paying cocoa farmers a living income, addressing child labor, or protecting forests, Starbucks is evading accountability and hiding behind grand claims it cannot substantiate. 

With profits of over $21 billion USD in 2022, Starbucks needs to do better than give us lip service. 

Action: Tell Starbucks to come clean on cocoa

---

​School Board Corner:

Exceptional Candidates for School Board 
Tesa Frevert - Griffin School District Position 1

Tesa has signed the Defense of Democracy Pledge to protect our public schools, community and country. 

She is endorsed by the National Women’s Political Caucus of WA. Read more about Tesa on her website. Here is the Twitter post on taking the pledge. 

Tesa has outstanding qualifications and deserves your support!

---

Have You Scheduled This Event?

Olympia Indivisible’s Garden Picnic 
​We Can Promise You a Rose Garden!

We have tackled some thorny issues in the six years we have been activists together. And there will be more action ahead. For now, let’s rest in fellowship, celebrate what we have accomplished, and lift a glass of lemonade to ourselves and to each other. 

As a special treat, early in the event we will have our endorsed candidates there for you to meet and get to know. We are looking forward to meeting Wayne Fournier, Emily Clouse, Sarah Tonge, Maggie Sanders, and Jasmine Vasavada.

When: Sunday, September 10 from 11:30 to 2:00pm
Where: Squaxin Park’s Rose Garden

It's an Olympia Indivisible all-member picnic! We'll meet under the shady Rose Garden shelter at Squaxin Park (2600 East Bay Drive NE). Family and friends are welcome! 

Bring your picnic lunch and eating utensils. We'll serve iced tea, lemonade and cake to celebrate six years of Olympia Indivisible's pro-democracy activism. We'll also share news about what we’ve been up to and where we are headed. And offer some inspiring opportunities for our members to be a part of!

---

You Might Also Like to Attend:

Thurston Community Media Is Having a Picnic

Photo credit: Doug H, Tripadvisor

Many of us have produced our own TV programs through TCMedia, or have enjoyed the many programs that they provide to the community. They are an outstanding benefit to all of us. Come join the staff and directors at this “welcome all” picnic. Let’s have fun as well as talk about how we can support this very valuable community resource. 

When: Wednesday, August 30, 5:30 to 7:30
Where: Yaeger Park, 530 Alta Street, SW, Olympia

---