The Liberty Bell Climate Action Group invites you to participate in an important workshop to address climate change impacts in the Methow Valley. For the past year a group of concerned community leaders in the Methow, including Liberty Bell students, have joined together to convene a Climate Action Task Force. The Task Force, which comprises the health, economic, infrastructure, natural systems, and agriculture sectors of our valley, has been evaluating impacts from the changing climate in our valley – and finding potential solutions.
For the last several years, the Methow watershed has experienced changes in seasonal water availability and an increase and severity of wildfires. In four of the last five years, the region endured record-breaking wildfires, followed by intense thunderstorms and mudslides that destroyed additional homes and roads. Adding to injury, several seasons of prolonged smoke exposure has forced children, elderly and sensitive population to stay indoors, wear respirators, or leave the valley altogether.
Regional scientific projections indicate that by 2040, there will be additional significant changes to the snowpack and water availability and increased wildfire risks, potentially resulting in devastating impacts to the Valley’s residents, the local economy, and quality of life.
Identifying and prioritizing potential climate impacts and solutions is the first step to developing a Methow Climate Action Plan. Now we need your help to ensure we have identified all potential impacts and start the process of determining what impacts are the most urgent and important to the Methow Valley community. The Task Force invites you to join us on Tuesday, November 19th to start the process of developing a Methow Climate Action Plan.
We will be joined for a short presentation by Dr. Amy Snover, Director of the UW Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington as well as community leaders, elected officials, business owners and more. Dr. Snover’s presentation begins promptly at 6 p.m., so we request that attendees please arrive by 5:45 p.m. Following the presentation will be opportunities to help the Task Force identify additional impacts and potential solutions, as well as prioritize them.
Pizza, refreshments and childcare will be available at this free event. We would appreciate an RSVP to help us account for childcare and food, so please register at Eventbrite if you plan to attend the workshop.
We believe your perspective is incredibly important to create and implement a just and effective local Climate Action Plan. We invite Methow Valley students, teachers, parents and interested community members to add your voice to the future of this valley, its residents, and all who come to enjoy this most special part of Washington.
Thank you so much. We I hope to see you there!
Lena Nelson
Liberty Bell Jr-Sr HS Student and Climate Action Group Member