EarthFix Snippets

I see citizen science as also including work where members of communities begin scientific investigations to address issues of concern within their own community. Whether that’s related to air quality or water quality or other types of issues that can be appropriately addressed through scientific evidence.

Jennifer Shirk, a project leader for the Citizen Science Toolkit Project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology explaining basics about citizen science.

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Ecotrope: Nominate Your Favorite “Outside The Box Star”

Via Ecotrope

As the last days of 2012 draw to a close, I’m going to be posting a series of stories about people who are finding innovative solutions to environmental problems. These folks are thinking outside the box, taking risks and trying to make the world around them greener in new and unusual ways.

I’m calling them “Outside The Box Stars,” and in each story you’ll find a person or a group of people who are crafting a new approach to unresolved environmental issues.

I did a lot of brainstorming about who to include in this series. I came up with a long list of candidates among the people I’ve reported on in the past few years: Farmers who volunteer to monitor and reduce their own pesticide use beyond what the Clean Water Act requires, a nonprofit that supports strong runs of salmon instead of trying to save endangered ones, environmentalists trying to develop a sustainable logging business … the list went on and on.

I settled on six projects that involve Oregonians pushing the limits of what individuals can do to improve the environment. They include:

Service sorority sisters who are turning a contaminated gas station into a community center that meets the ultimate green building standards;
Sport fishers collecting used Christmas trees and turning them into salmon habitat;
A woman who spurred her neighbors to negotiate their own clean air deal with a local polluter;
A man who is trying to keep his family forest intact by trading carbon credits for health care;
A woman who pushed her employer to inventory the toxic products in her workplace; and
Commercial fishermen who are applying the Community Supported Agriculture concept to their fisheries.

As you read their stories on Ecotrope this week, let me know if you think of any “Outside The Box Stars” in your world. I’ll use your ideas to build a list that will inspire us as we head into 2013.

For a lot of African Americans or Latinos, going green or being environmentally conscious is a white thing, and that was one of the biggest challenges. That myth doesn’t encourage people to get involved with the movement.

Via Grist

Markese Bryant is an African-American activist who has used his own hip-hop music to appeal to a different demographic on environmental issues including green jobs. He made this video when he was a student at Morehouse College and got some traction with his fellow students:

Workers began making energy-saving upgrades to the Sadie Woodman House, a historic home built in the early 1900s and owned by the Bainbridge Island Housing Resources Board, which provides affordable housing for low-income residents. Photo by Katie Campbell.

Where Coal Divides, Community Remains

Two friends on opposite sides of the Northwest coal debate

McShane: SSA Marine, Peabody coal, Goldman Sachs. They don’t live here. And I think it’s unfortunate that they’re able to exert so much influence in our community.
Lowry: I think there are multiple players injecting millions of dollars into this local fight. They’re attempting to exploit financial interests that have nothing to do with what’s good for this community. We will have to pick up the pieces.
McShane: And I think it will be up to you and me to make sure they don’t have a negative impact on our community.
Lowry: And I can’t do it without someone from the other side.
McShane: Deal.
Lowry: Deal.

Dec. 7: Coffee Shop “Office Hours” with EarthFix and OPB in Salem

EarthFix and OPB News want to know more about what’s going on in Salem!

What stories should we be covering in your area? What news from your community should we know about? On December 7, EarthFix and OPB News will be holding “Coffee shop office hours” with EarthFix community engagement manager Toni Tabora-Roberts and Amanda Peacher, OPB’s Public Insight Journalist.

Coffee Shop “Office Hours” with EarthFix and OPB News
Friday, December 7th
12:30-2:30pm
Clockworks Cafe & Cultural Center
241 Commercial St NE, Salem OR

Please feel free to stop by, say hello and share your ideas. Just look for the gals at the table with the OPB and EarthFix logos!

We’re interested in hearing about all kinds of stories, but here are some issues we’re especially curious about right now:

What environmental stories should OPB know about in your area?
How is the housing market in your community? Have you been directly affected by the burst in the bubble?
Do you have a holiday tradition passed down for generations?
What kind of “extraordinary” activities do you or your organization practice in order to be sustainable? (beyond basic recycling, composting, etc.?)

If you can’t come, but would like to share your story ideas or other news-worthy experience, feel free to write back with your thoughts or join our Public Insight Network. We’re always looking for ways we can better cover what’s going on our communities.

The Power of Bicycles in Disaster Recovery by Sarah Goodyear.