Welcome to Synthesis — a 2-minute read to give you the quick hits of our recent work, to amplify our partners' projects, and to share important environmental stories. 

Yesterday, August 1, was the Primary Election in Washington. We thank you for casting your vote and helping advance bold progress on the issues we all care about. Our democracy is stronger when we all participate. Now, let’s gear up to elect environmental champions in the General Election on November 7!

Big Oil CEOs are known for their greed and their lies – putting profits over people and the planet. It’s no surprise that they are pulling all the stops to slow progress on climate and make us pay for it. Sign this petition now to put a stop to Big Oil CEOs’ greedy profiteering at the expense of everyday Washingtonians.

A win for climate and clean buildings! Last month, the natural gas industry attempted to take down a Building Code rule that requires new buildings use 100 percent electric appliances – and they lost. Indoor air pollution from gas stoves and other gas appliances adds to health challenges in communities of color. This puts Washington back on track toward environmental justice and achieving our climate goals by 2050!

Another win! Plaintiffs who were trying to stop progress in reducing transportation pollution withdrew their lawsuit against the state. That means Washington will continue to move forward to reduce transportation-caused air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Requirements that address access and transition to zero emission vehicles will stay in place.

Last month, a majority of King County Councilmembers came forward in a letter to demand the delay of the Wishbone Timber Sale, an old growth forest DNR planned to sell at auction on July 25. Fortunately, the auction was delayed. We applaud Councilmembers Dembowski, Upthegrove, Kohl-Wells, Perry, McDermott, Zahilay, and Balducci for stepping up to protect our state’s forests, a precious resource and vital carbon sink.

The annual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference returns for the seventh year! This year, the conference will be a series of virtual events held on November 1, 8, and 15. The conference will invite exploration and discussion of the intersections of forest management, communities, climate change and more in West Coast working forests. Sign up for the Carbon Conference outreach list and be the first to know about registration!

The four lower Snake River dams remain a threat to salmon extinction. Indigenous Nations, fishing communities, wildlife and ecosystems depend upon this amazing fish. Federal lawmakers must act boldly to restore and recover the salmon runs. Send a message to Senators Murray and Cantwell now!

You make possible the work that Washington Conservation Action does to protect people and nature as one. To do that work, we’d like to know more about you. We’ve extended the deadline for our 2023 Member Survey to August 31, 2023. Complete the survey now for a chance to win a bundle of exciting Northwest gifts!

She is constantly in awe of how vast, varied, weird, and beautiful our planet is:

“I wish that more people would see that people and nature are not separate. We are all part of this blue-green oasis on the edge of a galaxy. We should treasure this place as we treasure ourselves, and treat it accordingly.”

When she found herself at a career crossroads, she placed Washington Conservation Action at the top of her list of places she would like to work.

“[WCA] has a long track record of milestones, from the founding of the Department of Ecology decades ago to the historic Climate Commitment Act that went into effect this year and will make possible bold progress on climate. WCA makes the connections between environmental degradation and social and environmental justice.”

At work, Heather enjoys being surrounded by smart, thoughtful colleagues and being able to write about all the cool things this organization is doing. In her freetime, she loves to garden, hike, cycle, ski, camp and kayak.