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.

November was Native American Heritage Month. We should remember that environmental stewardship has been practiced by Indigenous peoples for hundreds and thousands of years. Check out our blog to learn about the Indigenous history and traditions of common environmental concepts and practices.

Congratulations to our endorsed candidates who won their election!

The results for the Washington General Election are officially certified! Together, we achieved major victories in our state’s most critical races and showed that bold positions on environmental justice remain a priority among Washingtonians. Our historic wins and increasing representation across the state this year set the stage for a critical election year in 2024. Special congratulations to Lisa Brown in Spokane, Jamika Scott in Tacoma, Maggie Sanders in Olympia, Don Orange in Vancouver, and Jorge Baron and Teresa Mosqueda in King County.

Thank you Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference partners and sponsors!

Thanks to you, the 7th annual Carbon Friendly Forestry Conference was a huge success! The conference featured insightful conversations about the intersections of forest management, communities, climate change and more. Watch the sessions here!

Our 2023 winter issue of Convene is coming soon!

The 2023 winter issue of our magazine, Convene, is coming to your mailbox on December 13! Our latest issue features stories about collaboration in nature, an interview with our endorsed governor candidate Bob Ferguson, and a deep dive into our partnership work. In the meantime, read previous issues of Convene here, and make sure you’re on the list to receive a physical copy by donating $25 or more.

The upcoming Legislative Session begins on January 8, 2024 and lasts for 60 days. Along with the Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC), Washington Conservation Action and affiliated organizations statewide are focused on passing the WRAP Act, electrifying school buses, and defending the Climate Commitment Act. Learn more about the three priorities here.

Be a Legislative Session activist! This winter, we will be training activists on bills supported by the Environmental Priorities Coalition. Sign up for the upcoming advocacy days happening from December 4th to 8th to advance our priorities with your state legislators!

Earlier this month, WCA staff gathered at the Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture for our quarterly retreat to collaborate on our organization’s racial justice and equity plan, share stories among each other, and learn about the rich history and culture of Chicano/a and Latino/as communities in Washington! Learn more about Sea Mar here.

Help us fight Big Oil with a year-end donation!

We all deserve clean air and water, healthy working forests, and a thriving democracy. Greedy Big Oil corporations and their allies are preparing to pour millions into defeating democracy and rolling back environmental progress in 2024 - help us fight back with a year-end donation.

Only one month left to check out the We Are Puget Sound exhibit at the Burke Museum! The hands-on exhibit runs through December 2023, allowing audiences to experience the wonder of Puget Sound. From Southern resident orcas and Chinook salmon to community gardens and the annual Canoe Journey, build a deeper connection with a region teeming with life. Get tickets here.

STAFF CORNER: Kat Holmes (she/her)

Kat is Washington Conservation Action's field director. She has lived in Washington State most of her life. Kat grew up in Kent, then attended Western Washington University and lived in Whatcom County for 20 years before moving back to Seattle --where she currently lives-- to be closer to her mom.

Kat's appreciation for the environment is inspired by her parents.

"My parents taught me to be a good steward of the land, that our actions impact other creatures and future generations."

At work, Kat leads a team of organizers and interns to engage and connect with local communities and our supporters, in person and online. The field team mobilizes communities around the critical work happening in the environmental justice and Native Vote space. Part of that work involves listening to local concerns and bringing those back to colleagues who work on policy and politics.

"My job is all about people power! My TEAM is my favorite part of my job."

RACIAL JUSTICE GLOSSARY

Tribal Treaty Rights of Washington State

Refers to the Tribes who signed treaties with the US Government with Usual and Accustomed Areas within Washington State. The federal government has neglected to recognize all Tribes who signed treaties.