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John,

We like to say that Earth Day is everyday at Washington Conservation Voters because we are working every day to address the causes of the climate crisis and polluted air and water. Earth Day remains relevant as a day to highlight how the environment intersects with just, healthy, and economically vibrant neighborhoods across Washington. This year we want to highlight a once in a lifetime river restoration opportunity in Eastern Washington, as we work in coalition with Native Nations, fisherman, businesses, and conservation groups to save salmon and support Northwest tribes and communities along the Snake River.

Earth Day is a time to be of service to our communities and future generations--and is a time to gather with like-minded folks to build a vision to improve our environment, locally. Join us in honoring Earth Day with these 5 actions:

1. Please send an email today to Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, Governor Inslee, and your Representative. [[link removed]] Never before have we had such an historic opportunity to save salmon, protect orcas, and restore the Snake River. U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee have committed to identifying comprehensive solutions for the Columbia and Snake River salmon this year. Critical to that decision, they are developing a draft report by mid-May that identifies how to replace the services of the four lower Snake River dams. By July 31, 2022, they will decide whether to recommend breaching of the lower four Snake River dams as part of a comprehensive salmon recovery strategy.

2. Join our Snake River Dinner hour webinar: How do we provide clean energy without the dams? [[link removed]] Join us as we discuss the largest river restoration opportunity in history. We will cover the regional benefits of stopping salmon extinction, the impacts this will have on regional clean energy, and the solutions we can find together if we have the courage to have the conversation. These aren't easy issues to discuss together, but we're doing it! We’ll hear from farmers, Tribal leaders, energy providers, and energy experts. [[link removed]] Click here to register. [[link removed]]

3. Join us in standing with Northwest Tribes for the 'Snake River to Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey.' [[link removed]] In May, the House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation and Se’Si’Le (saw-see-lah) will be leading a totem pole journey across Columbia and Snake River basin to support the indigenous-led movement to remove the four dams on the lower Snake River. This Indigenous-led project invites all peoples to stand united with them to protect sacred places and fulfill ancestral and historic obligations to the First Peoples of these lands and waters.

The 2022 totem pole journey aims to inspire, inform, and engage Pacific Northwest communities through intergenerational voices, ceremony, art and science, spirituality, ancestral knowledge, and cross-cultural collaboration in support of the indigenous-led movement to remove the Snake River dams and restore to health of the Snake River salmon runs and our relatives, the Southern Resident Killer Whales (Skali’Chelh in the Lummi language) that depend on them.

Join WEC/WCV staff at a stop on the journey [[link removed]]or follow and watch livestreams on social media here. [[link removed]]

4. Donate! Make a contribution to the Snake River to the Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole journey. [[link removed]] WCV/WEC has been invited to support the Totem Pole Journey. Through our Native Vote WA project, we will be registering people to vote in Indian Country at each of the stops along the way. Your contribution will fund the House of Tears Carvers on their journey. Click here to donate [[link removed]]

5. Volunteer. Join some of our local partners for in-person Earth Day events around the state:

Bellingham: Mother Earth Day Celebration with Children of the Setting Sun [[link removed]]

Whatcom County: Earth Day Beach Clean Up with RE-Sources for Sustainable Communities [[link removed]]

Kent: Earth Day Hike and Celebration Event with UTOPIA Washington [[link removed]]

Seattle: Earth Gay co-hosted by WEC & WCV, fun activities, habitat restoration, birdwalks and more on Saturday, May 7 [[link removed]]

Pierce County: Earth Day Habitat Stewardship with Pierce Conservation District [[link removed]]

Spokane: Earth Day Tree Planting with the Lands Council [[link removed]]

Tri-Cities: Join us for our Earth Day Happy Hour on Tuesday, April 26 [[link removed]]

In partnership,

Kat Holmes (she/her)

Field Director

P.S. The Evergreen Future campaign helps elect environmental champions at all levels of government and advocates for bold environmental action. We could not do this without committed activists and changemakers like you. Your passionate voice helps us get candidates elected, advance local environmental solutions, and hold public officials accountable. Sign up to take action with us! [[link removed]]

[[link removed]] Forward [link removed] Washington Conservation Voters

1402 Third Avenue, Suite 1400 | Seattle, WA 98101

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