No images? Click here 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. 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? 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. Click here to register. 3. Join us in standing with Northwest Tribes for the 'Snake River to Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole Journey.' 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 or follow and watch livestreams on social media here. 4. Donate! Make a contribution to the Snake River to the Salish Sea Spirit of the Waters Totem Pole journey. 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 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 Whatcom County: Earth Day Beach Clean Up with RE-Sources for Sustainable Communities Kent: Earth Day Hike and Celebration Event with UTOPIA Washington Pierce County: Earth Day Habitat Stewardship with Pierce Conservation District Spokane: Earth Day Tree Planting with the Lands Council Tri-Cities: Join us for our Earth Day Happy Hour on Tuesday, April 26
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