Butte Environmental Council E-Sentinel
March 2022
BEC's Mission is to protect and defend the land, air and water of Butte County and the surrounding region through action, advocacy and education.
Our monthly newsletter is designed to keep our community informed about local issues that impact our region's environmental quality and bring you opportunities to become involved.
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In this month's issue:
  • March 24 - Environmental Community Gathering during CSUC's TWTS Conf.
  • April 23 - Endangered Earth Event - Walk for Earth and Rally in Downtown Chico
  • Many other important and exciting upcoming community events!
  • March 28 deadline for a FREE TREE in April
  • Air Quality Community Forum Recap
  • New BEC Program Announcement - UC Climate Stewards Certification Course
  • Floating Homes for Climate Resilience
  • Get your Klean Kanteen gift with membership
3/24 - FREE Social Event for Environmental Enthusiasts!
Join us and many of the region’s environmentally-conscious organizations at the Community Gathering this year. The Gathering is held annually during CSU Chico’s This Way to Sustainability (TWTS) Conference. Attend to enjoy appetizers, beer and wine, music, and information to share as we socialize with other like-minded people from the Butte County and conference-goers from near and far. See more about the TWTS conference at www.csuchico.edu/twts

We strongly encourage all who can to attend the TWTS Conference, however, Conference registration is NOT REQUIRED to attend the Environmental Community Gathering!

Would your organization like to host a table at the Gathering? Come share information with the community about what great things your organization is doing for our environment! The tabling fee is $25 for nonprofits and $50 for for-profit companies and government agencies.
The deadline to register to host a table is Friday, March 18. Register to host a table at the ECG HERE.
A long-time Chico tradition
Typically secluded in Cedar Grove, the annual Endangered Species Faire is a 43-year running event that traditionally hosts exhibits, school groups, community organizations, musical performances, and more. A highlight of the event in the past couple decades has been the "Procession of Species" endangered species puppet parade, with hundreds of families, school children, and youth groups participating, many entire classes of k-12 students. 

Our Future Depends on US
This year, on the day after Earth Day, BEC is re-energizing the ESF and have given the event a new name that brings the state of our planet's current environmental crisis to the forefront: Endangered Earth Event. We are bringing the event to the heart of Chico with a "Walk for Earth" through downtown to the City Plaza. At the Plaza, the community will be part of the Earth Rally and get to enjoy guest speakers, music, exhibits, food, and more!

Would your organization like to host a table or booth at the Endangered Earth Event? Consider being a part of the experience by registering to host a table or booth downtown. Fees: 10 x 10 booth: $35 for nonprofits OR $75 for for-profit entities and govt. agencies; a 4x8 sidewalk tabling space (no canopy): $25 for nonprofits OR $50 for for-profit entities and govt. agencies. Register for a booth or table space at the EEE HERE
Please contact us if you would like to sponsor this event at staff@becnet.org, sponsor levels start as low as $100. The deadline to register to participate and/or sponsor to be included in our promotional materials is by 6 pm Friday, March 21.

BECome a "Friend of the Faire"
Help support the future of this annual community event by becoming a "Friend of the Faire." Our FoF donors ensures that BEC has the ability to keep this program strong with staff and resources. Donate $50 or more this year and secure your Endangered Earth Event t-shirt as a gift of our gratitude! Donate HERE
Other Upcoming Community Events
3/24-25 - This Way to Sustainability Conference at CSU Chico, in-person or online (more info HERE)
3/25-27 - Chico Garden Blitz with Butte County Local Food Network; Oroville & the Ridge in April (more info HERE)
3/29 - TEK Nature Walk at Verbena Fields Every last Tuesday each month from 4-6pm (more info HERE)
4/1-4/2 - Community Organizer Training - Limited Registration, apply by 3/25 (more info HERE)
4/1 Wildflower & Nature Festival by the Feather River Recreation and Park District (more info HERE)
4/22-24 Tree Planting Event hosted by the Paradise Parks & Recreation District (more info HERE)
4/23-24 Chico Velo's Wildflower Century Ride and Wildfest Celebration (more info HERE)
4/30 - Chico Spring Jam at Patrick Ranch (more info HERE)
6/4 - Chico Bicycle Music Festival presented by Butte Environmental Council
Every Friday - Volunteer for TEK wildtending at Verbena Fields from 10am-1pm (more info HERE)

View BEC's Community Events Calendar HERE. If you would like to promote your environmental-related event to the next newsletter or on the community calendar on our website, please email staff@becnet.org.
BEC's Spring Tree Planting Event is April 9th!
The Urban Forest Revitalization Project is a Cal Fire-funded program that aims to reduce greenhouse gasses and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The project's goal is to plant 700 trees in areas of Chico that are lacking shade. With the help of the community, BEC and partner, City of Chico have proudly met that goal and we strive to get more trees in the ground this spring! 

Have you received your free tree yet? If not, you’re in luck because there is still time to sign up. If so, you can still participate by volunteering to deliver trees or plant trees for the event.
The deadline to receive a free tree for this event is March 28, or until supplies last. Don't delay, contact us today!
BEC Education Programs
By Juliette Liu, Education & Outreach Program Coordinator
BEC will soon be soft-launching our UC Climate Stewards Program, with a tentative start date of April 5th. This ~40-hour course prepares community members to communicate and engage in local solutions to advance community and ecosystem resilience. In addition, the program seeks to foster a committed corps of volunteers ready to effectively engage in transformative local solutions to promote community and ecosystem resilience in a changing climate. The UC Climate Stewards course will introduce you to social-emotional learning and trauma-aware practices, climate change communication, climate science, and community resilience planning. The course will combine communication, engagement, and science curriculum with guest lectures, field trips, and project-based learning to immerse you in the dynamics of your local community. More information about the program, which is a relative program to the California Naturalist certification program, can be found at https://calnat.ucanr.edu/cs/
Please feel free to email Juliette Liu, BEC's Education and Outreach Coordinator, at educate@becnet.org 
to register or for more information.
See more about BEC's education programs for adults and youth groups at www.becnet.org
Floating Homes for Climate Resilience
By Neil Bajaj, local high school student & BEC Member
During a heavy storm in October, residents of the floating community in Amsterdam - tied up their bikes and outdoor benches checked in with neighbors to ensure everyone had enough essential supplies. They hunkered down as their neighborhood skated up and down its foundational steel pillars, advancing along with the water and returning to its original position after the rain subsided. The Dutch have become experts in adapting to rising sea levels, with over a quarter of the country already lying below sea level.

As the climate crisis continues to raise sea levels, particularly due to the thermal expansion of Earth's oceans, hundreds of millions of people around the world face migration in the next 75 years. A floating house can be constructed on any shoreline and can fare with rising sea levels or flooding by remaining atop the water's surface. Floating homes are fixed to the shore, usually resting on steel poles, and are connected to the local sewer system and power grid. Structurally, They are similar to houses built on land, but instead of a basement, they have a concrete structure that acts as a counterbalance, permitting stability in the water. In the Netherlands, built with conventional construction materials such as steel and lumber, the prefabricated, square-shaped, three-story townhouses are built offsite. For regions facing extreme weather conditions and a shortage of land for housing, floating homes are one potential blueprint to expand urban housing in the age of climate change.

Online Community Forum Recording NOW Available
Watch the Air Protection Forum Online
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Community Air Protection Forum! If you missed the event, you can watch a recording on our YouTube channel at: bit.ly/BEC-Air22-Recording
Event Highlights:
Jason Mandly introduced the audience to air quality basics as well as how to monitor and predict air quality. Ashley Koller shared about the impacts of air quality and how Chico organizations like Sierra Nevada Brewing Company are actively taking steps to prevent environmental damage. Lacey Moore shared the importance of environmental justice and the impacts bad air quality has on minority groups. Juliette Liu discussed ways to reduce your impact and protect yourself from bad air quality and gave an overview of BEC’s CAPE program. During the discussion period, audience members were able to engage with panelists about topics such as how air quality affects various scales and what the true definition of sustainable air quality was.
🖊️If you attended the forum, or if you watch it online, please take a moment to fill out a quick survey at: bit.ly/BEC-Air22. Your feedback helps us develop our advocacy, outreach, education, and action programs.
BEC’s Community Forum series is an ongoing program, and this year focuses on Sustainable Communities and Environmental Justice. Our annual Endangered Earth Event, previously known as the Endangered Species Faire, will also be taking place on Saturday, April 23, 2022.
YOU are the reason BEC thrives!
BEC is a grassroots non-profit dedicated to a healthy environment for us all. Our work is made possible by people like you! Being a BEC member means sustaining the work we do for the environment of Butte County and the surrounding area:
  • Angel Members contribute $35 or more each month, or $420 annually.
  • Sustaining Members contribute between $4 and $34 a month, or $48 annually.

You don't have to be a member to contribute:
  • One-Time Donations of any amount helps us serve our community and the environment!
  • Volunteers help by donating their time, energy, expertise, and resources.
Thank you for your continued support of the Butte Environmental Council.
Caitlin M. Dalby
Executive Director
Butte Environmental Council
(530) 891-6424