Butte Environmental Council Newsletter, May 2020
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.
BEC Partners with City on Urban Tree Campaign
The first weekend of May was filled with smiling community volunteers and young trees headed to new Chico homes. With the help of BEC volunteers, 118 trees and planting supplies were delivered to over 60 addresses.
This event was the first in a series of community tree planting events over the next 3 years that BEC will host alongside the City of Chico's Urban Forest Manager. One of the goals of this Cal-Fire grant funded campaign is to plant over 700 trees in targeted private property areas that will provide measured impacts in carbon sequestration, run-off water filtration, mitigation of energy costs and increased habitat for wildlife in our urban corridors. To learn more about how you can get involved in this campaign, click HERE .
Join Us to Clean Teichert Ponds Tomorrow!
Over 20 volunteers will be joining us to clean the beautiful Teichert Ponds tomorrow, May 30th, and we still have room for you to help! Click HERE for more information or if you plan to join us. BEC has supported substantial cleanup and restoration efforts of Teichert Ponds in recent years and it is a perfect time of the year to give the ponds some care with our community.
There Hasn't Been a Better Time to Become a BEC Member
For local non-profits, the impacts of COVID-19 on events, programs and normal operations are difficult to navigate. Here are some ways you can help support us through this tough time.
You can become a Sustaining Member of BEC by donating anywhere from $3 to $30 a month! We truly rely on people just like you to keep up the dynamic work we do for our region's environmental health and education. From removing literal tons of waste from Chico’s creeks, to educating classrooms about endangered species or recycling and composting, to hosting public forums mobilizing citizens on current issues.. BEC is unmatched in long-term positive impact on behalf of our environment. Help us make it 45 more and click the button "Sustaining Member".
A HUGE heron thank you to our friends and partners at Klean Kanteen . They truly stand behind vital local causes and we are so grateful for their ongoing support!
We're Hiring! - R.A.R.E. Program Coordinator
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a strong work ethic who wants to educate the public on environmental issues and become a part of the BEC Staff team. The Recycling and Rubbish Education Program (RARE) is designed to bring awareness to local and global waste impacts on the environment and implement waste reduction education in K-12 classrooms. Working in the office, travelling to Butte County schools for presentations and tabling community events are all a part of this upbeat position with BEC!
Intern with BEC - Summer Oak Restoration Project Internship
The Oak Restoration Project Intern has the opportunity to acquire a deeper understanding of native oak woodland habitat in Bidwell Park. We are looking for a Summer 2020 intern who is excited about environmental education and wants to help us achieve our goals in the final year of this 7-year grant funded program. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys being in the park, has educational outreach skills, and has surveying or research experience. Possession of a CA-Drivers License and a truck to carry oak watering materials is highly preferred, but not necessary.
Do You Have a Local Environmental Concern You'd Like to Report?
Our Creek Watch Hotline Program provides an online tool for you to easily file a report on local environmental concerns you have. You can choose from the following categories and the form will be directed to the appropriate City Department so that your concern is addressed: Fire Hazards, Hazardous Waste, Encampments, Illegal Dumping, Pollution, and Water Quality. We are partnered with the City of Chico on this program to encourage collective community care of our parks and waterways.
Coming Up, Board Elections in June
June is Board of Director Election Month for BEC! New or term-renewing Board Members who have been appointed are elected by our membership once a year. Ballots will be sent via email to our current membership on June 12th. If you would like to receive a physical ballot in the mail, please call the office to request (530) 891-6424. To learn more about our Board of Directors, click HERE .
"A Fine Balance"
An article by Neil Bajaj BEC Member & Local High School Student
As people shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, daily carbon dioxide emissions have dropped by as much as 17 percent globally, according to a new study by the Global Carbon Project. This reduction can be mainly attributed to the decline in the demand for energy. The drop in emissions has been the largest since the late 1930's and 40's. The recently forced disruption Normal life offers an opportunity to “ponder” potential structural changes in our energy and economic systems that could set us on the path to de-carbonizing the global economy. Although the virus has ravaged the economy and the population, it may also serve as the catalyst to achieving our goal of becoming a carbon-neutral and sustainable society. Although a near-halt in normal life and economic activity is no one’s idea of a good way to reduce pollution, we can turn this dark time into a resurgence, which could get us to ponder, can we find that “fine balance" between climate stability and economic vitality. Read more at www.globalcarbonproject.org. - Neil
As always, thank you for your continued support. We wish you safety from all of us here at BEC!
General Manager
Butte Environmental Council