Climate Voices in our Community | |
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In our monthly newsletter we like to share actions community members can take to individually help reduce carbon emissions here in the Yampa Valley. As important as the actions themselves are the reasons people take climate action.
Remembering why this work matters helps us keep going, and we hope it will have the same effect on you. This month we hear from Yampa Valley Sustainability Council's Forest Resilience Projects Manager Dakota Dolan on why she cares about climate change.
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"Ever since I saw 'An Inconvenient Truth' when I was 14 years old, I felt a deep personal obligation to fight climate change and save our planet,” Dolan said. “I grew up canoeing, camping, skiing, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors with my family and found a lot of purpose in these activities — it is essential to our presence on this earth and it motivates me every day.
I believe that putting energy into reducing our carbon footprint and building ecosystem resilience is a huge part of our identities as humans, and our connection with nature is an incredible gift that should be enjoyed for years to come. I'd like to do everything in my power to provide that experience for future generations."
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Why do YOU care about climate change? Share your inspiration by sending your response to info@routtclimateaction.com and be a climate voice in our community. | |
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Climate News
ROUTT COUNTY AWARDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SOLAR
Routt County, the City of Steamboat Springs and the Town of Hayden will receive free technical assistance to help plan the installation of solar arrays in Hayden and at the Bob Adams Airport in Steamboat.
The service is being provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Energy to Communities Expert Match program, and will provide insight into solar array siting, generation potential and financial estimates.The program allows CAP governments to get one step closer to the goal of increasing the use of renewable energy in government facilities.
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Climate News
APPLY FOR YVEA SOUTH ROUTT BOARD POSITION
Qualified members in District 9, including Yampa, Toponas and Bond, are invited to submit board position interest via email at info@yvea.com or call Board Secretary Larissa Rock at the co-op office in Steamboat.
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Climate Win
CO LEGISLATION ENERGIZES STATE'S COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAM
The state of Colorado passed bipartisan legislation that will make solar energy more affordable and accessible to residents. The bill, titled Senate Bill 24-207, will result in a 22-55% savings on energy bills for income qualified residents and reserve at least 51% of community solar projects for these residents, according to Coalition for Community Solar Access.
It also will improve logistical aspects of bringing solar power to communities, such as enhancing billing and subscribing processes and prioritizing ideal locations for solar power. The bill will help communities increase renewable energy generation, aligning with local CAP goals.
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Climate Win
NEW DEVELOPMENT CODE PROVISIONS A WIN FOR CLIMATE
How we manage and use the land around us in Routt County can have a large impact on how we respond to the challenge of climate change.
The Board of County Commissioners recently adopted a new Unified Development Code (UDC) that included multiple provisions that will help ensure that future growth in the County will avoid sensitive habitats and help store carbon in our soils and vegetation – important actions to address climate change.
UDC climate-related provisions:
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Significantly increase waterbody setbacks and include clear protection for riparian vegetation and the county's wetlands.
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Give the Planning Department tools to maximize the protection of native vegetation.
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Support climate-friendly landscaping via lower water use and low-water use principles in design, use of native plants, functional turf in new developments, and requirements for efficient irrigation systems when they are included.
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Improve the process for establishing Land Preservation Subdivisions, protecting against habitat fragmentation.
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Combined with earlier adopted code provisions, create a process for avoiding conversion of natural habitat when siting new commercial-scale solar arrays.
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Action You Can Take
HELP CONDUCT REGENERATION SURVEYS THIS SUMMER
Climate change is contributing to drier and hotter summers which is fueling more intense wildfires with more severe impacts in this region. These conditions make it less likely for our forests to regrow naturally, making work collecting data on regeneration the critical first step to reforestation of these burned sites.
To help assist successful regeneration of wildfire burn scars, YVSC is looking for volunteers to conduct seedling regeneration surveys this summer at the Silver Creek Burn Scar on Rabbit Ears.
These surveys involve observing the vegetation in a given area and recording the types and quantities of trees that are returning as well as presence of viable seed sources. These surveys allow forest managers to prioritize specific sites for active restoration to ensure a future forest.
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Build relationships with forest managers, learn about forest health and provide an important tool for scientists to determine where to focus future tree planting efforts.
Outings will take place on Thursdays, starting the third week of July. Preferably, volunteers commit to attending multiple outings. Email Dakota Dolan (dakota@yvsc.org) to sign up or learn more.
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Climate Crew volunteers map out their next plot during a regeneration survey with the US Forest Service. | |
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Climate Win
CARbon-FREE CHALLENGE RECAP
Over 140 people participated in Yampa Valley Sustainability Council’s CARbon-Free Challenge this year, pledging to use alternative transportation to commute at least once per week throughout the month of June. Participants logged over 12,200 miles traveled walking, biking, skateboarding or using any other form of transportation that has no negative impact on the climate.
The challenge exposes people to more environmentally friendly modes of transportation, aligning with the CAP goal to reduce local vehicle miles traveled.
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Climate News
COLORADO SCENIC ROAD TRIPPING WITH AN EV IS POSSIBLE!
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Getting out on the road with an electric vehicle (EV) is becoming more accessible and appealing in Colorado. The Denver Post reports that at least 65% of Colorado’s scenic byways are “electrified,” meaning they have an EV charging station within 100 miles.
The installation of charging stations came as part of Colorado’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Roadmap, and the state plans to have all scenic byways electrified in the coming years. The potential for travel with an EV makes them more appealing to the public, helping to advance EV adoption.
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Earning kangaroo points and a breakfast burrito as part of the 2024 CARbon-Free Challenge. | |
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Climate Win
TOWN OF YAMPA CLEAN UP DAY
The Town of Yampa had its 2nd annual Town Clean-up Day on June 15. The town completely filled two 30-yd Axis Steel Recycle containers, and worked with Yampa Valley Sustainability Council to recycle three laptops, one TV, 11 HD bulbs and three fluorescent bulbs.
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Climate News
CONSTRUCTION WASTE STUDY TO IMPROVE MATERIALS RECYCLING
The City of Steamboat Springs and Routt County are partnering to study the waste created from local construction, renovation and demolition projects. The governments have hired Verit Sites, LLC to perform the study, which will involve heavy engagement with local building professionals and construction waste managers.
Local contractors, trade partners and industry affiliates are invited to attend an open house July 10 to learn more about construction waste management options and to share their experience and input on the issue. Lunch will be provided.
When: July 10, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Community Room, Combined Law Enforcement Facility, 2027 Shield Drive
To RSVP or for more information, please contact Alicia Archibald via email.
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Action You Can Take
HELP MAKE OUR SUMMER EVENTS ZERO WASTE
Having zero waste stations present is just the first step to having a responsible event. The rest relies on attendees to sort their items into the correct bins! Here’s some pointers to make sure you’re disposing of your waste properly:
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Only plastics with the #1 or #2 on the packaging can be recycled locally. If you see a different number on the package (or no number at all), it goes to the landfill.
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Food items are the only material that is compostable locally. If you can’t eat it, don’t compost it! Don’t be fooled by food packaging that says “compostable.” This still needs to go in the landfill.
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Arriving prepared cuts down on waste! Whenever possible, bring your own reusable water bottle, utensils, etc. to avoid using disposable ones.
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Check the app. Download the Yampa Valley Recycles App to get your recycling questions answered instantly.
Look out for zero waste stations at the upcoming Free Summer Concert series!
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Zero Waste Station at River Fest. Looks out for these at upcoming Steamboat Free Summer Concerts. | |
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Climate News
YAMPA VALLEY GREEN BUSINESS CORNER
Green Business Office Hours
Dates: Last Wednesday of the month
Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Bud Werner Memorial Library Cafe
Connect with your Colorado Green Business Network of the Yampa Valley (CGBN-YV) team and learn how your business or organization can lower its environmental impact and grow your wallet.
No RSVP needed. Drop by, grab a FREE coffee and a snack and bring your questions.
Save the Date (September 17) - Green Business Community Celebration!
Date: Tuesday, September 17
Time: Noon-1:30 p.m.
Location: Library Hall, Bud Werner Memorial Library.
Join CGBN-YV for a celebration of Yampa Valley's green businesses and organizations.
CGBN-YV participants will have the opportunity to host a table and talk with the public about their products and services, and share what they are doing in the green business space.
The free, public event will be interactive and informal with light refreshments served. Registration is required.
Email Ashley Dean (ashley@yvsc.org) with questions.
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Action You Can Take
BUY LOCAL, CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY – SHOP YOUR FARMERS MARKET
Buying local reduces transportation-related carbon emissions while also supporting the local economy. On average, 48-75% of funds spent at local businesses are reinvested back into the local economy in the form of wages, charitable donations, taxes which fund city services and purchases of goods and services from other local businesses.
The summer is a great time to shop for local produce and goods at your nearby farmers market:
Main Street Steamboat Farmers Market
Dates: Every Saturday through September 21
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Yampa Street (between 5th and 8th streets)
Oak Creek Farmers Market
Dates: Every Sunday through September 1
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Oak Creek Town Park
Hayden Walnut Street Market
Dates: Every Thursday through August 8
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: S. Walnut Street
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Fresh local produce available at Main Street Steamboat Farmers Market. | | |
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We’d love your help getting the word out about the CAP Collaborative. Please share this newsletter with your friends and encourage them to sign up to stay informed. Continue the conversation on Facebook and Instagram, and email us at info@routtclimateaction.com. | | | | | |
