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All Sustainable Northwest blog posts
Up one levelCollection of all blog entries from Sustainable Northwest
Below is a collection of all Sustainable Northwest Blog posts.
Looking forward to a sustainable 2012
I want to thank all of our donors for your truly wonderful support. We couldn’t do it without you! In particular I’d like to welcome and thank our many new donors who helped us win matched funding from the Collins Foundation. Thank you!
Three Highlights from 2011
It has been an incredible year at Sustainable Northwest. Now is the perfect time to join our community of supporters and help to create family wage jobs, protect our rural landscapes, and build a Northwest that is truly sustainable.
At the Right Scale, Biomass Integrates Multiple Solutions
When developed at an appropriate-scale, biomass energy can address multiple objectives in restoring our forests and supporting our communities. The recent study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University is a welcome scientific analysis of carbon storage in our region’s forests and provides useful data for policy decisions relevant to a sustainable energy future. However, public policy issues surrounding forest biomass and energy stretch well beyond the sole lens of reducing carbon emissions.
Conservation, Innovation and Collaboration Creates Jobs in Rural Oregon
Jay Jensen of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Cass Moseley of the Ecosystem Workforce Program at the University of Oregon, and Maia Enzer and Chad Davis of Sustainable Northwest reflect on the significance of a recent tour to John Day, OR.
Members of the White House Tour Collaborative Work in Eastern Oregon
On Tuesday, August 9th, Sustainable Northwest and our partners on the ground had the privilege of touring some of the innovative work taking place in the eastern Oregon Malheur Region. We were joined by Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Nancy Sutley, Associate Director for Land and Water Resources at the CEQ, Jay Jensen, and Governor Kitzhaber's Natural Resources Policy Advisor, Brett Brownscombe
What is Your Image of Rural?
Conjure up your "rural" image, particularly those of you that live in Portland with me. Then, imagine yourself in a room with 300 "rural policy advocates." Now, what do you think we talked about at this year's National Rural Assembly?
Building an Inclusive Nation
I take great hope in the theme of the National Rural Assembly this year, which is “building an inclusive nation.” And almost more encouraging, is the approach of the assembly, which is focused on exploring opportunities in rural America rather than on mucking through the threats and risks
Imagine Opportunity as a Pathway to Prosperity, Security, and Sustainability
I never thought that two senior officials from the Department of Defense would motivate me to look at the work I've done the last 20 years and be compelled to jump up, raise my hand and volunteer. But that is what happened at the 2011 National Rural Assembly. I, for a brief moment, considered joining the military.
National Rural Assembly 2011
This year a small group of the organizations involved in Sustainable Northwest’s Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition attended the third convening of the National Rural Assembly in St. Paul, Minnesota June 28-30, 2011.
Rave Reviews: Collaboration Works
Congress could have taken a tip or two on how to build relationships and get things done from RVCCers roaming the House and Senate halls last week. From a contentious history, former foes have created a fruitful and effective alliance based on the common goals of sustaining our rural communities and stewarding the Nation's resources. And it’s refreshing to know our hard work and impressive accomplishments are not going unnoticed.
Power Pumps? I Think I Missed the Memo
I lived in Washington, D.C. from 1993 to 2000. I’ve traveled back there countless times since joining Sustainable Northwest’s staff and I must confess that on this last trip the thing that amazed and awed me the most was the shoes I saw women wear on Capitol Hill.
Rural Leaders - Your Chapter is Now Being Written
One of these individuals was a quiet rancher from Central Idaho named Merrill Beyeler. At the end of the week, Merrill came up to me and told me how much he had learned and how many ideas he had after spending a week traipsing around the concrete landscape of the capitol. In his soft, even toned voice, he thanked me for the experience. However, the truth is that I am the one who needed to offer thanks.
Coming Home
Utter the words “Washington DC” in the rural West these days and watch the eyes roll. The place has become synonymous with a tangle of troubles that we the people are certain we could fix with a little common sense and some elbow grease if just given the chance. Gina Knudson
A Few of the Accomplishments From the Week
Thursday marked the fourth and final day of this year's Western Week in Washington. Below is a list of some of the highlights.
Learning the Language: OMG DC!
The team in DC works all hours of the day and thanks to Joe Short, Brian Kittler, Dylan Kruse and Alaina Pomeroy we have a new language to decipher! Do you know what each one means?
We're Not from the Government and We're Here to Help
This is my 3rd year traveling to Washington DC with Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition. RVCC's appeal became ever more clear yesterday afternoon as our small Idaho contingent met w/ Senator James Risch.
Washington D.C. is a "Right On Time" Kinda Town
You never get rewarded for being the slightest bit early. Not that I generally have to worry about that, but I'm definitely not motivated with the DC treatment of earliness.
A Message from Lynn Jungwirth
For the first time in about 15 years, I am not at Week in Washington with the folk. Personal obligations kept me away.
Strings Strung Just Right
For a brief (and unsuccessful) moment in Junior High School, I tried to learn how to play the guitar. Through this experience I learned a few lessons about string instruments: If I strung the strings too tight, they would pop off and no music could be played. If I made them too loose, I suffered the same result. But when I managed to string them with just the right amount of tension, harmonious sounds emerged and I forgot that I was tone deaf, risked raising my voice in song and, for an instant, felt like all was okay in my world. Today, for the tenth year in a row, I am in Washington D.C. for the annual outreach week of the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition (RVCC)
Sunday May, 8th - Western Week in Washington 2011
A sunny day in Washington DC found participants from the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, the Coalition for Eastern Forests and Communities and the National Rural Assembly (now that’s a mouthful of goodness!) inside and hard at work preparing for our advocacy week.
A Rekindled Love for Policy
Forest Stewardship Program Director, Chad Davis, finds his rekindled love for policy work en route to Washington DC for the RVCC Western Week in Washington 2011.
The Community Forestry Business Alliance Tours SNW Wood
On January 26th members of the Community Forestry Business Alliance toured the Sustainable Northwest Wood Facilities in Portland, OR.
Extending a hand of partnership...
On a day when SNW partners testify before the House Subcommittee On National Parks, Forests And Public Lands, Maia Enzer shares her perspective.
Guest Blog from Robin Boies
Robin Boies, rancher in Elko County, Nevada and RVCC participant, writes a poem reflecting on the trip to Washington D.C.
Thank you from SNW
Maia thanks WWiW participants and the greater coalition for a successful week!
Can't Stop Won't Stop
38 meetings, an address by Senator Merkley, and a great networking reception. Whew.
RVCC's last day in DC
A successful and re-energizing trip.
A trip to MARS
SNW staff visit Mt. Adams Resources Stewards and see some of the great projects underway to promote and practice sustainable forestry in their log-sort yard.
Guest blog from Melanie Parker
Melanie Parker, Executive Director of Northwest Connections in Swan Valley Montana and part of the RVCC Core Group writes about her day in D.C.
And it begins...
The first day of meetings of the Western Week in Washington recounted by a newbie to Washington D.C.
Earth Day -- it's more than recycling and CLFs
This Earth Day, consider the inextricable link between the protection and productivity of the land and the health of its communities.
From ponderosa pine and sagebrush, to cherry blossoms
Rural advocates assemble in D.C. for this year's Western Week in Washington
Sharing air-space with the President
President reaffirms his commitment to conservation as a national priority.
Behind the scenes -- How we created our new look
Take a closer look at the process behind the new Sustainable Northwest logo.
Oregon BETC critical for development of appropriately scaled renewable energy
The Oregon BETC has been instrumental in renewable energy development. Small-scale community projects, such as school heating systems, are at risk without BETC assistance.
New Videos Uploaded
From time to time, Sustainable Northwest posts videos that describe our work and the work of our partners. We just created a new section of the website to host these videos.
A journey from conflict to collaboration
Martin Goebel, founding president, remembers the early days of Sustainable Northwest and the challenges we faced in Wallowa County.
Sunday's prep for Monday's meetings
Go behind the scenes on what it takes to prepare for the 88 meetings that are on the calendar for the next three days.
We are off to Washington D.C.!
We are looking forward to a week of outreach and education on natural resource issues affecting the West.
Senate and House conferees approve approps bill
For anyone interested in forest policy, there are very real reasons to be excited about the FY2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill...
Forest certification excludes public-lands communities
In all the debate regarding which forest certification system is the most rigorous, one aspect of social equity is always overlooked.
Collaboration: An unnatural act between unconsenting adults…
Reflections on the collaborative conservation movement - time to get more "institutional?"
Climate Change and Rural Communities
Sustainable Northwest is working to make sure rural communities and landscapes can play a role in addressing the Climate Crisis.
New look, more functionality...hopefully
Re-vamping a website is more than adding bells and whistles. We hope this new layout helps you find the information you want.
