Joan Smith, Natural Resources Chair, opened the October 25th meeting by introducing three guests – Wendy Ferry, Patricia Newkirk, and Carol McClain, representatives and key organizers of Pollinator Pathways NW. They reflected on how their group began with a request from 21 Acres to add a demonstration pollinator garden to their acreage. They credited Sarah Bergman as an original founder of the movement that is catching the attention of the public. They pointed to the biodiversity crisis and the decline in pollinators.
Among the pollinators, bees are the best known. With 250 species of them, even our native bees are in decline. Over 29% of our birds have disappeared. Major factors include habitat loss, replacement of native plants with subsequent harm to food supplies, and the rampant use of pesticides and herbicides. Caterpillars often rely on one native plant host for food. The three speakers stressed how our ecosystem is fragile and a break in one thread affects the others.
Legal actions have curtailed the use of most “neonics,” neonicotinoids. However, these are forever chemicals that once entering a plant, remain to do continuing damage to the environment. This team jokingly encouraged collaboration with bugs.
They also want us to “leave the leaves” while we remove lawns and return to planting natives. Thinking of gardens as stepping stones, they encourage cooperation among neighborhoods. This may mean a transformation of homeowner association rules.
They continue to let their voice be heard on the subject and encourage others to do so by being at tabling events and at council meetings. They are currently helping to plan the Eastrail bicycle path and working with Woodinville Council to reduce use of pesticides. On May 31, 2025 they will host their third annual Festival at 21 Acres, filled with tours, booths, and speakers. For a complete account of this inspiring presentation, please go to the League’s YouTube site.
Joan reviewed the presentations at the League All-Member Meeting at the Lynnwood Library and encouraged attendance in November and December. She reminded members to comment on the elements remaining of the Comprehensive Plan for 2024. Finalizing has to come in December! She suggested numerous League opportunities for participation to support voting.
Mark Rohde reminded all how consequential NO votes on the ballot initiatives are in this election.
REPORTS:
- Marjie Fields opened with an appeal to write to the Department of Ecology to request that Unocal do a complete environmental clean up of their former property. This would enable daylighting and proper connectivity for Edmonds Marsh.
- Steve Trautwein submitted a written Transportation report that updated us on the work done on fish passage and habitat connectivity.
- Kate has indicated that although Urban Tree Canopy Policy appears to pass, she could use a helpful coordinator to provide outreach and volunteers for the effort. Legacy forest issues are highly time consuming.
The meeting closed with a recommendation for a rainy day read,
Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew.
Next meeting: November 15th, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. - regular third Friday date! Guest speakers will be our Olympia lobby team Martin Gibbins, Ann Murphy, and Kate Lunceford with Anita Rose from Climate Radar. Log in to find the Zoom link.