January 25, 2008

It’s cold and it’s winter, but Puget Sound lovers’ hearts are warm.  The beautiful, chilly full-moon nights have found hundreds at People For Puget Sound walks out on the beaches at low tide—exploring the magic of our bountiful Sound. 

And on Wednesday this week, 350 wonderful people got up at the crack of dawn and descended on Olympia to visit with their legislators on Lobby Day. 

Who says people don’t care?

Governor Chris Gregoire came to Lobby Day too, and fired up the crowd with her strong commitment to restore Puget Sound to health, and to put Washington State out front in the battle to reduce global warming pollution. 

Helen Engle, who helped organize the environmental community’s first forays into the halls of the legislature in the '60s and '70s, spoke jointly with her activist grand-daughter Robin, a visible passing of the torch to a new generation.

Everywhere I have turned this week, including Lobby Day, I’ve seen evidence of People For Puget Sound’s 17 years of effective work:

The Oil Spill Advisory Council we helped create is holding everybody’s feet to the fire to make sure we are ever-vigilant in oil spill prevention and preparedness. 

The Northwest Straits Commission is inspiring and supporting local marine conservation projects throughout the North Sound and the Straits. 

Seattle, King County and the State are completely rethinking the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement project—going outside the box to figure out how best to move people and goods while reducing greenhouse gases, supporting Puget Sound recovery and bringing people down to the shores of Elliott Bay. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has taken the next step toward recovery of Puget Sound’s endangered orcas.

These things don’t just happen.  People who care get organized, spread the word, and work day in and day out literally for years.  That’s where People For Puget Sound comes in.  That’s where you come in.  Thanks!

(go to all blog entries)