News
TCEC members receive the Eco-Logic Newsletter, which is published monthly except for July/August and November/December issues. Each issue is full of local environmental news, events and activities, and ways you can get involved in environmental issues. Review a sample (past) issue.
Online, we feature the Closer Look column, written for our newsletter by TCEC Publications Chairperson, Donna Olsen.
Closer Look — June 2018
California Prop 68 Wins
On June 5, Californians voted in support (56%) of Proposition 68, a $4 billion general bond investment to guarantee clean drinking water, improve state and local parks, and preserve California’s unique natural resources! It is the first parks and water bond on a statewide ballot in more than 10 years.
Thanks to all of you who voted to support safe parks and clean water. The passing of Proposition 68 shows that people care about improving and protecting our parks, water, and natural resources in both the short- and long-term. Congrats.
In another contest, Proposition 72, the rainwater capture measure, won by 83% of vote! Now conservation-minded citizens will not be penalized for installing a capture system in their homes.
Ducks for Bucks Results Are In
The check from the Kiwanis Club has arrived. $1642! Best ever for us. There is additional money from people who simply donated and didn’t buy any ducks…so the total amount is about $1800. This is equivalent to one day at the Lemonade booth. Thanks to Ann, Janis, John and rest of the crew who made this happen.
And many thanks to all of you who bought “Duckies”. As always, the ecology center has great ways to spend the proceeds: a new watering system at the Local History Museum Garden (come visit!), library books and DVDs, youth eco-grants and support for other worthy causes.
Some D4B facts: Kiwanis has been organizing the race for 24 years; this year 19 organizations took part; 4770 ducks were in the water; and $13,529 was distributed to local non-profit organizations.
Sequoias Receive TCEC’s Aid
The ecology center voted unanimously to donate $500 to Save the Redwoods League towards the purchase of Red Hill’s ancient sequoia forest. Red Hill is the second largest grove of giant sequoias in the world in private ownership. The 160 acre forest is located next to Sequoia National Monument (and Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks) near Fresno. The purchase price is $3.3 million.
Specifically, the area is pristine. Not a logger has cut a tree here! It is home to spotted owls, black bears, Pacific fishers, and rainbow trout and is part of the ever-expanding California condor range. Since its founding in 1918, the Save the Redwoods League has preserved 214,000 acres of coast redwoods and giant sequoias. Source: East Bay Times and Save the Redwoods League
ATTENTION: Plastic Bags Can No Longer be Recycled! Upgrade to Reusable
Due to changing international recycling laws, Fremont’s Recycling Program is no longer able to recycle loose or bundled plastic bags. And since the production of plastic requires a massive amount of oil which releases air pollution, emits greenhouse gases, and contributes to climate change and typically is only used for a short amount of time, it’s the perfect time to invest in reusables!
Don’t leave home without these reusable items: bag, straw, water bottle, coffee mug, utensils, and containers. Take the Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition’s (BayRoc) Reuse To Go Pledge and be entered to win your own zero waste kit valued at $160! Source: Fremont Green Challenge
Lemonade Booth Volunteers Needed
Believe it or not, it’s almost time for our major (and most lucrative) fundraiser….the Lemonade Booth at the Festival of the Arts. This year, it will fall on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday August 5. And, as always, we will need many volunteers. For the past three years, our booth has had great success…good weather and a good location….but this means we need an abundance of help. To volunteer, please email Caroline Harris at caroline.harris@earthlink.net or call her at 440-0109.