Earth Month is Here!
There’s never been a better time to celebrate!
It’s true! Earth Month is here; it hasn’t been cancelled! Although COVID-19 has transformed how most of us are spending our days, Rogue Riverkeeper is committed to celebrating our unique, planetary home this April. Fifty years ago, 20 million Americans — 10% of the U.S. population at the time (!) — took to the streets, college campuses, and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance and demand a new way forward for our planet. It has become even more important today.
While we’re navigating the current global health crisis, our global environmental crises are not slowing down. At Rogue Riverkeeper, while we’re thinking global - our actions remain local!
Please join us in standing up for clean water as Earth Month Goes Digital!
April is Earth Month
Typically, springtime is event time! From lectures and happy hours to clean-up work parties and festivals, spring is when Rogue Riverkeeper gets out into the community to share the work we do, and invite folks to get involved in protecting and restoring the Rogue. For Earth Month 2020, our events look a little different as we Stay Home to Save Lives. We hope you’re doing the same and that you’ll join us to celebrate Earth Month!
Virtual Clean-Ups
As part of our Bear Creek Initiative campaign, Rogue Riverkeeper has joined Jackson County’s Adopt-a-Greenway program to pick up trash along a one-mile stretch of the Bear Creek Greenway in an effort to improve water quality, riparian areas, and the community experience. With social distancing in place, we recommend our friend Bob’s P.L.O.W method!
Meet Bob and Bruce! These two routinely P.L.O.W (Pick-up Litter Out Walking!) their way along the Greenway next to Bear Creek. If you’re out and about and safely social distancing, consider doing the same. Wear a pair of gloves, bring a bag and help clean up our waterways! We hope to be out there with you soon.
Send us a pic of your stellar volunteerism - email it to sara@rogueriverkeeper.org or post it on social media with our tag @RogueRiverkeeper.
Digital Activism Training
Tuesday, April 14th, 12PM - 1PM
ZOOM Meeting Format (link will be provided with sign up)
While we are all Staying Home to Save Lives, the Federal government is still planning timber sales and approving pipeline projects. Just because we are practicing social distancing doesn't mean our voices are silenced! Learn what you can do from home to keep defending our rivers and their wildlands. Join the outreach team at Rogue Riverkeeper and KS Wild live online for an hour-long lunchtime training on how to speak up for our forests and clean water during these unusual circumstances. Learn the basics of writing letters to the editor, contacting your government representatives, and helpful posting and sharing on social media.
GO LIVE with RRK + KSW!
Thursday, April 16th, 12PM - 1:30PM
ZOOM Meeting Format (link will be provided with sign up)
Get the most up-to-date, live information on active campaigns from Rogue Riverkeeper and KS Wild staff members working to protect our wild rivers and ancient forests. As the state shuts down recreation and restoration, agencies continue to approve detrimental projects that threaten our waterways, and push for more resource extraction. Campaign staff will give updates, answer questions and talk about what you can do to take action!
Mini Wild & Scenic Film Festival
& Happy Hour Discussion!
Friday, April 24th, 5:30PM
ZOOM Meeting Format (link will be provided with sign up)
Y’all know how we host our annual fundraiser - Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour - every November? Well, we’re all stuck inside so why not enjoy a some films together?! In light of COVID-19, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival is releasing films to the public for free. Save-the-Week of April 20th to watch films selected by Rogue Riverkeeper (links to come!). Then, gather virtually on Friday, April 24th with fellow viewers (and perhaps a filmmaker??) to discuss films.
Community Conversations: Logging Practices
Near Streams on Private Forestlands
Wednesday, April 29th, 12:00PM - 1:00PM
ZOOM Meeting Format (link will be provided with sign up)
Concerned about logging practices near streams on your local private lands? Join the conversation and find out what you can do about it. Rogue Riverkeeper is hosting a community conversation on how logging practices near streams on private lands impact your waterways and communities.
Currently, Southern Oregon streams that flow through private forestlands are left with weaker protections than the rest of western Oregon. Please join us, share your stories with fellow community members and find out how you can take action to protect clean water and healthy communities. This is an informal virtual gathering with a short presentation followed by round table discussion.
Contact Sara at sara@rogueriverkeeper.org if these practices impact you!
Special Thanks!
Every April, the Aveda company encourages salons across the country to make a commitment to supporting access to clean, safe drinking water by fundraising during for local and international charities. In Southern Oregon, local Aveda salons - Be Cherished Salon in Ashland and Gervais Day Spa & Salon in Medford - take their fundraising efforts to the next level!
Over the past five years, these local salons have raised over $34,000 for Rogue Riverkeeper!!! Each year, the salons create fun and informative ways to support our work for clean water in the Rogue. Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic is affecting these generous businesses and it’s time for us to support them!
Click here to find out more about Aveda and how you can support these local businesses for Earth Month!
Keep in Touch!
As Earth Month Goes Digital, we’ll be sending out weekly emails on our campaigns, upcoming “virtual” events, and how to get involved in protecting the Rogue. Are you on our contact list? Even better…Become a member of Rogue Riverkeeper! There is no stronger step you can take to preserve and restore the extraordinary rivers, streams, and fish of the Rogue River basin than by supporting our work.
For the Rogue!