Community Calendar

Since 2019 Gonzaga University has hosted an annual Spokane Candidates Climate Change Forum, a non-partisan event that invites candidates for local office to share with voters and community members what they would or would not do about climate change if elected. After the primary election, all candidates for the selected offices are invited to attend. This non-partisan event is an opportunity to hear candidate’s views on this urgent issue of concern to our community. Register at https://www.gonzaga.edu/climate-institute/events

The public in invited to join refuge staff for its annual fall tree planting event. Volunteers will spend a half day assisting refuge staff planting native trees such as aspen, hawthorn, serviceberry, and cottonwood. These plantings have been a regular occurrence on the refuge for the past two decades. Unlike previous years’ events, which have focused on restoration efforts along the Pine Creek drainage adjacent to Refuge Headquarters, this year’s event is taking place in the Jolly Jack unit of the refuge, located off Cheney-Spangle Road.

Join with four local, environmentally-focused organizations that want to make change to the way we use and dispose of plastic in our community! Hosted by Rogue Heart Media SPC and Spokane Zero Waste, with underwriting by Spokane Riverkeeper and Measure Meant, come to our free event to see the brand-new film that delves into the worrying connection between microplastic pollution and human health. Stay after the screening for a Q&A panel with local environmental and health leaders. All guests are entered to win door-prizes!

Waste is at the core of some of the most critical environmental issues. We've spent decades and millions of dollars developing waste management systems that have ingrained waste-making into our culture. Join with these environmentally-focused, local businesses and build community practices that support our health and our environment's health.

The award-winning feature documentary Plastic People investigates our addiction to plastic and the growing threat of microplastics on human health … Now, leading scientists are finding these particles in our bodies: organs, blood, brain tissue, and even the placentas of new mothers. What is the impact of these invisible invaders on our health? And can anything be done about it?

"Plastic People is one of those essential state-of-our-world documentaries.” - Owen Gleiberman, Variety.

Birding the Texas Gulf Coast is the program topic of the Spokane Audubon Society (SAS) meeting, also available via Zoom from link at www.audubonspokane.org. SAS board member Bea Harrison will present photos and stories from birding the Texas Gulf Coast where she and her husband Jim grew up and worked for many environmental organizations. The program focuses on five top birding spots – San Bernard NWR, Brazos Bend State Park, Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary near Freeport, Matagorda County and the mouth of the Colorado River, and Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Sanctuary in Port Aransas.