September UV EAT Update

 

Our next action is in partnership with Willamette Riverkeeper as we work together to clean up a small section of this great river!  See you on October 12, 8:50 am at Maurie Jacobs Park in Eugene. 

Here is a quick recap of our Unity meeting on September 8, 2024.  

First, we agreed to spend some time thinking about and agreeing to a statement that acknowledges indigenous history and the land the Unity of Valley sits on today.  I have posted several samples from the University of Oregon. Please look at them on this Google Document: (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sCFNRotZev_z3SrB0ZkFTleXDCOHPurJFW1svxx4xT0/edit?usp=sharing). You can make comments or suggestions/preferences, but not directly in the document. Your comments will show up as suggestions. You can also simply click the add comment button. Please register your feedback/preference in this way. 

Second, we agreed to change the meeting start and end times. Going forward, we will begin at 12:15 and end at 1:15pm, second Sundays of the month.

Third, this is the reminder to send Donna your Eco Tips!  We agreed to provide these to the congregation.  These tips are for the Unity Bulletin and should ideally have information that is sourced so that people can follow-up, learn more, or verify.  Please send them directly to Donna O'Neil yogawithdonna@gmail.com

Denice Ward is now an official signature gatherer for the Watershed Bill of Rights! 

Finally, here is the scoop on the next clean up action. Please note that the Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Eugene Parks  changed the date from 10/05 to 10/12.  We will join them for a cleanup on land starting at Maurie Jacobs Park and walking to Owosso Bridge, Delta Ponds, Riverfront and Alton Baker Parks areas on both sides of the river. For Unity of Valley members who want to join in this Great Willamette Cleanup, please note that the Riverkeepers changed the date to October 12, not October 5.  Feel free to register in advance at this link:  https://willamette-riverkeeper.org/event-list/2024/10/12/2024-gwcu-in-eugene-greater-maurie-jacobs-amp-alton-baker-park-areas-land-101224     Unity Environmental Action Team members will meet at Maurie Jacobs Park at 8:50am on Saturday Oct. 12.  

Maurie Jacobs Park      454 Willamette Street #218, Eugene, OR 97401      View on map

Oct 12, 2024 09:00am - Oct 12, 2024 12:00pm

There are other dates for clean up too. Some on water, some on foot. Check them out here:  https://willamette-riverkeeper.org/event-list  

 Onward for Earth! 

 

 

July and August Watershed Action and Plastic Recycling Update

 

On August 11, UV EAT were inspired by Rob Dickinson of Community Rights Lane County and Protect Lane County Watersheds to help get the proposed “Lane County Bill of Rights for Nature” on the May 2025 ballot. His educational slideshow outlined the importance of watersheds locally and globally and how to support the petition initiative and vote for protecting our watersheds.  The slides are available here as a .pdf.  Rob shared more links for folks to explore and educate.

https://www.ProtectLaneCountyWatersheds.org/

https://CommunityRightsLaneCounty.org/

Craig Kauffman - Rights of Nature worldwide
A presentation by UofO professor Craig Kauffman on “Putting the Rights of Nature into Practice”.
https://youtu.be/KytSLAhIFEc

A Rights of Nature panel with Craig Kauffman at the University of Oregon in the Many Nation’s Longhouse.
https://youtu.be/AD6okIuZJ1M

Rights of Nature Slideshow, Frank Bibeau
A slide show presentation by Frank Bibeau, a member of the White Earth Band of the Ojibwa, Tribal Attorney and 1866 Tribal Authority.
https://youtu.be/QDxg9LQOAg0

KAYQ Interview -- Michelle Holman & Craig Kauffman
Michelle Holman (Community Rights Lane County) and Craig Kauffman (UO professor and author) talk about a ballot initiative to help protect Lane County watersheds and give legal rights to nature. KAYQ is Lincoln County’s Community Radio.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11DsurGl3ukkwrjSZWe0DcPu7p-QDr4VQ/view

KOHI Interview -- Michelle Holman & Craig Kauffman
Michelle Holman and Craig Kauffman talk about Rights of Nature and Protect Lane County Watershed’s effort to put an initiative on the ballot.
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AGKjTtLiv1h6Xi0&cid=418AF24664B9AD3E&id=418AF24664B9AD3E%21723&parId=418AF24664B9AD3E%21718&o=OneUp

Conservation Today!
Conversation with Michelle Holman and Craig Kauffman about the ballot initiative to protect Lane County watersheds. Interview with Francis Eatherington on the Umpqua Watersheds community radio, KQUA.
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/francis-eatherington/episodes/Rights-of-Nature-in-Lane-County-e1uj2kp?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1081622326059501619&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXLy7IL8lMq0zMS87IL9ItT03SSywo0MvJzMvWT9UvSU8yzY7IqEqtSAIAA4%2B1NzAAAAA%3D

Mari Margill -- Rights of Nature presentation in Eugene Oregon
https://youtu.be/QDxg9LQOAg0

RECYCLING UPDATES FOR LANE COUNTY

To help expand your plastic recycling options, please review this info from the Lane County Plastics recycling website. Email them at the link below  to find out where you can find a local drop off for plastics not accepted by Sanipac or other vendors.  Lane County Waste Management offers plastic collection for #2, #4, #5 plastics to "registered" community collectors. Only #2, #4, and #5 tubs, bottles and jugs are accepted. Items must be stamped and presorted by both shape and number. Items must be clean and dry.

NEW (Nov. 2023): Labels no longer need to be removed with the exception of prescription bottles. All labels must be removed from prescriptions for security and privacy reasons.

To find a volunteer community collector near you, please email plasticscollection@lanecountyor.gov with your name and complete address, including zip code.

If you are interested in becoming a registered community collector, please email plasticscollection@lanecountyor.gov with your name, address and phone number. New community collectors attend a 20-minute orientation at Glenwood Transfer Station. Orientation is by appointment and is limited to two (2) persons at a time.

Thank you to our sponsors Camas Country Mill and Mountain Rose Herbs for providing bags to the program. We couldn't do it without your generous support.

 

 

June 2, 2024 Beach Cleanup

Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team Beach Clean-up Report

Read more about our group here: https://uv-environmental-action-team.blogspot.com/  We meet every second-Sunday at Unity of the Valley, noon-1pm in the Garden Room.  

On June 2, 2024, nine volunteers from Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team participated in a beach clean-up for Oregon Coastwatch (https://oregonshores.org/miles/). We focused on the mile stretch of beach between Carl G. Washburne SP, Blowout Creek (181) and south to 180, Hobbit Trail and Heceta Head. The weather tested our commitment as heavy rains and winds made it very difficult to trek two miles on the beach.  We endured, including some of our eldest members of Unity. It was a remarkable demonstration of love and grit. 

We picked up bags of small chunks of plastic (plastic lids, bottles, and shattered bits of plastic and styrofoam) and other miscellaneous trash.  No unusual types or amounts of trash were identified on the stretch of coastline, 1-mile south of Carl Washburn State Park.

We also made observations of recent erosion.  Erosion of the sandstone cliffs along this stretch of the coast is common. Just north of Heceta head, the sand beaches and sandstone cliffs are epic. Below, you can see two photos capturing recent erosion. 

We also counter the number of other visitors at the beach during our wet and windy stroll. In addition to the nine of us, we observed two small groups of people on strolls with dogs (6 adults and 2 dogs).  One person was a former student of Michael’s. 

The Gritty Nine: Michael, Chloe, Allie, Moose, Joe, Betsy, Denice, John, and Ruth. 

A sample of the trash we gathered. 

Erosion on the bluff, ¼ mile south of Carl Washburn Day Use parking:

Joe gets soaked, and stays cool

Our brave leader, Betsy Priddle, with Ruth and Allie 

Moose finds a golf ball

 

 

May 12 Minutes and Plans for June 2nd Beach Clean-up

Greetings friends at Unity,

Please find below details for our June 2 beach clean-up. Our May 12 meeting minutes are below the photo and available at our blog: https://uv-environmental-action-team.blogspot.com/

On Sunday June 2, we will depart Unity of the Valley at 12:30 for the Oregon coast as part of the Oregon Shores Coast watch program (https://oregonshores.org/miles/). 

We will carpool. Please reply to me at this email or text or call me (541-337-4285) if you plan on driving a vehicle.  I want to make sure everyone has a seat who wants to go. 

We are heading west to Florence, then north on the 101.  The best parking and access to our clean-up mile is the Day Use area at Carl Washburn State Park (https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=85). Please do not park in the camping area, go to the ocean/west side of the state park near the restrooms.  We will gather at that site and decide if we want to split into two or more groups or stick together. We can then proceed to clean up 1 mile going south and 1 mile going north.

We will produce a report of our activities. You can view previous Coast Watch reports for Mile 181 here:  https://oregonshores.org/mile/mile-181-carl-g-washburne-sp-blowout-creek/#mile-report-all-mile-reports

For those who wish to stay longer, we will coordinate that possibility. But I will leave the beach at 4:30pm and arrive at Unity around 6pm. 

 

 

 UV EAT Meeting Minutes. 5/10/24

You can find our previous and current meeting notes here:  https://uv-environmental-action-team.blogspot.com/

Present: Ron Coffman, Betsy Priddle, Joe, Diane, Denice, Rex, Chloe, Michael, Ali, Shawn

Michael updated us on the coast trip planned for June 2nd.

There are currently 8 people who have committed to going. A reminder will be sent to those folks by email by Michael.

We will leave after service (12:30) 

There are 3 seats in Michael's vehicle and a possible 5 in Denice's.  People need to decide who rides with whom.

We sign a waiver and receive directions as we gather up.

Michael has compostable bags for garbage collection.

We gather garbage and learn how to write up a brief report about the "collection".

After this "exploratory trip" EAT will decide if we want to cover a mile of beach quarterly.

Next, Ron Coffman and Betsy reported on their evening with Interfaith Earthkeepers.

They summarized that the main purpose of this group is to work together with other churches. They want to be advised of events/projects, so that people from churches in the area can participate.

Ron Coffman will update the Interfaith Earth Keepers in Eugene about our plans.

1. https://interfaithearthkeepers.org/  They hold meetings on the 2^nd Wed. of every month at 12:00-1:30pm. If you want to learn more, contact them at the website linked above.

QUESTION Posed at the meeting:

 What are the creative ways Eugene/Springfield churches can collaborate with Earth Care?

They divided into 4 groups to discuss the question and recorded their single idea on a sticky note. These notes were sorted by:

AWARENESS,       COMMUNICATION,            ACTION               PERSONAL GREEN CHOICES

These 4 "posters" were recorded and can be sent out to other churches.

The meeting ended with a beautiful benediction.

Our group asked what other events were going on in the area that we might participate in....

Betsy mentioned Willamette Watershed (Katie Geisel had spoken to the group) 

Denice mentioned McKenzie River Trust, who offers volunteer opportunities on their website.

April 14 Post from UV EAT

 

Greetings friends at Unity,

Please find below our April 14 meeting minutes and plans for our beach clean-up day as part of the Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team. As we approach Earth Day 2024, please consider one of the many events here in Eugene/Springfield listed at this link: https://allevents.in/eugene/earth-day#

If you want to join us on a beach clean-up excursion, please fill out this poll to note which day works for you. We will then report back on the day that works best and plan our day from there.  https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/dN59Q7mb   

Thank you,

Michael

P.S. A short reflection on Unity Farm for Earth Day. https://www.unity.org/article/unity-farm-and-earth-day 

UV EAT Meeting. 4/14/24

https://uv-environmental-action-team.blogspot.com/

Attending –  Geneva Miller, Jim Wagner, Dionne, Leo, Ron Coffman, Michael Dreiling, Joe Sanders, Betsy Priddle, Gary Collins, Donna O’Neil

1)      Ron Coffman presented on the work of the Interfaith Earth Keepers in Eugene.

a.       https://interfaithearthkeepers.org/  They hold meetings on the 2^nd Wed. of every month at 12:00-1:30pm. If you want to learn more, contact them at the website linked above.

b.       Ron invited us to attend as Unity of the Valley members to an upcoming interfaith event on the environmental action. At least two members of the UV EAT plan to attend “Interfaith Earth Connections” 7-8:30pm at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. If you are interested in learning more, or would like to attend, complete the form at their website (linked above) and let them know you are part of the UV EAT team.

c.       Betsy Priddle and Ron Coffman plan to attend the event.

2)      Betsy presented updates about her conversation with Katie Geisel of the Watershed Council/Protect Lane County Watersheds group, and an upcoming ballot initiative.  We look forward to more information from Katie.

3)      Motion was made by Donna, with no objections, to reserve the Garden Room with Gena instead of the Rainbow Room for future meetings. 

4)      Michael offered to coordinate a beach clean-up excursion on a Sunday after service.  If you are interested, please complete this scheduling poll by noting your availability at this link: https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/dN59Q7mb   The times listed are dates that Michael and Yvonne plan to go on a Sunday after Unity service.  We can drive 3 additional members of UV EAT (and organize another carpool) for a 5 hour round-trip from Unity of the Valley to one of the sections of beach north of Florence. We will go as UV EAT and bring back photos and reports for the UV newsletter. 

a.       For those interested in learning more about beach clean-up and restoration initiatives, please read more, sign up for activities, or adopt your own section/mile to clean up on a quarterly basis.   Maybe UV EAT can adopt a section/mile? https://oregonshores.org/miles/

b.       Oregon Coast Watch and info about how to sign up for their newsletter is here: https://oregonshores.org/

5)      Meeting adjourned at 12:50. 

Unity of the Valley Environmental Action Team, 3/10/24

 

UV EAT meets the second Sunday of the month at Unity of the Valley, noon-1 in the Rainbow Room.

3912 Dillard Rd, Eugene, OR 97405 

March 10, 2024

Today we discussed plans for supporting Oregon Shores Conservation (https://oregonshores.org/) in a spring action. Details and action plans will be finalized at our April 14 meeting.  

Plans for composting food waste after the Unity services and other meetings were also discussed along with specific plans for making it happen. 

We reiterated previous commitments to the following General Aims and Actions for the group:

• ·       Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition
• ·       350 Eugene, possible future action
• ·       Unity recycling, composting, and environmental awareness and education
• ·       Trees, reforestation, and other proactive activities

Celebrating One Love, One Earth, One People while Protecting, Caring for and Educating about the needs of people and the planet in our Unity community and beyond.

See you on April 14

Some highlights from the last UV EAT meeting

Some highlights from the last UV EAT meeting: 

   1. Be inspired by a wonderful speaker

   2. To begin to move from exploring possible ways to serve to picking a cause and moving forward with action. if/when ready.  The causes we have been exploring since the group was formed are:

        * Eugene 350  and Earthkeepers

        *Small but very important local opportunities 

        * Unity Worldwide Ministries-EarthCare Curriculum

         *Oregon ShoresConservation Coalition

         *Stand for Trees - newly offered!

         *Nearby Nature

 Betsy requests input on focusing on three causes to support:

         * Eugene 350  and Earthkeepers

         *Small but important local agencies 

         *Oregon Shores ConservationCoalition 

Details for the next meeting: