Page 24 - Sonoma County Gazette August 2019

Daily Acts Matter!
Rising Up for Climate Action
By Tamara Klamner
A recent study has revealed that 97% of climate scientists agree human activity is perpetuating climate change, putting our planet and future generations at risk. We know it’s happening, we know why, but what are we doing to empower our communities and contribute to a cleaner future?
August is the last official month of the summer, and the time to celebrate National Water Quality Month!
Our first annual Sonoma County community educational and music event is dedicated to raising climate awareness.
The 110-mile Russian River and all its tributaries move through many active communities and working lands which can affect water quality. Some of the main categories of water quality impacts can include chemicals, bacteria, sediment, and temperature. Rain water that lands on our rooftops, driveways and streets ultimately reach our tributary creeks, river and ocean, carrying with it remnants of the long journey. These remnants, many invisible, can include:
Taking place on September 8th, at the SOMO Village Event Center, 1100 Valley House Dr in Rohnert Park, our intention for is to elevate awareness of positive, solutions-oriented actions we can all take to address the global climate crisis and to create change in our local communities.
• Gasoline and oil from small spills or leaking automobiles • Bacteria and pathogens from animal and human waste
• Sediment from loose soil
With support from local musicians, organizations, governmental and non- government agencies, eco-minded food, beverage, and merchandise vendors, performance artists and healers; we hope to promote positive climate action.
• Metals from pesticides, fungicides, cars, and building materials
The good news is that
Visit our Climate Action Hub where you can get involved, get educated, and take action on a number of issues affecting our global community.
there are strategies to help keep our local waters clean! One strategy is to offset the hard surfaces (such as roofs, gutters
Decompress with a local craft beer, cider and wine bar and enjoy delicious food court offerings. Join the kids in the designated art area designed to be educational, creative and fun for all ages! Stop by the silent auction and check out the unforgettable gifts and services that will be up for grabs with all proceeds benefiting Daily Acts’ climate education and action programs.
and roads) that increase
runoff by installing low
impact development (LID)
features. This strategy is
being deployed throughout
the Russian River watershed, and is required for many new development projects.
This family-friendly event will showcase incredible, local entertainment with music by: Rupa and the April Fishes, The Coffis Brothers, The Highway Poets, Dusty Green Bones Band and The Real Sarahs.
What is a LID?
There will be educational demos and inspirational talks presented by: Brock Dolman of Occidental Arts & Ecology Center, Trathen Heckman of Daily Acts, Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, Sunrise Movement, Youth Climate Leaders, a Trashion Fashion Show and more TBA!
LID is a planning and design strategy used to reduce potentially harmful impacts on water associated with increased stormwater runoff from construction. LID uses an innovative technique to imitate how water would flow prior to the constructed development. This approach is based on infiltrating, filtering, storing, and sometimes evaporating stormwater runoff before it enters our rivers and creeks. When stormwater enters a LID, it begins to infiltrate or seep through rocks and vegetation. As it infiltrates the ground, it is filtered through layers of rocks, soil, and bacteria which reduce many pollutants in the stormwater. The excess clean water either infiltrates into the ground or is carried out through our storm drains to the creeks.
Given the absolute urgency of the climate conditions, there has never been a time when the influence of our daily actions and the strength of our community has mattered more. Daily Acts and local sustainability leaders and businesses of Sonoma County invite you to join the solution culture to solve this global crisis. A more resilient future is attainable, but we must act now.
Tickets: $30 adults, $20 ages 12 - 18, kids under 12 are free. A limited amount of VIP tickets are also available for $100.
These LID design strategies come in all shapes and sizes, whether it be living rooftops or vegetated swales. Look around as you take a stroll around downtown or new buildings and you may start to notice all the LID in your area. Some LID benefits include:
• Reducing the flow of water that can cause erosion or flooding
• Recharging our groundwater basin
• Decreasing the impacts of new developments on local hydrology
• Preventing trash and debris from flowing down the storm drains
• Treating pollutants and protecting water quality
While our cities, counties, architects and contractors work to decrease stormwater pollution, there is still much that residents can do!
Check out our website www.rrwatershed.org/project/low-impact- development for more information on low impact development and ways you can help keep stormwater runoff clean.
A homeowner’s and landowner’s Guide to Beneficial Stormwater Management Slow it. Spread it. Sink it. Store it! is available at sonomarcd.org/ wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Slow-it-Spread-it-Sink-it-Store-it.pdf
24 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 8/19
This article was authored by Christina Leung, of RRWA. RRWA (www.rrwatershed. org) is an association of local public agencies in the Russian River Watershed that have come together to coordinate regional programs for clean water, habitat restoration, and watershed enhancement.