Each month we’re featuring a member of the Rose Foundation community. We hope that through these interviews, you get to know a little more about the dynamic people that make the Rose Foundation’s work possible. Laura Fernandez joined the Rose Foundation staff in 2016, and is a program officer managing several of the Rose Foundation’s grantmaking programs.
Garth Evans and Leila Philip’s collaborative book Water Rising couples poetry and watercolor painting to create dialogue around stewardship of water resources. On Saturday, April 21, join us at an intimate gathering in Oakland to meet the creators of Water Rising, enjoy light fare, and purchase the book. All book sales provide direct support for our New Voices Are Rising youth environmental leadership program.
If you’ve ever stumbled upon a coin, arrowhead, or other artifact from the distant past, you probably were happy to pocket the found treasure. Unfortunately, future generations may not be as excited to find some of the innumerable hazardous remnants left behind by today’s society. University Legal Assistance of Gonzaga University School of Law (ULA) is trying to better understand a toxic legacy that affects present-day communities along the Spokane River and will likely continue to affect generations to come.
The Summer Climate Justice Leadership Academy (Summer Academy) is an intensive 6-week program for youth and young adults 15-19 in Oakland. Join a community of people who want to make sure that all Oakland residents can survive and thrive in a changing climate.
The Tuolumne River once boasted a plentiful salmon run in the spring and the fall. Now, multiple dams along with irrigation projects that direct water away from the river reduce flow so much that the spring run has ended entirely. Fish collected from the stretch of the river that flows through Stanislaus County display high levels of industrial chemicals, while homeless encampments and illegal dumping often lead to a build-up of hazardous trash along the banks. Rose Foundation grantee the Tuolumne River Trust (TRT) is rebuilding the local community’s relationship to the river and giving them the tools to help restore it. “It’s not just about the infrastructure, it’s about connecting the community near the river to be stewards of the river,” says Edgar Garibay, TRT’s community relations manager.
“Así es como hacemos que los estudiantes de quinto grado presten atención.” Arrodillándose en las dunas en un mechón de trigo sarraceno nativo, nuestra guía engatusó una hormiga roja gruesa sobre sus dedos, se la metió entre los dientes y rápidamente la mordió a la mitad. Sonriendo, nos ofreció nuestra propia hormiga para probar. “Sabe a limones”, dijo, “pero tienes que morderlas rápido antes de que te muerdan.”
Yesterday, New Voices Are Rising Intern Coordinator Mykela Patton led a march and rally to protest ongoing maneuvers to bring dirty coal into Oakland. In January, US District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled that developer Phil Tagami’s lawsuit challenging Oakland’s ban on shipping coal within the city will receive a trial. Tagami is attempting to overturn the Oakland City Council’s 2014 unanimous adoption of a measure to ban coal shipments within the city.
Inspired to take action to protect California’s water resources, Program Officer Megan Mubaraki has become the second Rose Foundation staff member to join the River Advocacy Training School (RATS). Led by Friends of the River, RATS teaches students to lead the movement for protecting California’s rivers, and also educates them about the policies that govern water in California.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled that Phil Tagami’s lawsuit challenging the City of Oakland’s ban on coal will head to trial. A youth led and youth organized rally will show Tagami and the City of Oakland that the youth will not stand for coal in their city. The rally will begin at Street Academy 417 29th St, Oakland, CA 94609 to Oakland City Hall down Broadway.
The year 2017 brought us many troubling events and headlines, but we continue to find inspiration within our community of colleagues, grantees and supporters. We are grateful for your support and partnership as we continue to make Good News for communities and the environment in 2018 and beyond.
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