December 2008

In this issue

	Happy 2009 from The Nature Conservancy
	Priorities for the state Legislature
	In person this winter
	Online resources for Friends

About the Friends

The Friends of Our Natural Heritage is a group of citizens throughout Washington state who provide a voice for conservation. By taking simple steps to educate officials and community leaders about the value of our state's natural heritage, Friends are helping to safeguard and restore some of the most ecologically valuable lands and waters remaining in Washington. Stay involved -- and invite your friends to join the Friends!

For more information about the program or to sign up, visit our Web site or contact Jeff Compton at The Nature Conservancy: (206) 343-4345, ext. 384 or jcompton@tnc.org.

Happy 2009 from The Nature Conservancy

Season's greetings, Friends. Winter is truly upon us as I write this. Folks all over Washington are bundled up.

This messy weather offers suprises. Yesterday a friend decided to put her humingbird feeder back outside. Her husband was skeptical, thinking the little birds were gone or hiding. But when my friend got to the usual tree—nectar in hand—a humingbird was there, perched in the snow and ready for a snack.

I hope you take some quiet time to enjoy our winter wonderland with someone you care about.

We wish you all a wonderful new year.

Priorities for the state Legislature

The Environmental Priorities coalition is back. In January the 2009-2011 legislative session kicks off in Olympia. Our representatives and Governor will be making decisions about what the state should do, and how it should allocate resources, for the next two years.

As you know, Washington faces a serious budget challenge. We want the state to continue to value our rich natural heritage and not lose opportunities to improve the quality of life for current and future generations. So we're once again part of the broad environmental and conservation community that has selected four priorities that we all support and urge the state to act on this year. They are:

• Invest in clean water
• Cap and invest
• Efficiency first
• Transit-oriented communities

I encourage you to read more about these priorities by clicking them above. You can follow the action and get involved at www.environmentalpriorities.org.

    
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about what we're up to or would like to know more. Many thanks.

In person this winter

Be an active member of the conservation community. Come learn about this year's Environmental Priorities, and then go to Olympia and tell your reps what you'd like them to do!
  

Environmental Priorities Legislative Workshop - Sat. Jan. 10
This annual event in Seattle is a chance for you to gather with several hundred other interested folks to learn more, ask questions, and help get the ball rolling. Learn more and sign up here.

Environmental Priorities Lobby Day - Thurs. Feb. 19
In February, hundreds of concerned citizens from across Washington will gather in Olympia to personally promote environmental priorities. This annual event gets easier and more fun every year. Food will be provided, questions answered, fascinating topics discussed, and appointments with your reps made for you. Learn all about it - including taking a bus - and sign up here.

  
Of course, it's always a good idea to call or write your elected reps to let them what you think. So do it early and often!

We have resources to help you on our Friends web site. 

Online resources for Friends

There is a section of The Nature Conservancy's web site dedicated to the Friends of Our Natural Heritage. There we post more information about our public priorities, links for finding officials, and other information to help you speak up for nature.

    
Friends quiz: What's the name of the state agency taking the lead on restoring and preserving Puget Sound (hint: they delivered their "Action Agenda" to the Governor and Legislature last month)?

    
Go to nature.org/Washington/friends and bookmark the page for easy reference. Your feedback is most welcome.