Happy New Year!

If you’re still considering drafting a new year’s resolution perhaps it could be to go greener this year than last. A U.N. report states that 2008 was the tenth hottest year on record. Extreme weather worldwide further demonstrates the effects of climate change. At the same time the global economy tanked. So in 2009, save money, save energy and save the planet!

In 2008 our Island County Council of Governments developed a Resolution of Sustainability. The council includes the elected officials of Oak Harbor, Langley and Coupeville, the port districts and Island County. These officials and government staff are joining forces with community groups such as the Island County Climate Change Coalition, Whidbey Island Conservation District, Transition Whidbey and WSU Extension programs striving toward positive change. Combining our energy and expertise, we’re working together to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce vehicle emissions, increase bike use and bus ridership, conserve energy and water, clean storm water, encourage local food production, build business opportunity and community self reliance.

Our green report card for 2008 is impressive. Oak Harbor made an effort to educate the public about how to prevent pollutants entering the storm drains that lead directly into Puget Sound. Students and scouts helped stencil over 350 storm drains throughout the city with the message, “Only Rain Down the Drain.” Car wash kits were made available for fundraising car washes to divert dirty water away from the bay. City staff sought out opportunities to implement low impact development that help keep storm water on site and filter it through plants and soils. Good examples of rain gardens, pervious pavement and environmental design can be found at the Harbor Station shopping center, the new Visitors Center at Deception Pass and at Fort Nugent Park. A rain garden is part of the design for the Scenic Heights trailhead currently being built at Freund Marsh.

City, county, and school district staff worked together to set up a more comprehensive recycling system for the Oak Harbor School District. Now we’re educating students and staff on how to recycle at home and school, and make sure the system is working as it should. Waste Wise volunteers helped greet over 400 people at the city’s free clean-up day last April with information about the 3 R’s, reduce, reuse and recycle. Both the Public Works shop and City Hall have worm bins in use by staff which has reduced lunch room waste by 25 percent. Worms are available to the public upon request at 279-4762.

A series of free sustainability seminars were offered monthly and will continue through 2009. The biggest attendance was for workshops on Green Building, Renewable Energy, and Water Conservation.

We celebrated Earth Day with the city’s first Sustainability Fair at Skagit Valley College. This year it’s scheduled for May 3 and will focus on local food production. I recommend reading, “Plenty, the 100 Mile Diet,” by Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon, or “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” by Barbara Kingsolver, to get up-to-date on this local eating movement.

The city adopted a No Idle Policy to help reduce fuel costs and vehicle emissions. The Harborside Merchants Association and Oak Harbor schools and have also declared No Idle Zones. Some schools are developing a walking school bus with parent volunteers escorting kids to school on foot.

The first Green Business Award was recently presented to Angelo’s Caffe’ with Whidbey Wild Bird coming in a close second. Both businesses are on Pioneer Way. A Waste Wise Holiday Business Directory was created to reduce waste over the holiday season.

And here’s some exciting news for 2009! Now it’s free and easy to recycle your electronics responsibly. New state laws require manufacturers to take their products back for recycling. TV’s, laptops, computer towers and monitors will be accepted for free at Island Recycling facilities on Oak Harbor Road, in Coupeville, Freeland or on Camano. Other E-waste can be recycled at the Coupeville site for a reasonable fee. Call 679-7386.