Sustainability Forum Community Listening Meeting

When: Monday, January 26th at 7-9 PM
Where: Yreka Community Center, 810 North Oregon Street.
Contact: Meadow Barr, Shasta Energy Group 926-3363

What is Sustainability Anyway?

A project of the Shasta Energy Group (SEG), the Sustainability Forums will promote interest and participation in thoughtful use of our natural resources, and in sustainable community development by bringing together a spectrum of experts and citizens to plan our own future.

This community outreach meeting will focus on basic sustainability concepts, and solicit input to tailor community-specific approaches that will benefit the entire county.

The meeting is an opportunity for the citizens of Siskiyou County to provide input into the design and implementation of upcoming Sustainability Forums. The Sustainability Forum assists in creating a dialogue between federal and private industries, communities and private landowners.

The forum provides a neutral setting where ideas can be discussed in the hopes of creating a shared vision among our communities. New partnerships between various groups and individuals will begin to build this vision.

SEG intends to explore the benefits to county timberland owners of supplying Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified or similar sustainably harvested forest products to local builders.

Currently SEG is working with state, municipal, federal and private partners in the Biomax 50 biomass-to-energy project. SEG is coordinating the fuel procurement, using forest wood waste from area private lands. This project is an example of how the Sustainability Forum can forge relationships that will add value to the use of our area natural resources.

Community outreach meetings are an opportunity for SEG to hear innovative ideas from the community to initiate renewable energy and other demonstration projects.

Join SEG at the next community outreach meeting Monday, January 26th 7-9pm at the Yreka Community Center, 810 North Oregon Street. For more information contact SEG at 926-3363.

The Shasta Energy Group (SEG) is a public benefit non-profit organization dedicated to Renewable Energy Demonstration and Sustainability through Community Education and Dialogue.

MEETING REPORT:

At Monday’s Sustainability Forum Community Listening meeting in Yreka
Shasta Energy Group (SEG) shared what sustainability means to SEG:

• Thriving socio-political economic and ecological systems.
• Renewable energy sources including energy efficiency in homes and buildings, solar, wind, biomass.
• Holistic and integrated solutions including partnerships that take into account a broad spectrum of factors including human and ecological needs.
• Leaving a quality legacy for our children.

Participants then explored their personal definition of sustainability. Participants broke into four groups (vision, tradition, action and community) to discuss different angles of how a Sustainability Forum, based on community dialogue, could help our region move towards sustainability.

The recurring theme in all groups was the need for a neutral zone for public dialogue to break down stereotypical barriers that keep different members of our communities from understanding each other. One participant explained, “It is important to break down the barriers that exist between the divides because the root message of sustainability is the same for everyone.” Interest in biomass energy was also very high.

The following input came out of the group dialogues:

The Vision Group answered: In 10-20 years, how will the Sustainability Forum have shaped our cities, communities and county? The Sustainability Forum will have shaped satisfying communities in which to live, work and retire. More energy will be produced locally, people will spend locally and skilled jobs will be created locally. The Sustainability Forum will be a self-financing system that sustains itself for generations, offering the same opportunities we have to our grandchildren. Local voices will be part of the solutions as the decision making power needs to be with the people who the decision affects. Small-scale energy solutions will be part of diverse solutions. Elected officials, at various levels, work together and not independently.

The Tradition Group answered: “how do we create a sustainable future while respecting the traditions in our past?” with many more questions.
How do we balance respect for the diverse and historic ways of life of generations of families living off of the land with respect for people who move to the county, including retirees?
Honoring the diverse beliefs in our county, how do we come to agreement on what constitutes the wise use of water and other resources?
How can rural and urban dwellers educate each other about differing lifestyles? How can political power be balanced? What power is in personal lifestyle choices?
How do we make biomass energy sustainable?
How can we balance healthy forests and healthy grazing ranges?

The Action Group answered: What are the next steps?

• Focus on the tangible aspects of what sustainability means.
• Listen to people. Listen to people living off the land. Design the forums to the audience.
• Start meetings in smaller community settings and move to the larger regions as the important topics are revealed.
• Have subject experts hold forums with local governments, county and federal officials.
• Use multi-media including community newspapers, video-conferencing, the internet, word-of mouth, homeowner associations, small news letters and web-site chat rooms for networking and questions.
• Constantly be looking toward the future.
• Remain non-biased and non-political so to not alienate groups.
• Create incentive and awards programs for people who are working toward sustainability (i.e. recycler of the month).
• Speak a common language so everyone understands.

The Community Group answered: Who needs to be involved?

We need to involve all who use energy or have the material including timber companies, large landowners, landfill owners/operators and collection businesses, the County Board of Supervisors, City Councils, California Department of Fire, Forest Service, environmental groups and individuals, state, federal and local officials, schools, subject experts, the California Conservation Corps, and community elders. We need to foster partnerships between the Forest Service, California Department of Fire and environmentalists.

Citizens of Siskiyou County will have an opportunity to learn more about biomass energy in mid-march at an educational meeting hosted by the Siskiyou Resource Conservation District and Scott River Watershed Council. The Shasta Energy Group will be among biomass presenters

The Shasta Energy Group (SEG) is a public benefit non-profit organization dedicated to Renewable Energy Demonstration and Sustainability through Community Education and Dialogue. To learn more contact SEG at 926-3363. www.shastaenergygroup.org

Past Meeting Reports

10/29/03 Mt. Shasta