Summer has arrived! Our parks and open spaces recently have taken on special importance as an alternative to isolating inside our homes. The current situation is a reminder of how your continuing support of Groundswell NW’s work contributes directly to a healthy community.
As the weather gets warmer, think about visiting parks you haven’t experienced before. Check out the Seattle Parks and Recreation webpage: www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks If you are looking for a way to volunteer while staying home: consider joining the Groundswell NW Board or helping us with a specific project. Sign up here..
Thanks to all of you who responded to our postcard and have switched to email for future mailings. That will make more money available for our Seed Money grants. Speaking of grants, if you have a project that could benefit from a grant of up to $500, please visit our website and fill out an application. An easy way to support Groundswell NW is to shop through Amazon Smile and designate us. More information on grant applications and Amazon Smile are on our website.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comments on the Lake Washington Ship Canal Master Plan which includes the Ballard Locks upland. The Master Plan covers recreation, cultural/historic resources and natural resources management but NOT navigation. View the plan and submit comment at https://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Home/Master-Plans/LWSC-Master-Plan/igphoto/2002304318/ Comments are due by July 31, 2020.
Wishing you a healthy and happy summer. Wash your hands!
The Groundswell NW Board
Photo credit: www.eopugetsound.org/magazine/ballard-locks
Announcing the Sustainable Ballard UnFestival
We’ll Make the Un Fun!
Given the uncertainty of large group gatherings in Seattle for the foreseeable future, we are creating a virtual festival to replace our annual live festival in 2020.
Starting June 2020 and running through Nov 2020, the virtual festival will feature a variety of online workshops, masterclasses, discussions, movies, games, contests and challenges via Zoom/Facebook/Instagram live/Twitter. We will introduce a theme for each month and work with our sponsors, project leads and this community to develop rich and engaging programming that highlights the sustainability issues we all care about.
Some of our activities will be free thanks to business sponsorships or the efforts of community members. Some will be offered for a suggested donation to cover costs and help us cover our annual expenses.
We are offering a season pass for those who can afford it ($100 members, $150 general public) that covers your donation for all UnFestival activities. There will be many! Every month will include a movie, multiple learning opportunities, and a game, contest or challenge with prizes! All educational events will be recorded and available for viewing at any time on a private YouTube channel for Season Pass holders.
Donations and sponsorship from our annual Sustainable Ballard live Festival make up about 40% of our net annual income. With the help of Sustainable Ballard Board Members, Project Leads, community members and local business sponsors we hope to raise $15,0000 in 2020 through the UnFestival. Will you support us?
Click here to get your Season Pass.