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Changes Afoot at Sustainable Fairfax

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Lots of changes at Sustainable Fairfax!  

An Opportunity to Renew, Recreate, Re-envision…
Sustainable Fairfax hums along through the generosity of time and commitment from many.

Elizabeth Baker has been a backbone of the organization from its earliest days.  For the last 8  years, Elizabeth has served as President of the Board and to our great sadness, has decided it’s time to focus on other projects and will be stepping down as President this summer.  We are delighted that Elizabeth will remain on the board. Elizabeth will continue to oversee the Free Community Seed Exchange and help organize homesteading workshops, Fairfax on Foot hikes and the Sustainable Film & Lecture series.

Renee Goddard is one of the earliest leaders and to this day, continues to bring new ideas for how we come together with an unfailing commitment to sustainability and community.  She was a main driver in the successful campaign to ban single-use plastic bags and created a new town event, Streets for People. Her vision for safe alternative transportation as well as zero waste education and implementation have contributed to our town’s identity as a leader in tackling climate change.  Renee is just a wee bit busy as our Mayor in this time of Covid-19.  While Renee will remain on the Board as an advisor, she is stepping down as the Vice President. We look forward to her continued vision and guidance for the organization.

We are grateful to these two women and are pleased that they both will continue to be involved.

NEXT STEPS! Sustainable Fairfax is ready to emerge with a new purpose that continues to nurture our families and community and protects our ecosystem. We need your ideas, leadership skills, and fresh perspective to refocus our efforts and create new programs, platforms and projects that meet the demands of these challenging times. Join us to work together AND bring your vision and people power..

If you are interested in participating in a leadership role in this new visioning and planning process, please call so we can chat. Laura Vernon 415-866-5377.

Thank you!

Sustainable Fairfax in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter

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Sustainable Fairfax stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

We are devastated by the gut-wrenching and needless death of George Floyd. The heartbreaking events of the last month have made the truth of present day America quite clear: racism continues to be deeply rooted in our present day society.

For us, this has been a time of deep listening, learning and introspection. Fairfax is 89% white, and Marin County is highly segregated due in large part to the racist housing policies of the past. As a center working toward a better future for all, we must work to dismantle the systems that tolerate racism and violence against people of color. There can be no climate justice without social justice.

What can we do as individuals and as an organization to become effective allies to people of color, and join with them to support the movement towards an equitable and sustainable world for all?  

Diversity, de-segregation and equity can only strengthen our community. Let us work together to make positive change, heal the deep wounds of the past, and honor the memories of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and the many others who have tragically lost their lives.

Stay Safe and Strong,
Sustainable Fairfax

“In a Racist Society it is not enough to be non-racist. 

We must be anti-racist.”

– – Angela Y. Davis

Share the Fairfax Flair with Fairfax Forward

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While we are sheltering in place, the Fairfax community is brimming with creative ways of supporting each other. The Town developed #fairfaxforward to encompass the spirit, mindset and momentum of the Fairfax community. It considers the legacy of our town and the forward thinking of our residents.

Fairfax, show off your vibrance and color! Pull out an old tie-dye, turn it into ribbon to ‘Tie around the old Oak Tree’ to show support for our First Responders and frontline workers and to celebrate community connection. Get creative and share your flair! Take a picture of something that celebrates community resilience and tag #fairfaxforward. Follow Fairfaxforward on Instagram to see what others are doing!

POSTPONED- Climate Action NOW Committee Meeting

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To our Fairfax community:

The safety and health of our community is of utmost importance to us. We are thankful to our residents and businesses for taking the necessary precautions to protect our neighbors and loved ones during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Pursuant to the Bay Area shelter-in-place order, all Sustainable Fairfax meetings and events will be cancelled/postponed until further notice.  Make sure you are signed up for our newsletter to stay on top of our scheduling!  We are still planning on a robust launch of our new Climate Action Now hub in the near future when we can meet in person.  But in the meantime, if you’re interested in discussing strategies on climate or other sustainability-related actions, please do reach out.

We encourage everyone to try to enjoy this break in the daily routine. Read some good books, watch your favorite movies, take a hike, call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while, or work in the garden (check out the seed sale from the Living Seed Company below!). Spirit Rock is still offering their Monday Night events through live streaming.  

And, while this may be a time for stillness and rest for some, for others caring for children or aging parents it is extremely challenging.  Let’s support each other the best we can. Nextdoor is a good resource for connecting with neighbors. (There is a new group called The Good Fairy that links people who can help with people in need.)  Or check on an elderly neighbor to see if you can help – many people are not on Nextdoor. 

To support our local artists and performers, consider donating cancelled tickets rather than receiving a refund.

We also encourage people to patronize our local businesses, while remaining safe. Fairfax Lumber is offering delivery. Most of our restaurants offer take-out –  Fradelizio’s, Iron Springs, and Sorella’s will bring your food to your car.

Stay calm, stay safe – we are a resilient community. 

For up to date information from Marin County Health & Human Services click this link: http://www.marinhhs.org/coronavirus.

Sustainable Fairfax

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SPRING SEED SALE!

The Living Seed Company in West Marin teams up with Sustainable Fairfax to offer their friends 15% off on their spring garden!

 

  • Herbs, Flowers and Vegetables
  • Locally Adapted Organic Seeds!
  • 15% off on all orders over $25
  • Free Shipping on all orders over $65

 

USE COUPON CODE: FairfaxFriends (Expires March 22, 2020)

>> Visit Living Seed Company Website

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The time is now to take action on climate! Join Sustainable Fairfax to learn how you can  take positive action on climate with your community, and help implement the Town’s visionary and promising Climate Action Plan.  There is something to do for everyone.  Here are some of the focus areas you can help with:

  • Plan and take part in a Fairfax Earth Day Event that is focused on effective climate action. Possible workshops could be how to build an e-bike, how to plan for an EV, how to put together a multi-year plan to have a carbon-neutral home, food waste reduction, and much more. We’ll partner with the Town of Fairfax’s Climate Action Committee to collaborate on the town’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), followed by a community potluck and music to celebrate Earth Day and the community coming together to make change happen.
  • Promote the countywide 2020 Earth Day Deep Green Challenge!  While Fairfax currently has the highest number of MCE DEEP Green accounts in Marin (providing 100% renewable energy), most residents are not yet participating–we can do better.  Help us double our numbers for the challenge!
  • Take a part in the Resilient Neighborhood program in Fairfax.
  • Focus our collective energies on implementing meaningful climate action related programs right here in Fairfax.  We need you!

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>Learn More

 

Congrats Zero Waste Schools!

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Life lessons, savings, and less to the landfill.

Twenty-nine of Marin’s 49 public K-12 schools are enrolled in the Zero Waste Schools Program, and more are coming on board every year. In Fairfax, White Hill Middle School and Manor Elementary are among the participants.At these schools, students and staff conduct a waste assessment, learn about proper sorting and set up a comprehensive recycling and composting program.

Funded by Zero Waste Marin, the Zero Waste Schools Program provides containers for indoor and outdoor discard stations as well as other equipment at no cost to the school. They also train teachers and staff, help with green team coordination and other ongoing zero waste activities. Schools that achieve their goals are certified and awarded with recognition and up to $2,500 in cash. To date, nine schools have been recognized.

Zero Waste School students learn important life lessons and keep waste out of the landfill. For example, Laurel Dell Elementary in San Rafael, one of the first schools to join the program in 2015, has increased the amount of waste that’s recycled or composted from 20% to 50%! That’s a win for the environment and helps reduce the school’s garbage bill. Every dollar not spent on waste is a dollar that can be better used educating our kids.

To learn more about the Zero Waste Schools Program, visit www.ZeroWasteMarin.org/Schools.

POSTPONED- First Compost Delivery of the Year!

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FREE COMPOST FOR FAIRFAX RESIDENTS.  The compost delivery will be postponed due to concern about invasive bermuda grass that is growing and may contaminate the compost, as well as concern for keeping appropriate social distancing in response to the COVID-19 rules. Sign up for our newsletter on our home page to be sure you get notifications. This compost is made from the food and yard waste collected in our green curbside carts.

This compost is for Fairfax residents only and is not for commercial use.

To ensure there is enough to go around, please do not take more than five 5-gallon buckets (which provides a one inch cover for a 40 square foot garden).  Bring your own containers and shovels for collection.

Use of Compost: Compost is a soil amendment that improves the water-holding capacity and structure of your soil, but too much of it can harm your plants. It is recommended that you use no more than 1-2 inches on your annuals & perennials.

Let us know if you have any questions at info@sustainablefairfax.org.