Plan approved to mitigate greenhouse gasses
■ The Lane County Board of Commissioners approved the County’s first Community Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Plan on a 4-1 vote this past Tuesday. This decision makes Lane County the second Oregon county to have a comprehensive, community-wide plan to address the climate crisis. The plan describes 10 high-impact practices generally recognized to reduce greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. Plan actions, if fully implemented, could help the county realize 71% of its 2040 carbon-neutral goal. “This plan is a significant step forward for Lane County that reflects years of preparation,” said Pat Farr, Commission chair. The county began developing a plan in August 2020. According to the findings, transportation contributed more than 66% of emissions, and building energy contributed 21%.
Red Cross celebrates national ‘Volunteer Week’
■ More than 300,000 Red Cross volunteers nationally serve communities by responding to thousands of disasters; supporting the collection of blood to help patients receive the critical care they need; aiding members of the military and their families; helping communities prepare for emergencies around the globe and much more. In the Cascades Region, more than 2,500 volunteers help their community. “National Volunteer Week is a time to honor all of our volunteers for their constant service and support,” said Dawn Johnson, Regional communications manager. “They are true heroes who give their time day and night to help their local community.” Last year, Cascades Region Red Cross volunteers responded to nearly 700 emergencies by providing food, shelter, comfort, and hope to local families. They trained more than 50,000 people in lifesaving skills and provided services to military members, veterans and their families 8 times a day. For info on volunteering, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.
Couple honored for pollinator habitat
■ The Oregon Board of Forestry and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will recognize Reid and Regina Ligon of Eugene along with several other forest landowners with the Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Award for Forest Lands award during an online ceremony Friday, April 22. The Ligons are being recognized for enhancing pollinator habitat in forest on their property in Lane County. The Fish and Wildlife Steward Award program acknowledges stewardship work that landowners are doing for forests, fish and wildlife on their property. The Ligons contributed their property for an OSU pollinator habitat enhancement pilot program. Through their labor (including brush clearing and establishing pollinator plants) and at their own cost, the Ligons created habitat for over 500 species of native bees in Oregon.
