The Southern Oregon ACEs Training Team is offering free monthly open training sessions in Medford and Grants Pass, and Rogue Valley Mentoring is offering a training for people interested in helping to build resilience in our youth by becoming mentors in 2019. Info below!
ACES TRAININGS IN GRANTS PASS:
Public Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) Presentation
Dinner and Childcare provided (ages 3 to 10)
The Grants Pass School District is pleased to invite the Grants Pass community to public presentations on the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, or ACES for short. This 90 minute presentation will cover what the study was, what we now know about the amazing ways we as humans adapt to our world, why ACES play a significant role in the quality of our health as adults, and most importantly, what we can do together to reduce adversity in our community and improve our overall health and quality of life.
We will serve a pizza dinner at 5:30 pm to everyone who can come. We will also be providing childcare for ages 3 to 10. We encourage you to bring your children to dinner. After dinner, our Grants Pass high school leadership students will be providing childcare for you. While they play, you can come to the presentation to learn about ACES, how it impacts most of us, and how we can become resilient through our adversity. The presentation will begin at 6 pm.
Interested? Click here and let us know you are coming. You will get a confirmation email when you register for the event. No email? No problem. Give us a call at (541) 474-5715 (press 1 at the voice message).
Dates, and Locations
January 15 at Lincoln Elementary School (1132 NE 10th Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526)
February 11 at Parkside Elementary School (735 SW Wagner Meadows Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97526)
April 8 at Redwood Elementary School (3163 Leonard Road, Grants Pass, OR 97527)
May 6 at Riverside Elementary (1200 SE Harvey Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97526)
FREE EVENTS in Jackson & Josephine Counties throughout the Month to Raise Awareness of Trauma-Informed Practices and the Tools for Building Resilience for Individuals, Families and Our Communities:
November 3: Green Bag Day for the Food Project–sign up to join the Food Project all around Jackson County: www.onegreenbag.org
November 5: Open ACEs Training at Highland Elementary School, 2320 Williams Hwy, Grants Pass). Pizza at 5:30, training to follow, childcare provided. RSVP at this link.
November 7: Rogue Community Health “Rogue Way to Health” Luncheon, Noon, Inn at the Commons in Medford. For information on attending or sponsorship, please call 541-842-7711.
November 14: Strengthening Families Workshop in Grants Pass, 9 am to noon, Department of Human Services, 2101 NW Hawthorne in Grants Pass.
Strengthening Families™ is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is based on engaging families, programs and communities in building five protective factors:
November 14: Community Showing of new documentary“Screenagers” at Phoenix High School, 745 North Rose Street, Phoenix, 6 pm. No RSVPS necessary, doors open at 5:30 p.m.
November 15: Open ACEs Training at Hidden Valley High School, 651 Murphy Creek Road, Grants Pass. Pizza at 5:30, training to follow, childcare provided. To register, email jessica.durrant@threerivers.k12.or.us
November 16: Open ACEs Training at SOESD, 101 North Grape Street, Medford, 1 pm to 3 pm. Register at this link.
November 27: Community Showing of new documentary “Screenagers” at Ashland High School Mountain Ave Theatre, 201 South Mountain Ave, Ashland, 7 pm: no RSVPs necessary, doors open at 6:30 pm
November 28: Strengthening Families Workshop in Medford, 9 am to 4 pm, at the SOESD, 101 North Grape Street, Medford. Strengthening Families™ is a research-informed approach to increase family strengths, enhance child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. It is based on engaging families, programs and communities in building five protective factors:
November 28: Community Showing of new documentary“Screenagers”at Grants Pass High School, 830 NE 9th Street, Grants Pass, 6 pm. No RSVPS necessary, doors open at 5:30 p.m.
AND THROUGHOUT THE MONTH:
Great events and workshops for Parents & Families from The Family Connection! Check out the full calendar event here.
Sometime during this years Fair at the Fairgrounds, the main sign for our Firewise Demonstration Gardens was ripped off it’s post…most likely an accident. It has taken a while to get it repaired, but this week Mike Nelson donated and installed a large heavy-duty post that will not be easily damaged! Thank you, Mike!
Up on the grape vine post you will see a bird house that Mike also installed last spring. It housed TWO families of swallows – one right after the other! Mike cleaned it out this fall so it is all ready for next spring. The swallows that created the nest used grasses and pigeon feathers to line it!
There were TWO crops of grapes on the grape vines this year as well and lots of yummy strawberries and figs. Our little fig tree put on a lovely crop this year.
We harvested a good crop of Showy Milkweed seed from the Monarch Butterfly Garden. If you are interested in growing this beautiful native Milkweed to support the Monarchs, please contact me at barb22 at manddalaarts.com.
The gardens are doing well overall. A few plants have struggled with the conditions and a few plants have done so well we had to take them out because they threatened to take over the bed they were in! This winter we will thin out a few things and dig a few volunteer plants that are great plants but in the “wrong” place. We will keep you posted.
Ecological State: Regenerative land management practices create dramatic increases in biodiversity, water retention, and carbon sequestration. Regen Network monitors on-the-ground conditions and generates trusted attestations about the ecological state of managed land and water areas. Source: Regen Network
Building educational ecosystems of collaboration to improve planetary health
A couple of times in my life I have been thrown into deep reflection by the question “what if this was a magic wand and you could make a wish come true?”
The other day I was not asked that question, but I had a conversation with someone who is in an exceptional financial position and connected with powerful influencers. One person with the potential of being a key enabler of scaling-out capacity and action in regeneration around the globe. Yes there are many people in such positions, yet few who are so switched on to the urgency for redesigning the human impact on Earth.
Our conversation — and please don’t ask me for names at this point — was wide ranging and encouraging. It made me ask myself the big ‘What if questions’:
What if funding was no longer an issue and billions would be liberated to support the local and bioregional capacity building for ecosystems restoration and the regeneration of communities, cities, and globally cooperative bioregional economies?
What if we were suddenly enabled to convene conversations, planning and implementation locally and bioregionally to engage in the scale-linking redesign of the human presence and impact on Earth?
What if we were challenged to scale-out a glocal (global-local) capacity building and education programme that enables people to learn the needed skills and knowledge while already being an active part of the regeneration rising?
What if all of the experienced organizations, teachers, businesses that hold important skills and experience to contribute to this process where suddenly asked to collaborate in building the capacity of many millions of people to get involved and become active healers of the Earth and her people?
In the conversation I was asked whether I had a solution to the converging global crises and an idea how to create a wise response to them. My response was that anyone who claimed he had might be deluded at worst and at the least lacking the necessary humility to match the intensity of the challenges we face.
We will have to find those answers and solutions together. And to do so we need a shared overall vision and get started so we can learn along the way.
We also have to understand that this will be a continuous learning journey that will need many adjustment of course and constant redesign to adjust answers and solutions to changing conditions.
As I mentioned before, maybe questions rather than answers are the appropriate cultural guidance system — or ‘deep code’ ;-) — in this situation?
That said, we do know that bringing carbon back home, restoring healthy ecosystems functions, cleaning up the oceans and restoring watersheds, reforesting the planet rapidly with biodiversity reserves, productive analogue forests that provide food and biomaterials, creating healthy agro-ecological ecosystems in which farming is also about healing landscapes and safe-guarding biodiversity, building capacity for decentralized renewable energy production and catalyzing the massive amount of innovation that will be needed to shift towards regionally focussed circular biomaterials-economies and regionalized production and consumption patterns … all of these activities will take us into the right direction.
What is more, engaging in all these activities as and in community will provide a shared context of meaning locally, regionally and globally that might just take us into celebrating our diversity of opinions and finding a higher ground on which we can collaborate in the healing of the Earth and her people.
We need to find this higher ground to see our diversity as a source of vitality, resilience and creativity, rather than a reason to argue, go to war, dismiss and compete.
So what if the money was suddenly available to engage everyone who is holding pieces in the complex puzzle of redesigning and transforming the human impact on Earth in a concerted effort to enable this shift through education, community organizing, multi-sector/stakeholder regional visioning and planning processes, and enabling platforms and processes for glocal collaboration, knowledge exchange along with established pathways for flowing financial capital into living capital?
Are we ready? We better be!
Too often have I seen organizations that are broadly aligned on their higher vision and mission fall into patterns of behaviour that were more competitive rather than collaborative. Budget constraint made people more concerned with keeping their individual organizations functioning — rightly convinced of the importance of their contribution to positive change. It stopped them from feeling able to dedicate time and space to the exploration of how to link up with other players in the field and create synergies that would lead to all agents of positive change working in a concerted effort. This pattern could sabotage an effective scale-out regenerative literacy, capacity and implementation.
What if we no longer had the excuse to on the one hand admit that wider cooperation and whole systems design processes linking diverse efforts into a whole that is more than the sum of its parts are necessary and on the other hand justify inaction by saying that we don’t have the funding for it?
Imagine convening a series of meetings that would explore what needs to be done to skill-up and build capacity for ecosystems restoration and regenerative development everywhere.
Can we create a list of skilled agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, permaculture design and holistic land management professionals, of analogue foresters and biodiversity experts for every locality, region and biome? So we know who to call on as trainers.
Can we create an ecosystem of training and education opportunities that are taking place in existing projects, rapidly spreading ‘ecosystems restoration camps’, and the growing network of Regenerative Regional Development Hubs? So people who want to become active change agents know their options.
Can we link the different permaculture associations, agroforestry training centres, organic and biodynamic farming schools, demonstration sites and large implementation project of holistic management and diverse regenerative agriculture approaches into a global networks that trains people on the job? So we can begin to make progress while we scale-out capacity.
Can we establish multi-sector partnerships that link business, public authorities and civil society organizations into bioregionally focussed collaboration in regenerative development plans and implementation? So we can coordinate efforts that draw on our diversity of skills and experiences in ways that truly enable change.
Can we build the appropriate platforms to enable knowledge exchange, skill sharing, and capacity building through local, regional and global collaboration? So we can co-create a more regenerative and thriving future for all of humanity and the whole community of life (as a planetary process).
…
I will resist the temptation to continue as pieces that take more than 5 minutes to read don’t get a lot of attention. Below is a 11 minute rant to myself on my SUP board that explores the big What if even further. I sense soon there will be a lot of funding flowing into restoration and regenerative development. How do we make sure we are ready to scale-out when that time comes?
“We may not be able to raise the winds, but we can set sails so that when the wind comes we are ready.”
11 minute rant on my SUP board exploring the ideas in this post further
For a map of converging efforts in regenerative development, ecosystems restoration, resilience building and improving planetary health, see this list of resources and the dynamic ecosystems map at the end of this article on ‘Planetary Health and Regeneration’.
Daniel Christian Wahl — Catalyzing transformative innovation in the face of converging crises, advising on regenerative whole systems design, regenerative leadership, and education for regenerative development and bioregional regeneration.
is a grassroots, volunteer, non-profit organization of area residents who care about climate change and have joined forces to take bold action against it. Through volunteer projects, we focus on reducing the impacts of Global Warming across Southern Oregon.
Our Mission
Recognizing the urgent need for bold action, SOCAN’s mission is to promote awareness and understanding about the causes and consequences of climate change, to develop solutions, and to motivate concerned citizens to take individual and collective action.
Our Goal
We seek a reduction in the global atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration to 350 parts per million (Carbon dioxide equivalent: CO2e). To achieve this, we collaborate with individuals and organizations throughout the world and encourage both personal and governmental actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sign up for the next offering of the 4-session Pachamama Alliance “Drawdown Solutions: Getting into Action!” course. It will run Thursday evenings, July 19 & 26, and August 2 & 9, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., in the Casbah Tent, at Jackson Wellsprings – 2253 Highway 99, Ashland, 97520, OR, United States .
Pre-requisite for this course is attendance at an “Introduction to Drawdown”event–next one scheduled in our area is July 5, same time and same place as this course.
For Ashland’s 4th of July Parade, Southern Oregon Pachamama Alliance is imagining an entry that features lots of people marching, each one holding a sign with one of the 80 Drawdown Solutions (for details, see the book Drawdown: The most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming). We’d like as many families and children as possible.
You and your family and friends are invited to be Drawdown Solution sign carriers in the Parade! To sign up, please contact Catie Faryl (catiefaryl@hotmail.com or 541 535-1854) and let her know if you have a favorite Drawdown Solution you’d like to carry and how many people you’d like to bring along.
You are also warmly invited to jump right in and participate in either of the planning sessions scheduled for:
Wednesday May 23, 2-3 pm
at the Center for Creative Change
107 W. 1st St in Phoenix
On Monday Mike Nelson and I installed the 6 new full color metal signs on the five Firewise Demonstrations Garden beds at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. One sign is for the project as a whole and the rest describe the purpose of each garden bed; the Permaculture Garden, the Bees and Pollinator Garden with Mike’s wonderful Insect Hotel, the Monarch Butterfly garden, the Natives Edibles Garden and the Rain Garden. The beds are now going into their third year and are doing very well!
The thriving Permaculture Bed in April – grape vines not leafed out yet.
Mike also just installed a new bird house designed especially for swallows, and moved the small one it replaced down to the crepe myrtle in the Monarch Butterfly bed.
Our butterfly “bath”, which was a 12″ un-glazed clay saucer, disintegrated this winter and we need to replace it. If you have a large clay saucer you don’t need, please let us know.
As a reward for all our hard work – we did a little harvest of purple asparagus before we left – some of the biggest asparagus I have ever seen! Yum! The strawberries and blueberries are in full bloom and the fig tree has lots of little figs forming. Last summer we had a bumper crop of grapes as well! Anyone working on caring for the beds gets to enjoy whatever is ripe at the time.
Stop by the Fairgrounds at any time (they are always open) and check out the new signs. I am usually there on Monday mornings. If you have an interest in helping to maintain the gardens email me at barb22 at mandalaarts.com.
Thursday, April 19, 2018 5:30 – 7:30 PM Large Meeting Room – Medford Public Library 205 South Central Avenue, Medford, OR 97501
RCC’s Diversity Programming Board & SO Health-E invite you to join us for dinner & a discussion about climate, environmental, & social justice, food security, and health outcomes.
State Legislators have the power to protect you from unfair and deceptive policies that make it difficult, expensive, or impossible for you to repair the things you own. Right to Repair or Fair Repair Bills have been introduced in 18 states, but they will only pass if you tell your lawmakers that you want Right to Repair.
Posted by Jerry Allen
To be a sustainable, resilient, self-reliant community we need to be able to reasonably fix stuff and not just throw it away and make another trip to the big box store. We also need to support local repair shops. It’s time to speak out for your right to repair
This year, the people of Oregon have a chance to guarantee their right to repair their stuff—like cell phones, laptops, and even tractors.
It’s yours. You own it. You shouldn’t have to beg the manufacturer for permission to fix it when it breaks. Tell your legislator that you want the right to repair.
There are two easy ways to get in touch: call and write. We’ll track down your legislator’s contact info for you.
Common Questions about Right to Repair
What does Right to Repair do?
Right to Repair is simple. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get back on with your life.
That sounds great! Who would be against that?
Well, manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don’t like the idea. When your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and service.
Is Right to Repair a new concept?
Nope! We already have right to repair for cars—that’s why you can take your Ford into a local mechanic. They have all the same software diagnostics and service manuals that the dealerships have. This is the result of decades of auto Right to Repair legislation—laws that have been a resounding success.
How can I get involved?
It’s time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed out. Write or call your legislator. Tell them you support the Fair Repair Act. Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and accessible. Stand up for your right to repair in Oregon!
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Visit the Repair.org website, contact your representatives, and let your voice be heard. If you don’t want Apple to be the only place you can go to repair your iPhone or Mac computer, you need to reach out to your representatives and tell them that! This is really important!
The Oregon Master Naturalist Program provides an opportunity to learn about natural resources through the study of scientifically sound information: the natural history of plants, animals, habitats, and geology, the history and processes of landscape change, as well as the most relevant topics in present-day sustainable natural resource management. Participants volunteer for natural resources programs, agencies, organizations, and other groups in their communities.
The Oregon Master Naturalist Program is for people interested in Oregon’s natural history and natural resources management who want to dedicate their time as volunteers.
How to Become an Oregon Master Naturalist
Your journey begins here!
You are about to set forth on a journey of learning, exploration, and service. To become a full-fledged Oregon Master Naturalist, there are several steps you must take. The Oregon Master Naturalist Program is ideal for those who wish to become certified Master Naturalists, but classes are open to anyone with interest, as space allows.
We currently offer courses in 5 Ecoregions, which are in-person coures taught within an ecologically distinct region of Oregon. You must take at least one Ecoregion to become an Oregon Master Naturalist (learn more).
3. Volunteer.
Once you have completed your coursework, you must volunteer for a natural resources oriented group or project for a minimum of 40 hours within the first full year after completing your coursework (learn more).
4. Maintain your certification.
To maintain your status as an Oregon Master Naturalist, you must continue to volunteer a minimum of 40 hours per year, and attend at least 8 hours of continuing education per year (learn more).
Ecoregion Field Courses
To become an Oregon State University Extension Master Naturalist, you must complete one Ecoregion field course. An Ecoregion course is a set of in-person classes taught within one of Oregon’s ecologically distinct regions. These field-based courses, taught by experts, introduce participants to a wide range of natural history and conservation topics relevant to a single Ecoregion. A typical course contains 6-8 all day classes. Full course participation is expected.
Ecological State: Regenerative land management practices create dramatic increases in biodiversity, water retention, and carbon sequestration. Regen Network monitors on-the-ground conditions and generates trusted attestations about the ecological state of managed land and water areas. Source: 
sustainableroguevalley.org 