Our current and past accomplishments – September, 1995 – December, 2016
Land Use Issues:
Hogback Basin View Development: The developer planned an English Style community on Hog Back with an English park-like environment with artificial lakes and streams. It was out of character with our high desert climate and water resources were not used efficiently. The committee helped defeat this plan with hearings before the City Council in Fall,1997.
Pelican Butte Ski Area: We voiced our concerns in 1999 about the construction of a downhill ski resort on Federal forest lands. Hydrology and sewage disposal are a problem, as is traffic on only one road leading up to
the resort. To date, no development has occurred.
Conger Heights Area: We testified that the Conger Heights area above the Link River must be maintained as open spaces for public use rather than be sold for private development. As of June, 2007, this property was given City park status. Several of our members were then instrumental in creating the Klamath Greenways Foundation.
2007: Helped found Klamath Greenways Foundation to preserve the Link River Canyon
2008 : Paradise Hills Rezoning; testified against this
2010: Lakeview Trail Development Support Letter
Waste Management/Recycling:
Klamath County and the City of Klamath Falls changed garbage rates to a volume based, variable rate structure instead of a rate based on three 32 gallon cans. We worked from 1996 -2004 with local elected officials, government staff, and our waste management company to achieve this change.
In the 1990’s, Klamath County’s recycling goal was 15 %. We worked with Waste Management of Oregon, who is licensed to pick up waste in Klamath County, to encourage more recycling in the Klamath Basin so that in 2006, it was up to 37%. We hope to raise that to 50% very soon. We continue to partner with Waste Management on various projects, including our children’s
coloring booklets on recycling.
Since Spring, 1999, we have had a Sustainable Communities member sitting on the Klamath County Solid Waste Advisory Board until it was dismantled in 2010.
Coloring Booklet: Every year, since 1998, as part of Earth Day, we have disseminated coloring books on recycling and informational material to elementary aged children in Klamath County. For many years, we had a drawing for a bicycle. Now these materials are also distributed at our outreach booths at PLAY day at the Fairgrounds in January, Winter Wings Festival at OIT College Union in February, and at the International Migratory Bird Day in May at Veterans Park.
Computer Cartridge Recycling: For many years, we had 6 sites that disseminated recycling bags for computer printer cartridges and cell phones. Income from this source helped to pay for our quarterly newsletter from 2001 for about 10 years.
Compost Bins: In 2004 and 2005, we sold a total of 550 compost bins and handed out compost information.
Worm Bins: Since 2002, we have provided on-going elementary classroom presentations and adult classes on worm bin composting. Interested?
Contact Leslie Lowe inharmony46@charter.net
Compost Demonstration Site: In 2007, we developed a compost demonstration site, originally as part of the OSU garden on Vandenberg Road. It moved for some years to Bernie’s Mountain Valley Gardens on Washburn Way, and since 2010, it is part of our community garden at Orchard and Richmond Streets.
Sustainability Education/ Information Dissemination:
Kiosk: We have moved our kiosk to many locations and events throughout Klamath since its construction by Dwight Long and Ralph Opp in 2001. Locations include Klamath County Government Center, Chiloquin Community Center, Klamath County Library, Klamath County Museum, Oregon Institute of Technology campus, and Jefferson Mall. We have manned booths at the Winter Wings Festival at OIT in February, the Home builders show in March, Earth Day in Jefferson Mall and Klamath County Museum in April, and Migratory Bird Day at Veteran’s Park in May. The kiosk provides free information on sustainability issues from business practices to home composting.
Newsletter: We have provided, free of charge, a quarterly newsletter from 1999 -2014. Our distribution averaged over 300 postal addresses. See Quarterly Newsletters in Menu. In 2014, we changed to an email format which includes our agenda and minutes from the previous meeting, as well as other news. Want your name on our list?
Email News: Since 1998, we have maintained a growing email notification list. We have used this list to help people know what is going on in OUR community related to sustainability so that we can support local efforts. We have also used this list to help our members make contact with internet news and websites that relate to the topic of sustainability in other places as well as educate them about better choices for a sustainable lifestyle.Want your name on our list?
Booths/Outreach education: Our educational focus is in disseminating information and activities to children and families. We have participated in the following:
January: PLAY day at Fairgrounds
February: Winter Wings Festival at OIT College Union
April: Earth Day celebration at OIT
May: International Migratory Bird Day at Veteran’s Park
August: Bee Festival at YMCA
November: Diabetes Fair at the Fairgrounds
Websites: We created our website in 1999 as a project of a class in web design at OIT. Various talents in the Klamath Basin have combined to produce and maintain it.
GreenWelcomeWagon.com: We partnered with Jerry Haugen and Klamath County Economic Development to create a website that listed ideas and businesses that encouraged sustainable living.
Presentations: Since 1996, we have made presentations to distribute Klamath Sustainable Communities materials and information at public meetings held by League of Women Voters, Klamath Basin Audubon, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, local garden Clubs, Master Gardeners, Unitarian Fellowship, Congregational Church-United Church of Christ, etc.
In July 2001, made presentation to Klamath Falls City Council regarding the “Principles of Sustainability” and requested implementation of system development charges to the extent permitted by the state of Oregon. Also requested additional lobbying to include schools in system development charges.
Public Meetings: KSC has held at least 3 public meetings each year since its inception in 1995. We increased that to at least 9 meetings per year after 2005. A great variety of topics have been discussed over the years.
Radio: Spring, 2007, Ryan Brown, KFLS radio talk show host, interviewed Leslie Lowe regarding the issues of sustainability. For about a year, Ryan played weekly “Tips for Living Sustainably”, created and recorded by Leslie Lowe. We compiled “101 Tips for Living Sustainably”, which we distribute at all outreach activities.
Forums/Workshops:
1996: April; LWV Klamath committee on sustainability presented to over 40 community leaders
about the issues of sustainability in Klamath County
1997: September; Follow up meeting to April 1996
2007: Strawbale workshops with Andrew Morrison’s teachings 2008: Hands on strawbale workshop at Karen’s home near Chiloquin
2009: Strawbale workshop at Carol and Jerry Brown’s home in Bonanza
2010: January; Energy Forum I; collaborated with numerous agencies and businesses to educate people about energy saving behaviors; over 100 people in attendance
2010: October; Energy Forum II; collaborated with numerous agencies and businesses to educate people about energy saving behaviors
2010: October, November, and December; partnered with ROP (Rural Organizing Project) to have economic roundtable discussions
2010: August and December; 2011, February: Hydroponics classes
2011: March; Cesar Chavez Work Party and Potluck; partnered with KSC community garden, Garden Street Congregational Church and Americorps Program
2011: March; in partnership with KLCAS and Food Bank and Americorps Program, hosted FEAST workshop on results of Roopika Subramanian’s work on food issues in Klamath County
2011: May; Local Food Production and Winter Gardening workshop
2011: October; Energy Efficiency Forum with showing of dvd “Paying too much to heat your home?” in collaboration with Klamath County Library; Tyra Araj and numerous agencies and businesses collaborated to produce the educational dvd which is available at amazon.com
2012: Jan; Science of Food; Partnered with Klamath Outdoor Science School at their open house to teach healthy fun food recipes
2014: March; Partnered with Klamath Tribal Health and Family Services to present “Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream” Seminar; practical steps to bring about transformation regarding the environmental, social, and spiritual presence of humanity on the planet
2014: April; Partnered with Klamath Tribal Health and Family Services and Klamath Community College to present Oregon Humanities Conversation Project “We are what we eat- Connecting food and Citizenship”
Creation of Klamath Basin Coalition for a Liveable Future (KBCLF)
In 2003, Klamath Sustainable Communities formally developed a 501 c 3 tax deductible organization named Klamath Basin Coalition for a Liveable Future (KBCLF). This new organization gave our members the opportunity to pay dues and have them be tax deductible. It also positioned us to receive and dispense grant money for our various projects.
The name changed back to Klamath Sustainable Communities in 2009.