Wednesday, September 10, 5 p.m., San Juan Community Theatre

— from Julia Vouri —

RankerWashington State Senator Kevin Ranker One of Keynote Speakers at the Finale Event of the Climate Action Summer Speaker Series September 10 at the San Juan Community Theatre.

Come join us for the finale event of our summer-long speaker series, Climate Action Imperative: Understanding Impacts & Making Choices, at a hosted reception at 5 p.m. and program at 7 p.m. on September 10 at the San Juan Community Theatre in Friday Harbor. Both events are free and open to all community members.

This special evening wraps up the summer speaker series, which featured eight experts on Climate Change—from oceanographers to botanists, biologists to meteorologists. The speakers provided a current look at climate change, and what actions are warranted by individuals as well as by our state and nation.

The reception, co-hosted by the Northwest Straits Foundation and San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, is for community members who want to learn more about Northwest Straits Foundation’s role in protecting and restoring the health of the marine ecosystem in the San Juan Islands and throughout the entire Northwest Straits region. You will also learn how you can make an impact on marine conservation in our community.

SolienFollowing the reception, Washington State Senator Kevin Ranker, who served on the Climate Legislative Executive Workgroup over the past year, and Stephanie Solien, Vice President of Climate Solutions and Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council Member, will kick off the evening program with keynote addresses, followed by presentations and a panel discussion on climate action perspectives.

Panelists will include Dr. Jan Newton and Dr. Terrie Klinger, Washington Ocean Acidification Center; Dr. Joel Baker, Puget Sound Institute; Bill Dewey, Taylor Shellfish Farms; Dr. Billie Swalla, Friday Harbor Labs; Stephanie Solien, Climate Solutions; and Kevin Ranker, Washington State Senator. The panel discussion will be moderated by Lee Taylor of San Juan Island National Historical Park.

Series co-sponsors are: San Juan Island National Historical Park, Madrona Institute, San Juan Community Theatre, San Juan Islands Conservation District, The League of Women Voters of the San Juans, San Juan Island Library, San Juan Nature Institute, San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, Northwest Straits Foundation, Stewardship Network of the San Juans, Washington State University Extension Service, San Juan Island Grange #966 and the Agricultural Resources Committee of the San Juan Islands.