We are the Whidbey Stewards
By: Tamara Horton
11-15-2010
Whidbey Island is a spectacular sight to behold, but it is under threat by our own negligence. Without the proper local infrastructure, we will find success as a community always just out of reach. As an island community it is that much more important to focus our attention on what we can do locally to help sustain our way of life and our environment for generations to come. The island has a great potential for positive change. All we need is to apply our knowledge and passion through proper channels in a collective, synergetic manner. Would it not be a wondrous and fulfilling feeling to know that you are a part of a self-sufficient, healthy, environmentally aware, and intentional community?
Living on an island seems to speed up the process of things. The community is tighter than it might be if it were located on the mainland, thus (for example) word gets around faster causing all sorts of internal drama. A phenomena I like to call “Instant Karma” seems the norm; what goes around, comes around…at ludicrous speed. Toxins from farms, dumps, street runoff, businesses, and households show effects at an exponential rate here. Diseases and illnesses are unavoidable, similar to being in a metropolitan area. An ever-increasing population of locals and tourists alike, has had an affect on our natural habitat and general way of life. It is similar to living inside of a fishbowl, from which you are free to leave: only at certain times of the day, +/- up to a two hour wait, and for a nominal fee.
Deforestation has scarred the landscapes and pure habitats I vividly remember. When I was little, I remember driving with my mother, to places like Saratoga Pt., Coles Rd., Scatchet Head, Bayview, Freeland and more, seeing the devastation that had occurred there. As if a battle or a tornado had only effected one patch of land. I sat and cried with my mother at those spots, and each time we saw the trucks roll down the road filled with part of our land, part of our lives. I remember feeling the pain, the negativity that oozed from the carcasses on the backs of those giant smoke monsters, all for our greed, our hunger for more. Now I am aware that there is some good to be had with paper farms. If done properly, they can be sustainable, not having a huge negative impact on the environment…just as with anything: balance is key, and we are at the tipping point.
The noise of people is nearly inescapable now. I recall being able to go into the woods behind my house, being able to sit in silence with nature for hours without hearing the sounds of “progress”. This was my haven from the world, the thirty some-odd acres between my best friend’s house and mine, FaeryLand. Robert sadly was taken from this world at the young age of only sixteen…this space, a few pictures, personal items, and our memories are all that remains of him. Now, when I venture that way, what do I find? Newly cut trails that are there due to people’s ignorance and shear laziness; litter; a constant buzz of traffic, hunting, ferries, hikers, trains, and planes; stacks of bricks for whatever reason and so on. Of course, compared with over-town it is still pure and silent here, but the noise along with other discomforting traits are overflowing onto our beautiful island.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”-Margret Mead
Over the years, I have seen the south end of the island go through a few stages of consciousness. It seemed it was initially founded as a creative, intentional community, but somewhere along the line it shifted to a more detached, apathetic and dark place. Now it seems to be experiencing a renaissance or metanoia of sorts, rediscovering local roots, personal abilities and all that is possible when the two are in congruence. This seemingly rings true in society at large as well.
While growing up here I felt it as a cage, as if there was nothing at all to do here, and I had a strong desire to flee. This may be due, in part, to my uber-angst as a teen. After attending Power of Hope[i] sessions at the Whidbey Institute[ii], five years of college, traveling around Europe, Canada and the U.S. and participating in/observing community activities more recently[iii]; I have seen with new eyes, and have discovered this place is more wonderful than I ever thought possible. Yes, it has it’s flaws, as in most any system; but when viewed either for it’s beautifully intricate details or the impressive entity that it is as a whole, you can more easily glimpse the “ah-ha” moment, the enlightenment that comes through being in the flow of awareness, love and interconnectedness...you are given the answer…if you have the eyes to see it right in front of you.
“If you want something done right, do it yourself” is a daunting yet empowering expression. In order to initiate change in our community we must first look to ourselves, our habits, attitudes and choices in our everyday lives…charity truly does start at home. We must take control of our lives and how we affect the world around us. Seeing the interconnectedness that plays out so obviously, right before our very eyes, is essential.
As an island community, we have the unique opportunity to create an essentially self-contained, self-sufficient, and off-grid microcosm. All of the potential negatives have the equal ability to be potential positives. We have a chance at success if we band together -- positive change agents, bioneers[iv], creative individuals, social entrepreneurs, skilled crafts-people and the like in a convergence of talent and passion. Due to increasing popularity and population, we have a hugely diverse assembly of intelligent, skilled, caring and capable people, through which we can build a better world, locally and globally. The unique experience of living here has primed Islanders for living in a more sustainable manner and for what is to come in the world. Let us now pool our talents and passions towards creating this vision of a Sustainable Whidbey. What once was, shall be again!
We are the stewards of Whidbey Island and of the World, charged with the duty to preserve this beautiful place, for the beautiful creatures that inhabit it and for those yet to come. It is time for us to live as intended, in harmony with nature, not opposed to it. To become a sustainable community, savoring and passing on the beauty and perfection that surrounds us. We are close and have more than enough ability to make it happen.
*************************************************************************************
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Best wishes and safe journeys,
Tamara Horton
*See more in future articles from my Sustain The Rock Blog.
[i] Power of Hope is a creative arts and nature camp for teens. Providing workshops and group activities that enrich their lives and strengthen ties with their community and the environment.
Reference: www.powerofhope.org
[ii] The Whidbey Institute is a local facility which provides positive space for events such as: Whidbey Bioneers Conference, Weddings, various non-profit functions, innovative speakers and in the past the Power of Hope Summer sessions. As well as being a sanctuary for spiritual purposes, nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.
[iii] I am a volunteer with The SW Commons Coffeehouse Bookstore, and have found it plays a pivotal role in this local revival, as it provides a common space for community involvement on various levels, positive atmosphere, great coffee and food, and convenient location. I also have observed fantastic local organizations such as: The SW Tilth (local responsible agriculture, Whidbey Community eXchange (local barter network), Transition Whidbey (local sustainability practices+) and others; who are constantly doing their best everyday to help improve our community and local sustainability and are well worth looking into and getting involved with.
[iv] Whidbey Bioneers is a local organization that creates networking opportunities and holds conferences (first annual was this year, and I was privileged enough to have been a volunteer) focused on local and global sustainability, and living in harmony with nature in a modern way.
October 2010
Whidbey Island has a great variety of ways community members can participate in local sustainability.
For example:
Whidbey Community eXchange is a local barter network that has developed a local currency called the Terra, it serves to cultivate local economy and self-sufficiency.
www.whidbeycx.com/
Transition Whidbey is another organization which seeks to create a deep rooted community, rebuild our local agriculture, energy production, and general sustainability practices/infrastructure. www.transitionwhidbey.org/
South Whidbey Tilth is yet another fantastic organization which seeks to improve local agricultural practices. They have a Sustainability Campus in Coupeville which is open to the public. www.southwhidbeytilth.org/
***I am sitting here at the first annual Whidbey Bioneers conference, in absolute awe of all that is now available to us locally and globally...in the power that each and every one of us contain in every
ounce of our being. We each have it in us to make a world of difference. Each action, each word, each thought and choice has a direct impact on the world around us...it is up to us to make it a positive one! Be agents of positive change in your life. :)
Safe journeys.
Posts
