CLICK HERE to read this week’s mailer, featuring:
last call for our eco-anxiety support group, which begins with an info session on September 5 at 2 p.m.;
opportunities to protect the water by sampling microplastics and cleaning up trash;
a chance to march against fossil fuels with us on September 17;
and so much more!
Last week and weekend many gathered to commemorate and celebrate the movement inspired by the March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom. Here is coverage including raw footage from both the current and initial events.
What if the “I have a Dream” speech was called the “Promissory Note” speech?
“In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our Republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men—yes, black men as well as white men—would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. . .”(MLK, Jr.)
Demonstrations like this and the forthcoming March to End Fossil Fuels have the power to move and shake society into action.
Though economic inequality, racism and poverty today are worse than 60 years ago, we remain ever connected to the hope fostered by the living Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. In case you missed the introduction of the 3rd Reconstruction Resolution earlier this summer, check out our previous post here. To get involved with NJ Poor People’s Campaign, reach out to newjersey@poorpeoplescampaign.org
CLICK HERE to read this week’s mailer, featuring:
A final call for book club;
A call to join our eco-anxiety support groups;
An eco-friendly house party;
A recap of the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago;
And more!
Checkout Waterspirit’s latest mailer HERE! Inside you will find opportunities to learn, be curious, get out of your comfort zone and celebrate sacred water together.
Today, young people won their rights to clean air, clean water, a stable climate and healthy environment due to the Green Amendment in Montana. Read this AP article here, Green Amendments for the Generations Press Statement here, Watershed Moment coverage by DemocracyNow! here, and get involved in securing this legal grounding in New Jersey with Waterspirit and friends!
The release of New Jersey’s Environmental Justice screening tool, EJ Screen, is also worth our attention and feedback. Continue to connect with Waterspirit to help advance environmental justice and clean water for all!
Check out our latest mailer HERE. Inside you will find a beautiful tribute to the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, funding opportunities for stormwater management planning, eco-anxiety support, an eco-friendly house party + MORE!
Last week the unfortunate passing of a social justice leader amongst our top ranks befell our hearts. Waterspirit has had the privilege of helping to Get Out The Vote (GOTV) as all nonpartisan nonprofits do and we were in meetings with Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver a few times over the past few years. She instilled in us pride in our state as “Jersey Girls” raising our families here. May her memory forever be an inspirational blessing. We are sharing the full, beautiful, statement on Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver’s life from the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (NJEJA):
“🕊 We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver. Her departure has left a profound void in the hearts of many. As a true trailblazer, she dedicated her life to public service and left behind a legacy that will forever inspire us.
Born and raised in Newark, Lt. Gov. Oliver's journey was marked by resilience and determination. Her historic election as the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey was a testament to her unwavering commitment to breaking barriers and paving the way for others. Throughout her distinguished career, she fearlessly championed social and environmental justice, recognizing that the well-being of our environment is inextricably linked to the well-being of our communities:
"How we treat our environment is a measure of how we treat one another… we cannot stand by as the pollution created by the quality of life so many of us enjoy harms our most vulnerable communities." - Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.
Her vision of a more equitable future touched the lives of countless individuals and families across the state. As an advocate for the underserved and marginalized, Lt. Gov. Oliver's impact was profound. She worked tirelessly to uplift vulnerable communities, address systemic inequalities, and promote access to quality education and healthcare. Her passion and dedication made her a role model not only for women and People of Color but for all who seek to make a positive difference in the world.
During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. May they find comfort in the knowledge that Lt. Gov. Oliver's contributions will continue to bear fruit for generations to come. As we mourn her loss, let us also honor her memory by continuing her mission to build a more just and compassionate society, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. May her legacy live on, guiding us in our pursuit of a better and brighter future for New Jersey and beyond.
#RestInPower #SheilaOliver #InMemoriam #NJ #Advocate #SocialJustice #Newark #EnvironmentalJustice”
See the funding alert through 12/31/23 below. There are divine actions we may take individually and together to ensure we conserve and protect sacred water. In case you missed the webinar series focusing on environmental justice and stormwater management, it lives on Waterspirit’s YouTube and Stormwater Management + Green Infrastructure page. Some of you have shared you are taking the time to watch this series over again so you can help advance stormwater utility feasibilities where you live. THANK YOU!
This is exactly what needs to happen to prepare as we see more and more stories of drought and flooding. Governor Murphy’s Administration announced grant money to assist with stormwater permitting requirements. This is a great update to share with your local county or municipality! Reach out, as always, at water@waterspirit.org to let us know how we might be of support in your quest to capture and conserve precious, blue gold.
The Murphy Administration announced the availability of $19 million in grants to help municipalities with the transition to new municipal stormwater permitting system requirements designed to better protect NJ's waterways from pollutants in stormwater. These permitting changes will also help mitigate localized flooding that is increasing due to climate change. Full details of the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) are available online. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis through December 31, 2023.”
Pictured above is Waterspirit’s Public Policy & Justice Organizer amongst colleagues at the first joint Lead Free NJ + Jersey Water Works member meeting, anchored by New Jersey Future, which took place last month at Rutgers University
Check out our latest mailer HERE - sign up for our Rain Barrel workshop, volunteer to attend the March to End Fossil Fuels, Save the Date for a DivestNJ Workshop and more!
After several have reached out to us individually and as a team, we want to be sure everyone has a few key resources at their disposal, given the UN Secretary General Antonio Gutterres ushered us into the era of “Global Boiling.”
Waterspirit offers eco-anxiety support resources and our next 10 week support group starts up next month. Our next Eco-Anxiety Support Group will meet in Sept 2023 on Zoom.
DETAILS: Please join us on Tuesday, Sept 5 at 2 pm ET for an informational session that will introduce the group's methodology, giving you an opportunity to meet the facilitators and ask any questions prior to committing to the 10 weeks. After this informational session, Waterspirit's Fall 2023 group will run from 9/12/23 to 11/14/23 each Tuesday from 2-4 pm ET. Meeting invitation will be received in registration confirmation email.
Take Action with Waterspirit by visiting our Calls to Action page and get in touch with our advocacy volunteer group: water@waterspirit.org
