Thank you for supporting Earth Day. Now what?

Thank you for joining us for the Montana Earth Day virtual rally on Wednesday, April 22, and for pledging to take action to protect our planet! 

A  recording of the event, and a short podcast about the rally, are posted. You can watch and share from missoulaearthday.org. And check out Earth Day Art for All at Climate Smart Missoula's website!

Here is a list of concrete actions that you can take now in Montana to begin making a difference, as well as long term campaigns that need your help:

• Pledge your support for a just, livable, and vibrant future in Montana here: https://forms.gle/wLWANYFjCExhZshh9. If you haven’t already, make sure to sign if you’d like to hear about follow-up actions, events, and discussions! You can also share this op-ed to promote the pledge & Montana Earth Day vision, or write your own!

• Connect with mutual aid networks in your area: https://www.mutualaidhub.org/

• Vote! Primary ballots will be mailed soon.

• Support sponsor groups & groups working to meet the needs of folks impacted by Covid, i.e.: 

  • Arlee Community Development Corporation: 

    • Learn more or donate at www.arleecdc.org: https://arlee-community-development-corporation.square.site/#gKHazM

    • To volunteer: contact Patrick at foodsovereignty@arleecdc.org or call 406-215-5113.

    • Look up Arlee CDC Food Sovereignty Program on Facebook

  • Flathead Rez Community Action: Email flatheadrezcommunityaction@gmail.com or call 406 285 1101.The group is looking for food/monetary support and volunteers. 

  • Support Western Montana Grower’s Co-op: https://www.wmgcoop.com/

  • The Centerpole (Crow Reservation, serves all): https://www.thecenterpole.org/

  • Montana Racial Equity Project: https://www.themtrep.org/how-to-help/

  • United Way of Missoula County (Covid-19 and emergency assistance): https://www.missoulaunitedway.org/emergency-assistance

  • Support undocumented immigrants affected by the pandemic (nation-wide): https://www.lahuelga.com/#header-eng

  • Navajo Nation support (The Navajo Nation has the highest infection rate after New York and New Jersey): You can donate at nndoh.org

  • A number of other nationwide funds for especially hard-hit populations : https://www.forbes.com/sites/morgansimon/2020/04/14/covid-19-giving-guide-how-to-donate-to-reach-the-most-marginalized/

• Plant your own garden or work in a shared or community garden (with social distancing). Support or engage with organizations contributing to Montana’s food independence and resilience like AERO, and community food security like Garden City Harvest, 1,000 Gardens, and Freedom Gardens.

• Use sustainable transportation and participate in transportation planning for your city. Connect with statewide groups like Bike Walk Montana, and locally with Women Bike Missoula, Pedal Missoula, or Free Cycles and MIST.

• Help organize Montana families and create community for climate action in Montana with Families for a Livable Climate. Email Winona Bateman at livableclimate@gmail.com to find out how to get involved.

• Support a just transition to 100% clean energy for all in Montana by engaging with Sierra Club and Ready for 100 efforts statewide. Sign up for Sierra Club Montana Chapter Ready for 100 email updates here. Contact Caitlin Piserchia at caitlin.piserchia@sierraclub.org to get involved with this or other climate and just transition organizing. 

• Support efforts to pass a Green New Deal for workers, people, and climate, by joining or donating to the Sunrise Movement, and adding your voice in Montana via Sunrise Movement Missoula or Sunrise Movement Gallatin County.

• Call or write members of Congress to support the resolutions introduced in Congress to protect 30% of lands and waters in the United States by 2030, to help address the climate and extinction crises. Contact Summer Nelson at summer.nelson@sierraclub.org to get involved with local organizing to protect 30% of nature by 2030. 

• Join a team to organize immediate and long-term opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline and promote alternatives that support Montana communities and protect our climate. Sign up here for Keystone XL email updates from the Sierra Club’s Montana Chapter. Contact Summer Nelson at summer.nelson@sierraclub.org or Caitlin Piserchia at caitlin.piserchia@sierraclub.org to get involved with a Sierra Club Montana team or learn about coalition efforts. 

• You can also support other groups working to counter Keystone XL, and help fundraise for water protectors:https://www.gofundme.com/f/legal-defense-fund-for-water-protectors

Thank you for engaging!