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Ashland Climate Collaborative Newsletters
Welcome to our newsletter archive where you can find a treasure trove of news, ways to take meaningful climate action, Ashland water updates, and more.Ashland Climate Collaborative Newsletters 2025 May2025 April2025 January2024 December2024 November2024 October2024...
How much should you water your lawn?
Stay up-to-date on water usage and recommendations. Ashland purchases a small proportion of our domestic water from the Medford Water Commission, so we get to take advantage of their services. One of the services the Commission provides is a weekly watering advisory...
“Ashland Reads” Event Goes Zero Waste
This year, in keeping with Rotary's new area of focus, "Supporting Environment," Ashland Reads created hardly any garbage when it served lunch to first-graders who participated in the annual literacy project. Ashland Rotarians team up each spring to put on a...
Ashland is Getting a New Transportation System Plan
Here’s what that means for our community. Oregon communities, since 1973, have been obligated under statewide planning law to adopt Transportation System Plans. These plans, also known as TSPs, are essentially roadmaps for future policies and investments. A key...
The Pedal Power Community Bike Program
Supporting Ashland’s kids and our growing bike culture. There’s a burgeoning bike culture here in Ashland: lots of kids joining the bike bus to school, First Friday revelers exploring town on two wheels, and bike racks at local pubs and restaurants frequently filled...
A Better Way to Get Kids to School
In 1969, just two generations ago, nearly half of students in the United States aged 5-14 walked or biked or rode a bus to school. By 2017, that number was down to 10.7%. A number of factors – such as increased distance to school, urban sprawl, and safety concerns –...
Compost for the Otterlifter Canoe
A big community thanks to Ashland Community Composting for donating compost to the Ashland High School Otterlifter Canoe! Our Compost Action Team volunteer, Magdalena Winter, recently donated two cubic feet of compost to Ashland High School. The rich compost, produced...
Ashland Wasn’t Built with Wildfire in Mind — It’s Time to Adapt
By Chris Chambers - Wildfire and Community Risk Reduction Division, Ashland Fire Department It’s time for our community to face a difficult, but essential fact: We are no longer living in the climate that we planned for. Present-day Ashland was cobbled together over...
With Wildfire, a Defensible Space Makes a Difference
After the Palisades and Eaton fires in L.A., photos circulated of homes standing amid wreckage. Such a sight isn’t uncommon after wildfires — similar images emerged after the Hawaii wildfires in Lahaina, the Carr fire in Redding, and even the Almeda fire here in the...
Implementing Ashland’s Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP)
Eight years in, the CEAP is still a great foundation for reaching our climate goals In 2015, Ashland embarked on a journey to explore our role in addressing climate change, and how best to prepare for the changes to our climate that are already underway. The...
Ashland’s New Electrification Ordinance
The new policy aims to reduce climate-warming pollution -- and clean up indoor air quality On Tuesday night, Ashland City Council passed a landmark climate policy with unanimous support. The new pollution fee ordinance incentivizes developers to build homes with...
How One Volunteer Went All Electric
In 2024, Electrify Ashland Now volunteer Ben Scott accomplished something exciting: he crossed the finish line of his home-electrification journey. By switching his car, appliances, and HVAC system from gas to electric energy sources, he now has a home that runs...
Ashland Community Composting
Looking for an accessible, affordable compost option? Ashland Community Composting has you covered. At the heart of the organization is Magdalena Winter, a longtime Ashland resident and member of our Compost action team. Three years ago, alongside her friend Ximena,...
Streets for Everyone 2024 Highlights
2024 was a good year for transportation improvements in Ashland —and Streets for Everyone played an important role in that effort. Green Bike Lanes and Bollards Earlier this year, the city installed bollard-protected bike lanes on Ashland Street from Siskiyou to the...
City Council Moves Forward on Energy Programs
The December 3 Ashland City Council meeting was the scene of a rare “win-win-win” lovefest. The steps taken by the City Council on December 3 aligned with the Ashland’s Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP) in a multitude of ways: Overall Goal 1. Reduce community...
How to Celebrate a More Sustainable Holiday Season
Community, caring for others, and hope: these values are at the core of the winter holidays. But this time of year is also characterized by consumerism — from pressure to give that perfect gift to decorations galore. Between Thanksgiving and New Year, Americans throw...
Rogue Produce’s Community Compost Program
Ever wish there was a smarter thing to do with your food scraps than throwing them in the garbage? Tried to start your own compost operation at home but found it’s too difficult to maintain or that it attracts unwanted critters? Rogue Produce has created a smart...
Let’s Take Some Bold Steps
Housing costs are a challenge in Ashland – the right energy policies can help. Here’s some big news: Beginning in 2025, our city electric utility will have access to $10 million to help homeowners and businesses make energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades...
How to Avoid Food Waste During the Holiday Season
Food waste is a common problem during the holidays. Every year at Thanksgiving, American families throw out 305 million pounds of food, according to the University of Minnesota. It’s possible to avoid contributing to the problem, by taking a few simple steps: Plan...
Welcome to Our New Ashland Energy Policy Series
The City is getting ready to up its game in energy conservation. We’ve got ideas! The City of Ashland appears to be getting ready to make headway on several important issues simultaneously – reducing the cost and improving the quality of life for Ashlanders who are...
Ashland Solar Cooperative Launches First Project
This story was originally published on Ashland.News on November 14, 2024. Project could power at least 18 households By Isobel Whitcomb, Ashland Climate Collaborative Solar power plays a key role in Ashland’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the year 2050...
Green Gift Ideas for the Holidays
With the holidays right around the corner, the crew at Ashland Climate Collaborative wanted to share a few of our favorite things… Portable induction cooktops for gas stove owners who aren’t ready to convert. Induction cookware to go with the new cooktop! Electric...
The Power of Neighbors Connecting
It’s been almost two years since Jim started the Upper Clay Street neighborhood group in 2022. As he walks around his neighborhood, he sees the fruits of his labor of love. He waves hello to his friend Dana, a woman in her 80s. Dana hosted a gathering of 21 that...
Heating our Homes: A Path to Net Zero
Doug Piper, a member of the Electrify Ashland Now! action team, shares his insights on how to rid our homes of gas furnaces by 2050. A gas furnace produces more pollution than almost anything else we use — an estimated four to eight tons of carbon emissions per year....
Will Ashland Get a New Water Treatment Plant?
The Ashland Climate Collaborative has not taken a position on the water treatment plant ballot measure 15-234 Below is the opinion of our Water Conservation Team. New Ballot Measure Would Finance a Hardier Water Treatment Plant Ashland’s water treatment plant has...
Ashland Fifth Best U.S. Town for Biking — Can We Do Better?
Gary Shaff, Chair of the Streets for Everyone action team, shares his insightful take on what Ashland offers bicyclists — and what would make our town safer and more accessible for all. In a recent article, Outside Magazine ranked Ashland as the fifth best bicycle...
Working Toward Net-Zero: Co-op Replacing Gas Stoves with Induction Ranges
This story was originally published on Ashland.News on August 29, 2024. The switch to all-electric cooking for deli food prep moves the market closer to its goal of net-zero carbon emissions By Isobel Whitcomb, Ashland Climate Collaborative The Ashland Food Co-op...
How To Remove Your Lawn
One of the most important projects in low-water landscaping is lawn removal. Lawns guzzle billions of gallons of water each day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Studies suggest that replacing a lawn with native plants and drip irrigation can save as...
‘Bike Boxes’ to Make Ashland and Walker Safer for All
This story was originally published on Ashland.News on July 27, 2024. City Council also approves new ‘bike boxes’ for North Mountain Avenue and East Main Street intersection By Isobel Whitcomb, Ashland Climate Collaborative Ashland’s bicycling infrastructure recently...
Silent but Deadly
Earlier this year, ACC board member Rick Barth had a scary experience. Rick, who has devoted years to helping Ashland residents transition away from methane (“natural” gas), discovered that one of his last remaining gas appliances, his gas water heater, was leaking...
Electrification Progress in Ashland
Ashland Homeowners are Switching to Heat Pumps The Ashland Climate & Energy Action Plan (CEAP) was legislated in 2017. It set a goal for the city and its residents to reduce carbon emissions by 8% every year. This requires a reduction in the burning of fossil...
How to Reduce Outdoor Water Use
Free programs and rebates to get your irrigation system ready for summer Did you know that more than one-third of all water consumed by households goes to irrigating our lawns, gardens, and outdoor spaces? In arid places, that number can be as high as 60 percent,...
Landscaping Tips for Spring
Early spring is the perfect time to get ready for the summer watering season. Performing a few important maintenance tasks now can help your landscape hold water and improve its water efficiency. The tips below help sustain healthy soils that cycle nutrients, minimize...
Dry Farming
By Patricia Acklin, Chair, ACC Water Conservation Action Team There is growing interest in the American West in a technique called dry farming, which allows growers to forgo irrigation. This does not mean growing plants without water. Instead, dry-farmed plants use...
Linda Electrifies Her Home
Last year, I renovated an older and very beat-up bungalow, which required extensive and expensive work to make it livable and comfortable. I knew I wanted to switch from gas to electric, so I started my journey with advice from Candace Turtle, an Electrify Ashland Now...
Streets For Everyone: 2023 in Review
2023 Year in ReviewACC’s Streets For Everyone (SFE) Action Team had an incredible 2023! Throughout the year, we identified several opportunities to advocate for safer streets and a connected and protected bike network through town. We asked you to speak up, and you...
Get Free Help with Irrigation
Ashlanders can get free help with their landscape irrigation — Here’s how. In the United States, Residential landscape irrigation drinks up nearly eight billion gallons of water each day — and experts estimate that around half of that water is wasted due to...
The Inside Scoop on Electrification in Ashland
Ashland Climate Collaborative partners with Rogue Climate to update us on the status of a natural gas ordinance in Ashland, which would ban the use of natural gas in new home construction. Plus, we discuss new climate...
We Need Safety Improvements on ODOT-Controlled Portions of Ashland Street
Streets for Everyone recently wrote to the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization to request several critically important safety improvements on the ODOT-controlled sections of Ashland Street. These improvements would help achieve a continuous network of...
Say YES to Protected Bike Lanes on N. Mountain
Attention Ashland Transportation Committee!Please move forward to add protected bike lanes on North Mountain. May 23, 2023 We are writing to the City of Ashland Transportation Commission on behalf of the vocal constituency of Ashland residents who support moving...
We Can Create Safe Routes to School in Ashland
May 2023 The City of Ashland was recently awarded Safe Routes to School (SRTS) planning assistance from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Through this program, staff from City of Ashland, Ashland School District, and ODOT are working together to create a...
Time for a Change — Protected Bike Lanes can Transform Ashland
In "Beyond the Central Bike Path," Ashlanders share what they love about bicycling around our beautiful city — and what needs to change.
All About Drip Irrigation
In the United States, our yards are thirsty. They drink up 8 billion gallons of water each day. To water them, most people use either sprinklers or surface irrigation, which involves using a watering can or hose to flood the soil and waiting for all that water to seep...
How the IRA Can Save Money — and the Environment!
On February 27, 2023, Joel Rosenberg from Rewiring America met with more than 25 small-business owners and other community members at the latest community discussion and support group hosted by Electrify Ashland Now! We...
Ben and Vanessa Electrify Their Home – Part 1
Ashland home energy efficiency guru Ben Scott and his wife Vanessa recently decided to slash their carbon footprint. First, they ditched their gas furnace and AC system in favor of a Variable Speed Heat Pump for upstairs and a ductless mini-split for downstairs. Next,...
Is Your Home Ready for Electrical Upgrades?
Ashland Climate Collaborative discusses the ins and outs of electrical panels. Local experts Ben Scott and John Spillman answered questions including: How can one determine if a panel is ready for new heat pump systems and...
Happy Holidays from ACC!
In 2022 we've seen the passage of landmark climate legislation, grown as an organization and come together as a community. Here's to more of that in 2023. A big thank you for your support — The team at Ashland Climate...
Flavia Franco Explains How ACC is Helping Reduce Food Waste
Flavia Franco is a local climate activist who is fighting for an end to food waste. She supports Ashland Climate Collaborative because we're bringing the community together to find those solutions.
For Ben Scott, Electrification is Key to Climate Action
Home-energy expert, Ben Scott, explains why he supports Ashland Climate Collaborative's approach to climate action.
Mike Vergeer Believes Streets are for Everyone
Climate-resilience means breaking away from car dependency. To do that, we need safe streets. That's why Mike Vergeer supports Ashland Climate Collaborative.
Why this Professor of Environmental Studies Supports ACC
Meet Pat Acklin. Pat supports the Ashland Climate Collaborative because of our emphasis on community education — something she has dedicated her career to.
For Doug Piper, Transforming Homes Means Transforming the Planet
Doug Piper supports the Ashland Climate Collaborative to help get the word out about an under-appreciated source of carbon emissions — buildings and houses. ACC and action team Electrify Ashland Now! are helping community...
Why Isobel Whitcomb Joined Ashland Climate Collaborative
Ashland Climate Collaborative Isobel Whitcomb shares why they are hopeful for this decade — and how ACC is an important part of the global climate movement.
All ACC Meeting – Successes and Exciting Updates!
Thanks so much for attending our All ACC meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 16. We reviewed our wins and the steps forward we hope to make in the coming year. We couldn't do this without you!
Experts Share How the IRA Can Help Electrify Your Home (and save money!)
On November 9, 2022, we hosted an event where local and national experts met with more than 70 community members to discuss the importance of home-electrification — and how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) makes these...
How Old is Your Gas Furnace?
Gas furnaces need to be swapped out every 20-30 years. But how do you determine how old your gas furnace is? Home-energy expert Ben Scott is here to explain.
Induction Cook-tops: Not Your Mother’s Electric Stove
Upgrade your home with an electric induction cook-top today! These alternatives to gas and other electric ranges are modern, stylish, and very energy efficient. It's a simple, yet effective way to reduce local pollution and...
Drought + H2O = Conservation
In this Ashland Climate Collaborative webinar, Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill, and Medford Water Commission representatives Julie Smitherman, Customer Service & Water Efficiency Manager, and Cody Scoggins,...
Fine-Tune Your Irrigation System
Save Money and See Better Results Summer brings peak demand for watering lawns, gardens, and landscapes in our region. A well-maintained system keeps your yard beautiful and healthy while minimizing water waste. Follow the tips below to get the most out of your water...
How To Calm Your Street
Come learn how to unite with neighbors to make your street safer for everyone to walk, bike, and roll.
Renewable Natural Gas: NOT a Path to Cleaner Energy
Electrify Ashland Now presents an informational webinar about "Renewable" Natural Gas, how it affects our community, and how it impacts our energy system at large!
Journey to a Climate Friendly Life
Andra writes to the Mail Tribune about experiences with purchasing a new home and immediately upgrading it to save money and energy. Andra’s words show us how easy and possible it is to make real-world changes that benefit the environment – by investing in...
David and Erika Convert to an Induction Stove
After viewing a March 2021 monthly SOCAN meeting entitled “Natural Gas, the Fossil Fuel you came to love”, my wife, Erika and I decided to explore converting our gas cooktop to an electric induction unit. We were committed to shifting from gas to induction to shrink...
Marsh Helps Deliver Major Climate Wins for Oregon
As Chair of the House Committee on Energy and the Environment, District 5 Representative Pam Marsh was well-positioned this year to help ensure passage of legislation ranging from fire recovery and economic stimulus to “distinctly Oregonian” climate solutions. “There...
Off-site Solar is a Win for Ashland Food Co-op
Solar energy production in Ashland took major leaps forward in 2021. In April, True South Solar completed a major solar installation for the Ashland Food Co-op. At 528-panels, this array has a solar energy production capacity of 197 kilowatts — possibly the largest...
Drought Tolerant Landscaping Offers A Bounty of Benefits
Replacing your lawn with drought tolerant landscaping is a great way to save water, reduce your carbon footprint, and create a more beautiful and sustainable landscape. Water savings Traditional lawns require a lot of water to maintain, especially in arid climates....
Blower Door Test Blows My Mind!
Image sourced from: https://scotthomeinspection.com/blower-door-testing/ by Ashland resident and ACC Board Member Candace Turtle Last month, Ben Scott, ACC's volunteer energy expert, conducted a blower door (or air leakage) test at my home. This process exaggerates...
Fall is a Great Time to Save Water Now — and Prep for Next Summer!
Credit: AkuAku - stock.adobe.com Read on for tips to reduce water use as the seasons change PLUS fall planting plans that will have a big effect on your summer garden. The fall season is a great time to evaluate our lawns and gardens to make sure we’re making the...
Ashland Parents Lead a Bike Bus!
Have you ever heard of a bike bus? Imagine a group of happy children on bikes pedaling a fixed route to school, picking up more mini cyclists as they pass various “stops” — just like a gas-powered school bus. Adult volunteers work together to lead the group, sweep the...
Don’t Miss Out on Energy Tax Credits!
photo by Anderson EV Energy tax credits are here! If you’re planning on taking on energy efficiency projects anytime soon, you could reap major savings on your taxes. For example, if you owe $5,000 in taxes, and you had a tax credit of $2,000 your new tax bill would...
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