Grownups may be reeling from everything going on in our world, but a Bellingham middle school student reminds us that young people might see things differently.

Recently, WCA received a letter from Noah, a seventh grader in Bellingham. Noah’s social studies teacher had asked her class to look at a variety of environmental websites, and then to write to one of the organizations.

Here’s an excerpt from Noah’s letter:

My name is Noah. I am from Fairhaven Middle School. We are writing to you because your organization connects…directly to what we have been tapping into with our social studies class. We study Washington state history and part of that includes exploring some of the state’s most special places.

We found this website that lists all the groups that are working to protect those special places. There are over 75! …

…Out of all these, I am choosing to write to your organization because of how it has a unique goal…

…What sticks out for me from taking a quick look at your website is how [WCA and] some of these [other] organizations aren’t going for just climate justice but are also campaigning for electing responsible candidates…

Your website is very comprehensive and inspiring…You also describe projects you do and have done. Lastly, you show us how we can volunteer or make a difference. This is really cool as we are studying how to make more of a difference with our lives…

…Related to projects you have done, I felt it was powerful and inspiring to find out you did a project in which you [helped push state lawmakers to set aside] $7.8 million dollars for our forests in Washington [and] $83 million for carbon sequestration [in forestlands], and you [advocated for a law that requires] boaters to stay 100+ yards away from orcas.

And finally, it was cool how you talked about what we could do, about how to volunteer and make a difference, such as joining in rallies, and marches.

As I look over this letter I’ve written to you, I am now realizing that writing has gotten me to get more tapped into our climate, and the world around us. It makes me disappointed all the times I littered or “forgot” to pick up trash.

I was also wondering when the next march/rally is, because I couldn’t see that on the website.

Sincerely yours,
Noah
Fairhaven Middle School

Noah, Thanks so much for your letter! WCA doesn’t generally organize rallies, though we support many of our partners that do. Another way you can help is to make sure that this year our lawmakers don’t make drastic cuts to environmental and social justice programs. Discover here ways that you and your parents can make your voices heard. You can also sign up for our action emails!

We’re also doing an Earth Month fundraiser, with special “Nature’s Fan Club” t-shirts for purchase to help power our work year-round. Check that out here.

As always, stay connected with us and we can get you into our work or find a partner who’s doing exactly what you’re looking for. We’ve always been about community and connecting and collaborating. We’d be honored to collaborate and connect with you.