The Wrangell Cooperative Association, with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, has acquired funds to develop environmental programs for Wrangell.
And now they want to know what community members think is important to the pristine environment of our region.
According to WCA’s Renee Claggett, the Native association has set areas of focus based on information gathered from an initial environmental survey and a questionnaire is being distributed with the intent of discovering what Wrangellites do and know when it comes to saving the environment.
“Basically we want to develop programs that encourage recycling, air quality, and to a lesser extent studies climate change,” Claggett said. “I want to know what the community and tribal members want to focus on and what they think is important.”
One project that has already been shown to be of importance to Wrangellites – and is backed by federal dollars – involves dry wood for Elders in the community.
“If we are going to bring in bio-fuels to Wrangell, wood banking is our start,” Claggett added.
Wood banking is a process of taking a large structure that is kept dry throughout all seasons where wet wood would be kept dry without having to cure it outdoors or with the use of tarps.
“This way, you could bring your wood in and have it dried without having to season it yourself,” Claggett added.
Claggett also added that the questionnaire will, “help us fine-tune our direction. These programs will be developed cooperatively with the City of Wrangell, the Wrangell School District and other groups in Wrangell.”
“The purpose is to ensure the health of our community now and into the future,” she added. “There is no real timeline, but I’d like to get as much information as I can by January.”
Anyone interested in taking the questionnaire can pick up a copy at the WCA office on Lynch Street.
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