Your voice matters, especially in local elections where policies impact your daily life. Read below for tips on voter registration, polling places and doing your research.

Western Resilience Center, formerly known as Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC), has rebranded to clarify what we do and why it matters. We remain focused on reducing emissions and building resilience for a healthy environment and connected community. Learn more 👇

When Matt Cooper heard the Colowyo and Trapper mines are closing, he saw a few options: leave the Yampa Valley to find a coal job elsewhere, transition with the energy industry, or be left behind. From that journey was born the family-owned High Altitude Geothermal. Read more 👇

Listen to YVSC's own Ryan Messinger speak on the process of using nature to restore waterways in this piece from @publicnewsservice.bsky.social !

"I was surprised to learn that many ranchers simultaneously understand and even appreciate (beavers') presence. Not only that, but issues relating to water use and local grass health often came up in conversations and interviews." Read more from YVSC Intern Luke Bedell below 👇

We made wonderful, beautiful, messy, organic land art yesterday with a big group of people! We learned about temporary land art and the local biodiversity. Thanks to @yvsustainability.bsky.social and all who came! #landart #earthart #environmentalart #mandala

Modern wildfires burn hot, scorching soil and making it hard for the forest to regrow on its own. Luckily, there's a lot humans can do to help. Check out this story by @jillbergman.bsky.social to learn more about these fires and how we can care for the forests in after they burn.

The Yampa Valley is dry; the river has dropped, and our soil is thirsty. This is a great time to address the irrigation of lawns and landscapes in our urban areas and to be reminded of the community outdoor watering schedule.

Do EV batteries catch on fire easily? How do they drive in the snow? Find answers to these questions and more in the second installment of our EV Experts series by @jillbergman.bsky.social!

YVSC is moving! We are excited to announce we are establishing a permanent headquarters and regional hub for climate and resilience in downtown Steamboat Springs at 602 Oak Street. Learn more 👇

Conserving or repairing the functionality of wetlands is a tool to fight drought and climate change, benefitting biodiversity, wildlife, agriculture, and even recreation. Learn more about the work happening to restore our local wetlands below! 👇👀 Art and story by @jillbergman.bsky.social

Check out this article from YVSC's Climate Corner and @jillbergman.bsky.social on all things biodiversity, from beavers to Boreal toads to life-saving cancer medications.

YVSC's spring interns are already hard at work on their awesome projects! They are Willa Owens, Madeline Perigaut and Bri Hicks, and they're working on community engagement, mapping projects and wet meadow restoration education.🌱

YVSC's own Paul Bony had a great time touring geothermal systems in Framingham, MA. with the Thermal Energy Network Committee! Check out this story from @buildingdecarb.bsky.social for photo evidence that learning about geothermal is a blast.

Want a professionally designed AND waterwise yard? Resource Central's Garden In A Box kits are specifically tailored to Colorado, and the included plant-by-number maps remove all gardening guesswork. Join the interest list to be notified when gardens go on sale March 4!

Wondering if there's enough chargers to get an electric vehicle? Most people meet all their EV charging needs by charging at home. Apps like PlugShare can help you locate charging locations when planning trips. If you get energy from YVEA, check out their $500 home charger rebate program.

Energy assessments are a great way to make your home safer and more comfortable, and save on your heating bills.

We're so inspired by the community members who've taken important strides toward climate action in 2024. Check out those recognized with a 2024 Sustainability Award below!

To learn more, visit yvsc.org/electric-vehicle-ambassadors/or send a question to [email protected] to talk to a real live EV Expert. Thanks to Drive Electric Colorado for the information in this post!

In 2024, our natural climate solutions team came together with over 470 community members to restore 690 acres of land, 12,883 feet of streambank, and plant 2,285 trees. Check out the impact report to learn more about what we can achieve together. 💪