Take Solace With The Trees

After serving on the RDA board of directors for 15 years, Barb Jarmoska stepped down from that position last month. Our feature article today is a Q&A between April Line, our current newsletter editor, and Barb, who remains a committed volunteer with RDA

April Line: What’s your best memory from your time at RDA?

Barb Jarmoska: There are too many wonderful RDA moments and memories to choose a “best.” Hands down – the people I’ve met and the friends I made through RDA and the entire network of kindred spirits in the climate movement comprise a long list of “best memories.” Soliphiliacs are my soul brothers and sisters, the inner circle of where I belong, and the people I will continue to love and work with.

AL: Tell us what’s next and why you’re excited about it!

BJ: I remain committed to my life’s work as an activist, always seeking the best fit for my time and skill set. I will continue as a member of the RDA Working Group and serving as an officer/director for the Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation and the Summer Alive nature camp for kids. 

Recently, I served on the founding committee for Action Together Northeast PA, West Branch Chapter. I believe work in the political arena is especially crucial at this time. AT NEPA affords the opportunity to support policies that promote the “liberty and justice for all” that Americans pledge to defend. The energy of a good rally is exciting. I count on those events to help me renew my commitment to the crucial and demanding work of social and environmental justice.

AL: What are your top three tips for being more climate-friendly in everyday life?

BJ:

• Re-wild your property, no matter the size. RDA hosted Doug Tallamy’s insightful presentation at Lycoming College last year, and recently co-sponsored the Bringing Nature Back symposium with Penn State Extension’s Lyco Master Gardeners to explore and educate our neighbors on the far-reaching benefit of more native plants and less grass in our yards.

• Eat more plant-based foods in general and locally-grown produce, meat, and poultry whenever possible. Read labels and know where your food was grown or raised. A commercial vendor is obligated to provide source information, and you have a legal right to ask.  We are fortunate to live in a rural area where there are many local farm stores and markets. 

• Become a more conscious consumer.  Check your shopping habits; make purchases based on need vs. desire. Rather than purchasing a gift that could end up in a landfill, honor the recipient with a donation to an environmental cause. Buy your home electricity from sustainable sources and consider that a fan can blow cooling air directly on you and will run for 24 hours on less energy than air conditioning uses in 15 minutes.

• Be strategic about your errands! I am the queen of cluster errands and sequencing stops - the climate-friendly practice of trying to accomplish what needs to be done in a single trip from home rather than multiple supply runs each week. 

AL: How can people have a positive impact on the environment without spending a lot of extra money or time?

BJ: CONVERSATION! It’s FREE. Here are some examples of ways to quickly encourage climate-friendly habits in regular conversation:

• I’m so excited the growing season is here! The organic veggies I’m growing in my small backyard garden are good for me AND the planet.

• I just drove to Danville for an appointment and averaged 65 MPG in my hybrid.

• Did you know you can choose your electricity supplier in PA? And you can choose a renewable supplier!  

• Look at that beautiful yard of columbines and echinacea! I’m so glad to see more native perennials replacing the petunias and marigolds. 

• I was kayaking on the river recently and sad to see the giant knotweed forests lining the river banks. Invasive species are just one of the many costly challenges we face because of climate change.

• When mayflies hatch too early in April, young trout can struggle to survive in May. The same is true for baby birds. The Native American saying is true, “Touch one strand and the whole web trembles.”

• How cool that the "Less Lawn, More Life" campaign was featured on the TODAY Show. The movement is really expanding. I love being a part of Homegrown National Park. Have you signed up yet?