Geography defines our place on earth and yet there are many views of ‘place’. People in Cascadia consider themselves in the northwest, but that view is dependent on a continental perspective. From a global view, Cascadia is in the Pacific North East but we are glad to honor the Northwest’s identity and heritage. Our focus has been on the Salish Sea islands and coastal plains since 2007.
Hawaii sees itself isolated in the middle of the ocean, over 2,500 from a continent. Yet ancient Polynesians were sailing the seas between islands and the mainland leaving material and botanical evidence in North and South America as well as Asia. One Island was named on the British Columbia island of Cortes and launched from the Island of Hawaii in 2009.
California is often thought of as its own island with its progressive ideas and open cultural expressions, but it is actually several landmasses clashing in to one another, creating earthquakes, and pushing volcanoes up. One Island’s parent non-profit, Heritage Ranch, was founded in California in 2004.
In fact, volcanoes are one of the geologic features that unite what we are choosing here to call the Pacific Northwest. Soaring peaks in Washington, California and Hawaii all remind us of the ever changing forces of nature, the small epoch of human time, and the rock and water that creates the basis for our food and farming and inspires the arts, poetry and music of the Pacific Northwest Triangle.
The Arts – visual, spoken, music, performance – of this triangular bridge connect cultures across land and sea. The presence of whales, turtles, fish and hawks remind us of our responsibility to be thoughtful stewards of these amazing landscapes. And love them we do.
The burning fire that light’s One Island’s efforts is both real, around the Pacific Rim, and metaphorical. We are driven to help nurture positive social and environmental change as if our lives depend on it. In fact, we think they do.
Where ever we travel in Hawaii, Coastal California and around the Salish Sea, whoever we meet with to build collaborative partnerships, we are reminded of the common challenges we face, the vulnerabilities we must prepare ourselves to overcome, and the vibrant native cultural wisdoms that have thrived in these beautiful places for thousands of years.
We are listening.
And sharing …
After all, the best Wisdom is Open Source.
We welcome your story of sustainable living that can be shared through the reply box below.
Send us a description and a photo of a sustainability strategy you find most helpful. Or a challenge you are most concerned about. Our editorial group will review and then post on-topic offerings for us all to enjoy.
Leave a Reply