Union of Concerned Scientists Science Champions
Friend —
I’d like to share with you the 3 most important fights we are focused on in Congress right now – funding the Environmental Protection Agency, defending the climate action in the Clean Power Plan, and enacting responsible food and farming policies through the Farm Bill. I’ll also share how you can help. As a Missouri Science Champion you’ll have help from me, starting now, with the latest attacks on science and CONCRETE STEPS you can take to make a difference. UCS Science Champions will do things like write to and call Senator McCaskill, show up at Town Halls to ask her to defend science, and this summer, some of you may even join me in Washington DC to speak with the Senator about the issues that matter to you.
Upcoming Events and ACTIONS
TUESDAY! State of the Union Viewing & Advocacy Party in Columbia
Missouri scientists, experts, and science Champions, like you, are gathering to view the State of the Union address, and to take action to let Missouri’s decisionmakers know that science-based protections are supported by their constituents. This will be a fun, social event with free food! And you’ll have an opportunity to meaningfully respond to the president’s anti-science agenda.
We know that the president will continue to boast and promote deregulation of federal health, safety, and environmental protections, and that this will directly impact the lives and land of Missourians. Join us to promote science and public safeguards!
State of the Union Viewing & Advocacy Party in Columbia
Date: Tuesday, January 30
Time: 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Location: The Heidelberg, 410 S 9th St., Columbia, MO 65201
The following day, a few folks will meet up to hand deliver the letters they wrote together at Senator McCaskill’s local office. That’s January 31st during the day – let me know if you’d like to join! Please email me at Lorna.ucs@gmail.com to get involved in this.
Beer with a Woman Scientist in St Louis
If you happen to be in St Louis Wednesday, January 31 at 6 PM – 9 PM at 4 Hands Brewing Company 1220 S 8th St, St. Louis 63104 you should join us!
500 Women Scientists – St. Louis Pod is hosting a fun, welcoming event to invite scientists and non-scientists alike to mix and mingle and learn what a woman scientist really does and looks like! This is a family friendly event that will include beer, a scavenger hunt (with prizes!), demonstrations, arcade games, games and crafts for kids, and more
Farmers Forum in Springfield
Small-scale and environmentally-responsible farmers, join Missouri Coalition for the Environment and Missouri Farmers Union in Springfield and Union of Concerned Scientists on February 11, 2018 12-2 pm to provide feedback on what Farm Bill programs that matter most to you! Urban and rural farmers alike are encouraged to attend. The forum will be held at Farmers Gastropub, 2620 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65804. The forum is free and lunch will be provided. RSVP HERE!
The following day, a few folks will meet up to hand deliver the letters they wrote together at Senator McCaskill’s local office. That’s Feb 12th during the day – let me know if you’d like to join! We want to double down with LTEs to Springfield News Leader. Please email me at Lorna.ucs@gmail.com to get involved in this.
Feb 21st- The EPA will be hosting a listening session about the repeal of the Clean Power Plan in Kansas City.
Tuesday Feb 20 12PM (tentative) Press Event
Wednesday Feb 21 10A-8P Listening Session
There are a number of organizations that are already working on a plan to do a rally/press conference to drum up attention about this event. Working with the Sierra Club, KC 350, Bridging the Gap and a number of other organizations. We now know that at some point this week, the EPA will have a registration link to sign up to testify. Once I get that, I will pass it on to you through email so that if you would like to speak you can. They will then get back to you with you designated time, so that way if you are taking off of work, you should have a more specific expectation of when you will need to be there. I can host a webinar to help train people to speak! RSVP link is coming soon!
I would love for us to drop by on the 22nd to Claire’s KC office. Please email me at Lorna.ucs@gmail.com to get involved in this.
And then AGAIN rallying folks to write letters to CMC and take them to her office about any of the following
-Making sure that EPA is properly funded in the budget
-Making sure that EPA does not repeal the Clean Power Plan, we will talk more about that a bit later.
-And making sure the Farm Bill includes appropriate funding for SNAP, the Beginning Farmer & Rancher Opportunity Act and the Local Farms act
If anyone is interested in planning their own district office drop by, please let me know (Lorna.UCS@gmail.com) and I can work with you to get more Science Champs to that meeting, otherwise I have tentatively schedule these dates.
Our dates so far…
Jan 31st -Columbia MO (after SOTU event 9on the 30th)
Feb 12th –Springfield (Day after MO Farm Bill Forum on the 11th)
Feb 22nd – Kansas City or St Louis (depending on finding help to lead in KC, and if Claire will actually be in the STL office during her legislative home break.
Please email me at Lorna.ucs@gmail.com to get involved in ANY of these events!! Our February Missouri check in call will be February 27th, time to be determined. Look forward to chatting with you soon!
Lorna Kurdi
http://missourisciencechampions.nationbuilder.com/