April 24, 2008

Pyle commends D10 environmental stewards

San Jose City Councilmember Nancy Pyle presented commendations to Holy Spirit Parish and the Friends of the Los Alamitos Watershed for their unique and dedicated efforts in serving as environmental stewards for future generations of San Jose residents.

Mayor Chuck Reed, fourth from left, and District 10 City Councilmember Nancy Pyle, third from right, are surrounded by the Friends of the Los Alimitos Watershed. The group was honored during a recent City Council meeting, for its work in mobilizing volunteers for creek clean ups and for their educational campaigns to preserve the ecology in the creek's watershed.

“With the City celebration of Earth Day on April 22, I wanted to highlight the dedication that so many District 10 residents have for preserving and improving our environment. Holy Spirit’s Blue Bag program and the Friends of the Los Alamitos Watershed really epitomize what it means to be true environmental pioneers,” Pyle told those attending city council meetings on April 15 and 22.

For 15 years the Friends of the Los Alamitos Watershed (FOLAW) have mobilized dozens of volunteers to participate in creek cleanups and community-wide environmental education campaigns that preserve the Los Alamitos Watershed as a resource and source of pride in Almaden Valley. Through their organized and informal cleanup efforts, FOLAW has removed thousands of pounds of debris, litter and hazardous materials from the creek.

In collaboration with the Santa Clara County Roads Department, Santa Clara County Parks Depart-ment, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council and the Mid-Peninsula Open Space District, FOLAW has worked to protect the delicate balance of the region’s eco-system. Working hand in hand with local community members and experts FOLAW has educated the public at large about fire prevention, environmental protection and historical preservation of the Los Alamitos Watershed and the surrounding Quicksilver Park and Mines.

Holy Spirit Parish, led by Father Brendan McGuire, in Almaden Valley began its Blue Bag Project during Lent in 2006 as an outward sign of the parish’s commitment to practice and live out a theme of Catholic Social Teachings. The Blue Bags, which are provided at cost to the parish team, friends and neighbors of Holy Spirit as an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic and paper bags, serve as a commitment to stewardship for the planet and a visible symbol for change.

Father Brendan McGuire accepts the city's commendation and describes the church's Blue Bag program, which has provided more than 4,000 reusable cloth bags-at cost-to parish members and neighbors in the Almaden area.

Over the course of two years, the parish has sold more than 4,000 blue bags and has inspired local grocery stores to offer similar, environmentally friendly re-useable bags, thereby carrying on the message of saving our environment through simple, everyday changes.

“Both of these organizations exemplify the caring and environmental stewardship that motivate so many of District 10’s residents. As San Jose continues to ‘Go Green’ I hope that these dedicated individuals serve as an inspiration to everyone in our community, ” Pyle said.

FOLAW will be hosting their next creek cleanup on Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Residents from all over San Jose are welcome to come out and be part of the solution to creek pollution, as May 17 is National River Cleanup Day. Volunteers will be meeting at the Almaden Quicksilver Park, Hacienda entrance.

To sign up or for more information, e-mail mikeboulland@yahoo.com. For more information on Holy Spirit’s Blue Bag program, contact Penny Warne at (408) 997-5108 or e-mail pwarne@holyspiritchurch.org. For additional information on upcoming commendations or additional inquiries, contact Eric T. Crane in the District 10 office at (408) 535-4993.