“Rooted in Resilience”-A 2025 PNW Climate Week Event
On Saturday, July 19th, Kulshan Carbon Trust proudly hosted Rooted in Resilience, a featured event of PNW Climate Week, at Boulevard Park in Bellingham. The event brought together over 15 organizations and speakers, all focused on nature-based solutions, local climate action, and bioregional resilience to build community connections.
It was a picture-perfect day by the bay, with the sun shining and community members gathering to connect, learn, and engage with local nonprofits working on the frontlines of climate resilience. Despite a strong breeze off the water, the event kicked off smoothly with educational materials, information booths, and the welcoming sound of live music by Forest Stoke of Kuinka.
The speaker lineup was rich with insight. We kicked off the event with our Executive Director, Carrie Brausieck, who welcomed our wonderful speakers who helped amplify our message. Howard Sharfstein, one of the co-founders and presidents of KCT, introduced the work KCT has been doing and shared our goals moving forward. Then Brian Kerkvliet from Inspiration Farm spoke about “Water and Climate in Our Local Landscape,” highlighting land-based solutions and permaculture projects they’ve been involved in. Closing out the first round of speakers was David MacLeod with “Bioregionalism: A Movement in Our Own Backyard.”
Community conversations followed—small group discussions where attendees could reflect on the themes of the day, share ideas, and build connections. These conversations were a highlight, and we’re excited to make them a staple of future events.
Our second round of speakers was just as inspiring. Charlie Brown discussed “The Science of Global Warming,” with a focus on local scientific solutions. Steve Harrell, a retired professor from the University of Washington and dedicated climate activist, presented on “Resilience in the Whatcom Climate Action Plan.” Finally, we wrapped up our guest speaker segment with the amazing Senator Liz Lovelett, Washington Conservation Action’s 2025 Legislator of the Year. She is a key sponsor of the Recycling Reform Act: “Recycling for Resilience”, and she shared practical ways everyday people can get involved.
Carrie Brausieck concluded the event by discussing her work with Agroforestry NW and their efforts to connect professionals and land stewards with agroforestry practices. As the afternoon wound down, Forest Stoke’s music provided a calm and hopeful backdrop for meaningful conversations and new connections.
We’re incredibly grateful to all who attended, volunteered, and participated. Rooted in Resilience was a powerful reminder of the strength we build when we come together around shared values. Here's to more community-powered climate action ahead.
A huge thank you to our event sponsor, Whatcom Community Foundation’s Project Neighborly, and participants that made this event a possibility:
Agroforestry NW https://agroforestrynw.com/
Bellingham Community Food Co-Op https://communityfood.coop/
Cascade STEAM https://cascadesteam.org/
Charlie Brown Climate Science
Citizens Climate Lobby https://citizensclimatelobby.org/
Inspiration Farms https://www.inspirationfarm.com/
Maul Foster Alongi - https://www.maulfoster.com/
Pumped Goods- https://pumpedgoods.com/
RE Sources- https://www.re-sources.org/
Regenerate Cascadia- https://regeneratecascadia.org/
Whatcom Conservation District- https://www.whatcomcd.org/
Whatcom Land Trust- https://whatcomlandtrust.org/
Whatcom Million Trees Project - https://whatcommilliontrees.org/
And for all of our amazing speakers, a youtube link is provided of their speeches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZP-fj4fc6A
Howard Sharfstein - Howard Sharfstein is Co-founder & President of Kulshan Carbon Trust. Howard enjoyed a five-decade career in environmental law, energy projects, and corporate sustainability. Now on the path of spiritual eldering, he is a champion for nature-based climate solutions and harnessing the power of intergenerational collaboration.
Brian Kerkvliet - Brian Kerkvliet is a regenerative farmer, artist, and co-founder of Inspiration Farm—an eclectic nine-acre permaculture homestead and creative hub just outside Bellingham, Washington. Blending art, ecology, and community, Brian has cultivated a space where hands-on learning, collaboration, and imagination flourish. With a background in glassblowing, ceramics, and sustainable design, he brings a unique fusion of creativity and land stewardship to everything he does. At Inspiration Farm, Brian hosts workshops and events that empower others to explore permaculture principles, regenerative farming, and resilient living—all in a setting that inspires connection, curiosity, and collective growth.
Charlie Brown - Charlie Brown is a science educator and retired chemical engineer with over four decades of experience in process optimization, air pollution control, and energy systems. Based in Bellingham, WA, Charlie shares his deep technical expertise through seminars and short courses on atmospheric science and climate change, including recent talks at Western Washington University, Edmonds College, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Carrie Brausieck - Carrie Brausieck is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Agroforestry Northwest, and the newly appointed Executive Director of KCT. She is passionate about agroforestry as a solution to competing land use, climate adaptation & mitigation, and working land resilience. Carrie specializes in agroecological systems, multifunctional riparian forest buffers, forest farming/food forests, and alley cropping.
David Macleod- David MacLeod is a lifelong Whatcom County resident and a longtime advocate for local resilience and sustainability. He co-founded Transition Whatcom, one of the first official Transition Initiatives in the U.S., and serves on the board for Sustainable Bellingham. David is now working with the initiating team of Regenerate Whatcom, which is a growing community of residents, organizations, and stewards working together to regenerate our local landscapes, economies, and cultures, as part of a network of regenerative bioregions. Please see his front-page article in the June issue of Whatcom
Senator Liz Lovelett -Liz Lovelett is a lifelong Skagitonian who has served her community in office since 2013. She is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate and serves on transportation, local government, and the energy and environment committees where she focuses on the intersection of climate change, land use, and sustainability. She is a champion for environmental justice, housing, and poverty reduction, and was recently named Washington Conservation Action's Legislator of the Year.
Steve Harrell- Steve Harrell taught anthropology and environmental studies at the University of Washington Seattle from 1974 to 2017. He is the vice-chair of the Whatcom County Climate Impact Advisory Committee.
