Welcome to the Benton, Franklin, Wala Walla E3 Region (BFWWE3) web page.

To get involved in the work of this region,
contact Ginger Wireman at
ginger@ccando.org

The BFWW e3 Summit was held February 28, 2007 in Pasco, near the confluence of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers, and upstream from the Walla Walla.

We had 150 participants, including school teachers, city staff and elected officials, non-formal environmental educators, farmers, academics, Hanford contractors, minister’s, retail managers, and students. 

Armand Minthorn of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation began with an opening blessing.  We also heard from Chad Kruger, a WSU tree fruit researcher, who told us about our food supply in relation to the cost of fertilize, and discussed what WSU is teaching with regard to food security..  Solo Greene, of the Nez Perce Tribe offered insight into the importance of understanding self, reaching out to others, finding our special talents, and moving forward together. 

Participants worked in small groups coming up with a wide range of goals.  Most had more to do with community development than ‘environmental education’.  Participants recognized that in our area, many of our sustainability problems are the result of our separate communities, duplication of services,  and lack of education.  View the entire Regional Plan here.

Steering Committee Members

 
Jenna Bicknell - Sustainable Living Center

Samantha Carterby - Early Learning Educator

Jaime Clarke - WW Community College Water Resource Center

Mike Dedman - NPS Whitman Mission

Shannon Hays Truex – Environmental Educator                                                                                                          

Kara Kaelber - Franklin Conservation District

George Last - Ice Age Floods Institute

Carol Moser - Transportation Commissioner

Jim Wise - WSU Tri-Cities Faculty

Ginger Wireman - WA State Dept. of Ecology, Nuclear Waste Program                         

 Click here for the BFWWE3 Directory of Organizations and Programs

In an effort to move the goals of BFWW e3 forward, we’ve created a new non-profit organization.  The Confluence Community Action Network, or CCAN, will serve as the local hub for sustainability education and action.  Many of our local e3 participants stressed the need for integration of ideas and action.  Thus CCAN hopes to serve as a hub for information sharing and coordination of grant funding, volunteers, and experts.