What’s New for March 2026
Dear Climate-Concerned Friends,
This year, we are hosting monthly public events at the Monmouth Senior Community Center on the evening of the second Thursday of every month, 7:00-8:30 pm. The first four events, called “Climate Cafés,” will focus on our emotional reactions to the climate situation (see below). Other events, to be announced, will feature speakers, films, or topic-focused discussions. Please plan to join us, and bring a friend.
HAPPENING SOON: Ash Creek Restoration Project
Sunday, March 8, 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Event map and details
Here’s an opportunity to participate in a carbon-drawdown climate action that simultaneously restores environmental health and strengthens local resilience by enhancing flood mitigation.
The Friends of Gentle Woods Park volunteer group is sponsoring a “Planting Day” along a degraded stretch of Ash Creek’s banks in Monmouth. The group will plant 125 native trees and shrubs. Tools and gloves will be provided, but please bring your own if you have them.
Climate Café series helps participants cope with climate anxiety
Participants in our February Climate Café at the Monmouth Senior Center — the second in a series of free, open-to-the-public events — supported each other as they sat in small groups and discussed their sadness, despair, and sense of loss induced by the climate crisis. Many found that sharing their feelings and concerns was empowering.
The next Climate Café, focusing on anger about the climate crisis (upper-left quadrant of this Climate Emotions Wheel), will be on March 12.
Related: Climate Magic Podcast
Environmental Science Professor Sarah Jaquette Ray, author of A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to keep your cool on a warming planet, hosts a podcast on how your feelings about the climate issue affect your agency to do something about it. The hour-long sessions with experts in many fields include topics such as “This is Your Brain on Climate,” “Apocalyptic Optimism,” “Climate Anxiety and the Kid Question.”
2026 “Imagine Our Future” art and writing event is underway
The Imagine Our Future event challenges graphic artists and writers to create positive visions for our community’s future. This year’s entries will be showcased at the Monmouth Senior Center, and prizes will be awarded for the best pictures and writings in elementary, middle, high school, and adult categories. For details, including submission dates and prizes, see the Imagine Our Future page on this website.
Work must be submitted online between March 1 and 31, 2026.
Ongoing Activities
Attend our monthly online meeting: Join our next regular Climate Group’s online meeting at 6:00 PM, Monday, March 9. These “business meetings” are focused on policy issues and task distribution for our group activities. If you want to attend, please send us an email we will send you the link.