By Marnie Jackson

With Island County’s Comprehensive Planning in full swing, WEAN is working as part of a grant-funded Consortium to ensure that as many voices as possible reach our county commissioners, planning advisors, and staff members. 

The Consortium includes Island Roots Housing (IRH) and Agricultural Resources Committee of Island County (ARCIC), under the fiscal sponsorship of Goosefoot. The Consortium meets weekly to synchronize efforts and learn from one another, and in October we added consultants Mary Elizabeth Himes and Diana Sandoval to our team to support us in accessing more voices and perspectives and in shaping our next comprehensive plan to better advance equity and environmental justice.

ARCIC’s focus in Comprehensive Planning is agriculture and farming. To advance their aims, they’re using grant funds to contract with American Farmland Trust to advise on the Land Use element. They’ll also host a Farmer’s Town Hall to bring people from all sectors of the agriculture community together to engage in the comprehensive planning process.

IRH is focused on affordable housing and is offering input into the Housing element and associated elements for both Island County and the City of Langley. They have also taken a lead on coordinating Consortium efforts as well as recruiting and retaining consultant support for connecting with BIPOC community members about needs and opportunities related to Comprehensive Planning. IRH is participating in Island County’s focus group meetings to shape the Housing Element. 

WEAN’s focus is on the foundational role of ecosystem function in supporting economies, human health, and community resilience. We’re reviewing the Comprehensive Plan with an eye to State Environmental Policy Act compliance and protection of our shorelines, forests, wetlands, prairies, wildlife, and drinking water. We’re also designing and facilitating “Find Your Civic Voice” workshops on South Whidbey, North Whidbey, and Camano to support community members in developing and delivering impactful public comments at future Board of County Commissioner meetings. We’re participating in Island County’s focus group meetings to shape the Climate Resilience Element and in Coupeville’s Climate Element and Coastal Adaptation Advisory Team. 

Partnering with IRH and ARCIC gives us an opportunity to view, from several perspectives, a fundamental truth: the essentials of food, shelter, and a liveable planet are inextricably linked. Affordable housing, farming, and environmental concerns can be advanced in concert when we center the wellbeing of life—human and otherwise—in our planning process. WEAN is fortunate to have such inspiring and dedicated collaborators with which to do this vital work.