Youthful energy infuses environmental alliance

Carol Sebastian knew nothing about the Kootenai Environmental Alliance in 2002, but she knew plenty about environmental issues. She’d found money to help rebuild wildlife habitats and trails in Southern California. She’d worked on land and water issues and helped persuade voters to tax themselves to acquire green spaces. She’d joined the Sierra Club and Audubon Society while she was in high school.

And she was cool, confident and in control. Barry Rosenberg, KEA’s executive director, wanted her.

“I liked her power,” Barry says, thinking back to his first meeting with Carol. “Within five minutes, she was running the interview. She’s a very strong individual.”

Carol was one of many who responded to KEA’s want ad for an assistant for Barry two years ago. The 33-year-old environmental organization was all volunteer until this century. The need for a paid director grew sadly obvious as KEA’s loyal membership aged and slowed down.

Barry was hired in 2001, but the job was bigger than one person could handle. So he asked for an assistant. Carol had just settled into a home at Newman Lake when she spotted KEA’s want ad. She wanted something to do, so she applied.

Carol offered plenty that KEA needed. She’d taught herself to write grants in California when the causes she promoted needed money. She was sensible, and had a voice people listened to during discussions. She’d worked as a food and beverage manager for large hotels and knew how to persuade people to do what she needed.

Like most nonprofit groups, KEA wanted all Carol’s skills for few hours and low pay. But Carol was impressed.

“My first impression was that it’s a passionate group,” she says. “It’s making a transition and in some chaos, but passionate.”

Carol was hired to raise money, membership and KEA’s profile. She wasted no time. She and Barry agreed that the middle-aged environmental organization needed an infusion of energy. Carol needed to get out KEA’s message: that it is the public’s best bet to monitor intelligent growth and safeguard the water supply.

She began by winning several grants, then building working friendships with elected officials.

“When you have good relationships based on trust and honesty, you have a better climate for living,” Carol says. “We share information, views, so no one is blindsided.”

Kootenai County’s new subdivision ordinance is a good example. Twelve people representing builders, government, KEA and other groups worked together to hammer out a workable ordinance.

“The first meeting was tense, but we worked together and listened and it worked,” says Carol, who was part of the subdivision ordinance group. “I’m hoping officials learned from that and will start to utilize it so we can grow wisely.”

Water conservation is an issue she worries people don’t see.

“They think water is inexhaustible, but that’s not true,” Carol says. “Our large population will double in another five years. We share the same water source with Spokane. We’ve had moderate winters. The aquifer depends on recharge. We need to protect our water source.”

Carol and KEA volunteers are getting the word out about water by speaking at organizations, schools and anywhere they can wrangle an invitation. Carol plans a demonstration garden that will show people how to raise a lush garden on a quarter of the water most people use now.

“Most people overwater,” she says. “They could use drip systems, catch water in rain barrels. We haven’t invented anything new. We’re just spreading the word about things that work.”

With Carol’s help, KEA’s membership has tripled to 300 since Barry began as director. The $25 annual membership fee supports KEA’s work, which apparently more people are finding important. KEA’s summer hike at Blue Creek Bay drew dozens of people. So did a gathering at Farragut State Park in September when KEA celebrated its efforts to protect the shoreline.

“My goal is to get to 500,” Barry says. “I want KEA recognized as the local conservation group, and I don’t think it is yet. With a stronger membership, we’ll have more political clout. I’d love to get to 1,000 members.”