(Some of this story was taken from a Climate Science Alliance press release)

Climate Science Alliance South Coast Director Dr. Amber Pairis was among eight recipients honored nationally on May 8, for helping safeguard America’s valuable natural resources.

Pairis is a former Idyllwild resident. “I grew up in Idyllwild (age 5 and up) and lived there until I went to college in 1992,” she said. “Idyllwild will always be home and my family is still there so I am in Idyllwild often. I went to Idyllwild Elementary and graduated high school at Idyllwild Arts.”

For their outstanding work in raising awareness and helping the nation’s natural resources become more resilient to the impacts of a rapidly changing world, eight organizations and individuals were honored by their peers at the National Adaptation Forum as recipients of the Climate Adaption Leadership Award for Natural Resources. Recipients were selected from 27 nominations representing activities from individuals and federal, tribal, state, local and non-governmental organizations from around the country.

“Today we recognize individuals and agencies who are developing and using innovative methods to safeguard the nation’s living natural resources from a rapidly changing world,” said Kevin Hunting, chief deputy director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and co-chair of the Joint Implementation Working Group of the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy. “Their leadership is a source of inspiration for additional efforts to advance climate-smart resource conservation and management with lasting positive impacts on the nation’s communities and economy.”

The description of why she won is: “Amber Pairis is committed to climate adaptation actions that promote natural resource conservation. She serves as Director of the Climate Science Alliance-South Coast, a partnership between California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Landscape Conservation Cooperative with 140 + partner agencies and organizations. In 2013, Amber was appointed by Governor Brown as the Assistant Secretary for Climate Change-California Natural Resources Agency to coordinate the State’s nature-based climate adaptation activities. Pairis was the Climate Change Advisor for CDFW and created the Climate Science Program, CDFW Climate College, Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agency’s Climate Committee, and supported development of the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy.”

The Climate Adaptation Leadership Award was established in 2016 to recognize outstanding leadership by individuals, organizations, businesses and agencies to support the resilience of America’s vital natural resources and the many people, businesses and communities that depend on them.

For more information about the 2017 Climate Adaptation Leadership Awards for Natural Resources, including the eight recipients, honorable mentions and all 27 nominees, visit the www.wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov/award.php. To view her work, visit www.ClimateScienceAlliance.org and www.climatekids.org.

(This story is from an Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation press release.)

An organizational meeting in January 1968 created the Associates of Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts (now Associates of Idyllwild Arts). January 2018 marks the 50th anniversary as a supporter of the arts, especially Idyllwild Arts. “Our purpose is to raise funds to support the scholarship programs of Idyllwild Arts and to support the arts and culture of the town of Idyllwild,” wrote AIAF President Michael Slocum.

The anniversary celebration will begin at the annual meeting on June 11 and will continue throughout the Associates’ fiscal year. Many events are planned to recognize the history of philanthropy. Some of the special events include:

• Musical: A musical tradition for more than 30 years.

• Speakers Series: special speakers with historical knowledge and background

• Anniversary dinner, auction and musical performance

• Very special performers.

Watch for more events as well as dates and details.

The group’s community outreach includes:

• Financial support to the smARTS program at Idyllwild School

• Partnership with the Art Alliance of Idyllwild in co-producing the Art Walk and Wine Tasting event

• Collaboration with the Idyllwild Master Chorale

• Community partnership with Jazz in the Pines

• Continued support to the Idyllwild Arts Foundation, plus, volunteering countless hours where needed

Special 50th-anniversary logos will be unveiled at the annual meeting on June 11, 2017. Watch for window stickers with new logos to be seen around the town of Idyllwild as they are distributed to special business members.

In 1968, basic membership in the Associates was $100 per year. Over the next 50 years, new levels and recognition have been added but basic membership remains at $100.

Associates of ISOMATA’S President Ray Garner said in the summer of 1970,

“In a world beset with towering political, sociological, and environmental problems, the question of art may seem of little importance. Yet if man is to prevail, not merely endure, his creative potential must be realized. Our mountain campus, high on a shoulder of the San Jacintos, offers just the right condition for maximum expansion of the mind and spirit.

“The purpose of ISOMATA is to enrich lives. The purpose of ISOMATA Associates is to devote time, energy and financial support to the furtherance of this dream — to the recreation of this little Athens.”