Whidbey Environmental Action Network is hosting a one-day workshop to help community members find their civic voices as activists and advocates for local communities and the environment.

The workshop, which is tuition-free thanks to grant funding from the Climate Commitment Act, runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at the Oak Harbor Library. Space is limited to 20 participants, and registration is required at whidbeyenvironment.org/workshops.

During the morning session of “Finding Your Civic Voice,” participants will learn how to craft public comments that are three minutes or less in length. In the afternoon, participants will practice public speaking in a group setting.

The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs and improving public health. More information is available at climate.wa.gov.

The CCA grant came from the Department of Commerce to a consortium of nonprofits (WEAN, ARCIC, Island Roots Housing) working to engage the public, especially community members with marginalized identities, in the comprehensive planning process.

Earlier this year, participants from the first Finding Your Civic Voice workshop held on Dec. 8, 2024 on South Whidbey gave public comment at the first Board of Island County Commissioners meeting of the year, with comments generated during the previous workshop.

Participants from the Feb. 23, 2025 workshop provided public comments to the Board of Commissioners last week.

Participants in the May 3 workshop will also be able to share their crafted comments with county leadership in a public forum after the initial workshop.

Email engage@whidbeyenvironment.org with questions.