STORY BY MIKE GORDON

PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

5B Resilient, a new program of Sun Valley Institute for Resilience, launched this week with plans to offer community conversations on topics like water quality and the publication of monthly digital resources offering climate action suggestions.

The program enhances access to climate action resources, increases community and individual skills that promote self-reliance, increases visibility of existing and new opportunities for resilience related action, and cultivates resource sharing, collaborative events, and education opportunities. 

 5B Resilient expands on the Institute’s 5B Resilience Gardens program, which was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The program kicks off with a community conversation on water quality, home use efficiency, and agricultural water rights at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Hailey Town Center West.  

 “We recognized the need for this work to expand beyond gardening,” says Hannah Harris, the Institute’s community engagement coordinator.  “Attendees of events asked for information about water, energy, at-home skills, and so much more. We saw an opportunity to build on the 5B Resilience Gardens initiative and create a more comprehensive program.”

 5B Resilient will also publish a series of digital resources covering a wide range of topics, from climate disaster preparedness to energy conservation to resilient gardening practices. These resources will be published monthly with the goal of making climate action approachable and accessible for all. The first digital resource, about disaster preparedness, is now on the 5B Resilient program page in both English and Spanish. 

 Other 5B Resilient initiatives include building youth-driven composting programs in schools and community gardens, engaging with and sharing policy action items and collaborating with various groups, including youth climate action organizations and Blaine County’s 5B CAN initiative. 

  Learn more at https://www.sunvalleyinstitute.org/5b-resilient/about.