In the fall, the natural world starts to slow down and begin storing resources for the winter.

Animals are either creating food stores, transitioning toward hibernation, or heading to warmer locations. Plants and trees are shifting toward dormancy by sending their nutrients and sugars to their roots, slowing cellular growth and division activity, and dropping leaves and seeds to reduce moisture losses and ensure future generations.

When we live in harmony with the natural world, we make many of those same changes as the fall rains become part of every day. Our mood may shift a bit, we may feel slightly less energetic, and we take on projects that fill the freezer and the larder with the bounties from the summer and early fall harvests as we await the last of the chanterelles in our favorite foraging spots.

Stillwaters is preparing too with our annual Fundraising Dinner & Auction. It’s our big push to collect the resources needed to fund the remainder of this year. Please consider joining us for this important fundraising event from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Indianola Clubhouse. Kitsap County Commissioner Rob Gelder will be the featured speaker and the event is being sponsored by many local partners, including Mi Sueno Tacos y Mas, Grounds for Change, Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, Puget Sound Energy, and Columbia Bank. There’s a link on our website page to all of the details and to purchase tickets, which are $50 each.

We know you’ve got full lives and that one single date won’t be convenient for everyone. So, if you aren’t available to attend our dinner, please support the work of Stillwaters Environmental Center generously by whatever means you can. Donations are accepted online at www.stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org, by phone, or by mail. Stillwaters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so contributions are tax-deductible.

One of the most valuable donation options is the donation of appreciated stock. You save capital gains tax and get a charitable deduction besides, so both you and Stillwaters get the best value. Your brokerage has the charitable contribution form. We can provide you our account number. Thank you!

— Beth Berglund is a member of the Stillwaters board of directors. Contact her at bethisgreen@gmail.com.