FAST FIVE Dave Muise keeps the environment at the forefront

DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO

Courtesy photo

Meet Dave Muise, vice president of the Kootenai Environmental Alliance board of directors, a resident of Coeur d'Alene and recently retired product manager with over 30 years working on high-speed internet equipment for Nokia.

Dave became an advocate for climate action after drought-fueled wildfire came within a few miles of where he was living in northern California back in 2017. Upon moving to Coeur d'Alene the next year, he was surprised to smell wildfire smoke from area fires. Since then, he's been an advocate for climate action with both Citizens' Climate Lobby and the Kootenai Environmental Alliance and was one of the authors of the Coeur d'Alene Climate Adaptation Project (CCAP) report.

1) What exactly is the Kootenai Environmental Alliance and what does it do?

KEA is an all-volunteer group that advocates for local environmental causes. Our mission is to conserve, protect and restore the environment for the health and well-being of future generations, with specific emphasis on the Idaho Panhandle and Coeur d'Alene basin. Visit kealliance.org for info.

2) Why are you a part of this organization and why does its work matter?

I am an advocate for climate action and am involved with national organizations; however, local issues and local impacts are what engages and motivates most people. KEA's local focus allows me to be involved in both national and local advocacy.

3) What are some things you and your team are working on right now?

We're pulling together a winter film series that will be both educational and engaging for our membership. We hope to partner with other local groups in maximizing outreach with this film series.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

That I'm a former civilian nuclear engineer for the U.S. Navy.

5) What thoughts would you like to share with the community about how to care for our local environment as we head into fall and winter?

What I would want anyone to understand, be it a local resident or a visitor to our beautiful city, is that their actions have impacts. Be conscious of what you are doing and how what you're doing impacts your surroundings. Remember that you are sharing your environment with other people today, and with generations that follow.