Looking Out for the Region's Future

July 17, 2000

Photo: Mike Vollmer

Many groups are doing great work protecting local watersheds or one aspect of the region as a whole from current threats. From the THP in your backyard to the survival of salmon, someone?s probably got a pretty good handle on what needs to be done. But are there better ways to help all these independent efforts support and reinforce each other now and in the long run? That?s the question being asked by Ancient Forest International, EPIC, Institute for Sustainable Forestry, Legacy, Trees Foundation, and others working on a bold vision for the development of the California North Coast Coalition.

Three meetings since January have resulted in a mission statement, eight draft goals (posted at www.legacy-tlc.org), an e-mail listserve to share communication about these, and current action alerts.

The potential is perhaps best understood in terms of Regional Conservation and Socio-Economic Planning. If a network of cooperating groups can pull together information about all the diverse efforts to improve things, then this coordination of short-term projects can be the foundation for a long-term comprehensive strategy.

When timber industry executives, developers, and Cal-Trans are mapping out the future of our homeplace with more clearcuts, shopping malls, and freeways, we need to gather all our best ideas and work with people in the region to develop another way. Ask your favorite group what it is doing about the future. The California North Coast Coalition is about starting that conversation.


This article can be found online at www.treesfoundation.org/publications/article-29

Forest & River News is produced by Trees Foundation.