April 4, 2005
Some readers might remember that, prior to the 1999 Headwaters Deal, activists from the Bay Area to the top of the state operated within a functioning coalition that included groups from the Sierra Club to Earth First!. The information-sharing involved in that coalition supported cutting-edge strategy development. That vehicle to collaborate no longer exists, leaving a gap in our ability to develop the best strategy possible for the long-term protection of the public trust resources of California's North Coast.
In that spirit, we convened the North Coast Forest Strategy Summit in March 24-26, at the Mattole Camp and Retreat Center in Petrolia.
This is a critical time to assess victories, losses, and priorities in the efforts to protect old-growth forests and critical species habitat in our coastal forests. It is time to climb out of the box and spawn new paradigms. Every organization will not hold the same priorities, but we believe an airing of those priorities and a frank, creative discussion will strengthen each organization's agenda.
In-depth updates on state resource agency action, proposed logging plans on corporate land, 2005 legislative prospects, forest and species litigation strategies, direct action, tree-sits, and civil rights of protesters will lay fertile ground for strategic brainstorming.
With partners at Trees Foundation and Ancient Forest International, the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters organized the summit and is committed to follow-up, providing a means for a feedback loop and interchange regarding information shared at the summit. We hope to set up appropriate networks of communication for ongoing exchange of practical information, strategic ideas, and proposals for collaboration. We'll also explore potential for a broader-based conference for the forest advocacy community in Northern California.
On other fronts, BACH continues to be a point of contact in the Bay Area for info on North Coast forests, generating letters, comments, media coverage, and enthusiastic activism.
For more information:
510/548-3113
www.HeadwatersPreserve.org
More Information About
Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters
More Articles...
TOC for Forest & River News, Winter 2005