Friends of Small Places

Friends of Small Places
April 24, 2007


The founding members of Friends of Small Places have been fighting irresponsible gravel miners and gravel processing along the Van Duzen and Mad rivers. We became a sponsored project of the Trees Foundation in October 2006--and thus began the tribulations and triumphs associated with a brand-new grassroots environmental group.

Asphalt and concrete debris dumped on the bank of the Mad River by a gravel operator. This site is near the Mad River Fish Hatchery and is a NOAA designated Essential Fish Habitat. Photo: Kristen Lark

Our first goals were to establish the group, make ourselves known, and get our message out. We realized the importance of our responsibilities. Gravel extraction, crushing, and concrete and asphalt production are relatively new areas of environmental focus. We compared the damage caused to the rivers of Humboldt County to the damage caused by the lumber industry. We are concerned that the devastation that trampled forests is now targeting rivers. Gravel extraction is quickly becoming Humboldt County's "next big thing." Without proper monitoring, mitigation, and reclamation plans, the results could be disastrous.

Being a new group, with yet another critical environmental issue, we were met with some doubt and even skepticism. We reached out to others, providing PowerPoint presentations, constructing informational flyers and pamphlets, and volunteering to help when needed. We were honored to attend the first "California Tribal River Summit" sponsored by the Wiyot Tribe. We continued to introduce ourselves and our organization. We crafted holiday e-mail cards and sent them to environmental groups, just to put a smile on their faces and familiarize them with us.

EPIC, Humboldt Baykeeper, and Trees Foundation have been very helpful. We are sponsoring a flea market for environmental groups and are proud to say that 12 groups have committed to participate in the first "Everything Under the Sun" sale at the Bayside Grange on March 31. Besides generating money, we will meet people, educate the public on our causes, and have lots of fun.

Starting a new group has presented many challenges. We found that our work requires time, commitment, and money. We applied for grants and are pleased to have received some funding. We have developed our slogan, and a banner is in the works. Our website will come along soon.

The tribulations of starting a new group along with balancing family and other commitments are tests that allow us to rise to the occasion. Realizing that we need more than 24 hours in a day can be frustrating. But knowing the importance of a cause and having the support and encouragement of others provide us with pride and feelings of elation that can only be translated into triumphs.

For more information:
www.friendsofsmallplaces.org



This article can be found online at www.treesfoundation.org/publications/article-271

Forest & River News is produced by Trees Foundation. For more information contact:
Friends of Small Places
Post Office Box 1181
Blue Lake, CA 95525
Email: friends@friendsofsmallplaces.org