Update and Planning Meeting and Potluck

Sunday February 2, 5pm
Northcoast Environmental Center, Arcata

A portion of Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Mike Thompson's California Wild Heritage Act passed the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and was signed by President Bush in December 2002. The Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act designated over 54,000 acres of new wilderness along California's spectacular central coastal condor country. With this victory for a portion of the CWHA, wilderness and wild and scenic river activists have proven small wilderness bills are possible as we move forward with a California statewide bill in 2003.

We expect to see Congressman Mike Thompson introduce his 1st District bill and the Northern California portion of the statewide bill as Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein continue to plan their statewide Senate version.

It is possible that a portion of the CWHA in Representative Thompson's district will actually get protected by Congress in 2003. It seems to be more effective to frequently introduce small, more easily passed bills than it is to introduce large bills infrequently that take many years to pass.

If this happens, it will enable wilderness and wild river advocates to focus their efforts on protecting the remaining areas in the CWHA. The California Wilderness Coalition has decided that it will propose at least one new wilderness bill every year until all deserving wild places in the state are protected as wilderness.

To get involved in this Wilderness effort, join activists for a potluck and 2003 hike schedule planning meeting and wilderness update Sunday Feb 2, 5pm at the Northcoast Environmental Center. Ryan Henson, Northern California Wilderness Coordinator, will be our guest. Bring friends, family, slides, food and fun, or just be there!

Upcoming Redwood Chapter
California Wild Heritage Campaign Meetings

February 12 and March 12, 7:30-9:00 pm
Environmental Center in Santa Rosa

Volunteers needed to Protect California's Wild Places!

The wild landscapes and free-flowing rivers of California stand in testament to the greatness of California. In the past 20 years, however, we have lost nearly 700,000 acres of forest, desert and coastal areas to logging, mining and road building. Across the state, and here in Santa Rosa, volunteer activists are mobilizing to protect what is left. Get involved! Join us for our monthly wilderness meeting!

Every second Wednesday of the Month: Redwood Chapter California Wild Heritage Campaign Meeting.

Meeting starts at 7:30pm and generally won't go past 9pm. Join us at the Environmental Center: 404A Mendocino Ave.

This is a monthly meeting of volunteers who are working to protect California's last wild places and new faces are always welcome!