Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Yuba River News & Events: Discussion on Corporate vs. Community Rights
Synergia Learning Ventures and SYRCL invite you to a free lecture, “Reclaiming Democracy, How Communities are Saying “No” to Corporate Rights and Organizing for the Rights of Nature", presented THIS Friday, April 10, 7pm, at the Veteran’s Hall, 415 N. Pine Street in Nevada City.
Yuba River News & Events from SYRCL
Who Decides?
Discussion on Corporate vs. Community Rights in the Yuba Watershed
Synergia Learning Ventures and SYRCL invite you to a free lecture, “Reclaiming Democracy, How Communities are Saying “No” to Corporate Rights and Organizing for the Rights of Nature", presented THIS Friday, April 10, 7pm, at the Veteran’s Hall, 415 N. Pine Street in Nevada City.
From water withdrawl to mining, industrial forestry to GMO agriculture, and more, corporations wield the law against the interests of local communities, often endangering our health, safety and the environment. In a remarkable talk recorded in Grass Valley in November 2008, Thomas Linzey and Shannon Biggs of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund and Global Exchange discuss corporate personhood, democracy and the rights of nature. The talk was followed by a 3-day “Democracy School” training attended by 20 local community members.
Shannon Biggs and Jason Rainey, SYRCL Executive Director, will put corporate power into a Yuba context, and share how a new kind of organizing taking place at the community level to bring decision making back into the hands of people, in response to the question, “Who Decides?” The talks will be followed by an airing of the Linzey-Biggs presentation from last fall.
Join us at this free event, and tell your friends! More information at http://www.synergia.us or call Synergia at (530)265-5490.
Stop Destructive Logging in the Forests of Northern California
Northern California's iconic forests are one of our state’s most important buffers against global warming; they provide California with more than 60% of its drinking water; they provide habitat to countless plants and animals, many found nowhere else on Earth; and they are being ravaged by the destructive logging of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI). SPI’s holdings comprise much of the private-public “checkerboard” ownership in the Yuba’s headwaters, and are slated for more clearcuts and creek crossings along the Middle Yuba.
SPI has plans for at least one million acres of clearcut type logging and plantation conversion of natural forests within the next fifty years. Our ally, Forest Ethics has a campaign to change SPI’s logging practices by encouraging the companies they supply to “vote with their dollars” and buy from a greener alternative until changes are made. During the week of April 13, Forest Ethics will organize citizens to take action across the country—and in our region—against some of SPI's most important customers. They seek your help by stepping up to organize an event during this "Sierra Week of Action." Get involved!
E-mail sierra [at] forestethics.org or register at: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/281/t/2411/signUp.jsp?key=4064
Become a Yuba River Monitor
Are you interested in becoming part of the Yube River Monitoring Family? Learn more about the health of the watershed? Enjoy a morning at the river every month? Join us for a mandatory training Sunday, April 19, 9am - 2:30pm at Bridgeport State Park. The training includes an afternoon break for lunch and a docent led wildflower walk.
SYRCL's historic Monitoring Program has trained hundreds of rivers lovers since 2000. We currently have openings for new monitors on many of the 43 sites on the North, Middle, South, and Lower Yuba. You must be able to commit to the program for one year, monitoring at your site typically the first Saturday of each month. The training is a requirement for our SYRCL River Monitoring Programs of Benthic Macro Invertebrates, Algae, Mountain Meadows, as well as Monthly River Monitoring. (Note: The Yuba Stewards Program is suspended due to the CA state funding freeze, and we are not sure when it will resume at this point in 2009.)
To register, contact Jen Hemmert, jen [at] syrcl.org or 265-5961x204. For more info about the program, visit http://www.yubariver.net/content/river-monitor
Passionate Gardeners Needed
SYRCL is partnering with Wildflowers Forever to create a demonstration garden of native plants with water retention and sustainability practices in our office backyard at 216 Main Street.
We need volunteers with gardening passions to help create a native plant sanctuary for the community of Nevada City to enjoy and maintain. Plans include removing all invasive plants, replacing the fence, creating a water feature, and more.
We're asking volunteers to join SYRCL staff member Jen Hemmert at the Sierra Smart Gardening workshops, April 18, May 9, and June 6, 9am - 3:30pm at the NC Fire Station. The Smart Gardening Workshops are based on the Sierra Nevada Alliance's book, Sierra Nevada Yard & Garden. Jen is immediately looking for volunteers to help her bring a rough design of the SYRCL garden to the next workshop.
For more information about the workshops, visit: http://www.wildflowersforever.org/ProtectSierrraWatershed%201208.pdf
To share your gardening passion, contact Jen at 265-5961x204 or jen [at] syrcl.org.
Citizen Advocacy Supports SYRCL’s Protect Yuba Headwaters Campaign
A congratulations and appreciation for SYRCL’s citizen advocates for their recent work on behalf of the Yuba Headwaters. The Donner Summit Public Utilities District discharges effluent into the upper South Yuba during most of the year, and has received numerous notices of violations for exceeding water quality standards. DSPUD is belatedly pursuing a new discharger permit, and the state’s preliminary permit grants DSPUD a 5-year grace period for discharging over 5 times the limit set at all other wastewater treatment plants in the county for nitrate pollutants, a major contributor to algae blooms and associated impacts to aquatic biota.
Over a dozen citizen activities joined SYRCL in the submission of comments to the Regional Water Quality Control Board in support of a tighter timeline for compliance and bringing the pollution discharge limits down to a level protective of human health and river health. Many thanks to our citizen advocates for the Yuba Headwaters!! SYRCL encourages others to join our advocacy work. SYRCL will be presenting on this issue in front of the Regional Board in Sacramento later this month.
View SYRCL’s comments and background information on the issue at http://www.yubariver.net/content/protect-yuba-headwaters.
Contact our Headwaters Campaign Director (also a volunteer!), Susan Snider, to join our organizing group: suesnider [at] yahoo.com.
Calling All Youth!
Aeron Miller, member of SYRCL’s Board of Directors, has been invited as a trainer at the renowned national youth organizing conference, presented by YES! (Youth for Environmental Sanity). The 7th annual Leveraging Privilege for Social Change Jam will be held June 4-11, at a gorgeous retreat center in West Virginia.
Aeron is looking for youth leaders with a passion for the Yuba to consider applying as participants to the conference, so that the inspiration, passion and tools gleaned from the conference can be applied to youth organizing work locally on behalf of wild salmon, river health and headwaters protection in the greater Yuba Watershed. This is an annual week-long gathering for a diverse group of 30 young people (flexibly under age 35) who feel privilege in their lives (for example, they have access to wealth, fame and/or capacity for social impact) and are committed to building a thriving, just and sustainable way of life for all.
Aeron writes, “Past participants of LPSC have included entertainers, activists, young inheritors, foundation program officers, entrepreneurs, authors, media personnel, philanthropists, youth mentors, and public figures who are committed to using the resources in their lives to help build a better world. It’s a pretty powerful and committed group of folks. Our alumni consistently report that the community that comes out of Jams is a source of support and inspiration that helps to sustain them and propels them on their path.”
For more info about the conference, check out the brochure at: http://www.yesworld.org/media/lpsc_09_brochure.pdf.
If you, or a youth you know, might be interested in this opportunity, contact Aeron at aeronmiller [at] gmail.com.
Celebrate Earth Day
There are some great events to celebrate Earth Day. Check these out:
19th annual Nevada County Earth Day: Sharing Nature with Children
Saturday, April 18, 11am-5pm
Joseph Cornell, world renowned author, environmental educator and advocate for bringing children and nature together will be the highlight at this year's festivities. The FREE celebration includes eco displays, local artisans, non-profit and Earth-friendly business vendors, LOTS of good food and drinks, and kids' crafts. Enjoy speakers and live music. Vendors and attendees will help celebrate this ZERO WASTE event by bringing your own dishes – there will be lots of recycling bins, but NO trash cans! To volunteer, or for info, call Beth at 274-0360 or beth [at] ncws.com.
Heal Yourself, Heal the Earth
Saturday, April 18, 9am-6:30pm
Enjoy a massage or other bodywork ... all proceeds benefit the Wolf Creek Community Alliance. This day-long Grass Valley takes place 9am-6:30pm at Living Yoga, The Pilates Place, and Rejuvenation Therapies. Community Yoga is offered at 9am & 5:30pm at Living Yoga, 115 S. Church St. For a complete schedule, more information and to make an appointment, visit http:// http://www.WolfCreekAlliance.org. Or contact Rick Sanger, 273-7574.
A Day of Well-Being
Saturday, April 18, 8am-9:30pm
The California College of Ayurveda and Ananda Dhiira in conjunction with Hospitality House, Women of Worth, Sierra Friends of Tibet, Shuniaa, Sivananda Ashram invite you to celebrate Earth Day with nature walks, ayurvedic classes, yoga, and meals at Ananda Dhiira in Penn Valley. For details: 866-541-6699 x224 or http://www.ayurvedacollege.com.
For more information about these events, check out http://www.yubanet.com.
Annual SYRCL Auction
Save the date for “SIMPLY CELEBRATE THE GREATER YUBA” featuring a silent and live auction, marvelous food and drink and some new surprises this year, as we promote simple necessities for green living and celebrate the unique communities and qualities of the Greater Yuba watershed—from source to sea! Mark your calendar for SATURDAY, MAY 30, at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City, 6-11pm.
To help (or if you have a service or product that you’d like to donate to the auction!), please contact Miriam Limov (530)265-5961x201 or miriam [at] syrcl.org.
To view auction items & for more info, visit http://www.yubaauction.org
Who Decides?
Discussion on Corporate vs. Community Rights in the Yuba Watershed
Synergia Learning Ventures and SYRCL invite you to a free lecture, “Reclaiming Democracy, How Communities are Saying “No” to Corporate Rights and Organizing for the Rights of Nature", presented THIS Friday, April 10, 7pm, at the Veteran’s Hall, 415 N. Pine Street in Nevada City.
From water withdrawl to mining, industrial forestry to GMO agriculture, and more, corporations wield the law against the interests of local communities, often endangering our health, safety and the environment. In a remarkable talk recorded in Grass Valley in November 2008, Thomas Linzey and Shannon Biggs of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund and Global Exchange discuss corporate personhood, democracy and the rights of nature. The talk was followed by a 3-day “Democracy School” training attended by 20 local community members.
Shannon Biggs and Jason Rainey, SYRCL Executive Director, will put corporate power into a Yuba context, and share how a new kind of organizing taking place at the community level to bring decision making back into the hands of people, in response to the question, “Who Decides?” The talks will be followed by an airing of the Linzey-Biggs presentation from last fall.
Join us at this free event, and tell your friends! More information at http://www.synergia.us or call Synergia at (530)265-5490.
Stop Destructive Logging in the Forests of Northern California
Northern California's iconic forests are one of our state’s most important buffers against global warming; they provide California with more than 60% of its drinking water; they provide habitat to countless plants and animals, many found nowhere else on Earth; and they are being ravaged by the destructive logging of Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI). SPI’s holdings comprise much of the private-public “checkerboard” ownership in the Yuba’s headwaters, and are slated for more clearcuts and creek crossings along the Middle Yuba.
SPI has plans for at least one million acres of clearcut type logging and plantation conversion of natural forests within the next fifty years. Our ally, Forest Ethics has a campaign to change SPI’s logging practices by encouraging the companies they supply to “vote with their dollars” and buy from a greener alternative until changes are made. During the week of April 13, Forest Ethics will organize citizens to take action across the country—and in our region—against some of SPI's most important customers. They seek your help by stepping up to organize an event during this "Sierra Week of Action." Get involved!
E-mail sierra [at] forestethics.org or register at: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/281/t/2411/signUp.jsp?key=4064
Become a Yuba River Monitor
Are you interested in becoming part of the Yube River Monitoring Family? Learn more about the health of the watershed? Enjoy a morning at the river every month? Join us for a mandatory training Sunday, April 19, 9am - 2:30pm at Bridgeport State Park. The training includes an afternoon break for lunch and a docent led wildflower walk.
SYRCL's historic Monitoring Program has trained hundreds of rivers lovers since 2000. We currently have openings for new monitors on many of the 43 sites on the North, Middle, South, and Lower Yuba. You must be able to commit to the program for one year, monitoring at your site typically the first Saturday of each month. The training is a requirement for our SYRCL River Monitoring Programs of Benthic Macro Invertebrates, Algae, Mountain Meadows, as well as Monthly River Monitoring. (Note: The Yuba Stewards Program is suspended due to the CA state funding freeze, and we are not sure when it will resume at this point in 2009.)
To register, contact Jen Hemmert, jen [at] syrcl.org or 265-5961x204. For more info about the program, visit http://www.yubariver.net/content/river-monitor
Passionate Gardeners Needed
SYRCL is partnering with Wildflowers Forever to create a demonstration garden of native plants with water retention and sustainability practices in our office backyard at 216 Main Street.
We need volunteers with gardening passions to help create a native plant sanctuary for the community of Nevada City to enjoy and maintain. Plans include removing all invasive plants, replacing the fence, creating a water feature, and more.
We're asking volunteers to join SYRCL staff member Jen Hemmert at the Sierra Smart Gardening workshops, April 18, May 9, and June 6, 9am - 3:30pm at the NC Fire Station. The Smart Gardening Workshops are based on the Sierra Nevada Alliance's book, Sierra Nevada Yard & Garden. Jen is immediately looking for volunteers to help her bring a rough design of the SYRCL garden to the next workshop.
For more information about the workshops, visit: http://www.wildflowersforever.org/ProtectSierrraWatershed%201208.pdf
To share your gardening passion, contact Jen at 265-5961x204 or jen [at] syrcl.org.
Citizen Advocacy Supports SYRCL’s Protect Yuba Headwaters Campaign
A congratulations and appreciation for SYRCL’s citizen advocates for their recent work on behalf of the Yuba Headwaters. The Donner Summit Public Utilities District discharges effluent into the upper South Yuba during most of the year, and has received numerous notices of violations for exceeding water quality standards. DSPUD is belatedly pursuing a new discharger permit, and the state’s preliminary permit grants DSPUD a 5-year grace period for discharging over 5 times the limit set at all other wastewater treatment plants in the county for nitrate pollutants, a major contributor to algae blooms and associated impacts to aquatic biota.
Over a dozen citizen activities joined SYRCL in the submission of comments to the Regional Water Quality Control Board in support of a tighter timeline for compliance and bringing the pollution discharge limits down to a level protective of human health and river health. Many thanks to our citizen advocates for the Yuba Headwaters!! SYRCL encourages others to join our advocacy work. SYRCL will be presenting on this issue in front of the Regional Board in Sacramento later this month.
View SYRCL’s comments and background information on the issue at http://www.yubariver.net/content/protect-yuba-headwaters.
Contact our Headwaters Campaign Director (also a volunteer!), Susan Snider, to join our organizing group: suesnider [at] yahoo.com.
Calling All Youth!
Aeron Miller, member of SYRCL’s Board of Directors, has been invited as a trainer at the renowned national youth organizing conference, presented by YES! (Youth for Environmental Sanity). The 7th annual Leveraging Privilege for Social Change Jam will be held June 4-11, at a gorgeous retreat center in West Virginia.
Aeron is looking for youth leaders with a passion for the Yuba to consider applying as participants to the conference, so that the inspiration, passion and tools gleaned from the conference can be applied to youth organizing work locally on behalf of wild salmon, river health and headwaters protection in the greater Yuba Watershed. This is an annual week-long gathering for a diverse group of 30 young people (flexibly under age 35) who feel privilege in their lives (for example, they have access to wealth, fame and/or capacity for social impact) and are committed to building a thriving, just and sustainable way of life for all.
Aeron writes, “Past participants of LPSC have included entertainers, activists, young inheritors, foundation program officers, entrepreneurs, authors, media personnel, philanthropists, youth mentors, and public figures who are committed to using the resources in their lives to help build a better world. It’s a pretty powerful and committed group of folks. Our alumni consistently report that the community that comes out of Jams is a source of support and inspiration that helps to sustain them and propels them on their path.”
For more info about the conference, check out the brochure at: http://www.yesworld.org/media/lpsc_09_brochure.pdf.
If you, or a youth you know, might be interested in this opportunity, contact Aeron at aeronmiller [at] gmail.com.
Celebrate Earth Day
There are some great events to celebrate Earth Day. Check these out:
19th annual Nevada County Earth Day: Sharing Nature with Children
Saturday, April 18, 11am-5pm
Joseph Cornell, world renowned author, environmental educator and advocate for bringing children and nature together will be the highlight at this year's festivities. The FREE celebration includes eco displays, local artisans, non-profit and Earth-friendly business vendors, LOTS of good food and drinks, and kids' crafts. Enjoy speakers and live music. Vendors and attendees will help celebrate this ZERO WASTE event by bringing your own dishes – there will be lots of recycling bins, but NO trash cans! To volunteer, or for info, call Beth at 274-0360 or beth [at] ncws.com.
Heal Yourself, Heal the Earth
Saturday, April 18, 9am-6:30pm
Enjoy a massage or other bodywork ... all proceeds benefit the Wolf Creek Community Alliance. This day-long Grass Valley takes place 9am-6:30pm at Living Yoga, The Pilates Place, and Rejuvenation Therapies. Community Yoga is offered at 9am & 5:30pm at Living Yoga, 115 S. Church St. For a complete schedule, more information and to make an appointment, visit http:// http://www.WolfCreekAlliance.org. Or contact Rick Sanger, 273-7574.
A Day of Well-Being
Saturday, April 18, 8am-9:30pm
The California College of Ayurveda and Ananda Dhiira in conjunction with Hospitality House, Women of Worth, Sierra Friends of Tibet, Shuniaa, Sivananda Ashram invite you to celebrate Earth Day with nature walks, ayurvedic classes, yoga, and meals at Ananda Dhiira in Penn Valley. For details: 866-541-6699 x224 or http://www.ayurvedacollege.com.
For more information about these events, check out http://www.yubanet.com.
Annual SYRCL Auction
Save the date for “SIMPLY CELEBRATE THE GREATER YUBA” featuring a silent and live auction, marvelous food and drink and some new surprises this year, as we promote simple necessities for green living and celebrate the unique communities and qualities of the Greater Yuba watershed—from source to sea! Mark your calendar for SATURDAY, MAY 30, at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City, 6-11pm.
To help (or if you have a service or product that you’d like to donate to the auction!), please contact Miriam Limov (530)265-5961x201 or miriam [at] syrcl.org.
To view auction items & for more info, visit http://www.yubaauction.org
Add Your Comments
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$135.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network