Moving Forward Together

A group of like-minded individuals met to discuss the future of Shasta County’s various environmental groups coming together to work toward a common goal. The event was hosted by Juliet Malik of Shasta Environmental Alliance, community volunteer and California Naturalist Dr. Holly White-Wolfe, and Heather Bortolussi of the Western Shasta Resource Conservation District, where the meeting was held.

There are many environmental resources and educational opportunities for Shasta County residents to get involved in, but they aren’t always accessible or advertised to a broader audience. The goal of the meeting held on Tuesday, July 22, was to brainstorm ways to cultivate collaboration within the environmentalist community, and to expand the reach of the resources of any individual organization. A metaphor used referenced mycology, and the network of mycelium (a network of individual filaments, often found underground) working beneath the surface to support the visible fruiting body (the mushroom that we see). In this way, each organization seeks to hold each other up, and provide nutrients for the larger whole, for the environment to flourish.

Nature lovers sat at tables, eating and chatting about their passions. The hosts, Juliet and Heather, welcomed a member of Native Roots Network to give a land acknowledgement. He presented a history of the land, and the people who cultivated and lived harmoniously with it for thousands of years. The group was invited to remember the roots of the plants and environment they were there to preserve, and to work together in a non-extractive way; to be stewards of the land, rather than pursuers of natural resources.

A circle around the room was formed to facilitate introductions and organization affiliations. Some (but not all) of the organizations represented were: Ghost Pine Native Plant Nursery, Native Roots Network, Shasta Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Solar Punk Studio, Horsetown–Clear Creek Preserve, Beautify Shasta, Trails and Bikeways Council of Greater Redding, Turtle Bay Garden Nursery, Shasta Prescribed Burn Association, North State Climate Action, and Siskiyou Community Alliance. There were also several passionate volunteers not officially part of any organization.

Continuing with the mycology metaphor, the collaborators used mushroom-shaped paper to write down their support needs, and ways they feel they could help or use help. These were taped onto hand-drawn trees around the room, each of which represented a particular organization or group of organizations. This exercise was used to demonstrate the importance of community and the support network that each “organism” or organization relies on.

To further discuss the needs and goals of the community, the participants did a “nature walk” to observe the notes on the trees and acknowledge the common themes and goals of the environmentalists in the room with them.

The meeting concluded with a mention of appreciation of the passion and dedication of each individual there. Their comradery and commitment to the cause will soon have an impact on the greater area of Shasta County, and all who enjoy the bountiful nature within it. Look forward to events and opportunities in the near future! ~Ren Redlich