ConnectingCalifornia.org

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EPIC Joins NEC Board of Directors

Historic Alliance Forged Between Major North Coast Environmental Organizations

December 2007,

http://yournec.org and http://wildcalifornia.org

Two of the oldest and most influential North Coast environmental organizations joined forces this month when the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) joined the Board of Directors of the Northcoast Environmental Center.

The alliance is as historic as it is powerful. EPIC, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, is California’s preeminent watchdog organization o­n private-land timber issues, and more recently has played a leading role in protecting National Forest lands in the state.

As a regional hub for strategy and action, the NEC plays a key coordinating role for its member groups (Sierra Club, North Coast Audubon, Humboldt Baykeeper, Friends of Del Norte, California Native Plant Society, Arcata Community Recycling Center, and now EPIC). The NEC, founded in 1971, is also a leader o­n several conservation fronts, including Klamath dam decommissioning, beach clean-up, National Forest fuels reduction projects, and sustainable communities.

"EPIC is pleased to join the community of effective conservation organizations gathered under the NEC's banner,” Scott Greacen, executive director of EPIC, said o­n Dec. 10. “Our children’s hopes and our region's future hinge o­n our ability to work together to address serious, substantial threats to the sustainability of both human and natural communities. By formally joining forces, EPIC and the NEC can better use each organization's strengths, and improve our coordination and coverage of key issues."

Already the NEC and EPIC are collaborating o­n several projects, including the Orleans Community Fuels Reduction Project, Humboldt County’s timber production zone ordinance, impacts to Tolowa Dunes in Del Norte County, and a proposal to widen Highway 101 through Richardson Grove State Park.

“With EPIC joining our Board of Directors, the NEC will continue to grow and thrive as o­ne of California’s leading conservation organizations,” said Greg King, executive director of the Northcoast Environmental Center.“We’re facing major environmental challenges o­n the North Coast today, and our responses need to reflect these challenges. Collaboration between EPIC and the NEC will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the important work at hand.”