Forest Defender's Blog

Celebration to Honor Richardson Grove

2011-08-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, a group of people gathered at Richardson Grove State Park to honor the trees there. The celebration included speakers and music performed by Humboldt Bandemonium, a community driven music ensemble. Among the speakers was Yurok tribal member,
Jene McCovey.

Update from Oregon Logging Protest

2011-07-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

I just got these pictures from the protest in the Elliott State Forest along with this update from Cascadia Forestdefenders: Report just in :

Police staging area spotted, more then 40 multi agency trucks, Cherry Picker, and FBI involvement.

Protesters Block Logging Roads in Oregon

2011-07-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

From Cascadia Forest Defenders:

Tuesday, July 26th, Coos County , Oregon

Early Tuesday morning a number of activists with Cascadia Forest Defenders, and Cascadia Earth First! unfolded a series of road blockades in the Elliott State Forest, located in Coos County, closing access points to timber sales along the west fork of the Millicoma River. The blockades consist of an array of Tree-sits and ground level locking devices. The activists are prepared to block logging in this sensitive eco-system for as long as necessary.

The sales are all slated for clear-cut logging, and are areas of native forest that have never before seen a chain saw. They exist on steep slopes where erosion from logging threatens to further damage Salmon habitat, as well as devastate already dwindling numbers of protected species such as the Marbled Murrelet and the Northern Spotted Owl. Native forests refers to forest that has never before been logged, but can include forests that have experienced wildfire. Please see www.forestdefensenow.com for regular updates on this developing situation.

Tree-sit Video Released

2011-06-21T20:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a new video from the Humboldt tree-sit in the McKay tract.

Tree-sitter Arrested in Richardson Grove

2011-05-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

A tree-sitter that goes by the forest name "Ozark" was arrested early this morning, as he attempted to climb a redwood tree in the southern part of Richardson Grove State Park. The activist whose real name is Lucas Wright was arrested by a park ranger on a misdeameanor charge of climbing more than 10 feet in a tree. Wright was one of the people who sat in trees in Freshwater in 2003.

Green Diamond to Clearcut near Grizzly Creek

2011-05-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

Green Diamond Resource Company is proposing several clearcuts in a Marbled Murrelet buffer area near grizzly Creek State Park. Forest defenders that are monitoring timber plans on the North Coast, hiked in three units of THP 1-11-026. Unit A contains several residual old-growth trees, mixed in with 60-80 year old second growth.

May Day at Richardson Grove

2011-04-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

For more info call 952-215-4058

Photos from the Stop CalTrans Rally

2011-04-19T15:47:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos that I took yesterday at the rally yesterday at the CalTrans headquarters in Eureka. One protester was arrested after climbing on the roof. She was hoping to lock to other activists, but the police took the ladder down before anyone else could climb it. Some of the protester then marched to the jail to demand her release, but she was let go before they got there.

Lawsuit Delays CalTrans Project

2011-04-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

From saverichardsongrove.blogspot.com:

Federal case against Caltrans is awarded injunction until July 2011 in which project bidding may commence unless Caltrans is found to have violated environmental regulations. Which they have, in the Richardson Grove "Improvement" Project(RIP) Environmental Impact Report(EIR).

Bidding for the RIP cannot commence until July 2011 and any type of road work, vegetation removal, etc. for the RIP until after 30 days after the project goes to bid.

Many thanks to EPIC, CATS and The Center for Biological Diversity for their hard work on this very important matter. Please help support the Federal case against Caltrans by donating to these well respected non-profit environmental organizations.

It is very important to continue to put pressure on Caltrans with direct action to stop this project...

Another Rally at CalTrans HQ on Monday

2011-04-16T16:58:00.001-07:00

From RGAN: "This Monday, April 18th, at noon in Eureka on the corner of Wabash and Union, we are mobilizing a second mass rally at the CalTrans District 1 Head Quarters. April 18th is when CalTrans has stated it will be conducting the bidding process for sub-contractors wishing to take part in the main phase of construction to widen Highway 101 through Richardson Grove State Park."

Six Arrested Today in Richardson Grove Protest

2011-03-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Six activists were arrested this morning while protesting against the widening of Highway 101, at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting in Eureka. The Times-Standard has the story and photos here.

Richardson Grove Action Meeting Today

2011-03-02T08:20:00.001-08:00

Time	Wednesday, March 2 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Location	Eureka First United Methodist Church 520 Del Norte Street (F and Del Norte St.)



More Info	From: Richardson Grove Action Now > Sent: Sat, February 26, 2011 4:23:41 PM Subject: Wed, March 2: Richardson Grove Action Now MEETING ...Richardson Grove Action Now [RGAN] invites you to a meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, March 2nd in Eureka. Because we've been receiving phone calls, emails, inquiries and support, and because we want to build a powerful and successful movement of the people to STOP the highway widening through Richardson Grove, we hope you'll participate in this Wednesday's meeting. This is the first RGAN meeting open to anyone interested in stopping CalTrans' federally-funded project through the Grove. Please invite friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members who are also interested in stopping the project. Time is running... Our communities have varying, yet all critical, reasons to oppose the road widening project. Richardson Grove Action Now has been attempting to expose all of those reasons and believes that the project must and WILL be stopped by many of us taking action, regardless of the different focuses for opposition. Between now and Wednesday, please: 1) talk to more people about coming to the meeting, 2) think about your part in emergency community action to stop CalTrans if CalTrans starts physically beginning work for the road widening. Wednesday's meeting: 6:00pm at the Eureka First United Methodist Church 520 Del Norte Street (F and Del Norte St.) There will be food. Please bring a potluck dish, if you can. Feel free to call us anytime: (707) 602-7551 or email: rgroveactionnnow@gmail.com We are organizing every day.

Banner Hung Across Hwy. 101 at Richardson Grove

2011-02-21T18:03:00.000-08:00

People were gathering for a rally in Garberville at noon, when word came of an action starting at Richardson Grove. So everyone got in their cars and moved the rally to Highway 101, where two climbers were sitting in a tree with a large banner stretched across the highway. At least sixty Richardson Grove supporters were there, holding signs and waving to passing vehicles. The banner said " NO ROAD WIDENING. CALTRANS LIES RUINS OUR LIVES." After I left, I heard that calls were coming in that said there were about 20 California Highway Patrol vehicles sitting just south of the grove, with two officers in each vehicle.

Rally for Richardson Grove in SoHum on Monday

2011-02-17T22:06:00.000-08:00

RALLY To Stop Highway Expansion Through Richardson Grove This Monday!

Richardson Grove Action Now invites all to a rally on Monday, February 21st, to stop the highway expansion through Richardson Grove State Park. Expose CalTrans' lies and misinformation campaign!

Monday's rally will begin at noon in the Garberville Town Square.

Bring anything you want to express yourself!

Resist Invasion!

For more info contact Richardson Grove Action Now, call
(707) 602-7551 or email rgroveactionnow@gmail.com.

Trainings Done at Action Camp, as RGAN Gears Up

2011-02-16T22:47:00.000-08:00

Richardson Grove Action Now! just concluded an action camp at Richardson Grove State Park. There were direct action trainings and meetings to plan for future actions. Much was accomplished and enthusiasm was high following the rally and arrests on Feb. 7, which got a large amount of media coverage. The weather was nice and sunny on the weekend, but was rainy for the last half of camp.

Richardson Grove Action Camp

2011-02-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

From Richardson Grove Action Now:

Richardson Grove ACTION CAMP begins Sat, Feb 12

Richardson Grove Action Now will be hosting an Action Camp in Southern Humboldt, beginning this Saturday, Feb 12th and going until Tuesday, Feb 15th.

Bring a friend!

Train and prepare for Direct Action to STOP the highway expansion through Richardson Grove!

Bring gear and food if you can.

Flier and handbill:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hkj2HBjr1Mo/TVOostnF8sI/AAAAAAAAAAM/mBpgL_lPrdA/s1600/CAmp_flier_Page_1.jpg

The camp needs donations* of Funds, Food, Firewood, Tents, AA and AAA Batteries, and Warm Stuff (sleeping bags, hats, etc)!!
You can bring donations to the camp
or drop them off at PARC in Eureka
or drop them off at the Used Bookstore in Garberville

We will be setting up on Friday night and could use help. We will also need help in the kitchen throughout the duration of the camp.

There will be meeting places for ridesharing to the camp every day:

Northern Humboldt Rideshare
9:30am - Arcata Corp-Op Kiosk (Arcata)
10:10am - Parking Lot between Walgreen's and Eureka Natural Foods (Eureka)

Southern Humboldt Rideshare
10:30am - Used Bookstore (Garberville)

Please refrain from bringing alcohol to camp.

*Some other things we always need:
Olive Oil
Grains
Coffee
Mate
Fruit
Nuts
Headlamps

Location For Camp To Be Announced any moment now!!

For more info, call Richardson Grove Action Now: (707) 602-7551, rgroveactionnow@gmail.com

One Demand: Cancel the Plan

2011-02-08T15:39:00.000-08:00

Some more video that I took yesterday at the CalTrans protest.

12 Arrested at CalTrans Protest

2011-02-08T13:59:00.000-08:00

Redheaded Blackbelt has some exclusive photos taken inside of CalTrans, of the police cutting the lockboxes. To see them click here.

Police deny the use of tasers, but it sure looked to me like they used them and I talked to a protester who showed me where he was tased on his back. A discussion about it can be found at the Humboldt Herald blog.

Here is a video of mine:

CalTrans Occupation Going on Now!

2011-02-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

Six protesters are locked together in metal pipes in the CalTrans lobby, surrounded by dozens of supporters. The lobby has been occupied by protesters for about three hours.

Protest Bike Ride to CalTrans

2011-02-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

Protesters are on their way to the noon protest for Richardson Grove at CalTrans. One of the flyers is causing a stir at the Humboldt Herald.

Tree-sitters in Arcadia

2011-01-12T19:50:00.000-08:00

I noticed this story in the L.A. Times. Seems like you would expect this more in Arcata than Arcadia. For those who don't know, Arcadia is in Southern California and Arcata in Northern California, and I have noticed that some people get the names confused.

Citizens Protest Against U.S. Navy Testing

2010-11-23T20:14:00.000-08:00

Protesters held a rally at the Humboldt County Courthouse today, to express opposition to planned Navy warfare testing, and express their concerns about the impact on whales and other marine life. Among those speaking at the event was Arcata City Councilman Shane Brinton. Concerned citizens were encouraged to contact members of Congress about their concerns. Senator Carl Levin chairs a committee that oversees the Navy and can be contacted at (866) 220-0044. For more information go to www.AgricultureDefenseCoalition.org

Photos and Update from Jacoby Creek Sit

2010-08-28T19:11:00.000-07:00

I just got these photos from Jacoby Creek taken from over 100 feet up in the canopy, that show the nearby logging and the tree-sit platform. It is reported to be quiet there today - no loggers, just the security guard.

Times-Standard Covers Jacoby Creek Tree-sit

2010-08-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

This article about the actions in Jacoby Creek actions against Green Diamond, appeared in this morning's Times-Standard.

Loggers Falling Trees Near Treesits

2010-08-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

Redwood Forest Defenders just sent out this press release:

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 25, 2010

Contact: Joe (707) 267-8148 stopclearcuttingnow@gmail.com
For more information and daily updates go to http://forestdefender.blogspot.com/

Green Diamond Threatens Lives of Protesters

Century Old Timber Company Continues to Clear cut Redwoods

ARCATA- Tree sitters lives were threatened Tuesday morning, when they awoke to the sound of Green Diamond Resource Company (Simpson Timber) chainsaws roaring, while trees were felled directly adjacent to the non-violent protesters’ tree-top demonstration. The ongoing protest intends to highlight widespread, destructive logging practices of the company by showcasing recent clearcut logging in the Jacoby Creek Watershed, just outside of Arcata, California.

Earlier this week, August 23, the four activists ascended trees within a cutting unit, to make a last stand for the threatened forest. This skilled platform installation 100 feet up came after an initial blockade of a logging road where a woman ascended 60 feet above the road in a small platform. When loggers arrived at the scene during last week, they cut through the rope that provided a lifeline to the activist.

These two incidents are the most company-caused danger forest activists have encountered since the days of struggle against Maxxam’s Pacific Lumber, said Shawna of the Redwood Forest defenders. We don’t want to hurt anyone, we just want them start listening to the people and stop destroying our watersheds by clear cutting redwoods. Maybe the timber wars aren’t over, after all.

The two logging plans Green Diamond is operating on in the Jacoby Creek Watershed provide a small example of the systemic clear cutting Green Diamond is engaged in, across their entire 430,000 acre ownership in northern California. In 2004, the century old logging company changed its name from Simpson Timber to Green Diamond, in a strategic greenwashing move. Kamilche Group, a Washington-state based conglomerate and parent company to both Simpson and Green Diamond, also owns California Redwood Company.

Green Diamond’s insistence on short-rotation, clear cut logging degrades the forests for the future, and contributes to the climate crisis, said Shawna. The company needs to get out of the dark ages of liquidation logging, to provide for more sustainable jobs and a better future for everyone. We cannot stop our campaign targeting their practices, until they do.