Call to Action, Moral Issues

On Thursday, March 26th, I took part in the Call to Action Day at NDNU. I volunteered to be part of the Mural project for the library.

Before we started on the mural, we had a discussion with the artists that created the mural for the library. The mural was inspired by a hate/vandalism crime that occurred on campus in the fall. The incident was in JB, during the third day on WOW week, an individual wrote discriminatory words on students name tags that were on the doors. The words were array of racist, homophobic, bigotry words that were very hurtful. The RA was in disbelief that such hatred still exists here at NDNU and so, she took the name tags down and had a conversation with her bosses about the incident. Unfortunately, the incident didn't get much attention here at NDNU where I think it should have. After her meeting with her supervisors, she had an activity planned to notify the students that had their name vandalize. So the RA, spread the name tags on the floor and told the students to look for their names--and when the students found their names and read the words under them--many of them were upset, hurt and some even cried. How can someone be so malicious to people that they don't even know--labeling, assuming that you haven't met?

As much as I am disgusted with what happened. NDNU/administrators did not mention to student of such acts-- this says a lot about how it is important for students to participate more on issues that aren't talked about on campus. So the mural is to bring awareness of what is not being said and to educate our community about the incident/hate crime that is not being talked about at NDNU and around the world. Hoping this mural will open up discussions about race, prejudice, etc. and not feel uncomfortable.

This mural does serves the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching in regards to treating each human/individual life with great dignity because we are God's creation. The mural brings into light of the wrongs that has been with the students at JB and also trying to bring awareness to such prejudice/racism/homophobia at NDNU and because the RA believed that every person deserves the right to have a life filled with justice and every person's life are to be treated with great dignity.

Overall the project was very enlightening and informative.

Judiciary

While I was in Mendocino forest there are a lot illegal drugs that are being grown and one story that my professor shared with us is about Matthew Coleman, whom was murdered by individuals whom were growing marijuana. Unfortunately, Mendocino is dealing a lot with people trying to use federal protected land to grow illegal drugs in addition harming the land/native plants. Below is the link of more detail of Matts death and his work in Mendocino. I learned a lot from Rachel and I can see that her passion of being there to continue is Matt's work meant a lot to her and I'm glad that I went.

In addition, Mendocino Trust has gotten most of their lands from individuals who wants to relinquish their rights to the land and hand it over to the Trust to conserve the land. The reason they do that is because of many reasons. One common reason is that the generations of great-grandchildren are too great and to split the land up with them would cause more debate of how the land should be used--so the grandparents instead gives the land to the Mendocino Trust and draws up a plan to how to conserve the land to the legalities of the land/price etc. So, it's pretty cool that they are able to do that and continue to conserve.

Source:
1. http://kymkemp.com/2011/08/15/mendocino-land-trusts-matt-coleman-murdered/
2. http://www.pressdemocrat.com/csp/mediapool/sites/PressDemocrat/News/story.csp?cid=2477320&sid=555&fid=181

Local governmental units

"For immediate release:

Mendocino Land Trust Applauds Passage of Bill to Expand California Coastal National Monument

Mendocino County, CA – Mendocino Land Trust praises the U.S. House of Representatives vote this week to expand the California Coastal National Monument to include the Stornetta Public Lands in Mendocino County, California.  This was the very first bill introduced by newly elected Congressman Jared Huffman (D) - San Rafael.

The existing California Coastal National Monument is comprised of 1,100 miles of scenic off-shore sea stacks, rock formations and habitat. Despite the size of the monument, which stretches the entire length of the California coastline, tourists and nature enthusiasts are limited to viewing the rugged off-shore rocky areas from a distance.

Including Mendocino County’s Stornetta lands within the boundary of the California Coastal National Monument would not only provide visitors a chance to enjoy an on-shore portion of the attraction, it would bring national attention to Mendocino County as a destination for recreation, providing a positive economic impact to our local economy.  

A national monument designation within Mendocino County will also permanently preserve a swath of our historic, coastal, agricultural lands.  “Protecting the Stornetta Public Lands is an important step in safeguarding California’s coastal heritage,” said Sam Goldman, California State Director with the Conservation Lands Foundation.  “Whether through  legislation or by Presidential proclamation, we look forward to a national monument designation which will provide common sense protections to ensure that these lands are preserved the way they exist today, so that future generations can continue to benefit from and be inspired by them.”  

There is strong support from the community and local officials to include the Stornetta Public Lands in the California Coastal National Monument.  As the Senate considers the legislation, Mendocino Land Trust urges senators to pass a clean bill as introduced by Senators Boxer and Feinstein."

_____________________________________________________________

This announcement was made in 2003 and it relates to local government because legislative action have been implemented to "safeguard California's coastal heritage" and it seems that its becoming more of a national topic--for example, the legislation for water conservation for next year (or sooner) and it has become a domino affect in California and hopefully these legislation will help with California.

Source:

http://conservationlands.org/media-page/pr-acole-advocacy-award

Legislative Changes

My community partner has sought and encouraged legislative in 2003 with Mendocino Land Trust. They passed a bill to expand California Coastal National Movement and this bill has been very helpful for Mendocino to preserve of property that is admirable, states Wesley Chesbro, whom is an Assemblyman for the Conservation Lands Foundation. The movement has coastal lands stretching 1,100 miles of scenic off-"shore stacks, rock formations, and habitat...it would bring national attention to Mendocino County as a destination of recreation, providing positive economic impact to our local government" stated Mendocino Land Trust in their 2003 press release of the great expansion after the bill.

The reason why it's important for legislative/local government to be involved is because a lot of the coastal land are owned by private owners and it would be harder for the public to enjoy the great outdoors in Mendocino. In addition, Mendocino Trust is trying to revive the and conserve the coastal part of Mendocino because habitats live the environment and if it were to be destroyed, the Redwood wouldn't be what we know of it now and the coast would be dead. Nicolet, the volunteer lead for Mendocino Trust stated that there challenges when trying to pass a legislative bill that helps conserve the land--first, the lack of funding into Mendocino, not enough staff to maintain conservation and they depend on volunteers to help out with projects, and I trying to keep the coastal lands open to the public so everyone can see the beauty of Mendocino.

Mendocino Alternative Spring Break, Daily Blog

Day 2: First day on the job and man did we work!! Our lead Nikki, whom is part of the Mendocino Woodland Trust, had us dig out blackberry roots, brooms, and ice plant. These plants are invasive-meaning they are not native plants in California and it was a lesson that the pretty yellow flowers that I saw during our drive up to Mendocino were actually,bad.

A cool thing that I learned about invasive plants were the brooms. hey produce too much nitrogen, some say that nitrogen is good for the soil but really it’s not. Too much nitrogen changes the chemical reaction in the soil and sometimes it would be hard to plant certain plants. In addition, brooms came from South Africa. After 8 hours of cleaning up the side of the trail and pulling ice plants, I was wiped out and ready to call it day but not quite yet, it was taco night and it was delicious. 

A take away I would have to say is that the Woodland Trust is an organization that is run by four individuals and they depend on volunteers to help with keeping the park, trails and beach cleaned/maintained. In addition, the land that they get is usually from families that aren't living there anymore and if they were to split up--it’ll be too controversial that can escalate to the point where there will be disputes or a concern that the land would be exploited, in result, the land is given to Land Trust where they draft legal documents that can preserve the land and how it’s used for the public.

Overall, today was the toughest. It exceeded my expectation of what I’ll be doing here at my Alternative Spring Break and I feel more engaged and excited with what I’ll be doing for the next couple of days.

Day 3: Today’s task was to clean all 32 cabins at Campsite 2 (where we stayed for during break) and we were split into four groups of three. Each person had a task to do--dust, sweep, spray down the beds and make sure it’s cleaned thorough. My group went to the front of camp two which were hit pretty badly from the January’s storm. As the morning continued to the afternoon, my group leader spoke a park ranger about the history of Mendocino Camp Association and she came back with a some great history tidbit about the site. Mendocino Camp Association was one of the many Civilian Conservation Corps location in United States.

In 1930 FDR created the New Plan Deal and it included a program for individuals that didn't have a job during the Great Depression to live at the woodland and where they were to help with the conservation of California Historical Parks. The program provided them food, clothing, and shelter, and in some sense helped those whom were struggling during the 1930s.  

Knowing the history of the location and what it stood for to many individuals that lived 90 years ago and to today--urban youths are able to spend time in nature and learn about the habitat that some have no idea that it exists, in addition, it an education program/location. After our cleaning frenzy in the morning, we headed to hike the sea cliff where I saw, four seals, tadpoles, climbed rocks and most importantly breathed fresh air. I’m loving it.

It’s Monday night and our breakfast, lunch and supper have been splendid. Tonight, we had a special guest come over with Salmon and chocolate cake, yum. I’m loving this trip and I’m learning a lot. Especially living here at the Mendocino (30 min drive to HWY1) gives me an idea how lovely it is to go into the forest and then come out to the coastal waters--definitely a perk living here for spring break.

Day 4: Another day in the woods with my lovely ASB crew. Breakfast was made by Kai and the ‘pancake master’ Perry. The group was split up again to carry woods and my group was back to the cabins cleaning up the last eight cabins. After cleaning we rushed to catch a canoe at the big river at 1pm and we got there on time, and I have to say, the experience to be on the big river was beautiful surreal, and serene. 

We saw some coastal seals, and birds--the most amazing part was when my group in stopped paddling and we were in this serene quite place that we didn't talk for 10 min. None of us said to be quiet but it was moment of silence that somehow our group found peace at that moment to be still and LISTEN. We as a group witnessed a moment that was indescribable and somehow we were in syn with each other--while being still for 10 min we were able to hear the waterfall flowing, bugs buzzing and a bird flapping its wing--it was a humbling experience that I will never forget. Being on this trip to experience how beautiful, and vital our environment is to our world--puts everything in a different perspective. I’m so glad to be on this trip to experience the great redwood, big lake and especially the moment I shared with my canoe mates--it was amazing to feel it, see it and giving back.
We headed  back to our starting point and met up with the other canoes and I have to say, after that, it dawned on me that this service project is more than getting hours for my course but attaining more understanding of how much of the California forest needs our help, assistance and care to conserve it for others like myself to enjoy what nature has to offer and the nature has to give to us to survive. Ultimately today’s canoe trip was an eye-opening experience where I witnessed a moment that me and a few can share because it was a shared moment---and now in a fast paced world with technology, self-centered and greedy individuals that forget how far we've come.
Its past one in the morning and some have gone off to do their own exploring in the dark and I’m in my cabin trying to get warmer to go back to the moment of peace in my memory. Twas a great day and I'll never forget it.

--------- The End.

Conclusion:

A take away from this amazing experience is how much I learned about invasive species and in result I see them everywhere in the Bay Area and I wonder, does anyone know what these plants are? Anyways, I didn't blog on the last two days because I wanted to take in the time I had with friends that I've made at Mendocino and really reflect on my experience. 

I would do it again if I were to take it upon myself to plan it for next year, (most likely I will). On the last day we pulled out European sea grass and it was a task, I didn't like the fact that the roots were hard to pull out and at the same time, I was glad that we worked a little bit before we headed back to our privileged lives that everything was so easily accessible. The trip definitely changed my perspective on how fragile California really is and how it beautiful it is.