Articles

Why I Volunteer With HNCLT

A message from President Gail Kenny
Fall 2006

I gave some thought recently as to why I am a volunteer with the Humboldt North Coast Land Trust. My thoughts were prompted by the recent loss from the environmental community of a formidable ally in Tim McKay, Director of the Northcoast Environmental Center. Tim's untimely death was a shock to the community. I have been the President of the Humboldt North Coast Land Trust for the last three years and was secretary for two years prior to taking on the President role. This is in addition to working 20 hours per week, being a wife and a Mom, being involved in several other organizations and dealing with a chronic health issue. The message I took away from Tim's memorial was to carry on the work of preserving our environment in his memory and it stressed to me the importance of continuing this work. It gave me a new resolve to continue my involvement with the Humboldt North Coast Land Trust.

Here are some of the reasons I am motivated to be an active member of the Humboldt North Coast Land Trust. I will start with our mission statement: Humboldt North Coast Land Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting for the public benefit the natural beauty and character of Humboldt County from Little River to Big Lagoon. Protecting the natural beauty are the operative words for me. I see the land trust as preserving the natural environment to the benefit of all the creatures that use it and are dependent on it, including humans. The more natural environment we can preserve, the better chance we have of maintaining the ability of the earth to support life in all of its diversity. HNCLT currently has about 40 acres of land it owns outright and about 10 acres of public access easements. It is very small in comparison to other land trusts, but several of the holdings provide public access to beaches, and some without public access preserve trees, views, creeks and other natural resources. Our newest holding, Saunders' Park will provide a City Park, a museum, library and a native plant garden. The City Park will provide an outside gathering place for the community, the museum and library will help provide education about the human and natural history of Trinidad and native plants will be showcased and identified in the garden.

Other reasons to be involved with HNCLT are that it is a service to our community as well as being a community builder. One of the best parts of being involved is getting to know and working with the other Trustees. You get to know people in ways that you would not otherwise as you work towards a common goal. As the time goes on, these people are your friends you get to see them shine in other ways than you would in purely social relationships.

I recently have been reading journals I kept as teenager over an eight year period. The entry I made on May 7, 1974 while a freshman in high school is especially prophetic: "Today went okay. I rode my bike to school. English lecture was boring, Social Studies lecture was okay. It was about what to do with some land. You know, sometimes I wish I didn't live in San Mateo (California). They are building all over the place, new shopping centers, high rise office buildings, it's sick. Why can't they leave it like it is? I don't think this city needs those things. We need open space. Space where the wild animals can roam free without having human beings ruin their homes. They need homes too. We are not the only animals on this earth. All they think is money, money, money. I know I'm just a typical teenager, but I really believe in what I am saying. I like the wilderness better than the city. I'm an outdoor girl. I have to be near open spaces, I am going to move away from here and live other places for a while when I get older to see just how good this world is. It may be better than I think it is, but I am young. I don't know and I've only just opened my eyes to many things. Things I'm just beginning to understand. I hope I will help this earth to be a better place while I am still here. We have to think of our children. Isn't that why God put me on this earth? I am here for a reason and until I do my duty I will stay."

In September 2006, 32 years later, I still have the same resolve. Let's continue to make sure we have open natural spaces to enjoy close to our homes and continue to educate people on the benefits of this. I hope you will join me.