The nonprofit MCEC was founded by coast residents Rod Jones and C.J. Jones, who recognized the need for a local "hub" to provide environmental information to both visitors and residents, while serving as a catalyst for grassroots activism in protecting the coast environment.
What makes MCEC unique is that it intends on maintaining its self-sufficiency by retail sales of environmentally-sensitive products, including solar items and select "green" merchandise, whenever possible obtained locally or regionally.
MCEC has already filled its "retail" store with a wide range of items, both practical and whimsical. Shoppers can get solar flashlights, nicad rechargeable batteries, cards and fancy notepads from recycled paper or wood-substitutes, T-shirts with every imaginable environmental message, pins, bumper stickers, a new line of hemp clothing and accessories, environmental jewelry, books, tapes, purses/briefcases made from recycled automobile inner tubes, and fine glassware made from recycled soft drink bottles.
All "profits" currently pay operational expenses and are being used to purchase inventory. But soon funds will go directly to support local grassroots activism. The two Joneses (who are not related) are currently developing plans to independently incorporate MCEC and assemble a community board of directors for future governance.
MCEC can use volunteers to staff the store and to help coordinate environmental projects. It has also embarked on a special fundraising project, seeking "community limited investors" who will invest between $250 and $500 to acquire additional inventory. Such investors receive discounts on their store purchases.
MCEC will be the best place for holiday shopping this year. Environmental dollars will contribute to strengthening environmental protections in Mendocino County!
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1998
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