The MEC is an absolutely essential part of our community and if the doors close, this community will suffer because of it.
Think about that.
Try and imagine Mendocino County without the MEC. No environmental reference material; no networking; no center for environmental activism. The groups that use this Center to mount opposition to the destruction of our environment would have no home and no research base. Earth First! would have to find new quarters. Citizens for a Healthy Ukiah would be facing Masonite on their own. The efforts to rid our soil, air and water of poisons would be scattered, much less effective. Is somebody threatening your watershed or the hill above your house? You'd have to take your chances on finding a competent environmental lawyer and the possibility of a concerted opposition effort would be seriously diminished.
Many folks join the MEC because they are concerned about a specific, visible issue. When that issue recedes - whether it goes away or not - they forget to renew. Is that you? What happens when your issue surfaces again?
Many folks use the MEC and take part in the activism around forest preservation, say, or CalTrans' herbicide use, but never bother to join. How is the effort to continue?
Many folks just don't want to be involved. But aren't we all involved in breathing the air, using the water, planting in the soil? And don't we want those elements to be safe for us?
Think about all of that.
Then become involved. Send a check. Get your friends to send a check. Better yet, mount a fundraising campaign.
Do something. Because if you don't - and you're the one that has to do it - you won't have a MEC.
THIS ITEM WENT IN AT THE LAST MINUTE. OTHER ARTICLES REPRESENT WHAT WE PLAN TO DO IF WE HAVE THE SUPPORT TO KEEP OPERATING.
(Editor's Note: Memberships at the MEC have been steadily rising over the past six months. I would like to give a special thanks to all those individuals who have recently joined, renewed, and contributed a little extra. We have what it takes to push the MEC through this transition! Please read further and find out how.)
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1998
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited