The archive consists of 80 file boxes, 31 file drawers, 122 binders, 40 mini file boxes, and eight cases of drop files. The entire collection is being organized and databased down to the individual files by the staff and court appointed volunteers doing community service that have requested to serve at the MEC.
The main categories of the archive database are agriculture, energy, environmental law, forestry, grant writing, land use, lawsuits, legislation, newspaper clippings, nuclear, oil, opposition, peace and justice, pesticides, population, precinct organizing, recycling, solid waste, Timber Harvest Plans, toxic chemicals, water, and wildlife. Sixteen binders document the Earth First! direct action campaign to protect Headwaters forest. Five of these binders covering 1988-93 were compiled by Judi Bari when she worked out of the MEC.
To educate on environmental and peace and justice issues we also loan books, videos, and carry many periodicals. We offer hundreds of titles books for loan. We maintain a video collection of over 150 titles. Currently available videos can be borrowed for five days for free; out of print videos can be watched at the MEC. Our foyer contains 25 free newsletters from other groups. An additional 50 periodicals can be read at the MEC.
Each day we add to our files from the mail, downloads from the internet, faxes, photocopies, Freedom of Information Act requests, newspapers, other groups and individuals, and other sources from the MEC's and others' current campaigns.
Providing this service gives continuity and invaluable information support to individual activists and activist groups working on Mendocino issues. If you are concerned about environmental and peace and justice issues and want to take action, come visit the MEC to start your research!
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2000
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited