Earth Island Institute

Stop Logging in Eldorado Forest Burn Area

The King Fire, which burned through part of the Eldorado National Forest in California last year, created a rare and biodiverse habitat type known as "complex early seral forest." Such forests support imperiled species, such as the black-backed woodpecker and the California spotted owl, both of which Earth Island's John Muir Project and others have petitioned for Endangered Species Act protection. Only 8 percent of this habitat type exists in the Eldorado National Forest, yet the US Forest Service is proposing to destroy half of it by logging the burned area. Please send in brief comments by Friday, January23, letting the Forest Service know that you oppose their King Fire Logging Restoration Plan. Comments may be sent via email to: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or via fax to 530-621-5297. Attention: King Fire Restoration/Logging Project.

Thursday January 22, 2015

Soak in Art, Culture, and Community in Cuba

In the wake of President Barak Obama's decision to renew diplomatic ties with Cuba, EII's Ethical Traveler is thrilled to announce its upcoming Artists Delegation to Cuba from April 10 to 19! The project's fifth annual 10-day trip to this remarkable island is suitable for anyone with a strong creative streak. The small group  of travelers (maximum 16) will meet with painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, and photographers, and experience a country at the cusp of historic change. Sites include Havana (of course), Cienfuegos, Trinidad (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Bay of Pigs. There areonly four spots open on this wonderful trip led by travel writer and Ethical Traveler's executive director Jeff Greenwald. Details here.

Thursday January 22, 2015

Borneo Project’s Birthday Bash

From supporting blockades against logging and mega dam projects, to building micro-hydro power systems, to facilitating community mapping workshops and helping Indigenous children learn to read in their own language – EII's The Borneo Project has been standing in solidarity with the communities of Borneo for over 24 years. That's something to celebrate! Please join them in their birthday celebrations at the OCSC Sailing Club in Berkeley, CA on Wednesday, January 28. There will be some delicious food and Bornean-themed cocktails, a short film screening, a silent auction, and a blowpipe competition (poison darts optional!). The event is free to attend but you do need to RSVP.

Thursday January 22, 2015

Follow Shark Stewards’ Laos Adventures

David McGuire, director of EII's Shark Stewards, is participating in a three-week National Geographic Explorers project to find, document, and make recommendations on how to protect endangered plants and wildlife in the remote Annamite mountains of Laos. Follow McGuire's adventures on his Nat Geo blog and on Twitter @  #ExpeditionLaos. Shark Stewards is also helping host a regional conservation workshop in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on January 30 as part of the Sabah Shark Alliance's effort to create shark sanctuaries in the region.

Thursday January 22, 2015

Plastic Free Campus Initiative

EII's Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) is excited to announce its partnership with new coalition member, PLAN (Post Landfill Action Network), brainchild of 2013 Brower Youth Award winner Alex Fried. Together, they will build resources for Plastic Free Campuses. This step takes us closer to a world free of plastic pollution and expands PPC's efforts within the Zero Waste Movement.

Thursday January 22, 2015

Help Ban Bobcat Trapping in California

Join EII's Project Coyote in supporting California Fish and Game Commissioner Richard Roger's proposal to consider a complete ban on commercial and recreational bobcat trapping in California. In 2013, Governor Jerry Brown passed "The Bobcat Protection Act," initially proposed as a ban on all bobcat trapping within the state. However, due to pressure from trapping proponents, the bill was weakened and presently allows commercial trappers to sell pelts from California's bobcats in the insatiable international fur market at upwards of $1,000 per pelt! Let the CA Fish and Game Commission know that you support a complete ban on bobcat trapping in CA. Watch this video to learn more and take action here.

Thursday January 22, 2015

Join the Clean Energy Conversation

EII's Bay Localize, a member of the Local Clean Energy Alliance, invites you to attend the Fifth Annual Clean Power, Healthy Communities Conference on March 5 in Oakland, CA. This is an engaging, highly interactive conference with plenaries, workshops, and breakout sessions addressing critical clean energy topics such as community-based energy initiatives, energy democracy and alternatives to fossil fuels. Space is limited, so register now for in-person seats, or for the conference's live web stream!

Thursday January 22, 2015

The Best of Earth Island Journal

Get the latest environmental news from Earth Island Journal. Here are our favorite web-only stories from the past two weeks:

Most Popular: Canned Hunting and Cub-Petting are Big Business in South Africa. Writer and animal welfare activist Jacalyn Beales writes about why the South African government must regulate its growing canned hunting industry to protect lions from trophy hunters and over-eager tourists.

Editors' Pick: Guns, Farms, and Oil: How Colombian Tribes are Being Driven to Extinction. At least 1,800 Indigenous people have been killed and 84,000 more displaced in Colombia in the past 10 years, writes reporter Jeremy Kryt.

Thursday January 22, 2015

Victory for California’s Wildlife!

In December, the California Fish and Game Commission voted 4 to 1 in favor of a rule that closes the loopholes that allows California to hold contests where coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and other animals are killed for prizes and inducements. "Awarding prizes for wildlife killing contests is both unethical and inconsistent with our current understanding of natural systems" said Commission President Michael Sutton. This historic vote is the first step toward reforming predator management statewide, and sets a precedent for the rest of the nation. Project Coyote is already working with allies to ban similar killing contests in New Mexico. Learn how you can get involved by signing up for Project Coyote's E-Team here.

Thursday January 8, 2015

Join Our Project at the EcoFarm Conference

EII's Hempstead Project HEART will be participating in the upcoming EcoFarm Conference from January 21 to 24 in Pacific Grove, CA. Register for this great annual conference for organic and environmentally conscious producers that's chock full of workshops that provide the technical information, inspiration, and creative solutions required for the business of producing and processing food that follows ecological and socially-just standards. Join Hempstead Project HEART (Hemp Energies Alternative Resource Technologies) at Booth B11 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds.

Thursday January 8, 2015

Here’s to a Dynamic and Successful 2015!

As we reflect on all of the amazing and impactful work accomplished by Earth Island's programs and projects around the world in 2014 (take a peek at our 2014 year-end update here), we want to take a moment to THANK YOU for subscribing to IslandWire and being a part of our vibrant Earth Island community. Our community of Earth Island programs and projects, subscribers, donors, and supporters give life and meaning to our work. With your sustained support, together, we will continue to forge ahead in 2015 and beyond! If you haven't yet, please consider making a donation to Earth Island today. Every dollar counts! Our financial supporters provide us with crucial funds necessary to continue our mission: supporting people who are creating effective and lasting solutions to protect our shared planet. Here's to a dynamic and successful 2015!

Thursday January 8, 2015

Support Lawsuit Against Taiji Whale Museum

Read the latest update on EII's International Marine Mammal Project, Save Japan Dolphins' and their ally, Australia for Dolphins' lawsuit against the Taiji Whale Museum, located by the notorious killing "Cove" in Taiji, Japan. The museum, which is owned by the town of Taiji and helps train and broker live dolphins caught in the Cove as part of the annual dolphin slaughter, had been denying activists entry. The cost of fighting a lawsuit in Japan is high, and any financial support you can extend would be much appreciated. You can donate towards the campaign here or make a tax-deductible contribution via Earth Island's special fund for this lawsuit. To learn more about the current situation at Taiji, check out Save Japan Dolphin's latest Cove Report.

Thursday January 8, 2015

Watch “The Children’s Climate Crusade”

The final TV episode of Bill Moyers' Moyers & Company - titled "The Children's Climate Crusade" - featured attorney and professor Mary Christina Wood, author of Nature's Trust and the legal strategist of Our Children's Trust, a nonprofit working with EII's Kids vs Global Warming/iMatter. Our Children's Trust is spearheading lawsuits against the US federal government and some state governments to force them to take a more aggressive approach towards curbing carbon emissions. Watch the episode online and learn more about the lawsuits here and here.

Thursday January 8, 2015

The Best of Earth Island Journal

Get the latest environmental news from Earth Island Journal. Here are our favorite web-only stories from the last few weeks:

Most Popular: A Journey Into the Great Bear Rainforest. Writer Sara Santiago writes about how logging and oil interests threaten a rare, temperate rainforest in Canada.

Editors' Pick: In Celebration of John Muir. Author and Earth Island board member John de Graaf explains why the American legend's legacy is especially relevant to today's environmental movement.

Thursday January 8, 2015

The Earth Island Community Is Counting On You

Please make a donation today

Dear Friend of Earth Island,

Sitting among the diverse, intergenerational audience who joined us in honoring bold, young environmental leaders at our recent 15th Anniversary Brower Youth Awards ceremony, I was very moved by a sense of appreciation, not only for the inspiring honorees but also for the Earth Island community members – both those who attended BYA and our supporters around the world – who make it possible for us to grow environmental leadership across all our programs.

Research has shown that diverse human communities, like diverse ecosystems, are more dynamic, resilient, and healthier. People who are part of strong communities help each other and build mutual hope. I’m happy to report to you that our Earth Island community, in all of its diverse aspects, had a dynamic and successful year in 2014. Please read my 2014 year-end letter to learn more about how we support a network of organizations working on a wide array of crucial issues.

A key ingredient to Earth Island’s successes is YOU, and we need your help to continue our strong run in 2015.

Your year-end financial support makes it possible for both emerging and experienced environmental leaders to continue to pursue their passions and drive forward their successful strategies for a sustainable future. Your gift today – during this season of gratitude and sharing – will give us the resources to continue providing grassroots environmental leaders the tools they need to protect our shared planet.

We are fired up, we are creating community and hope every day, and we are so grateful to have your support and commitment. Member support keeps us innovating. Your gift will help us grow environmental leadership in the new year!

We wish you a holiday season filled with appreciation for family, community, and planet. We are here, together.

With warm wishes,

John A. Knox
Executive Director

PS: With your donation of $10 or more you will receive our quarterly Earth Island Journal, and for a gift of $40 or more you may choose to receive a copy of the book The Wildness Within: Remembering David Brower.

PPS: Please help us grow our community! give an Earth Island Institute gift membership or an Earth Island Journal subscription to your family members, friends, and colleagues.

Thursday December 18, 2014

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