The forests on the Yurok tribal lands in Northern California look like weed-choked, overgrown gardens, as one tribal member described it.1 After years of fire suppression – in an ecosystem that needs fire to regenerate – the forest is filled with underbrush that crowds out desirable plants used for basket making, medicines and food. And … READ MORE
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Why Timeliness Confers Power
On Monday night I sat in on a community organizing action in Del Norte County in Northern California, as part of my reporting on a book project on community health. And organizing community members so they make their voices heard – effectively – is one sure way to improve a community’s well being, as collective … READ MORE
Another teen dream lifted up in Del Norte
Benjamin Thomas, 18, once felt like most other Del Norte County youth: He wanted to exit the scenic but economically depressed county right after he graduated. “The teenage dream is to get out of here as fast as possible,” the high school senior said. But like Makenzy Williams, whose story is described here, Benjamin joined … READ MORE
Poor housing endangers health
We had to laugh when we saw this offering on a mountain roadway in the Klamath Mountains in Del Norte County in Northern California. I was with Melissa Darnell, a community organizer working with a major privately-funded initiative to vastly improve the health of county residents over a decade. This one is a serious fixer-upper … READ MORE
Youth outlooks brighten in Del Norte County
Makenzy Williams, 17, felt like many youth in scenic but economically depressed Del Norte County. “I wanted to get out and stay out,” she said of the Northern California county, which includes Crescent City. The Triplicate, the local paper, even recently mentioned the common sentiment. “. . . Del Norte youth carry a common motif … READ MORE