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| Voice of the Environment's mission is to educate the public regarding the transfer of public trust assets into private, mostly corporate, hands. | ||
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Ukiah office: 1330 Boonville Rd Ukiah, CA 95482 707-467-0329 |
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Napa office: 391 Crystal Springs Rd St. Helena, CA 94574 707-963-8264 |
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| For two decades, Voice of the Environment has stood up for the people and our communities against the avarice of corporations and the misguided policies of the corporate-dominated state. |
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Print This Article Tuesday, July 5th, 2005 The Vanishing Ancients of California Mona Day/Santa Monica Observer Hollywood celebrities showed up locally to host a fundraiser for California's ancient trees. The celebs included Pierce Brosnan and his environmental activist wife Keely, Ed Begley, Jr., Cheryl Tiegs, and Christopher and Jan Cross. They were joined by Santa Monica City Councilmember Kevin McKeown, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, the Environmental Media Alliance, and Earthways Foundation. The old-growth trees of California include the Coast redwoods are unique: upto 2,000 years old, they are the largest and tallest trees on earth. They are crucial to our environment, as they decrease fire risks, improve air quality, provide critical habitats for endangered species, promote biodiversity and improve the health of our rivers, streams flora and fauna. In addition, they boost our state's economy, increasing tourism. But because there are no comprehensive laws to protect them, they continue to be felled down year after year, and less than 1% survive today. Given the opposition of a well-financed timber industry Although the Heritage Tree Preservation Act of 2004 was defeated - but only by a handful of votes. The bill's author, State Senator Don Perata, now President Pro-Tem of the Senate, has pledged to introduce a new bill to re-ignite the cause. "California's ancient trees are vanishing," Pierce Brosnan noted. "I want my children and grandchildren to be able to visit these trees. It is our responsibility to preserve our planet for future generations, and I take that responsibility very seriously." Held at AXE restaurant in Venice, the educational part of the event featured speeches by Keely and Pierce Brosnan and Susan Moloney, founder of the Campaign for Old Growth, and presentations by Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council. Vonda Shepard provided the entertainment, and Axe restaurant served organic vegan fare. Silent auction items included original artwork by Pierce Brosnan, movies autographed by Leonardo DiCaprio, a Sports Illustrated book autographed by Cheryl Tiegs, a case of champagne donated by Teresa Heinz Kerry, health and beauty products by Aveda, clothing by Patagonia and American Apparel, and gift certificates to local restaurants, retailers and yoga studios. All proceeds from the event went to the Campaign For Old Growth, whose mission is to protect the last of these vanishing California ancients. Print This Article |
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Voice of the Environment is a 501 (c-3) not-for-profit Montana-based corporation formed in 1991.
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