While social, economic, and environmental crises have been the norm for too many people and places for far too long, right now is an especially dangerous time for people, climate, ecosystems, and the rule of law all over the world. Here in the U.S., we are all called upon to pay more attention, to remember history, and to be more courageous in how we organize to resist tyranny and ecocide.
OAEC has an important and particular job to do in addressing these challenges: to show what is possible. At our site and through many deep collaborations, we demonstrate what is achievable and scalable for individuals and communities, we advocate for meaningful system change, and we train and support changemakers – all toward the goal of an ecologically regenerative, socially and economically just world for everyone. This is what we do every day.
This year we:
- Expanded our work in process-based restoration at the state level, promoting whole-systems, whole-watershed approaches to land management and wildfire mitigation through our Fuels to Flows campaign and Beaver Coexistence Program.
- Provided administrative and strategy support to our environmental and social justice-focused Fiscally Sponsored Projects, whose work is threatened in this hostile political and funding climate.
- Co-founded ALMA, the Alliance for Land-Based Mutual Aid, a bioregional coalition to support the expanding network of land access projects across the Bay Area.
- Hosted a record number of strategic planning, training, and organizational retreats at OAEC for groups doing impactful social change work.
- Made resiliency improvements to our demonstration site and campus, installing a new solar microgrid and establishing fire-safe zones around buildings.
- And much more…
The OAEC staff collective and community thank you deeply for all the work you are doing in your own communities at this critical time in history. Your solidarity and support are crucial to ensuring OAEC remains an inspiring refuge for movement leaders and alliances, and a force for accelerating transformative social and environmental change. As we move into a new year, we humbly ask you to support OAEC’s diverse and impactful work.
