The Mattole Restoration Council
P.O. Box 160, Petrolia, California 95558 707/629-3514
- Who we are and what we seek
The Mattole Restoration Council is a coalition of community groups, landowners and individuals in the Mattole River watershed seeking to restore and sustain the healthy functioning of the watershed's natural systems, such as forests, fisheries, soils, flora and fauna. The Council is founded on the idea that the people living here are the ones best situated to work toward these aims.
The Council envisions a healthy watershed with a resident human community whose economy is nourished by the far-sighted stewardship of the resource base including forestry, fishing, ranching, small business, recreation, village life and the rural homesteading lifestyle.
What we do
The Council helps inhabitants work with nature to restore historic levels of productivity to the watershed, a naturally defined bioregion. Founded in 1985, the Council studies the ecological issues of the watershed, and designs and carries out land and stream rehabilitation work in cooperation with interested residents and landowners. These projects have included:
- a survey of sources of erosion in the Mattole, published in 1989 as Elements of Recovery;
- erosion control work-including tree-planting, seeding and slope stabilization- throughout the watershed (see map on reverse);
- annual monitoring of certain projects, and yearly surveys of changes in the riverbed of the lower Mattole to find out if sediment is accumulating or diminishing.
- rehabilitation of salmon and steelhead habitat through in-stream work in tributaries and developing a restoration plan for the estuary; and
- mapping of the timber harvest history of the Mattole and its remaining old-growth forests, and study of the prospects for second-growth forestry in the valley.
A broad base of local support
More than 100 people in the community- of a watershed population of some 2,000- have been involved in the Council's work as employees, volunteers or members. Through fund-raising for these activities, the Council contributed $120,000 to the watershed economy from 1987 to 1990. Fifty-three percent of this money has been paid to residents in part-time wages. In the process, residents of the valley have learned more about the place where they live and developed skills needed to restore it. A fiscal report is available; please send a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Ways and means
Nearly two-thirds of the Council's funding comes from contracts awarded by state agencies such as the Dept. of Fish and Game and the Coastal Conservancy. Roughly one-fourth is derived from foundation grants and the remainder is from dues and private donations. The Council acknowledges the generous support of the Eschaton Foundation for the production of this brochure.
How you can take part
Help launch a project
The Council assists landowners in designing, funding and carrying out land rehabilitation on their property. Contact the Council if there is need for such a project on your land.
Be part of the planning
The Council's board meets on the third Sunday of each month. Meetings are open to the public. Call 707/629-3514 for exact time and place.
The Council publishes a newsletter and other occasional publications; if you'd like to receive a copy, drop us a card.
Become a member
Membership in the Council is open to Mattole residents and landowners and to groups based in the valley whose mission is compatible with the Council's. Others may support the Council's work by making a donation and becoming a Friend of the Mattole. Dues are $10 per year for individuals, 550 for groups. Each group member sends a representative to the Council's board of directors; individual members elect a representative of their own.
Pitch in
Volunteer your time, talent and skills. From driving a backhoe to producing and mailing the newsletter, from field work to organizing a benefit, the Council thrives on hands-on involvement.
At times, the Council makes available paid work. If you are interested, call or write to add your name to the roster.
Make a donation
Your support enables the Council to develop new projects and complete existing ones. Gifts to the Council, a nonprofit organization, are tax-deductible.
Member groups of the Mattole Restoration Council
- 1. Coastal Headwaters Association
2. Fire Creek Watershed Association
3. Honeydew Creek Watershed Association
4. Human Nature company
5. Mattole Forest and Rangeland Cooperative (Soil Bankers)
6. Mattole Valley Community Center
7. Mattole Watershed Preservation Association
8. Mattole Watershed Salmon Support Group
9. Middle Creek Association
10. Mill Creek Watershed Conservancy
11. Petrolia High School
12. Prosper Ridge Land and Cattle Co.
13. Sanctuary Forest
14. Squaw Creek Hatchbox Tenders
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