Fall-Winter 2000-2001 Bulletin

Patagonia Brings Together Grassroots Groups Cynthia Gomez, Albuquerque Projects Director

On October 26-29, I headed out to the Stanford Sierra Camp located at the foot of Fallen Leaf Lake south of Lake Tahoe in California’s beautiful Sierra Nevada. Seventy grassroots groups from across the USA and from several other countries gathered to participate in a ‘grassroots tools’ workshop. Also participating for the three days were Patagonia's staff, Jill Zilligen, John Sterling and its Environmental Grants Council as well as Executive Director Michael Crooke. The presenters were top-notch, hands-on, skilled, and knowledgeable. Each presenter skillfully engaged participants in building and strengthening individual and organizational capacity, challenging them to work ‘outside the box’ as they work within their communities. Presenters included: Brock Evans, a DC environmental lobbyist and strategist, who unfolded an inspiring and passionate story stemming from his 30-year history in the environmental movement. Paul Butler from RARE Center for Tropical Conservation spoke of his work in St. Lucas and how to engage with the people in the communities to effectively move both environmental and economic agendas forward. Lois Gibbs is a name synonymous with “Love Canal.” As a mother and housewife Lois shared strategies in protecting children’s lives and health from 20,000 tons of toxic chemical waste which no one wanted to know about. “Izzy” Martin is a Penn Valley version of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Her experiences ranged from farming to being elected as a Supervisor for Nevada County. Her message was clear: to get involved and engaged in the political process in order to make it change. Chris Van Dyke (Patagonia Marketing), Bill Walker (Media and Message Development), and Diane Brown (fundraising for 230 grassroots Nuclear Weapons Freeze Campaign groups) continued this outstanding grassroots development theme. Meeting with Patagonia Environmental Grants Council and Programs staff was a welcome opportunity to engage daily with the people who determine how Patagonia funds are distributed. Grassroots networking continued thoughout the workshop, comparing notes, stories and strategies as well as offeringsupport during and after the event. The Sierras were comforting; the lake was healing; the food bountiful; and the people, information and support inspiring. In addition to reinforcing my organizing skills, this conference offered me great insight into the strategies and spiritual drive of many extraordinary ordinary people. I returned to New Mexico with heightened awareness that Amigos Bravos is at the forefront of establishing a multi-cultural process, and that there is great diversity even among environmental agendas.

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