NEC Community Resources
As a center for local grassroots conservation work, the NEC offers a variety of resources to the general community. These are offered for free or by donation by contacting the NEC office.
Local Activism
The Watershed Model
The watershed model is a miniature model of a Humboldt town—complete with cow pasture, businesses, and Humboldt Bay. By placing ‘pollutants’ and ‘sediment’ on the model, and then spraying it with ‘rain’, educators can use this tool to display the impacts of runoff and pollution on our watershed. Educators are welcome to rent the model for a week at a time for their classrooms or for broad presentations.
Presentations
Staff of the NEC happily present by-request to local schools and civic groups. Presentations in the past have included information about our organization, Adopt-a-Beach, Adopt-a-Block, Coastal Cleanup Day, marine debris, the All Species Parade, or the watershed model. Email or call to arrange a presentation for your event, classroom, or board. We present based on staff availability and timing.
The EcoNews Archive & EcoNews
The EcoNews Archive is a database of past editions of EcoNews. By searching for a particular tag, topic, or title, you can find the editions of EcoNews that cover those items, which can then be used to research local environmental topics or regional history. Content from 2011-2017 is available on our Archive website at archive.yournec.org. Prior content is only available at computers in the NEC office.
EcoNews has been recording regional environmental activism, events, and stories since 1971. The NEC keeps copies of all past editions of EcoNews in our office. This is a valuable resource for those looking to research local history, regional environmental news, or complete course projects on topics the NEC has covered in the past. All are welcome to come and review, or scan pages to review at home later.
Media Library
The NEC has a long history of opening up our library to the community and its students. We have over 300 books in our catalogue available to borrow. We have books on a variety of topics including: Birding, Climate, Conservation, Ecology, Energy, Evolution, Food, Fish, Forestry, Fungi, Legislation, Mammals, Marine Ecology, Plants, Rivers, Urban Planning, Water Conservation, Wildlife, and more! We also have 50 years of EcoNews publications archived if you would like to research a historical environmental issue. If you would like to check out a book please email nec@yournec.org or call 707-822-6918 to schedule an appointment to visit our office. We have limited hours due to COVID.
Zero Waste Lending Library
Event Supplies
We have cloth tablecloths, napkins, mason jars, and stemware to be used for zero waste events. Non-profits are able to use the supplies for free. Other entities are asked to donate $50. Please complete the NEC ZeroWaste Lending Form or email nec@yournec.org to make a reservation.
Cleanup Supplies
If you are planning a cleanup event and would like to use our supplies please complete the NEC Cleanup Supplies Lending Form or call us at at 822-6918 or email nec@yournec.org to make a reservation.
You may borrow these items at no charge:
- Pickers
- 5-gallon buckets
- Durable, reusable gloves
- Repurposed large bags, to be used in place of trash bags
- Sharps containers
- Magnet sticks for nails
- Bright Safety-vests
- Chalkboard sign
Event & Presentation Props
Looking to host an event or presentation? The NEC can rent you some supplies you may need to make your activist event stand out. We have a plastic bag monster, masks from our All Species Parade, public lands umbrellas, cigarette sculptures made by our own volunteers, rally signs, banners, and other props from a history of demonstrations. Contact us for your photo-booth, rally, march, or educational presentation needs.
Volunteer hours
Looking to earn some volunteer hours? From distributing EcoNews to helping archive our history, there’s always plenty to do at the office. Email or call the office to arrange a time to come in and share your skills.
Affiliate Community Resources
An Essential Guide to Enjoying US National Parks Responsibly
www.loveholidays.com/holidays/enjoying-us-national-parks-responsibly/
National parks are a popular (and relatively safe) way to spend some much needed time outdoors for physical health and mental wellbeing during the pandemic. And with a record number of visitors in 2020, minimizing the impact on national parks whilst preventing the spread of COVID-19 is more crucial than ever.
The guide shares useful information such as:
- How to enjoy the great outdoors more ‘responsibly’ by practising the principles of ‘leave no trace’, camping and wildlife safety, and fire prevention awareness.
- The many physical and mental health benefits of spending time in nature such as reducing stress and anxiety, all helpful after enduring months of lockdowns and travel restrictions.
- The guide includes an interactive map showing highlights and useful insights into the top national parks in the US.
- Plenty of useful tips, practical advice, and other resources to stay safe in parks and recreate outdoors responsibly
Become a Wildlife Biologist Guide
According to National Geographic, species are alarmingly going extinct 1,000 times faster than previously recorded due to humans. With such a detrimental situation upon us, we must encourage individuals to pursue careers in wildlife biology in order to try to reduce the number of species that are quickly disappearing from our planet.
BestColleges.com wants to equip individuals who are set on pursuing a career in wildlife with the tools to help them succeed and create a career that will be life-long and fulfilling. They curated a Biology Career Series dedicated to both students and professionals that delves into programs, curriculum, and career outlook. Take a look below.
Wilderness First Aid Basics (ACLS Training Center)
Wilderness first aid is the knowledge and ability to effectively address injuries, illnesses, or emergencies outside of modern facilities, out in the wild. Skills include knowing how to dress a wound, treat a burn or bite, or set an injured limb. These are important skills that can save your life or the lives of other outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more and be better prepared for your next hiking or backpacking adventure.
50 Ways Forest and Outdoor Learning Experiences Benefit Child Development:
For most of us, being cooped up in our homes since lockdowns began, we’ve all been missing the outdoors—children especially. Being outdoors is super important for kids and we’d like to help parents and teachers understand this fact, and leverage it in school so we came up with this guide.
Our piece covers a few essential things:
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Statistics on how much outdoor experiences help children learn.
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The important skills like confidence and responsibility that kids learn by being outdoors.
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How outdoor activities help young students in developing social and exercise-related routines.