January 2026

This Month's Issue:

BEC Awarded a Grant by the Discovery Shoppe

Recap of Our Tree Planting in Corning

We're Hiring!

Drop in the Bucket - Volunteers Needed

Vina GSA Board Position Appointed

BEC's Season of Gleaning

Meal Providers Needed for Safe Space's Winter Shelter

BEC Awarded a Grant by the

Discovery Shoppe

Thank you to the Discovery Shoppe for granting us with $5,198 to improve our compost system at the Oak Way Community Garden! We are excited to start the reconstruction project this spring, so stay tuned for the upcoming volunteer opportunities.

The Discovery Shoppe is a local thrift store that is solely operated by volunteers, giving 100% of the proceeds back to local charities.

Corning Tree Planting Recap

On December 5, 2025, volunteers planted 19 trees in various parks throughout Corning. Volunteers worked side-by-side digging, planting, and learning about proper tree care, ensuring that each tree has the best possible start in its new home. Beyond adding beauty and shade to public spaces, these plantings support long-term benefits like improved air quality, habitat for wildlife, and increased community resilience.

A big thank you to everyone who showed up and helped make the day a success.

Below is a link to our earned media from the event on Action News Now!

BEC is Hiring an Executive Director

Volunteers Needed for Food Pickups

Drop In The Bucket (DitB) is a grassroots composting program offered by Butte Environmental Council and is entirely funded through participant donations.

Each week, BEC Fellows and dedicated volunteers collect household food waste and compost it at our community garden. Finished compost is available for our gardeners and DitB participants to use. The DitB program regularly diverts nearly 1,400 pounds of food waste each month. 

Contact: sustainability@becnet.org if you’re interested in helping expand our community compost program. Volunteers make this program possible. 

Sign up here to become a volunteer driver for Drop in the Bucket.

BEC's Season of Gleaning

In the fall, BEC California Climate Action Corps CCAC Fellows requested members of the community to reach with tree gleaning opportunities in Butte County. Many reached out, offering their trees with excess fruit to be distributed to people in need of fresh produce. As part of the work they do, our Fellows took the lead in distributing food to local organizations like Safe Space. The Fellows were able to distribute 350 pounds of food to people at both Safe Space and the Oak Way Community Garden "Free the Food Stand." Despite the inclement weather at times, eight volunteers assisted with our CCAC Fellows efforts towards reducing food waste and food insecurity in Butte County.

The interest shown for gleaning has proved that our local community wants to help in distributing their excess fruit to those in need of fresh food. We are grateful to those who have both shared their food and our volunteers who helped glean.

Learn More about Biomass in Oroville

Last month, the Oroville Community Development Coalition hosted an unofficial community talk about the proposed biomass plant on the site of the defunct Koppers Wood Treatment Facility and the now defunct P.O.P.I biomass facility, both of which were closed due to dioxin contamination. Members of the Dioxin Education Committee as well as other community members expressed concerns about the environmental health issues that arise both from biomass facilities, and the disturbance of the cancer-causing dioxins present in the soil at this site. 

If you are interested in learning more please take some time to read the articles below.

Biomass

• Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) on Biomass
• USDA on Biomass Energy in the Northwest
• Biomass Energy Explained by the US Energy Information Administration

Dioxins and the City of Oroville

• Article on Shutdown of POPI plant in 2012 from CN&R 
• Action News Now Coverage of Current Plans
• BCDPH on Dioxin in Oroville

Perspectives on Biomass

• Sierra Club on the proposed site
• CBD Climate Science Director on Biomass in California 

BEC Digital Library

• Access various resources relating to biomass and dioxins in our community

Meal Providers Needed for Safe Space's Winter Shelter

Safe Space's Winter Shelter would love community members to sign up to be a meal provider for our houseless neighbors! Sign up below if you're interested.

Butte Environmental Council recognizes the original occupants of what is now referred to as the Butte County area and the descendants who are still living here. They include:

Tyme Maidu Tribe-Berry Creek Reservation

Enterprise Rancheria

Mechoopda Indian Tribe

Mooretown Rancheria 

We acknowledge and are mindful that these first people have a special and sacred relationship with their ancestral lands and the waters that run through these lands, sustaining them for centuries. We strive to learn from their ways and to be considered by the tribes as allies to respect and steward resources in this life-giving place.

Support Butte Environmental Council!

BEC is a grassroots non-profit dedicated to protecting the health of our environment. Our work is made possible by people like you! Your contribution helps us plant trees, clean the creeks, and bring environmental education into the classroom.

BEC is a membership supported organization, we invite all interested parties to become a member today.

Consider becoming a Sustaining Member today for as little as $5/month.