May 2025

This Month's Issue:

A Love Letter to Mother Earth

Tree Planting Event in Corning

Honorary PhD Celebration for Ali Meders-Knight

California Climate Action Corps Impact at BEC

Celebrating 50 Years of Environmental Stewardship

Endangered Species Faire Event Recap

Compost Extravaganza - Stay Tuned for Details

A Love Letter to Mother Earth

Dear Mother Earth,

You go by many names and no matter what we call you, know you are loved. For billions of years you have been the planet that sustains life, the green and blue sphere that brings us together. Your ancient and profound wisdom has created beauty, community, and tradition for us all. Mother Earth, I know we have hurt you. We have forgotten how to step lightly upon you, forgotten the gifts you tirelessly give to us, forgotten that we came from you. Mother Earth, so many of us are listening now. We listen to the breeze through the trees and sigh, we listen to the patterns in the moon and stars you show us and smile, we listen to the calls and the cries of the animals around us, our brothers and sisters. We listen to the fire that spreads across you and we understand that it too provides bounty.

Despite the greed that creeps across you and poisons your waters, your air, your ground, you continue to give us life. You continue to give us food and shelter and connection. More and more of us are choosing to remember all you do for us. We are choosing to whisper to you “thank you, thank you, thank you.” Each time we pick your fruit, each time we submerge ourselves in your waters, each time we step lightly upon you, we give thanks. Can you hear us as we celebrate all that you are?

Mother Earth, as we remember how to love you, you continue to show your love to us. We will continue to remember all that you have done for us.

Happy Mother Day.

With love and grace, yours truly,

Humankind

Volunteer for the Upcoming Tree Planting Event in Corning

Join BEC for a community tree planting event at various parks in Corning on Thursday, May 22nd and Friday, May 23rd from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

We’ll be planting 33 beautiful 15-gallon shade trees to help:

• Enhance the beauty of our public spaces
• Provide cooling shade for park visitors
• Create habitat for local wildlife
• Improve air quality

No experience needed—just bring your energy and a willingness to get your hands in the soil! Tools and guidance will be provided.

Come help us grow a greener, healthier Corning—one tree at a time!

Gas assistance available-just ask! Reach out to steward@becnet.org for more information.

Honorary PhD Celebration for

Ali Meders-Knight

Come celebrate Master ITEK practitioner Ali Meders-Knight, Executive Director of California Open Lands (COL), for receiving an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Syracuse University’s 2025 Commencement. This is a recognition of Ali’s efforts to form partnerships for federal forest stewardship contracting and tribal restoration programs on public lands that protect watersheds. 

With this honor, Syracuse University has formally recognized Ali’s “vital contributions to the preservation of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK), environmental stewardship and commitment to advocacy.” 

We would like to invite everyone to come shower Ali with love on this momentous occasion. Bring your favorite dish or beverage to share and learn how we can be more active in stewardship of the beautiful lands we occupy. This celebratory potluck will take place on Sunday, May 18th at 1pm at the California Open Lands Office, 2163 Fair St Suite A, Chico, CA 95928. Please carpool or bike if possible, there is limited parking. 

There is a special opportunity to join COL for a workday at Verbena Fields on Friday May 16th from 9-12pm to gather seed from native flowers and spread their abundance across the landscape. These intentional work days are a great opportunity to learn wild tending practices in alignment with Indigenous practices.

California Climate Action Corps Fellowship Impact at BEC

Join Us in Celebrating 50 Years of Environmental Stewardship

As part of our 50th Anniversary celebration, the Butte Environmental Council (BEC) is launching a major membership drive. For half a century, BEC has been dedicated to protecting Butte County’s land, air, and water through action, advocacy and education.

Thanks to generous community support, we've built deep roots and lasting impact.

In recent years, funding from federal and state grants has allowed us to expand our work—enhancing Chico’s urban forest, protecting salmon habitats, and reducing food waste. But with growing uncertainty in Washington, D.C., and California’s looming budget shortfall, these critical funding sources are at risk.

BEC has always been a grassroots, member-supported organization. Today, we’re calling on you—our valued members and supporters—to help sustain and grow this vital community driven work.

Here is how you can make a difference:

• Spread the word. Share BEC’s mission with your friends and neighbors. Encourage them to learn more and become members.
• Forward this message. Help raise awareness by sharing this newsletter with others who care about our environment.
• Increase your support. Consider boosting your monthly or annual donation to strengthen BEC’s ability to fight for clean air, open space, and sustainable water resources.

With just two paid staff members and minimal overhead, BEC ensures that every dollar you give goes directly toward meaningful environmental action. Our dedicated all-volunteer Board works hard to prioritize initiatives that enhance the quality of life in our region.

The challenges we face—climate change, biodiversity loss, urban sprawl, and groundwater overdraft—have never been more urgent. While national news can feel discouraging, there is still so much we can do here at home.

Now more than ever, it’s time to “Think Globally, Act Locally.” Your support fuels BEC’s mission to protect and preserve our local environment—today and for the next 50 years.

Please take action now. Together, we can ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for our community and the generations to come.

Endangered Species Faire Event Recap

The 46th Annual Endangered Species Faire was a roaring success! Highlighting our hyperlocal, critically endangered and incredibly important Spring-run Chinook salmon population, people came out to show off their artwork and show up for our environment, endangered species everywhere and the amazing Spring-run Chinook salmon naturally returning to our rivers.

Despite the drizzle, hundreds of community members marched their homemade Salmon through the streets, along with the Burrowing Owls, California Condors, and Leatherback Sea Turtles. Drums played, people hooted and arms burned holding the life size puppets. It was a beautiful expression of art, community and love, and we want to thank everyone- all parents, teachers, kids and friends who showed up to participate in the parade and cheer it on.

The event itself would not have been possible without the amazing and dedicated volunteers who helped us throughout the entire event. From closing down the streets for our puppet parade, hanging banners around the plaza, managing the parade and moving equipment for performers, volunteers made a huge difference.

Amazing artists- Zach Cowan, Black Fong, and the Planetary Defense League with Jeanne Christopherson kept the party rolling in the downtown plaza to set the mood and get everyone on the dancefloor. 

While people were taking part in the parade, dancing to live-music, visiting tables and getting their faces painted, seventy-five community members had the opportunity to take part in a climate action themed scavenger hunt where participants joined a million other Californians in taking climate action in different ways. If you’re interested in joining the millions and taking the Climate Action Pledge, use the QR code below for more information! 

Thank you to Friends of Butte Creek, Recology, California Health Collaborative, Wildflower Open Classroom, KZFR, California Trout, Pullins Cyclery, Altacal Bird Alliance, Butte County Local Food Network, Chico Housing Action Team (CHAT), and Floral Native Nursery for sponsoring the 46th Annual Endangered Species Faire.

Compost Extravaganza

Have you ever asked…

Which composting system suits my space?

How do I get started with composting?

What does compost look like under a microscope?

How do I create a worm bin from upcycled materials?

If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, the Compost Extravaganza will be the perfect way to get those questions answered! You’ll have the opportunity to connect with composting pros and assist with composting operations, make a worm bin from upcycled milk crates, and witness the amazing world of microbes under a microscope. All the worm bins made at this event will be donated to local schools and organizations.

By volunteering at this event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from composting experts, explore different composting techniques, and make a real impact in reducing food waste while building community connections. 

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering for this incredible opportunity, you can sign up here! Time and date to be announced shortly. Stay tuned for updates!

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.