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Continued from Page 21
An alliance
Thirty years ago, Alana
Probst and Arthur Dye visit-
ed the Long Beach Penin-
sula as representatives of an
environmental organization
called Ecotrust. It was the
brainchild of Spencer Beebe
with a home base in Port-
land.
They initially were met
with suspicion, but soon
proved their worth. Ecotrust
wished to partner with locals
and protect or heal a North-
west lifestyle — oystering,
fishing and logging (and
enhance eco-tourism) — in
hopes of finding some way
to parcel out the few remain-
ing stands of evergreen and
salmon runs in a sustainable
fashion. And to rebuild the
local economy, their greatest
strength. Ecotrust formed
the Willapa Alliance and
during the next decade, they
reshaped the ideals of a
handful of dreamers.
In a fruitful alliance with
Th e
Illahee
Apartments
Nature Conservancy, the
state Department of Natural
Resources and the Willapa
Alliance, Ecotrust brokered
the purchase of the Bone and
Niawakium estuaries, rebuilt
watersheds on Bear River
and the Palix, and partici-
pated in the preservation of
western cedar stands in the
Nemah and other water-
sheds. Congressman Don
Bonker kicked in support
and nearly singlehandedly
saved Long Island from the
chainsaw.
A confluence of conser-
vationist organizations (Na-
ture Conservancy and DNR
being strong players) pre-
served large stands of cedar
behind Ellsworth Creek and
later expanded protection
through a much larger land
purchase that extended along
the lower Naselle River.
About this time, Rex Ziak
charged into a corporate
office in New York City and
brokered protection for a
stand of magnificent cedars
near the Naselle Bridge.
Ziak did much more. He and
Kathleen Sayce educated
us on the finer points of the
green world that sprouts
around us. Many contrib-
uted, including the federal
government.
Preaching
engagement
As I drive the winding
road that snakes around
Willapa Bay, memories
continue to spill like a soft
spring water. Now, cross-
ing the borderline between
middle-age and that nexus
into the undefinable nether-
lands, I can’t help but reflect
on what was accomplished
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as well as where and when
we failed.
The green lands speak to
the soul and to the spirit of
the good earth. Still, battles
continue to erupt. Donald
Trump is summarily disman-
tling 50 years of hard envi-
ronmental accomplishments
at a time when the noose is
tightening on an endangered
planet. I would like to know
if the president has ever
walked through the Red-
woods or stood under the
shadow of ancient Sequoi-
as? Certainly, few of these
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giants inhabit the terrain
of his many golf courses,
manicured as they are.
But I’ll dote on small vic-
tories and with an old man’s
resilience, travel High Hope
Road with my backpack and
a pocketful of promises. To
the young people, I preach
engagement; to their parents,
I say, teach your children
well; to the Baby Boomers,
hey, persist while you can!
And when you drive past
the Willapa Bay National
Willapa Refuge, drop in and
visit with Jackie Ferrier, a
Lance Allbr itton
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road warrior herself who had
a huge impact on our bay
and region and, ultimately,
the well-being of Planet
Earth, all in size-7 knee
boots.
Another inspiration, Rob-
ert Michael Pyle, is just now
brewing his first pot of cof-
fee and settling down to his
typewriter. He will continue
to inspire us with his sensi-
tive and objective writings.
Please read “Wintergreen:
Rambles in a Ravaged
Land,” just re-released. Sky
Time in Gray’s River: Liv-
ing for Keeps in a Forgotten
Place” is a masterwork.
The sun rises
The bay is ebbing.
Mallard and pintail
are rooting for their
breakfast. River otter
with cute furry paws are
frolicking in the seven rivers
that grace Willapa Bay.
Spruce are donning new
spring clothes with bright
green fingertips while the
whole Willapa ecosystem
draws in a deep breath and
shines on.
The sun rises. Remem-
ber: We are the children of
baby moons and dark winter
skies. CW