2/5/14
    
Over the past few years, Baykeeper’s funding has been hit by the economic downturn and funding climate. In December 2013, our funding issues came to a head and we were forced to lay off most of our staff and close our storefront office in Old Town.  It was a difficult time, but encouraged our Board and core network of supporters to take a deep breath, reflect, and restructure.

The NEC has stepped up as Baykeeper’s fiscal sponsor to ensure that the important work of protecting Humboldt Bay continues while we rebuild. Humboldt Baykeeper is now settled into its new office in Arcata’s lively Greenway Building – joining the NEC, Friends of the Eel River, and many other great folks. As a member group of NEC since 2007, we have worked closely together over the years on the General Plan Update, Bay Trail & 101 Corridor project, Coastal Cleanup, and many other issues and projects. Now we will be restructuring to reduce overlap so we can be more effective.

Longstanding Baykeeper policy director Jen Kalt, along with Baykeeper’s committed supporters, volunteers, and NEC’s board and staff, will continue to watchdog the many issues affecting Humboldt Bay while rebuilding a solid, stable organization that will be around for years to come.

Since 2004, Baykeeper has worked to protect Humboldt Bay with water quality monitoring, toxics watchdogging, land use planning advocacy, outreach and education, and citizen-led lawsuits when necessary. Major accomplishments include cleanup of toxic sites, increased awareness of the legacy of industrial pollution that must be addressed, and the listing of Humboldt Bay as Impaired by dioxins under the Clean Water Act.

In the coming year, Baykeeper will continue to advocate for clean water, recovery of imperiled fish, billboard removal, cleanup and reuse of the former pulp mill, planning for sea level rise, decommissioning and cleanup of the Humboldt Bay Power Plant, and many other issues that will affect Humboldt Bay for generations.

Thanks to all of our dedicated supporters who’ve helped us move, provided guidance, donated to our fund appeal, and updated our database, we are excited about refocusing on the essential work of safeguarding our coastal resources for the health, enjoyment, and economic strength of the Humboldt Bay community.