|
Community Involvement A High Priority
We at New Earth are proud of our involvement in the community and
the surrounding area. We feel that it is not enough just to be in
business here -- our commitment goes much deeper than that. We would
like you to know of our interest in building a sustainable community
and hope that what you read here will make you proud to be a part
of the New Earth family.
 Hatfield
Group
In response to the drought of 1994, the 104th Congress authorized
the Hatfield Upper Klamath Basin Working Group to restore the ecosystem,
stabilize the economy, and provide drought relief. This Group has
been very active in restoring wetlands and encouraging sustainable
agricultural practices. One of its largest projects involves 4700
acres that New Earth, PacifiCorp, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, and the Nature Conservancy have purchased from Tulana Farms.
New Earth and PacifiCorp have each provided more than one million
dollars, returning 3600 acres to wetlands. Of particular interest
to this restoration are the Shortnose Sucker and the Lost River
Sucker (C'wam), both endangered species. These fish are an important
part of Klamath Tribal heritage, which includes a celebration of
the "Return of the C'wam" every spring. The wetlands are
in the middle of the best spawning habitat and their restoration
should lead to the recovery of these species. Also part of the group's
work on the former Tulana Farms is the cultivation of the remaining
1,100 acres with seed potatoes, barley, and alfalfa and the assessment
of sustainable agricultural techniques that may be beneficial to
the environment.
 Riparian
Park
On a piece of surplus city property scheduled to be sold and developed,
New Earth saw potential for a New Earth partnership project to restore
wetlands. New Earth purchased the land from the City of Klamath
Falls and began preparations to connect the project to the Link
River. In the summer of 1996, flooding of the project began restoring
the wetlands.
Each summer, a group of at-risk teenagers help work at the site.
They have helped seed the marsh grasses, weed, transplant native
vegetation, trim, and nurture a wide variety of plants that are
vital to the wetlands habitat. Not only are these teens helping
to restore a vital part of the local ecosystem, they also learn
basic horticultural skills and the value of hard work.
The project is now entering the evolutionary and educational phases.
The wetlands will be available for school groups to use for field
trips and ongoing environmental monitoring. Its urban location also
makes it a natural for those who enjoy birding and fishing.
Contributions
Chamber of Commerce
New Earth is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Oregon State University
OSU is the host of the Intermountain Agricultural Conference,
which focuses on finding new practices in agriculture. This is vitally
important to the Klamath area, since agriculture is the county's
top economic industry with an annual income of $220,000,000. Aquaculture
(Algae) is now recognized by Oregon State University Extension Service
as a viable industry with $100,000,000 in annual sales.
New Earth also participates in the OSU community outreach Master
Gardener Program.
Merle West Medical Center
New Earth helps publish Healthy Communities, a community newsletter
promoting healthy lifestyles, mailed free to Klamath Falls residents.
United Way
New Earth is an annual contributor to United Way.
 Eagle
Refuge
When Weyerhaeuser sold its eastern Oregon timberlands, it offered
to give 400 acres along Klamath Lake to the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife. Unfortunately, ODF&W was unable to take on
any more property due to severe budgetary constraints. Determined
to facilitate this opportunity to protect our endangered national
symbol, New Earth will provide an endowment that will pay the taxes
and the fire assessment for the property. In the future, the land
will be managed for eagle habitat -- rather than timber production.
Additional Contributions
Assistance League® of Klamath Basin
This service organization provides clothing to the children
of low-income families. At its major annual banquet fundraiser,
beautifully decorated Christmas trees are sold. A tree is purchased
by New Earth each year, with the proceeds being generous enough
to clothe five children. In addition New Earth has donated grants
totaling $3,000.
Operation Stronghold
This nationwide organization serves to enlist private landowners
in establishing wildlife habitat on their property. The Stone House
Ranch and the Wetlands are enrolled in this conservation program.
Oregon Institute of Technology's Solar Station
There are five first-class solar stations worldwide that monitor
solar radiation, and one is here in Klamath Falls. New Earth has
provided a location to set up the station. These amazing stations
can also measure the potential for solar energy and photosynthesis.
To develop the local station, Dr. John Ritter of OIT's Applied Environmental
Sciences drew on his years of work with NASA.
Downtown Redevelopment Board Member
New Earth has been actively involved in the redesign of the
downtown area. As a result of the redevelopment, there are new period
lamps, benches for pedestrians, trees, flower planters, and geothermal
sidewalks that make shopping in the downtown area a pleasure in
both summer and winter.
International Bald Eagle Conference
New Earth is a corporate sponsor of this annual February event,
which brings people from all over the world to visit one of the
largest wintering sites of bald eagles. This is the oldest birding
festival in the United States, and it has led the way toward this
national symbol's recovery.
Klamath Watershed Council
The council is a volunteer, grassroots landowner-based approach
to Klamath watershed health and is part of the Healthy Streams Partnership.
The council's work, which is funded by the Governor's Watershed
Enhancement Board, seeks to improve water quality in the Klamath
Basin.
Teaming with Wildlife
This is a national campaign to prevent species from becoming
endangered and to nurture a new generation of wildlife stewards
by securing funding for state-level nongame wildlife conservation
and related education and recreation programs. A coalition of more
than 3,000 organizations and businesses supports the need for such
funding by officially endorsing Teaming with Wildlife. More than
200 Oregonians have endorsed this campaign.
|
