April 27, 2017 – The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is proud to host the 3rd Annual “Growing Green for the Yuba” on Sunday, April 30th, 2017 at the Love Building in Grass Valley. Co-sponsored with Nevada County Cannabis Alliance and Sweetland Garden Mercantile, this all-day workshop is for anyone interested in learning more about best management practices for cannabis cultivation to protect the environment.
“We are committed to providing information and educational resources about the cumulative impact of cannabis cultivation across our watershed. By highlighting accessible practices to farmers, we hope that we can all work together to protect the river,” said Rachel Hutchinson, SYRCL’s River Science Director.
This daylong informational workshop with local and regional experts will highlight best management practices for cannabis cultivation that will safeguard the Yuba watershed. The workshop presenters will address a variety of topics. Hezekiah Allen, Executive Director of California Growers Association will provide updates on current regulation. The Central Valley Water Quality Control Board will be represented by Senior Engineering Geologist, Griffen Perea and Trey Sherrell, former Environmental Scientist. Learn about water management systems, soil health, and nutrient use from local experts. A panel of legal experts will be on hand to answer questions about how to prepare for upcoming regulations. The workshop will close with special guests from Humboldt County as Nathan Whittington and Terra Joy Carver present “Humboldt: A Case Study in Permitting.” Plan to stay and network during the happy hour.
SYRCL’s vision is that people will see that well-regulated agriculture – which is what cannabis cultivation could be – should not harm water quality, fish and wildlife. We’re addressing the sustainable cultivation issue through collaborative leadership, science, stewardship and education. As a community, we can educate each other to ensure cannabis is grown in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
California’s current “Green Rush,” has attracted many people to grow cannabis, in the Yuba River watershed. With recent statewide legalization, most of the attention surrounding cannabis cultivation has focused on medical, economic, social impacts and regulation. SYRCL remains committed to sharing educational information that protects the river from potential negative impacts. SYRCL calls upon our community to make sure that the environmental impacts on the Yuba River are not overlooked.
The environmental impacts of unregulated, large-scale cannabis cultivation are real. The overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides pollutes the water and poisons wildlife. Illegal water diversions result in dry creeks. Deforested and poorly graded land damages habitat for native fish and wildlife. So-called “trespass grows” on public lands wreak havoc on the landscape.
History teaches us that every economic “rush” from hydraulic mining to clear-cutting has had profound impacts on the Yuba River over the past century and a half. Let’s be forward-thinking about sustainable solutions to regulate cannabis cultivation that will protect the watershed and comply with land use and environmental laws. Join us on April 30th and learn how to protect the Yuba while managing your grow.
Growing Green for the Yuba is organized in coordination with the Nevada County Cannabis Alliance. To help sponsor this important educational program, please contact Julie Pokrandt at (530) 265-5961 x214 or julie@syrcl.org.
What: Growing Green for the Yuba: An all-day workshop about environmentally responsible cannabis cultivation
When: Sunday, April 30, 2017, 9:30am-5:00pm
Where: Love Building, Condon Park, 660 Minnie Street, Grass Valley, CA
This event is free and open to the public.
Lunch will be available for purchase from No Pho King Way.