Note: Save Our Little Lake Valley is an educational, outreach, legislative, and legal strategy group and is not involved in organizing this action camp. However, we are providing space on our web site so as to inform people that the action camp is occurring. Defenders of Little Lake Valley and Earth First! are the groups organizing and executing the action camp.

ACTION CAMP to Defend Little Lake Watershed! New Phase of Camp Takes Place April 20-28!

Your help is needed to sustain our opposition to Caltrans’ Bypass project through Little Lake Valley in Willits. The newest phase of Action Camp takes place from April 20th to 28th! We are calling on all supporters, including folks from out of town, to come join us!

For more information ont he Week of Action to Defend Little Lake Watershed, click here.

What’s going on?

The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) is attempting to construct a four-lane superhighway through Little Lake Valley, otherwise known as Willits.

This project would destroy some of the Valley’s last remaining wetlands, draining 86 acres — the largest wetlands fill permit in Northern California in 50 years. It is in the process of destroying oak savannahs and oak forests throughout the valley and on surrounding hillsides, and generating a massive quantity of CO2 emissions. It would severely damage the local economy, while doing remarkably little to prevent traffic congestion.

On April 2, our existing five tree sitters were forced from their trees, in some cases brutally so. Caltrans’ California Highway Patrol enforcing are policing certain areas of the Bypass route 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In spite of all this, we have two new tree sits, both of which are protecting riparian areas! We have slowed and stopped work repeatedly, gotten arrested, packed the Board of Supervisors, marched down Main St. rallied and shown up in court.

What to Expect

Meet other activists, camp out, train and organize together for nonviolent direct action. Nonviolence, climbing, back woods training, camp care and set up, actions, sign and banner making, watershed workshops, rallies, and demos.

Come prepared! Bring food, water, bedding, warm clothing, rain gear, art supplies, acoustic instruments, songs, and volunteer energy. Please no weapons, drugs, alcohol, pets, or fires. Explain any special needs you may have at pre-registration.

We will be mobilizing creative action towards halting the construction of the Willits Bypass. Your ideas are needed! No special prior experience is required to participate. There are many simple yet important ways to contribute, such as sign and banner making and legal observation.

As an action camp participant, you will learn about the imperiled wetlands, oak woodlands, and migratory bird nesting areas along highway 101 through ongoing hikes, tours, and campfires.

Register for Action Camp

To register for the action camp or for more details, please contact:
Email: littlelakeactioncamp@gmx.com
Phone: 707-513-9897

For updates and further information regarding Little Lake Valley:

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Please join us in Little Lake Valley! We’ve got no time to waste.

Original Action Camp Statement From The Warbler

“I have been tree sitting for 55 days, the past three of which have been taken over by CHP and CalTrans. Right now, CHP officers deployed from all over the state are here to occupy Little Lake Valley and prevent supporters from bringing in supplies. They are also covering up the crimes being committed by Caltrans RIGHT NOW. There is a legal term for that: ‘aiding and abetting.’

No public presence has been allowed in some of the areas being destroyed, so I don’t know the extent of the damage. There are two other tree sitters, besides myself. CHP is not interested in protecting us. If they were, they would not be arresting our protectors and trying to destroy our home. We need to be able to monitor what is going on.

So we need you to come and help. This is not just about Little Lake Valley, this is about the future of this fragile matrix of life we are a part of that. And we have a responsibility to protect it. This is about solidarity. And the struggle that is going on everywhere. If this is not stopped here and now, the destruction will continue.”