Coast Economic Localization Link (CELL) Mission Statement

A Brief History

Climate Change and the decline of a cheap and abundant petroleum resource make it necessary for our coastal community to begin the transition to a post-carbon society immediately to assure future quality of life for all. It is CELL's mission to localize our economy and life on the Coast to realize a self-reliant, safe and healthful community in perpetuity

How we got here and where we are going

Coast Economic Localization Link (CELL) was created in March of 2005 by a group of 4 women as a response to climate change and the pending decline of cheap oil and the pressures it would bring to the local community. Christiane Heckeroth, Debra Scott, Laviva Dakers and Maggie Watson began their campaign to educate the community on peak oil and climate change issues in April. Almost 100 people came to the showing of “The End of Suburbia- Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream”, and presentations on local implications by Dr. Jason Bradford, founder of WELL (Willits Economic Localization), Doug Mosel, campaign coordinator for Measure H, and Els Cooperider, KZYX radio talk show host, owner of Ukiah Brewing Co. & Restaurant with her husband and two sons, the only certified organic brewpub in the USA, and major player behind Measure H. After the presentations, participants broke into discussion groups with the topics of energy, water, food, social structure, health and medicine and shelter.

CELL invited Madelin Holtcamp, member of the County Comprehensive Eocnomic Development Strategy (CEDS) committee to make a presentation to the public in June where she spoke of the county’s progressive economic strategies focusing on energy, water and diversification issues. The presentation was followed again by group discussion in the aforementioned topics. Each time ideas that came out of the discussions were compiled for future use in determining the priority projects in each subject matter.  

As the group of 4, three of whom are moms, continued in their work, they found that a larger circle of supporters was needed and a steering committee was born at the end of June. We now consist of a larger core group with dedicated members who work hard to collect and organize ideas for a more sustainable future.

Our steering commitee includes but is not limited to:

Christiane Heckeroth

Laviva Dakers

Steve Heckeroth

Lenora Shepard

Marty Johnson

Deb smith

Erika Kleit

Erin Severi (also webmistress)

Maggie Watson

Jim Koogle

and a wonderful, everchanging array of creative people that add to our mix of thoughts , ideas and action for community sustainability on the Mendocino Coast

CELL has since put on various other discussion group events on the Coast, continues to show “The End of Suburbia” and has cosponsored various events with the Alliance for Democracy, including guest speaker Richard Heinberg, author of The Party’s Over. Most recently, CELL members attended and presented at the Earth Fair in Gualala which was hosted by Matrix of Change.

Hosted Anna Lappe on her book tour for "Grub" to Fort Bragg at Town Hall

Organized (with AndersonValley Foodshed) an annual food celebration and education festival "Come On Home To Eat"

Is now partnering up with the Caspar Community Center for Caspar Fest-the annual festival in Caspar, California- will offer workshops on sustainability, live music, fresh food and activities for kids-

Our goals are:

  • Joining people from all walks of life to work on projects in the areas of water, energy, transportation, food, shelter, health and medicine, and social organization
  • Educating the public through meetings, events, media outreach, and mentoring
  • Informing people about their impact on the local environment and how it affects the global environment
  • Empowering people to appreciate their personal strength to promote change
  • Offering a model of economic localization that can be replicated in other communities.
  • Economics-(commerce)