Californians for Alternatives to Toxics (CATs) was founded in 1982 by community groups from throughout northern California who wanted a regional resource center for information and action about hazardous chemicals, especially pesticides, and for promotion of organically produced products.
Our mission therefore is to enable our members and the public to gain control over pesticides and other toxic chemicals within the environment. We want the end result to benefit people around the world. What we do in our backyard effects what you experience in your backyard. Over the past 25 years, CATs has been successful in fulfilling this important organizational mission.
CATs currently works on pesticide issues in the following areas: forests & public lands, wildlife, agriculture, schools & public places, and home & garden. Watershed projects fall under the public lands program area. Our blogs also present media released information about happenings.
We are a not for profit organization that operates through administration by the staff and direction from the board.
501(c)3 status enables our mission to survive through the ever dynamic aspects of our work.
That means we operate on a limited budget... and we graciously thank all those that support our mission!!
Underwriters (legally that means folks that help us out) for the 2007 Organic Planet Festival include, but are not limited to:
Wildberries Marketplace, Northcoast Co-op, Organic Valley, Times-Standard, Cutting Edge Solutions, Simple Shoes, Reggae Festival Guide, Eureka Natural Foods, Humboldt Creamery.
Another aspect of our day to day operations highlights our abilities and approach to the issues we discuss with folks on the other side of the table.
We work to make a long standing change. Our objectives are long term. Our mission focuses on challenges that we cannot attain.
Our small staff, usually five folks, works as much as possible and we are the group working behind the scenes. We are not all that often making headlines about the latest problem. We make headlines after we have made our point. And that point usually is accomplished through the extensive efforts of a tiny group of individuals working for a common goal.
Our point is a common resource. Our point includes people that don't even want us to make the point, but that point needs to be made: The degradation of our society as a result of toxic contamination that has risen to rule our world without the approval of the people effected.
You don't even know us and we help you have a better existence. You wouldn't even look at us in the street and say hello yet we help you drink clean water.
Federal law and international treaties state that we must have clean air to breath. Yet it comes down to few people that spoil the bunch; yeah we fight to keep your air clean, we fight to help you not have to go to the doctor as much, cause there is not the problem to begin with. It's not that we need to cure diseases or put people behind bars.
Just make the earth the way a bunch of doctors and scientists say the way it should be, the way it used to be.
We only fight to enforce that which others have agreed upon, as a majority of people, concerned, involved, looking toward the future of their children, looking out for their-selves.
Keep looking into the law. Ask questions!
