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Editor's note: One of the United States' biggest environmental problems right now is loss of wilderness. This problem is due to an expanding human population and the ever-increasing demand for both material resources and physical space. Not only loss of wilderness, but destruction of wildlife habitat results. The over-harvesting of forests, which are dependent upon a combination of new and old-growth trees, is a prime example of wholesale habitat destruction. What are we going to to do about this?Earth First! is a group of environmental activists who work--often at great personal cost--to save the natural world from human depredation. The following story involves an Earth First!er's efforts to protect the Headwaters Forest in Northern California. In 1984, the MAXXAM corporation bought Pacific Lumber (PL), a logging company. Since that time, Earth First! alleges that PL has been overcutting the forest, and that this activity caused a mudslide which destroyed seven homes in the nearby town of Stafford, and wiped out thousands of acres of irreplaceable old-growth trees.
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EARTHKEEPER HERO:
DAVID NATHAN CHAIN
David Nathan Chain was born in Pasadena, Texas on June 17, 1974. In 1994, David moved to Austin, Texas, to live with his childhood friend Chris Martin, whom David considered his brother. It was in Austin where David heard about the Earth First! efforts and made a decision to go to California on a strong conviction he could help. He made that trip in 1997 and was gone for approximately three months. David came back to Austin with the intent to save his money and go back. He worked a couple of jobs to save money, and his friends helped him by giving him a place to live while in Austin. He went back to California in early September of this year and was there only a short time before his death.
David's father is David Allen Chain. David's stepfather is Ron Allsbrooks. David has two sisters,
Sarah Joy Chain and Bridgett Leigh Campbell, whose three children, Jonathan Thomas, Haleigh Elizabeth,
and Mathew David, David loved so very much. There are so many people who will miss David and forever hold his memory in their hearts. "David Chain is a hero. He joins the ranks of Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Judi
Bari. Let his memory inspire us to victory. Let our howls reverberate in every forest
in this land to honor our fallen brother." |
Chain's mother, Cindy Allsbrooks, wrote this memorial to her son:
I feel David's conviction had to do with the beauty he saw on his first trip to California and his desire
to preserve the environment. This is what he believed was right. David was always a tender-hearted little
boy and young man. He would help anyone. He saw the world as a much bigger place than most of us
ever do. 
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A Tribute to David Nathan "Gypsy" Chain is a website by Pam Lagan, David Chain's aunt. Save the Headwaters Forest Campaign The Nonviolence Web is a guide to peace movements around the world. EnviroLink is a hub for environmental websites. |
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Look at Environmental Protection Information Center for more information about how to save the last of wild California.
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| A Sewer Becomes a Water Park with floating botanical gardens that are helping restore ecological health. | Alan Rabinowitz started the first ever jaguar preserve. | Alexandra Cousteau was honored as an Earth Trustee by the UN in 2007 for her work to protect the oceans. | Ansel Adams was an 'artist-activist' whose photographs of nature inspired conservation. |
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| Australian Aborigines Protecting Wetlands by working to conserve the environment around them. | Barry Commoner works to protect the environment and raise awareness about the danger of radio activity. | Ben Redclay was an earthkeeper whose legacy lives on through his daughter. | Benjamin Kahn involves school children in regrowing coral to help save damaged reefs in the Red Sea. |
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| Beth Rickard Environmentalist is an advocate of solar as the energy of the future. | Bill Roley taught children in a Mexican orphanage how to work the land. | CAMPUS CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY at Humboldt State University. | Chico Mendes was a father who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending rainforests. |
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| Chief Oren Lyons is an internationally venerated advocate for preserving biodiversity. | David Nathan Chain was killed during a nonviolent protest to save the redwoods. | Deland Chan started an environmental group at the YMCA in New York City. | Dennis Weaver is an actor and advocate for ecologically sustainable living. |
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| Dian Fossey worked to protect the endangered Mountain Gorilla. | Donald Knaack is a musician whose unique productions inspire people of all ages to explore, create and give back to others. | Dr. E.O. Wilson studies the impact that human activity has on the planet. | Dr. Elvia Niebla Soil Scientist is dedicated to soil conservation. |
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| Dr. Richard Murphy Marine Biologist educates others about the sea and ways to protect the oceans for the future. | Dr. Robert Ballard and the JASON project bring scientific exploration to children around the world. | Dr. Shirley McGreal founded the International Primate Protection League. | Dr. Vandana Shiva works to preserve biodiversity for the planet. |
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| Envirofit retrofits engines to reduce pollution and enhance energy efficiency in developing countries. | Fin Donnelly works to keep our rivers and waters clean. | Frances Moore Lappe works to eliminate the injustices that cause hunger. | Friends of Nature: Mr. Liang Congjie is a voice for China's environment. |
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| Friends of the Sea Lion rescue, treat, and release these mammals back into the ocean. | George Schaller is a world-renowned naturalist. | Gerald Durrell established the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust for endangered species. | Greenpeace works globally to save the environment. |
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| Hayrettin Karaca is known as Grandfather Earth for making our planet brighter, greener and better for future generations. | Heather DeWitt is a devoted conservationist. | J.N. (Ding) Darling , conservationist and cartoonist, used his art to raise awareness about the environment. | Jack Johnson is a musician who encourages kids to take care of the environment. |
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| Jack Sim has started a worldwide campaign for clean public toilets and better sanitation standards. | Jacques Cousteau invented the Aqua-Lung, a predecessor to the SCUBA systems used by divers worldwide today. | Jane Goodall is an authority on wild chimpanzees. | Jane Goodall …is a renowned expert on chimpanzees and works to educate people about their own power to improve the environment. |
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| Jean-Michel Cousteau is committed to protecting the ocean for future generations through education and conservation. | Jody Williams is a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner who began a campaign to rid the world of landmines. | John McConnell founded Earth Day (March 20) and continues his fight for environmental education and awareness. | John Muir advocated preservation, feeling that natural areas promote mental health. |
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| Joseph Ki-Zerbo works to help Africans retain control of their country's agriculture. | Julia Hill brought public attention to deforestation in California. | Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park is the only park in the Americas established and run by indigenous peoples. | Kory Johnson was honored with the Goldman Environmental Prize in 1998. |
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| Laurie David is passionately committed to stopping global warming. | Lee Myung-Bak is responsible for making Seoul, South Korea 'cleaner and greener' during his tenure as mayor. | Marjory Stoneman Douglas worked tirelessly to preserve the Everglades. | Mia Siscawati teaches people to protect their environment. |
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| Michael Reynolds Garbage Warrior combines biology and architecture to build sustainable housing. | Mrs. Mei Ng: Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) uses education to foster environmental awareness in China | My Trip to Catalina Island Slater, a young environmental and peace activist, meets her hero, Jean-Michel Cousteau. | Nicole Dewing and Curtis McCormack joined the Peace Corps and started a waste recycling project in Joal, Senegal. |
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| Ocean Robbins helps organize young people committed to protecting the planet. | Prigi Arisandi works to educate people on the importance of protecting the rivers of Indonesia | Rachel Carson was the mother of the environmental movement. | Ramani Sankaranarayanan and Geeta Vaidyanathan founded CTxGrEn to show villagers how to turn native materials into fuel for electricity. |
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| Reef Ball Foundation restores damaged coral reef systems around the world. | Ric O'Barry works to free captive dolphins around the world. | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an eco-warrior defending the earth for future generations. | Robert Redford established the Sundance Film Festival to effect change in the world. |
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| Rory Stear and Kristine Pearson developed and distribute wind-up and solar powered radios to poor communities around the world. | Roxanne Kremer works with the Mestizo Indians of the Peruvian rainforest to save pink dolphins. | Ryan Hreljac helps build wells for clean water in Africa. | Saint Francis of Assisi was a true example of harmonious existence on Earth |
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| Sandra Postel believes in the importance of water conservation. | Severn Cullis-Suzuki an environmental activist, speaker, television host. | Stanislav Petrov averted nuclear disaster, yet remains unknown to most. | SUJANA cleans roads in Indonesia to help the environment. |
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| Suryo Wardhoyo Prawiroatmodjo educates people in Indonesia to protect the environment. | Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist and ambassador of the oceans. | Terram Foundation brings job growth, community involvement, and local solutions to larger environmental concerns. | Theodore Roosevelt worked tirelessly to protect wildlife and the environment. |
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| Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement that plants trees to help restore the desolate ecosystem in Africa. | Wes Jackson was a professor who returned to the land to advance sustainable agriculture practices. | William McDonough designs buildings for ecological sustainability. | YouthCaN is a youth- run organization promoting environmental awareness through technology. |
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| Zander Srodes and Turtle Talks has educated over 5,000 students on sea turtles and marine conservation. |
Last changed on:7/4/2004 1:30:03 PM
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