Name: Felice Pace
Member Since: 2004
Leadership Position: North Group ExComm, Redwood Chapter Grazing Chair, North Group Water Chair
Areas of Interest: Reforming Public Land grazing practices, Implementing the Clean Water Act with respect to agricultural pollution, dealing with salmon-killing logging roads, Managing forests for wildfire as a natural process.
Residence: Klamath, Del Norte County.
Q: How did you become involved with Sierra Club?
A: I had worked with Suzie Van Kirk and other Club folks on national forest issues and during the Ancient Forest Campaign going back to the late 1980s. When I moved from Siskiyou County to the Coast in 2002 I decided to join SC and get involved locally.
Q: How has your involvement with Sierra Club changed your life?
A: The involvement led to me getting involved in toxic surface and groundwater issues adjacent to Smith River Estuary where, in order to grow Easter lily bulbs, growers use more toxic pesticides per acre per year as compared to anywhere else in California. This work is on behalf of the agricultural workers and those living in the area, as well as for the Coho salmon and Tidewater goby found in the Estuary. Also, I now attend more North Coast Water Board meetings.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories participating in a Sierra Club event or activity?
A: I really enjoy meeting other members on the outings. I also really like what the North Group does with children: sponsoring summer camp for some, giving prizes for science fair projects with environmental themes, etc.
Q: What do you see as Sierra Club’s fundamental role in your community?
A: Our role is to raise the communities’ awareness about environmental risks and problems that affect them, their neighbors and the places they value, e.g. our public lands, and to do what we can to address local environmental issues.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living in Northern California?
A: The Klamath Mountains. I moved to NW California in 1976 to live near the wilderness and since then I have wandered these mountains on and off trail, on foot and on skis. My favorite thing is to hike in the Klamath Mountains backcountry. I like to study nature, watch birds, learn and appreciate the wildflowers and enjoy the great diversity of trees and other plants.
Q: Where in the outdoors would we most likely find you?
A: Anywhere in the Klamath Mountains backcountry.