THIS SATURDAY: Cannabis Cultivation Workshop Planned to Protect Yuba River

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What: Growing Green for the Yuba: An all-day workshop about environmentally responsible cannabis cultivation

When: Saturday, March 19, 2016, 9:30am-6:00pm

Where: Shady Creek Event Center, 18601 Pathfinder Way, Nevada City (on the San Juan Ridge)

Tickets: $25 (includes lunch) in advance/$35 at door; Tickets at www.yubariver.org/marijuana

NEVADA CITY, CA – The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is proud to host the 2nd Annual “Growing Green for the Yuba,” an all-day workshop for watershed stakeholders interested in learning more about best practices in cannabis cultivation that protect the environment.

While most of the attention surrounding cannabis cultivation has focused on medical, economic, or social impacts, SYRCL remains committed to sharing educational information that protects the river from potential negative impacts from unregulated cannabis cultivation. The overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides pollutes the water and poisons wildlife. Illegal water diversions result in dry creeks. Deforested and poorly graded land damages habitat for native fish and wildlife. So-called “trespass grows” on public lands have wreaked havoc on the landscape.

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors recently passed a ban on outdoor cultivation or “grows.” Although some officials have said that the ban will protect the environment, others predict that outdoor cannabis cultivation is not going away.

“Instead of disappearing, the ban is likely to drive cannabis cultivation further underground, depriving responsible farmers the opportunity to grow within a framework of rational land use rules and regulations. Rather than protect our environment, it seems far more likely that the ban will exacerbate bad environmental practices on public and private land,” said Caleb Dardick, SYRCL’s Executive Director.

Recognizing that Nevada County has long been a center for organic, sustainable agriculture, SYRCL has organized this educational workshop to demonstrate how responsible agricultural practices can protect the environment.

SYRCL’s “Growing Green for the Yuba” daylong informational workshop with local and regional experts will highlight practices for cannabis cultivation that will safeguard the Yuba watershed.  The workshop presenters will address a variety of topics including land use, water management systems, soil health, nutrient use, and pest management. There will also be a panel discussion focused on local and statewide regulations and legislation. The workshop will close with a networking happy hour sponsored by Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Company.

“Last year, nearly 100 people came away from the workshop with the tools they needed to grow cannabis in a way that does not harm the water quality, fish and wildlife we cherish here in the Yuba watershed,” said Amigo Bob Cantisano, a renowned leader in the organic gardening movement who spoke at last year’s workshop. “If all growers agreed to farm using environmentally sustainable methods, we can foster a truly ‘green’ Green Rush in the foothills.”

“As responsible business owners in the Yuba, we want to encourage cannabis cultivators to be sustainable. There should be no controversy between thriving farms and a healthy river,” said Darlene Markey, owner of Sweetland Garden Mercantile and a sponsor of SYRCL’s workshop.

“SYRCL is not “for” or “against” cannabis cultivation. We’re simply saying that if you are going to grow, adopt best practices and do it in a way that doesn’t harm our waterways,” said Dardick.

The “Growing Green for the Yuba” workshop is sponsored by Sweetland Garden Mercantile, Forever Flowering, Munkelt Law Office, Shady Creek Event Center, and Vital Garden Supply. The workshop is organized in coordination with the California Growers Association and Americans for Safe Access-Nevada County.

To help sponsor this important educational workshop, please contact Julie Pokrandt at (530) 265-5961 x214 or julie@syrcl.org.

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SYRCL thanks the local businesses and professionals who recognize the value sustainable agriculture offers to the cannabis growing community and all community members dependent on the Yuba River. Their support allows SYRCL staff to organize and produce this event. Thank you  Munkelt Law Office, Vital Garden Supply, Sweetland Garden Mercantile, Forever Flowering, and Shady Creek Event Center for sponsoring this event!LogosCollage

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