Our view: 'Green Day' especially vital for Del Norte

Del Norte County’s political landscape is often described as green versus brown more than Republican versus Democrat. When it comes to the traditional political parties, we’re about 50-50. It’s harder to measure green/brown allegiance, but certainly both “sides” are represented when it comes to debates over growth control and stewardship of our vast tracts of public land.

But a funny thing is happening here on the North Coast. While our Democrats and Republicans have long worked together on local issues for the betterment of the community, the lines between brown and green are now blurring as well.

Sure, we’ll still squabble over thorny issues like where all-terrain vehicles should be allowed on public property and how to balance the needs for economic growth and environmental protection. But the business community here is increasingly embracing the concept of ecological enterprise — for profit.

Green, after all, is the color of money.

In an old warehouse on Harrold Street off Northcrest Boulevard, Julindra Inc. took in more than 4.8 million pounds of recyclables last year. Owner Jordan Kekry sells them to companies from California to Georgia.

Up on Elk Valley Road, Mark Danner is expanding his flower-growing business, Casa de Fuchsia, into a greenhouse and showroom using wind and solar energy. A wind turbine was just erected on the site.

East of town, Hambro Forest Products looks at first glance like the typical sawmill of yesteryear. But it has diversified into several nontraditional enterprises. One produces particleboard made of 100 percent recycled wood fiber. Another runs the county’s Transfer Station, where it looks to extract items from the waste stream so they can be refurbished and sold instead of hauled to a landfill.

So it’s not surprising that an event that celebrates saving money by saving energy has struck a chord in Del Norte. In its debut last year, “It’s a Green Day” attracted dozens of vendors and more than a thousand curious people to the county fairgrounds. Today brings the second annual “Green Day” back to the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be free workshops on alternative energy, community-supported agriculture and composting. California residents can take advantage of a free drop-off center to get rid of their old electronic equipment, including TVs, computers, VCRs, stereos and telephones.

When the vendor fair closes, instructor Joe Gillespie and his students will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. at Crescent Elk Middle School to talk about winter gardening and display solar and wind energy projects.

In his “Green Day” keynote address last night, state Assemblyman Wes Chesbro focused on how the creation of “green jobs” can help with a general economic recovery. Embracing ecological enterprise is especially appropriate in a region that is not only known for its natural beauty, but increasingly dependent on attracting tourists to enjoy the splendor of our coastline and redwoods.

Our environment and our economy are intertwined, and the relationship continues to evolve in exciting new shades of green.

See you at the fairgrounds.