03-17-13 Marin IJ,
The Park Service’s own publication, “Stewardship Begins With People,” [NPSG_999_D1963_selected pages] effectively and passionately embraces — and justifies — renewing Drakes Bay Oyster Co.’s lease.
“Stewardship” presents a blueprint for “advancing innovations in collaborative conservation for the stewardship of our national system of parks and other special places” by highlighting successful examples of places, people and businesses long imbedded in national parks and nearby agricultural communities. Each is a poster example of sound, time-honored mixed use of park lands.
In a prior edition now out of print and no longer Web-accessible, “Stewardship” featured the Lunny Family Farm and its wise diversification into oysters.
Pages 4, 20, 30 and 32 are particularly poignant and speak to the Park Service’s policy of exploring creative ways to “re-establish a connection — between parks and living cultures; between public lands and the stewardship of farms and forests; between people and the food they eat; and between park visitors, communities and a more sustainable future.”
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ANOTHER harmonic convergence is underway in Marin. This time its vibe is real and palpable and manifests directly out of the mouths from the voices of societal leaders. This time no humming or blissful chanting on Mount Tamalpais is required, only mindful connection of dots. President Obama’s economic recovery plan focuses on revitalizing small businesses of middle class working folks; his agencies actively extoll establishing and restoring oyster beds to help sustain ecosystems. A federal appellate court cites “serious legal questions” about Interior Department’s refusal to renew Drakes Bay Oyster Co.’s permit, saying “the balance of hardships tips sharply” in favor of the farm, then grants an emergency reprieve. The Independent Journal runs a front-page article about the $445 million contribution of National Parks to Marin’s economy by visitors lodging, hiking, seeing elephant seals — and eating oysters. Another features the launch of the “Grown Local Marin County” branding campaign that promoting foodsheds, as Supervisor and MALT board member Steve Kinsey puts it, of West Marin’s organic sustainable farms, ranches and aquacultures. The Park Service’s own publication, “Stewardship Begins With People,” effectively and passionately embraces — and justifies — renewing Drakes Bay Oyster Co.’s lease. Check it out online. “Stewardship” presents a blueprint for “advancing innovations in collaborative conservation for the stewardship of our national system of parks and other special places” by highlighting successful examples of places, people and businesses long imbedded in national parks and nearby agricultural communities. Each is a poster example of sound, time-honored mixed use of park lands. In a prior edition now out of print and no longer Web-accessible, “Stewardship” featured the Lunny Family Farm and its wise diversification into oysters. Pages 4, 20, 30 and 32 are particularly poignant and speak to the Park Service’s policy of exploring creative ways to “re-establish a connection — between parks and living cultures; between public lands and the stewardship of farms and forests; between people and the food they eat; and between park visitors, communities and a more sustainable future.” The Park Service’s “Stewardship” promotes small, historic, local, family-owned, organic, sustainable, educational, community enriching, job creating, diverse food producers and eloquently reaffirms a sense of place, local cultures, regional identify, distinctiveness and character, and the need to address the unraveling of social and economic relationships to the land. And as it so advocates, the Park Service speaks directly to the validity and value of continued mixed use of Drakes Estero by our national treasure, Drakes Bay Oyster Co. The Park Service itself — convergently and harmonically — got it exactly right. The oyster farm’s lease should be renewed. Bob La Belle of San Anselmo is a conservationist and a lifelong resident of Marin |
Drakes Bay Oyster Company & the National Park Service. Watch the video, "THE FRAMING OF AN OYSTER FARM" at http://vimeo.com/52331881 
Bob La Belle
/ March 19, 2013Were it not for Jane Gyorgy creating a vigil for DBOC at her church and presenting on its alter the original “Stewardship” publication featuring the Lunnys, my Marin IJ piece never would have happened. (Apparently, both the Lord and Jane work in mysterious ways.) In reading “Stewardship” for the first time,, I was stunned that the Park Service had effectively given such an explicit endorsement to DBOC and for renewing its lease. It was pure poetry.
Jane deserves a huge round of applause for her vigil, presentation and hunger strike. Way to go, Jane!!!
Bob