WHAT CAN I DO?

Concerned about the direction of where you live?  You can do something about it!  Find ways to help shape the future of the Morongo Basin right here, from mini- to king-size.

Which one are you?

 I don't know where to start...

• You've already started!  Our Website has many of the resources you need.  Start with Take Action to learn some things you can do right away.  Look on our Issues pages to find out more about the particular issues that interest you.  Check out Communities and see what others are working on in your own neighborhood.  Reading the MBCA blog will help familiarize you with hot topics in the Basin.  And don't forget to join MBCA!

It's no use, there's no hope...

• Don’t try saying that to somone in MBCA!  After all, we got our start with a campaign to stop high-power transmission lines from going through the middle of the Basin.  Did we win?  Yes. Did it take a while?  Only 11 years!  Read the story on our History page - and never give up!

How can I be part of what MBCA's doing?

• The easiest way to start is (obviously) to join MBCA!  You are welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings and meet others like youself.  Subscribe to our Email Alerts and be automatically informed of important events, or read the MBCA Blog for daily updates.  Take a look at the Calendar to see what’s coming up this month.  Look over our Website, and you’ll find lots of opportunities for taking part.

I want to write/a letter to the editor/ my congressperson, but I don't have the address...

• You'll find contact information for many officials, agencies, organizations, and the press in our Resources section.

This issue has me burning up!  Who can I talk to about this?!

• Check out our Issues pages and our Communities pages for the most direct information on your issue and to find out paths of action and who the responsible authorities are.  Also see our Resources section for contact information for agencies and officials.

I hate meetings!  All anyone ever does is argue!  And they're so BORING!

• A good meeting is an opportunity for people to pool their information on an issue and come to a decision about taking an action.  It doesn't have to be a pain!  Learn more about Meeting Judo and making meetings a constructive experience for everyone on our How to Organize/How to Win! page.

Who's going to listen to me, anyway?

• For both individuals and groups, there are tactics and strategies to help make your views count.  Find out more at How to Organize/How to Win!   To learn how, where, and when to access officials, consult the Communities and Issues page.  And never forget:  There’s strength in numbers.  Join MBCA!

I'm fed up, I want to do something NOW!

• Action Now! - a page just for you.  Check it out!

I don't have a lot of time, but I do care.  What can I do?

• Every little bit helps!  You'll strengthen us to do what we do by joining MBCA and, if you can, making a donation.   Keep an eye on Action Now!, read the Latest News Blog, or  subscribe to our Email Alert network to learn of the phone call you can make, the quick letter you can sign on to, the cookie you can bake, the invasive plant you can pull, etc.  Join one of our committees for your area or about an issue that concerns you, and let the others know your limits but that you want to help however you can.  You'd be surprised what's needed - there's an important task for everybody, no matter how small.

I'm just concerned about my own neighborhood, I don't have time for the rest of this stuff... 

• Go to the Communities pages and check out the issues and contacts for your area. 

I feel paralyzed by these issues.  What to do??!

• You've made the right first step, by coming to our Website.  Buck yourself up by reading some success stories.  Now, take the next step:  Look at the Issues pages and Communities pages to see what your neighbors are doing about the issues that interest you, and how you might fit in.  Go to Action Now! to do something instantly that will make you feel less stuck.  Spend some time on our Blog to see how issues really do evolve over time, and how citizens can affect them with persistence.  For an immediate way to lend support and find a community, Join MBCA!  And don’t agonize, organize!  Get the tools you need to move from paralysis to powerful on How to Organize/How to Win! 

I can't take this on all by myself, but maybe if I had some other people to work with...

• Support and community are key.  Bring your issue to MBCA or look over this Website and and find others who are concerned with your issue.  We can’t do anything “for” you, but we might be able to do something “with” you.  Or, get tips on how to start something on your own at How to Organize/How to Win! 

I really want to keep up with what's going on.  How can I stay informed?

• The two best ways:  Join our E-mail Alert network, and visit our Blog regularly, where almost daily updates will keep you up on the news in the Basin.

I just saw some bulldozers down the street.  What are these guys DOING??

• Check out the Grading/Clear-Cutting Issues page for information for your area and follow-up resources.

I heard about a project going in that I'm not sure is a good idea.  Should I tell MBCA about it?

• Write us at info@mbconservation.org.  If we have already know about the issue, we'll direct you to more information.    If we don't already know about it, we'd like to hear.

There's an election coming up.  How can my vote make the most difference?

• MBCA cannot tell you who to vote for, but we do our best to show you where the candidates stand.  Find out more by following the MBCA blog “Meet the Candidates” thread. 

Okay, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS??!

• Check the Communities page for your area.  There you will find resources and contacts including responsible agencies and officials.

I'd like to know more background on this issue so I can take effective action...

• Go to the Issues page that covers your issue for background referrals.  Also, on the MBCA Blog you’ll find a list of Categories in the sidebar.  Click on the Category that interests you to see all the blog posts on that issue, which will help bring you up to date on more recent developments. 

This bureaucratic gobbledy-gook has me completely confused and discouraged.  Is there a way to cut through this stuff to what's really important?

• Our How to Organize/How to Win! page has links to help you understand common environmental and administrative documents and processes.  If you're dealing with a particular local issue, go to that Community or Issue page - someone else has probably had the same problem and there may be some advice available.