Conservation
In 1920, the Contra Costa Hills Club (CCHC) was founded by Harold French, an avid hiker and environmental visionary and activist. With the help of other like-minded individuals, his tireless campaigning for the protection of open space resulted in the establishment of the East Bay Regional Park District. The purpose of the new CCHC was not only to provide hiking opportunities and fellowship, but also to promote conservation.
Now, more than 100 years later, the CCHC continues the tradition of conservation by supporting more than two dozen nonprofit environmental organizations that preserve and protect land and sustain the trails on which we hike. The Conservation Committee researches nonprofit organizations and selects those that best fit the interests of our club. They also must receive high scores from charity-rating services, if applicable.
Although some of the organizations to which we donate are national in scope, we tend to give preference to those that protect and enhance the ecological soundness and hiking opportunities in the Bay Area and Northern California. Acquisition of land for public open space, habitat restoration and construction and maintenance of hiking trails are some of the kinds of projects to which we assign high priority. The Committee also highly regards organizations that provide young people with experiences that prepare them to be protectors and stewards of the environment as well as those that take on the polluters and despoilers through litigation and lobbying.
For the story of Harold French and the club's founding, see the Presentation by Noël Siver at the club's 100th anniversary celebration.
Now, more than 100 years later, the CCHC continues the tradition of conservation by supporting more than two dozen nonprofit environmental organizations that preserve and protect land and sustain the trails on which we hike. The Conservation Committee researches nonprofit organizations and selects those that best fit the interests of our club. They also must receive high scores from charity-rating services, if applicable.
Although some of the organizations to which we donate are national in scope, we tend to give preference to those that protect and enhance the ecological soundness and hiking opportunities in the Bay Area and Northern California. Acquisition of land for public open space, habitat restoration and construction and maintenance of hiking trails are some of the kinds of projects to which we assign high priority. The Committee also highly regards organizations that provide young people with experiences that prepare them to be protectors and stewards of the environment as well as those that take on the polluters and despoilers through litigation and lobbying.
For the story of Harold French and the club's founding, see the Presentation by Noël Siver at the club's 100th anniversary celebration.