Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (Occidental, CA)

General

• Mission:

OAEC is a 501(c) 3 non-profit research, education and organizing center founded in 1994 by a group of biologists, horticulturists, educators, activists and artists. We work to create ecologically and economically sustainable communities, which respect and restore natural ecosystems while satisfying human needs.We believe the most effective way to address environmental problems related to human development is by cultivating ecological literacy and developing the capacity of communities and their organizations to participate in policy processes that effect their lives and the environment.

• History:

As one of California’s oldest organic seed-diversity research and demonstration sites, we have had the unique opportunity to base our analysis, education, and community organizing on hands-on experience. For the past 33 years, OAEC’s site has been a sustainable agriculture training center, working with farmers, ranchers, school and community gardeners, and food and farming activists. Over the past 13 years, OAEC has been identified as a leader in research, demonstration and participatory education.

OAEC is a very unique organization. As a long-term, land-based institution in the Bay Area, OAEC inspires, trains and supports communities to develop sustainable solutions to the most pressing problems of the day. OAEC also works with many diverse communities, serving them all with a programmatic and pedagogical approach which integrates environmental, economic, cultural and spiritual change in ways that few other organizations do.

OAEC has nine core programs. Five are site-based, utilizing our 80-acre site to conduct research, demonstration and education serving the general public. These include a Mother Garden Biodiversity Project; Wildlands Biodiversity; Permaculture & Ecological Design; Intentional Communities; Visual Arts and the Performing Arts. Our other three programs are community-centered training, organizing and advocacy projects in service of specific communities and organizations in Northern California and beyond. The WATER Institute is one of these community-centered programs, along with our School Garden Teacher Training Program and the Ecological Agriculture & Sustainable Food Systems Program.

• Year established:1994

Registration

• Organization type:Grantseeker
• Country of registration:United States
• Year established:1994
• Tax Determination Letter:Received Determination Letter
• IRS Section:501(c)(3)