We kicked off the STOP GE TREES Pacific Northwest tour on October 12th in the only counties in Oregon state to successfully ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Jackson and Josephine. Thank you for inviting us into your communities Ashland and Grants Pass! We were welcomed by passionate activists and locals on the first leg of our tour who have inspired us with their hard work and dedication needed in this fight against genetic engineering to
protect biodiversity.
In Ashland we spoke at the Bellview Grange put which is a hub for small family farmers that promotes organic agriculture and food sovereignty & security. In addition to Ashland locals, folks from groups such as Rogue
River Keeper, Southern Oregon Rising Tide, Green Grangers, Chamber of Commons and Coast Range Forest Watch came out to listen and brainstorm. After our panel spoke, many people made the connections between the various
environmental impacts GE trees would have not only on forests that will be clear cut to make way for monoculture tree plantations, but the surrounding ecosystems that may face contamination and the part GE trees play in biomass pollution.
St. Luke’s Episcopalian Church in Grants Pass was our next (and second) stop, which was hosted by GMO Free Josephine County. Many members of the audience actively participated in the ban and shared their stories about
the grassroots organizing that went into the litigation and have mentioned excitement around empowering other counties to do the same.
We are encouraging everyone we meet on this trip to form community coalitions against GE trees and to get in contact with other folks across county and state lines to stop GE trees. Josephine and Jackson counties
already have a strong stance on genetic engineering in their communities, We would love to nurture these connections. Please contact us for the information of any groups mentioned or to find out how you can help stop GE
trees!
Special thanks to Catie from the Chamber of Commons and Carol from GMO Free Josephine County for getting folks out to these events!

Keep in touch:
Live tweeting from tour: @iraclarke3

To see the full list of tour dates/times and RSVP vist click here. Full link below:https://globaljusticeecology.org/our-no-ge-trees-program/the-growing-threat-a-speaking-tour–
on-genetically-engineered-trees-and-the-future-of-forests/

For up to date information on the Tour and on GE Trees please visit nogetrees.org

For questions, please contact Ruddy Turnstone at Ru***@gj******.local

For information on the Canada leg of the tour please contact: Lucy Sharratt, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, cell 613 809 1103, co*********@cb**.ca, www.cban.ca/trees

For a Bio of the speakers visit https://globaljusticeecology.org/meet-the-ge-trees-north-west-speakers/

For more information please visit: Nogetrees.org, nwrage.org, stopgetrees.org