Joshua Tree

OK, I admit it. I am not, most certainly, the most shining manifestation of personal activism, but I can surely appreciate it when I see it. Individuals can sometimes stand-up to 'the man', hold their own, and even prevail. Such is the case of Larry and Donna Charpied, who have fought a long, hard battle against the creation of a giant landfill adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park in California. The Charpieds' existence has been consumed by the conflict and the endless lawsuits -- to the extent that it is the focus of their existence. With development spreading across the globe like wildfire, there are many opportunities to get involved in local, environmental issues. The balance and evaluation of economic growth and environmental concerns is a constant, on-going process; sometimes you just have to pick up a mitt and get in the game.
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