During the past decade, support for the conservationist movement has been growing. It has grown for various reasons, but perhaps the most prominent cause of this growth is the increasing coordination within the movement. This increasingly united effort is due mainly to the greater level of communication spawned by the internet.

Every day new environmentalist sites spring up on the web. These sites not only publish information on their movement, many of them organize "nonviolent direct action," as put by Patrick Mazza, editor of the "Cascade Planet". Tactics such as road blockades, locking down logging equipment, and sit- ins are used by these peaceful groups. However, there are other groups on the net that are not so peaceful. Apparently such violent groups are a minority, but their forceful means of protest, such as arson, vandalism, and threats, plague the entire movement with a bad name. The groups I communicated with denounced such actions; Patrick Mazza said, "Violence in all forms is abhorrent."

A few years ago, when the internet became easily accessible, this means of protest began. In the short time these websites have been around, they have gained an increased number of supporters and organized more frequent demonstrations. Most groups on the net feel that new technology has helped their cause. Marko Muellner of Ecotrust said, "More inter-movement communication...can only increase general awareness." Patrick Mazza said that sites on the net were providing "a significant way to get environmental information out to the public."

Of course these anti-logging sites always receive resistance from the timber industry, and sometimes from the government. The recent salvage logging rider was a setback for all conservationists, but Mazza said he "believes the timber industry overplayed its hand." The backlash from this bill has been a tremendous help to the nonviolent direct action movement. Mazza said that since the passage of this bill "2000 people have been arrested in civil disobedience actions" while demonstrating peacefully. It has also lead the Sierra Club to vote 2-1 in favor of ending logging on federal forests. Although the salvage rider seemingly hurt the preservation movement, now Mazza says that the backlash of the salvage rider and the movement's increased coordination on the net, has caused "momentum for this position to grow, and victory in the next 10 years is a good possibility." This may seem like an optimistic belief, but feelings like this give environmentalists hope, and ultimately lead to greater levels of support.

Although some groups are only involved by means of protesting, most work towards governmental support as well. Ten years ago there was little governmental support for their movement, but these groups feel that their increased coordination via the internet has also allowed for more successful results in governmental decisions. In the recent election the Pacific Party, an environmental supporting, anti-industry political organization, campaigned for both local and national positions. Although it gained little support directly, such campaigning does get the conservationist movement recognition. Also, despite the Pacific party's failure, Mazza feels that politically preservationists are gaining ground. He felt "that the Salem City Council's passing of the resolution calling for the suspension of logging in its watershed was a strong indication of this."

All of the groups I talked to had a strong message for perspective supporters of their movement. Most had to do with communication. Suggestions included getting involved with local government, calling radio stations to voice concerns, getting involved with the community, helping the impoverished, and restoring streams so salmon can spawn. Most felt that the key, as in most fields, is knowledge. Mazza said, "Knowledge is power," and most of the others tended to agree. Although the environmentalist movement is known for its sometimes seemingly rash actions, it appears that the feeling within the conservationist community is that actions are worthless without the knowledge to back them up.

Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for the growth of this movement, sites on the net appear to be playing an increasingly important role in conservation. It is also obvious that such sites will continue to grow. Marko Muellner said, "We have just begun to explore the power of this type of media." Increasing numbers of protests and demonstrations seem to support his view. The success of current sites will undoubtingly lead to even more thoroughly networked sites in the future. Marko said, "The use and implementation of our website will continue to evolve." For the environmentalist movement the evolvement of the net has become a valuable asset, and through its growing interconnectedness its future potential seems unlimited.

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