Arroyo Stands Out as Environmental Choice for Supervisor

From Natalie Arroyo/March 17, 2022, 5:14 p.m.

EUREKA, Calif.— Humboldt County Supervisorial candidate Natalie Arroyo is centering the climate crisis in her upcoming campaign. Arroyo is running to represent Humboldt County’s District 4, which includes Eureka, Myrtletown, Samoa and Fairhaven. She recently signed the Climate Pledge brought forward by the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility and 350 Humboldt. By signing the pledge, Arroyo has committed herself to using her powers, if elected, to lead local efforts to combat climate change. 

“We are at an important inflection point. We can continue business as usual, which will further economic disparity and deepen our climate crisis, or we can use this moment as an opportunity to build a clean, just economy for Humboldt County,” said Ms. Arroyo. “We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our offshore 

waters offer a large, untapped potential for renewable energy. We need leadership that recognizes this and will work to advance clean energy goals, restore watershed health in Humboldt Bay, and improve our community’s resilience to climate change.” 

As a Supervisor, Arroyo has pledged to work hard to ensure that Humboldt Bay becomes the core hub of offshore wind turbine construction on the West Coast. Humboldt Bay is one of the few deep-water ports on the West Coast capable of constructing the turbines. On the Board of Supervisors, Arroyo will lead efforts to build the sustainable energy industry, which will bring clean, renewable power and living wage job to Humboldt. 

Arroyo’s record as a Eureka City Councilmember has established her as the environmental choice for Supervisor. As a Councilmember, Natalie is proud of her role in the completion of Eureka’s waterfront trail, the advancement of innovative wetland and stream restoration projects, the prioritization of infill development, and the Redwood Skywalk, which offers incredible nature learning opportunities in the redwood forest. In her non-profit work, Natalie has been a part of implementing more than 30 wetland restoration, watershed enhancement, and stream management projects over the course of 15 years. She is currently focusing on wildfire prevention, forest health, and community-building projects throughout Humboldt County. She has conducted hands-on fisheries work on many north coast rivers and is directly involved in removal of dams on the Klamath River, which will greatly benefit native salmon. Natalie teaches in the Environmental Science and Management Department at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she works with students on environmental conflicts in our local region and how to manage these complex challenges. Her work has also included extensive trail and transportation planning projects throughout the region. As a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve member, Natalie’s training and direct experience is in pollution prevention and response, disaster preparedness and management, and maritime regulation.

In addition, Natalie volunteers to support causes close to home - she has served as the Board President for the Humboldt Trails Council, and as a Board member with the Salmonid Restoration Federation and Keep Eureka Beautiful. 

Note: The inclusion of organization/ agency names is meant to share Natalie’s experience and background only, and does not imply official endorsement by the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, Cal Poly Humboldt, or any other entity