MENDOCINO CO., 4/7/26 — The Coalition to Save Jackson Demonstration State Forest invites the public to attend the AIM 500 Mile Spirit Runners’ run in Jackson Forest on April 12, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to support Mendocino County tribes in their efforts to protect and preserve the animals, trees and waters in the forest, the ancestral territory of tribes for thousands of years.
The event begins at Camp One, with the run kicking off at 10:30 a.m. Organizers say the run is intended “to connect the ancestors and the trees with the prayers of these runners and to re-energize the Movement with these prayers. This is a prayer run, not a protest.”
The 500-mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon was created in 1978 by American Indian Movement co-founder Dennis Banks. This year will be the 48th annual running of the marathon, usually held in June.
The trail through Jackson on Sunday includes steep areas and will take place in stages. Runners from the public are invited to join as appropriate to their abilities, in harmony with the Spirit Runners. Speakers will address the crowd during the race. For directions and parking details, contact Polly Girvin at 707 485-2604 or pollygirvin@gmail.com.
Well the runners and the coalition won’t have to expend much energy to protect the state forest as it already is protected and has been since it was acquired by the state to demonstrate sustainable forest management. They are running in the forest because it is beautiful. It is beautiful and healthy because it has been managed with timber harvests to be that way. They do hope to propagandize the attendees into thinking the forest is endangered and stopping timber harvests will make it all better. They are wrong on both accounts.