“The Mad River is not Mad River, it is Baduwa’t.”

~ Michelle Hernandez, Wiyot Tribal Member, Director/Producer Baduwa’t

“The Native Americans were managing these landscapes sustainably for thousands of years. We need to look back at tradition always and improve our practices here. In this small area in Humboldt County, there are many indigenous tribes. Reclaiming these things and giving hope to other indigenous people means more. It means we give hope for other indigenous people to reclaim what is ours. We just want to make sure we can take care of the land that we’ve been taking care of for years and years and years. “

“We’re creating a movement and it’s all starting in this little community.”

~ Michelle Hernandez, Wiyot Tribal Member, Director/Producer Baduwa’t

“The watershed was hammered pretty hard and it’s going to take more time for it to heal.”

~ Bill Trush, PhD-Stream Ecologist

Bad land management practices and the effects of climate change threaten this unique watershed located in one of the most remote areas in Northern California. Not only is Baduwa’t a natural haven for a bounty of wildlife and fisheries, it’s the drinking water for almost 90,000 residents - the majority of Humboldt County’s residents drink this water. We can restore it.

“I believe we are at a tipping point. We need to look back at traditional ways and improve our practices here. And that’s being done.”

~ Dave Feral, Founder of Baduwa’t Watershed Council & Director/Producer Baduwa’t

“I think it’s great to try to lock in permanent protections for resources that we haven’t yet screwed up. That’s really what it’s all about.”

~ Jared Huffman, Congressman 2nd District California

The Baduwa’t watershed is clearly a climate refuge. By coming together, placing protections, returning to traditional land uses we can restore Baduwa’t for future generations.

“When you get more people involved, you have a stronger hope base. Then we have more people that are speaking more for the rivers.”

~ Ted Hernandez, Wiyot Tribal Chair