The Lost Coast

“The Mattole Valley, part of the Lost Coast region, is one of the largest wilderness areas and the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the continental United States.”

“A travel magazine has called this area “too lovely to be believed, perhaps too beautiful to last.”

“The steep roadways beneath the towering King Range Mountains include coastal redwoods, rocky shorelines, and black sand beaches, as well as a menagerie of fauna, including black bears, mink, black-tailed deer, and river otter, peregrine falcons and bald eagles.”

“The town of Petrolia within the valley has been described as “a river valley town with Norman Rockwell flavor.”

“The Mattole River flows through Petrolia and is one of only a handful of undammed rivers left in the country.”

“The Mattole River is home to a variety of California wildlife, including river otters, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, steelhead trout, more than 250 bird species, and an endangered salmon.”

The Valley’s First Inhabitants

Regions less affected by civilization have a way of sorting out who belongs there, or not. Why we established the creative and farming center for Mattole Valley Naturals in this remote wilderness of Northern California’s “Lost Coast” involves a bit of practicality and serendipity both. The serendipity part happens when natural forces conspire to give you the perfect experience at just the right time.

Visitors and locals alike agree that the Mattole River Valley is, well . . . special. Perhaps this is why Nikola Tesla did much of his early research up here, or maybe it was because of the unique magnetic/air currents reputed to permeate the area; the same atmospheric inclinations led one government report to conclude this locale as a safe haven from nuclear fallout.

My Grandfather, and his pal, writer Jack London, were early environmentalists that persuaded California to protect a grove of old growth redwoods, considered sacred by the Native Americans, on the southern entrance to the “lost Coast”. I had the good fortune of spending much of my childhood under the magical canopy of these same trees that can only be an otherworldly gift to this planet.

The imprint of the Mattole Indians on this land is palpable, and fortunately, many of the Valley’s present inhabitants share the wisdom of their predecessors for responsible stewardship of the land. The Mattole were readily recognized by the prominent facial tattoos worn by both the men and women, and were further distinguished by their strong resistance to the white “civilization”. As the Valley would have it, this river ecosystem has been repopulated with creative individualists, also reluctant to conform to the mandates of a life more controlled. Some would suggest this as the fulfillment of the Hopi prophesy, when the ancestors of the Native Americans would return as children of the white race.

Stewarding the Land

In 1978 the people of Petrolia took it upon themselves to create the Mattole Salmon Group to restore native salmon and steelhead populations to self-sustaining levels in the Mattole Watershed through habitat restoration, direct enhancement, education, and scientific research. The MSG was the first entirely local inhabitant run effort in the Pacific Northwest to begin restoring salmon runs, and continues today as one of the longest-running community-based restoration programs in the state of California.

Likewise, other remote communities within the Lost Coast region have joined forces, and formed grassroots organizations such as the Mattole Restoration Council and Sanctuary Forrest. The mission statement for Sanctuary Forrest sums it up best . . . “ to conserve the Mattole River watershed and surrounding areas for wildlife habitat and aesthetic, spiritual and intrinsic values, in cooperation with our diverse community”.

The Mattole River Valley is much more than a namesake for Mattole Valley Naturals. MVN is an actual expression of this river habitat, as are other local grass roots organizations, such as the Mattole Salmon Group, Mattole Restoration Council and Sanctuary Forrest. While we designate a portion of all sales to these self-initiated groups, our business operations have added a new dimension toward community self-sufficiency.

Our farming acreage presently includes fruit and nut trees, vegetables and herbs, and berries . . . lots of berries of all varieties. Our first crops of Jiao Gu Lan, and He Shou Wu are presently under way, and projected to provide the first organic, domestically produced versions of these two prized tonic herbs. The forest canopy areas are being cultivated to restore native Ginseng unique to the Northwest, while our aquaponics prototype will be expanding to provide year round food for the community, and herbs for MVN’s Herbal Greens, and Tea Infusions product lines.

Yes, we are blessed to be creating our vision within this pristine ecosystem, but every community rural and urban alike can follow suit. At Mattole Valley Naturals we believe in being part of the change, and we hope you’ll join us. From our Valley to You!

Dr. Barre Paul Lando