On the corner of Lawrence Street sits a tiny white building that houses feisty nonprofit Beyond Toxics, which has advocated for environmental and social justice reforms in the state of Oregon since 2001 — you might remember it as Oregon Toxics Alliance.
On Feb. 5, Beyond Toxics will celebrate its 15th anniversary at Capitello Wine Bar in downtown Eugene, as well as introduce a state ballot petition banning aerial chemical sprays.
“We have become the go-to venue for people because often times traditional venues are not responsive,” says Joel Iboa, environmental justice and community outreach manager for Beyond Toxics.
Lisa Arkin, executive director of Beyond Toxics, says she receives constant messages from community members from all over Oregon asking for the nonprofit’s assistance and advice.
“We get calls from moms; we get calls from agencies; we just seem to be at the nexus of where government and communities try to find solutions,” Arkin says.