The Northcoast Environmental Center is a grassroots organization that would not exist without community support.

Those who would like to contribute to its efforts can join in the fun of the center’s 22nd annual dinner and auction on Saturday, May 6.

“This is the biggest event of the year for us,” said center Executive Director Tim McKay. “We hope to raise upwards of $50,000. This year, that will go towards our continued effort to inform and educate on the health of the Klamath River.”

The Northcoast Environmental Center educates, activates and when necessary litigates on behalf of the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion.

From its inception in 1971, the NEC has worked to conserve the area’s biological assets in the public’s interest, McKay said.

As stated in the organization’s literature, the center’s goal is to stimulate public awareness in securing the future of these natural treasures, which are vital to sustaining physically, economically and culturally healthy communities.

McKay said the center does this via its newspaper “Eco-News,” a radio show on KHSU titled “Eco-News Report” — which includes pod-casting via the center’s Web site,

“We interview experts in every area of water issues,” McKay said.

The auction includes a selection of some of Humboldt County’s finest artist’s work on wildlife, including paintings, photography, pottery and jewelry.

There will also be exotic getaways, gourmet meals, massages, glassware, local crafts, zany services, rare books and more.

Doors open for viewing with a no-host bar at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with the silent auction and live bidding beginning at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person and are available at The Works and Strictly for the Birds in Eureka, and at the HSU Ticket Office and the NEC in Arcata.

The NEC is located at 575 H St. in Arcata.

For more information about the auction and the NEC, check out the center’s Web site at www.yournec.org, or phone it at (707) 822-6918.