Heroes of the Redwoods | ‘Indefatigable’ Dan Chandler nominated for climate advocacy
350 Humboldt volunteer Dan Chandler is one of the finalists in the 2026 Heroes of the Redwoods. He was nominated by multiple people for his tireless work.
“At 85, he runs circles around his younger colleagues, never missing a meeting or appointment. He is indefatigable,” wrote Deborah Dukes, one of many who nominated Chandler.
Chandler is a member of the steering committee of 350 Humboldt and has helped grow the organization. A 2021 plea for new volunteers of the group promised involvement in legislative action.
“350 Humboldt is on the verge of being a highly effective climate action group,” Chandler wrote in his personal request. “We have a legislative committee, an art committee, an offshore wind committee; we have a climate book club and a speakers series; and a group that meets to chat and write letters each week. We solicited and got pledges to work for the climate in concrete ways from local political candidates. But we need a few more people to work on each of these actions and some new ones coming up.”
Chandler has been involved with 350 Humboldt since 2019. Dukes said his background in policy work makes him a “formidable” force.
“The formidable research and writing skills he developed during a lengthy career in health policy analysis and evaluation, he now uses in fighting to reduce and mitigate the consequences of the climate crisis,” she wrote. “He works with other California climate activist groups to research and promote positive legislation at the local, state, and federal levels. He is adept at translating jargon into plain English and explaining the positive or negative repercussions of legislation.”
Chandler is also active at local government meetings. He was an often-quoted speaker in the pages of the Times-Standard during discussions about Nordic Aquafarms. Dukes called him a “consistent, knowledgeable voice” at civic meetings.
And he shares his knowledge with 350 Humboldt members, sending out information in weekly newsletters to nearly 1,000 subscribers.
He is also part of an OLLI book club through Cal Poly Humboldt. He notes on the OLLI page that “even when books have turned out not to be great — our discussions are.”
Dukes said he also hosts sessions every Sunday for writing letters and postcards to legislators and other government officials.
And Dukes noted, “he does all of the above online or via Zoom.”
“His progressive lung disease keeps him from being inside buildings with other people, though he frequently masks up to attend outdoor events and protests, oxygen tank at heel. He is literally using his last breaths to fight for a livable planet for the rest of us,” she wrote.
Full list of nominees
Dan Chandler
Mike Gagner
Dennis Houghton
Jillian Jackson
Margaret Kellermann
Lucas Kibbee
Carl Klarner
Rick Knapp
Lea Nagy
Brenda Perez
James Rockwell
Mara Segal
John Shelter
Nezzie Wade