»Forests Forever, Grassroots Campaigns and the Roadless Rule

Forests Forever is a statewide group dedicated to protecting and restoring California's magnificent wild forests. The group was founded in 1989 by California citizens concerned about the state's forests.  They used grassroots tactics to help bring about the acquisition of the 7500-acre Headwaters Forest Reserve.  The reserve protects part of an ancient Redwood forest in northern California.

Forests Forever and Grassroots Campaigns have partnered on a canvassing campaign to help pass the Roadless Areas Conservation Act in Congress, which would permanently protect 58.5 million acres of national forests. In California, there are approximately 20 million acres of national forests, but less than 5 million acres of land remain untouched by road building. These wilderness areas are amazing places to visit that provide both solace and recreational activity. In addition, they provide habitat for thousands of endangered species and clean drinking water for over 90 million Americans!

In 2001, President Clinton approved the Roadless Rule, to provide protection for these last remaining wilderness areas-nearly 60 million acres of them, or a third of all our national forests. This was the most widely supported conservation measure ever in existence in the history of our country, with almost two and a half million people speaking out in favor of it. Unfortunately, President Bush has refused to enforce the rule. In addition, he has recently proposed getting rid of the protection altogether in favor of a plan that would instead require states to formally request wilderness protection.

Seeing the need to take action, Senator Maria Cantwell from Washington introduced the Roadless Areas Conservation Act. The bill, if passed, would protect these forests by law and take matters out of the hands of the Bush Administration. The goal of the campaign is to build public support for forest protection, and show that support to key decision-makers -- incuding Senator Diane Feinstein from California and Chief Dale Bosworth of the USDA Forest Service.

To take action on this issue, or for more information about Forests Forever, please visit www.forestsforever.org.