Forests Forever was founded in 1989 during the historic campaign to save the Headwaters ancient redwood forest in Humboldt County, California. Our efforts helped galvanize the broad-based public awareness and outcry that led to that and other forest victories across the state.

For more than 20 years we have been rallying Californians in defense of the state’s 17 million acres of woodland ecosystems and watersheds through year-round education, grassroots organizing, litigation, work in elections, and executive-branch and legislative advocacy.

In 2008 Forests Forever rolled out its most extensive forestry-reform effort to date, the California Statewide Sustainable Forests and Watersheds Campaign. With our legislative advocate in Sacramento working in concert with our grassroots organizing programs we help forge wise public policy concerning the state’s forests.

Recent examples include the enactment into law of Forests Forever-sponsored Assembly Bill 1504, authored by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, to quantify how much CO2 is sequestered by California’s forests. Plus we scored a legislative victory with Senate and Assembly approval of A.B. 2575, the "Comprehensive Forest Land Recovery and Restoration Act." Though vetoed by the outgoing governor, the bill has been re-introduced as A.B. 380 by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro.

As part of our mix of tactics we take a stand on the appointments and public decision-making processes of state agencies such as the Board of Forestry and the Fish and Game Commission. This is referred to as administrative, or executive-branch advocacy.

At election time we also endorse candidates for public office. In the November 2010 general election 12 of 14 Forests Forever-endorsed candidates won their races, including all of our top-of-the-ticket winners, most notably Jerry Brown in his bid for the governor’s office.

Forests Forever is a California non-profit corporation operating under IRS code section 501(c)(4). Our Federal Employer ID Number is 68-0201338. The Forests Forever Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1998, carries out research, litigation, public education and administrative advocacy. Its Federal Employer ID Number is 94-3244942.

Both organizations are governed by a volunteer board of directors, with each member elected to a three-year term.

Contributions to Forests Forever Foundation are tax-deductible. Contributions to Forests Forever, however, are not because it engages in grassroots lobbying and electoral activity.

Thanks for your interest — and vital help — in our work!