Forest Unlimited

Programs:

The following is a list of our current Forest Unlimited Programs:

Reforestation Program:  Each January Forest Unlimited volunteers plant redwood seedlings in protected locations throughout Sonoma County.

In 2009 we planted redwoods in three locations: St. Dorothy’s Rest (a retreat for children living with cancer), Steelhead and Sunset Beaches (County Parks on the Russian River) and Santa Rosa Junior College’s Shone Farm.

In 2010 we planted oaks and redwoods again on Shone Farm.  Thirty-one volunteers halped plant 2160 trees in two days.   It was a glorious day of exploring the forest as we planted encountering many species of multicolored mushrooms. 

Planning has started for the January 2011 season so if you would like to volunteer for this project please contact our Reforestation Manager, Carl Wahl at (707) 874-9268.  We plant the first week of January and water previously planted redwoods in the summer months until they are well established.

Urban Forestry Program:  Urban forests are generally located along creeks and in city parks and parkways.  Forest Unlimited’s Urban Forestry Program has three components:  the Free the Creeks Project,  the Native Trees Project and the City-Owned Forest Project.

Logging Plan Monitoring Program:  Forest Unlimited monitors the submission of logging plans to the Department of  Forestry and Fire Protection (AKA CalFire). We evaluate each plan for potential environmental damage.   If we have sufficient resources, we organize a watershed group, train its members to help with reviewing the plan, and support them with information and qualified professionals.  We demystify CDF’s review process for them, explain the laws that apply to logging in California and continue to nurture the new group with stretigic advice and help with fundraising.

If you would like help forming a watershed group to protect your watershed from destructive or illegal logging, please contact us.

To learn more about our affiliate organizations, select one of the following:

Boheminan Redwood Rescue Club (BRRC): Russian River and Dutch Bill Creek Watershed

Friends of Sheephouse Creek (FSC): Sheehouse Creek Watershed

Pole Mountain Coalition (PMC): Austin Creek Watershed

Forestville Citizens for Sensible Growth(FCFSG): Green Valley Creek Watershed

Outreach:  

Forest Communique’:  In addition to this website, Forest Unlimited publishes a periodical, Forest Communique’ which chronicles our progress on our projects, provides educational articles and focuses on issues of local importance.   We also publish an Annual Report for our supporters.

Educational display:  Forest Unlimited would welcome an opportunity to set up our educational display at your Sonoma County event.  It provides information on current logging plans, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection review process and informative maps.  Call 707-632-6070 to arrange a display at your event.

Forestry News:  We provide forestry news, editorials  and  background information for newspapers, magazines and electronic media on forestry and forestry law. For example, we have provided “Close to Home” editorials in the Press Democrat, and background information to Vanity Fair for a May 2009 article.

Forest Protection Workshops:  Forest Unlimited holds workshops that cover forestry law, public oversight of the government’s review of logging and strategic forest protection techniques.  These workshops are held in May and October.  All workshops are on Saturdays from 12 Noon to 2 PM usually at an outdoor forest location.  Let Forest Unlimited train your watershed group in forest protection. Forests are crucial to the health of a watershed.  To schedule a special workshop for your group, call 707-632-6070.

Watershed Organizing:

Forest Unlimited organizes concerned citizens into local watershed groups, particularly in watersheds threatened by logging.  Does your watershed need a protection group?  We can help you establish one.  Contact us!

History:

Several Sonoma County residents formed Forest Unlimited nearly 15 years ago after viewing with alarm the California Department of Forestry’s cavalier attitude toward the destruction of our forest lands.  It was clear that CDF was not obeying the law nor protecting the environment.  We felt it was important to educate the public about forestry law and regulation and encourage the citizens to participate in the public review process for logging plans.  Consequently, in April of 1995 Forest Unlimited incorporated as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization under the laws of the State of California and the federal internal revenue code.  Educators, scientists (including a geologist, biologist, sociologist and chemist) and attorney’s joined Our Board of Directors.

When a logging plan was filed west of Occidental to cut a grove of ancient (800+ years old) redwoods, Forest Unlimited helped to organize and advise the “Friends of the Old Trees”, a citizens group.  After a 7 year struggle, the Grove of the Old Trees is now owned by Land Paths, preserved and open to the public.  The Gove is also the site of scientific research done by UC biologist Todd Dawson.

Three citizens, with the help of Forest Unlimited, started “Friends of Gray Creek” when they learned of a plan to log old growth trees near Austin Creek State Recreation Area.  Their timely efforts resulted in the inclusion of this grove in the State Park.

A handful of citizens from the eastern edge of Sonoma County calling themselves the “Indian Rock Alliance”  requested training and strategic assistance from Forest Unlimited.  Forest Unlimited helped coordinate a successful legal challenge to a potentially destructive logging plan that threatened the headwaters and steelhead spawning grounds of  Mark West Creek.

The “Ad Hoc Committee for the Protection of Green Valley Creek” with the help of Forest Unlimited forced Kendall Jackson Winery to withdraw a proposal to convert over 100 acres of forest to vineyard on Bones Lane near Occidental.

Forest Unlimited helped organize and train the citizens of the “Joy Road Area Forest and Watershed Association” to effectively participate in the review process for logging.  That logging threatened their water supply. That participation enabled them to win a lawsuit that proved that CDF had been illegally approving logging plans for more than twenty years.  The Case set four major legal precedents.

Trained by Forest Unlimited, the “Pocket Canyon Protection Group” delayed approval of a destructive logging and conversion plan on scenic Highway 116 for over three years convincing the landowner to negotiate a settlement that addressed the group’s concerns.

We would welcome the opportunity to provide training and advice on forestry, forestry law and forest protection to your group too!  Please contact us.