HOT TOPICS 
Presented by
Advocates for Social Justice

Executive Director Rick Coates of Forest Unlimited will discuss the work of this long-standing Sonoma County environmental action organization whose mission is to protect, enhance, and restore the forests and watersheds of Sonoma County. Forest Unlimited educates the public about logging plan review, forestry law, and regulation, most recently by a series of talks at the Sonoma County libraries.

It addresses illegal and unsound logging, works toward improving logging rules, and provides information regarding current forestry law. Their Mentor Program staff provides information, legal support, and sponsorship to emerging grassroots neighborhood groups fighting destructive timber harvests and resulting environmental degradation in their neighborhoods.

Forest Unlimited sponsors forest restoration projects, gathering volunteer crews to plant 1600 redwood seedlings yearly, totaling over 32,000 trees planted in 23 years of continued restoration efforts.  It hosts a yearly dinner, to which all are invited, under the redwoods each June featuring noted speakers on timely topics such as fire ecology and reforestation and honoring the work and victories of dedicated activists and local grassroots groups.