Rapid Response to Rapid Changes

Native Forest Council is a lean grassroots organization, and our size and independence allow us to act quickly. Responding to changes in the political climate is what we do best. And 2001 was certainly a year of fast and dramatic changes for our nation. As George W. Bush took office, the new administration wasted no time starting its assault on our publicly owned lands: appointing anti-conservation cabinet members, gutting budgets of enforcement agencies, changing administrative rules and promoting anti-environmental legislation. It had one goal in mind: opening America's natural assets to big corporations.

Native Forest Council was there. To spread the word, bring subtle and complicated (and environmentally harmful) policies to light and work with major newspapers, magazines and television networks to make sure the American people knew what was really happening. We worked to mobilize grassroots response networks, sent out action alerts and kept our congressional allies informed. The Bush administration was a new challenge, but it was a challenge with a silver lining. A president so overtly opposed to conservation brought new attention to our issue and bolstered support for our mission.

Then came September 11. Like all Americans, we were shocked and saddened by the tragedy. Unlike many environmentalists, we welcomed the resurgence in patriotism. And also unlike so many others, we didn't equate this national pride with a refusal to question the Bush administration's policies.

We continued the fight using the same tools that we use best: litigation, legislation and education. The Council joined a coalition of groups working to oppose destructive development in Yosemite National Park (story p.5) and worked to save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We worked to promote sound environmental education in public schools, providing teachers with accurate information and exposing the deception of corporate-produced "environmental" education. Council members conducted a study of Oregon's rivers to document the effects of logging on drinking water. We worked to stop fraudulent land exchanges, including Oregon's Umpqua exchange. We helped build a national coalition to stop the Fee Demo Program charging citizens to use their publicly owned lands. It's been a dynamic year, and we're looking forward to the future.

2001 in Review

A review of the litigation, legislation and educational tools used by the NFC in 2001.

2001 Highlights

A review of the major campaigns and actions of the NFC in 2001.

In Memory

Highlights the lives of council members Dr. Susan Cox and Helen Johnson and their generous gifts to the NFC.

In Focus: Moisha Blechman

Council member Moisha Blechman staunchly fights for saving what's left of our natural resources.

2001 Financial Report

An overview of how we put our resources to work and who provides them.