Managing Editor Wendy Martin joined Native Forest Council last January, fresh from completing her studies at the University of Oregon (BA Honors College, Journalism, minor fine arts). A writer, designer and photographer, Martin brings both a strong narrative voice and an artist's touch to the Forest Voice. An all-state gymnast in high school, she also claims she can still do back handsprings, but we haven't confirmed that yet.

Martin was born in Ashland, Oregon. Her mother is a private music teacher and her father teaches first grade. "As far back as I can remember, my family always enjoyed the outdoors," says Martin. "Every Sunday was family day. We'd go on a hike or a picnic. Our home is out on the edge of the woods, too. My dad and I would hike all around back there when I was little. Thanks to Ashland's 'open space' laws, we could enjoy city-owned forests and meadows."

This love of the outdoors was also fostered by her grandmother, who lives in a log home in a forested Quaker community in British Columbia. "My grandma moved there as a young woman," Martin says. "She and grandpa built the house by hand, and she's lived there ever since. I love to visit. It's my escape from everything. But they just logged a beautiful stretch of old growth along Fry Creek and it broke grandma's heart. Mine too."

It wasn't until her first year at the University of Oregon that Martin's commitment to conservation became political. She met her partner, Robb Maris, after joining the University crew team, and found herself in the middle of a public lands struggle that's still going on today. Maris was the first person to challenge the "Fee Demo" program, refusing to pay fees at a Forest Service toll booth that blocked access to his favorite surfing spot on the Oregon coast. He beat the federal government. Today, Maris is working with Native Forest Council to continue opposition against Fee Demo.

"That experience really opened my eyes," Martin says. "I thought, 'The Forest Service? Smokey Bear? They can't be doing this! Robb's case opened the door, and I began to see the clearcuts, the waste and the deception. You'd think an educated person would be able to easily find out what's going on, but they really hide what's beyond the beauty strip so well."

"Robb likes drawing attention to issues through action, and he's good at it. But I'd rather work behind the scenes, researching, writing or taking pictures. I enjoy it. I got into journalism because I believe that writing is one of the most influential tools to make change. I want to jolt people out of their apathy to help save what's left. And I think good journalism is very important in the conservation movement. It takes many people doing different things to draw attention to issues and make change. The truth speaks for itself on this issue. And, if more people knew the truth about national forests, big changes would happen."

Right now, Martin's reading John Steinbeck's East of Eden and (her secret indulgence) Louis L'Amour novels. She also enjoys camping, hiking, sailing, playing the fiddle, rafting and surfing.

Native Forest Council Staff