Our grassroots heroes

Right now, we're gearing up for major victories at a pivotal point in history: Our political atmosphere has shifted, the climate is heating up, and campaigns to protect Endangered Forests need strong leadership now more than ever before. That's why we take great strides to develop leaders within the environmental movement. For instance, every year we bring our most committed grassroots activists together for three days to build skills and strategize at our annual summer leadership summit.

Are you interested in learning more about our annual leadership summit or becoming one of our grassroots superstars? If so, contact our Organizing Manager, Linda Wells, at organizing@forestethics.org.

Activist spotlight

Over the years, our organizing department has helped to cultivate amazing grassroots leaders—activists on the frontlines in the environmental movement. We tracked down a few of these folks and asked them about their role within ForestEthics, their work, and their inspiration. Here's what they said:

Eric

How did you first get involved with us?
I was first introduced to ForestEhics through my friend Matt. He asked me if I would help out with a protest he was working on and I accepted. After that, I started to become more and more involved with the organization.

Describe some of the work you've done with ForestEthics.
I have attended a number of protests against Sears as well as written letters to companies. I have also helped organize planning meetings and protests. I attended the core activist summit last year as well.

Why is this work important to you?
I enjoy working with ForestEthics because I feel like I am making a difference. Any time I hear that we have won a victory, or even just made some progress toward bettering environmental conditions, it makes me happy that I was able to contribute to that change. At the same time, I know there is still a lot of work to be done, and that keeps the drive to keep working high.

What is your favorite part of working with ForestEthics?
My favorite part is definitely the community. Getting together with such passionate people and actually coming up with a plan or creating a project gives me such a sense of accomplishment. I love being around activists because it builds in me more drive to work for the cause.

How would you recommend that someone else get involved with FE?
I would encourage people to start small: sign a petition or attend a meeting or rally. I think it is important to get to know the kind of work ForestEthics does as well as meet the people. From there, they can decide how involved they want to get. You can get involved with our Do Not Mail campaign here >>

Talk about the ForestEthics activist summit
The activist summit was a great experience. I learned a lot about the projects ForestEthics is working on (the Do Not Mail campaign, the catalog campaign, the Tar Sands) and I also learned a lot of great leadership skills and tactics. It was also a great pleasure to meet all of the other activists and spend time getting to know them. I feel we accomplished a lot in such a short amount of time and I am truly glad I was able to attend. Learn more about the annual leadership summit by contacting organizing@forestethics.org

Where would we typically find you on a Thursday night?
On a Thursday night, I am usually at the Unitarian Universalist church. We have meetings with all of the Boston area young adults every week where we do activities, worship and plan conferences.

Ali

How did you first get involved with ForestEthics?
The environmental group that I was a part of at UCF began working with ForestEthics during the Victoria’s Dirty Secret campaign. Our group got into the campaign quickly, starting with general awareness-raising and moving on to hosting storefront actions, floating balloon banners and flyering events with people in costume. The Victoria's Dirty Secret campaign messaging was so fun and enticing, and the goals of the campaign so clear, that I was immediately drawn in. I had never worked on a corporate campaign before, but loved that it got closer to addressing the root of environmental destruction.

Describe some of the work you've done with ForestEthics.
For both the Victoria’s Dirty Secret and Sears campaigns, I participated in and helped organize storefront actions, street theater, and, my favorite, radical cheerleading, in addition to flyering in stores and tabling on campus. I recently had the opportunity to speak in favor of a Do Not Mail resolution (which passed!) at a public hearing in San Francisco.

Why is this work important to you?
For some, working on forests may seem like pigeon-holing your activism. But it’s important to remember that forests aren’t vast expanses of “wild”—they’re some of our last remaining intact ecosystems, they’re home to First Nations and Indigenous communities, as well as countless endangered species. Biodiversity and carbon storage make forests a necessary part of life on this planet. So, to me, working for forest protection is not simply a conservation issue—it encompasses climate, human rights, animal rights and so much more. To see these important areas trashed, leveled and burned, for disposable paper products, including catalogs and junk mail, really boils my blood. There is no reason for this senseless, wasteful destruction to continue, and I’m dedicated to making sure it doesn’t.

What is your favorite part of working with ForestEthics?
Corporate campaigning! I’d have to say that I think brand slams are my favorite thing—taking a company’s brand, which they pour millions into, and associating it with forest destruction, or something equally repulsive (like the Tar Sands). They really don’t like it.
Check out our work to transform industries here >>

How would you recommend that someone else get involved with FE?
I would start by taking some type of quick action online. Then, you can stay up to date on ForestEthics' email list and know when we need actions at critical campaign moments.
Take action online to save California's Sierra! >>

Talk about the ForestEthics activist summit
The ForestEthics activist summit is the most fun and energizing thing I do all year. The skills I’ve gained through the trainings are rivaled only by the connections I’ve made with other FE activists. Once we feel connected and know we’re not the only ones in this fight, victories seem a lot more possible. After the summit, I am motivated to put my new skills to use in my own community! Learn more about the annual leadership summit by contacting organizing@forestethics.org

What is your favorite type of vegetable and why?
Definitely spinach. It’s my favorite veggie and it’s so versatile—throw spinach in with any stirfry or scramble, make it into a salad, add to a sandwich, go wild. I’ve sometimes even been known to munch it raw.

Francisca

How did you first get involved with ForestEthics?
I started volunteering with ForestEthics in 2005 during the popular Victoria's Secret campaign. My friends talked me into dressing like a lingerie model with a cardboard chainsaw. It was really fun cutting down fake trees while only dressed in underwear at the mall.

Describe some of the work you've done with ForestEthics.
I have organized protests, letter writing events and even art parties. It is great fun.

Why is this work important to you?
Because forests are an extremely important defense against climate change. Forests alos  provide us with clean air and water. These things are more important than catalogs, junk mail and tissue paper.

What is your favorite part of working with ForestEthics?
All the inside perks. We get to go on great retreats and meet other amazing organizers. ForestEthics teaches you how to be a great organizer, so you be able to get trained on writing press releases, conducting interviews, etc. I have met so many great people through organizing, plus it makes my life more fulfilling.

How would you recommend that someone else get involved with FE?
Take action! You're only two clicks away to helping Forestethics stop the world's dirtiest oil. CLICK HERE >>

Talk about the ForestEthics activist summit
The activist summit is simply amazing. We all get together about once a year in an amazing wilderness location to hang out, eat amazing food and learn how to change the world from powerful leaders in the field. Learn more about the annual leadership summit by contacting organizing@forestethics.org

What is your favorite non-activist pastime?
I really like playing guitar, riding my bike, hanging out with friends and dancing to anything loud.

Grow the grassroots: check out our activist resources >>