I was introduced to Georgia Forest watch by my partner and was surprised at the impact this small organization creates on the environment.
I have since become a Board member and they do a commendable job. It is governed by unpaid Volunteers who give their valuable time to save our forests in Georgia.
In these times when the environment is at risk Georgia Forest watch is a valuable resource for the residents of Georgia.
Review from Guidestar
http://gafw.org/ Forestwatching is Spirit Work
I give of my money and of my time to Georgia Forestwatch because they keep an eye on these incredible Georgia forests that have sustained my spirit through difficult times and wonderful times, too. Several years ago, when I was caregiving my dying parents and experienced the death of 4 immediate family members in one calendar year (whew!), GAFW provided frequent outreach hikes, that gave me opportunities to get into our beautiful forests with knowledgeable, trustworthy hike leaders, who provided guidance and support as I sought much needed nature breaks in the woods. Those first hikes as a follower have evolved into a network of forest friends and wonderful times shared in the woods. Now, for the first time, I am going to take a turn leading these hikes. The work of GAFW is a challenge for this small non-profit and requires extensive expertise about forest management and ecology as well as frequent boots on the ground, investigating management practices and what their effects might be. Forestwatchers are the ones actually reading and responding to the reams of forest management documents produced by the US Forest Service — no small feat. Much of the Forestwatch work is done by volunteers, since there is very little money for a paid staff. If you love these forests as much as I do, maybe you’ll consider a gift to help keep this important work going.
Review from #MyGivingStory
I didn't know Georgia Forest Watch (www.gafw.org) even existed, or that it needed to, until I moved to the forests of Northeast Georgia. I took up residence in my cabin at the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest in 2007 and hoped that the idilic setting would always stay that way. My reasons for escaping Atlanta and moving full time to the mountains were typical--I loved to hike, paddle the lakes and rivers, breath fresh air, drink clean water and live in a place where the pace was slower and the community was closer. What I learned though was the reason for these wonderful conditions was the all pervasive forest. Nearly 70 percent of my Northeast Georgia county is National Forest land. Trees are everywhere now, although less than a hundred years ago much of this land was clearcut with the sides of mountains laid bare.
I was introduced to Georgia Forest Watch in 2009 on a long hike near the Chattanooga River with Joe Gatins, a gentleman who was passionate about protecting our forests from pollution, destruction, invasion and development. I naively though that that was the job of the U.S. Forest Service. Joe gruffly explained that the Forest Service was tasked to 'manage' the National Forest lands, not necessarily protect, and citizens who cared were needed to monitor Forest Service plans and practices involving burning forest, logging trees, spreading chemicals, mining on forest land and building highways through our National Forest . Joe was a long time leader in Georgia Forest Watch and eventually asked me to volunteer my time and talents (I'd been in the environmental and safety business a long time). He promised to teach me what he knew.
I joined Joe on excursions to forest areas threatened by logging projects and National Forest recreation sites with deep canyons carved and scarred from activity of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) run amok. We reviewed Forest Service burn plans and inspected poorly designed trails where sediment and runoff contaminated trout streams. Joe introduced me to leaders in the U.S. Forest Service and taught me how to work in cooperation with them but also how to to write a powerful letter that called them out on poor forest management practices.
In early 2012 Joe asked me to be co-District Leader with him for Georgia Forest Watch in our area. I was hesitant, but agreed. Then Joe died suddenly six months later. I had been a GFW volunteer for only a year and I knew I could never fill his big shoes. But with other volunteers and Georgia Forest Watch staff we carried on and have seen success in halting activities that would degrade our forest lands and change our environment for the worse.
Now every time I lead a hike into the National Forest, write comments on a Forest Service proposal to build new roads for logging, or join a group of volunteers to pull trash out of a forest trout stream I think of Joe. And, I know he would be proud of our efforts.
Review from #MyGivingStory