My Nonprofit Reviews

I've been both a donor and volunteer with Los Padres Forest Watch for about 19 years. What I admire about this organization is their devotion to preventing encroachments by economic interests that can damage the Los Padres National Forest--wherever these threats emerge. This California forest runs from the Los Angeles County line northward to just below Monterey, California. Los Padres National Forest holdings are found in four separate locations comprising of about 1,740,000 acres. It is the second largest National Forest in California. Forest Watch is alert to any potential threat to Los Padres. This National Forest holds five Wilderness Areas and the Condor Sanctuary in its southern-most region. Though it is based in Santa Barbara, it has allies throughout the regions where this National Forest is found.

When any threats are proposed by the Federal Government or private businesses that desire to enter the Los Padres National Forest for mining, logging or other business purposes, Forest Watch takes action---contacting its supporters to send letters to the relevant Federal officials and objecting to these potentially damaging plans for the Los Padres National Forest.
Moreover, when such threats arise Forest Watch supporters provide monetary support to
give Forest Watch the ability to contact National Forest officials and explain their objection to potential damaging business activities in the Los Padres National Forest. And, Forest Watch calls on its supporters to write their own letters to the Los Padres National Forest Supervisor.

Los Padres Forest Watch is six people strong. All of them are devoted to preserving our local National Forest and work long hours, attend many meetings, and use their long experience
in preserving National Forest land from development. Of course there are many of us who support Los Padres Forestwatch because it has been able to prevent turning our local forest
into mines, lumber sources, and a host of other money making private enterprises. I, for one,
appreciate having Los Padres Forestwatch as the whistle-blower for my local National Forest.
May it continue its difficult but important work to keep Los Padres National Forest wild and beautiful and untainted by oil rigs, mines, and lumbering in the high country of our local forest!

Tom Lowe