2007 Fundraising letter

September, 2007

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am writing on behalf of Friends of the Gualala River (FoGR) to ask for your financial support. Your generous tax-deductible donation will help protect and preserve the Gualala River and its wildlife.

Friends of the Gualala River is your local conservation group, made up of hard working neighbors who volunteer their time and talents to identify threats to the Gualala River watershed. We work to develop effective strategies to protect the river and promote recovery. We are actively working for public ownership of land along the river and expansion of the Gualala Point regional park. We are working for better public river access and the development of a public trail along the river. We are working for more responsible logging practices in our watershed.

In the not so distant past, vineyard development, logging and gravel mining in the Gualala River watershed received very little scrutiny and public oversight. Our watershed is isolated and we have a small population spread over two counties, so it is no wonder that protection of public trust resources in our watershed was lacking.

Friends of the Gualala River has changed all that by developing a strong voice to make sure that government and regulatory agencies do a better job of protecting our river, our forest and our wildlife. FoGR has developed strong alliances with influential regional and national Conservation groups including Sierra Club and Earth Justice. FoGR has also developed working relationships with government and resource management agencies including the Department of Fish and Game, Water Quality Control Board, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, PRMD, Open Space District, California Coastal Commission and Sonoma County Parks Department. These important relationships have increased our effectiveness.

Your donations are very important. They are used to hire qualified experts and scientists who provide relevant and accurate information to decision makers and government agencies. Your donations also provide the essential funding we need to hire the best attorneys for the necessary legal actions required to protect our watershed.

Last year, Friends of the Gualala River and the Sierra Club prevailed in litigation against the California Department of Forestry (CDF) and three vineyard developers for improper approval of forestland conversions. CDF failed to provide the important environmental review that is required by California Law. Your donations have helped force the California Department of Forestry to change the way they do business in our watershed!

As you know, the impacts of development and logging in our watershed are increasing each year. Please join us and help protect and preserve the incredible watershed that we have inherited. Your financial gift will make a real difference.

John Holland
President

Friends of the Gualala River
PO Box 1543, Gualala, CA 95445