Fort Bragg, CA June 27, 2019: Redwood Forest Foundation Honored as Chamber’s Small Business of the Year for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Economy.

Sharon Davis, Mendocino Coast Chamber CEO, presents RFFI President Mark Welther with Small Business Award at Chamber’s Annual Dinner on June 27, 2019.

On June 27, 2019, Sharon Davis, CEO of the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce, presented Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc. (RFFI) President Mark Welther with the Chamber’s Small Business Award for 2018-19. RFFI owns and manages the local Usal Redwood Forest, the largest nonprofit-owned working community forest in the nation. The forest is located on the northern Mendocino coast, and RFFI’s headquarters are in Fort Bragg, CA.

In their 50,000-acre Usal Redwood Forest, RFFI has restored major ecosystems, established strategies to reduce carbon emissions, produces forest products and creates local jobs. RFFI’s work has global impact as one of the nation’s largest forest carbon offset programs. Annually, they provide employment for more than 150 individuals, and add $2.6 million to the regional economy. As a nonprofit, they operate for the benefit of the community while also contributing to the local tax base. RFFI is showing that heavily logged forests such as Usal can be restored and managed for a bright economic and ecological future for the entire region.

RFFI’s pioneering climate action is featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio HBO Documentary Ice on Fire, which premiered and is still available on HBO. The film received a standing ovation and positive reviews at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2019.
The Redwood Forest Foundation is an active Chamber member and deeply appreciates the support from the Chamber and its vibrant members. Mr. Welther thanked Ms. Davis and the Chamber, stating that “RFFI is proud to receive the Mendocino Coast Chamber Small Business of The Year award. It is proof once again that conservation of a working forest supports a strong local economy, providing forest products, restoration services and jobs.”

For more information about the impressive accomplishments and contributions of the Redwood Forest Foundation please visit www.rffi.org. Questions? Please contact Lin Barrett at morgan@rffi.org.