ABOUT US

        The Alliance of Forest Workers and Harvesters is a multicultural membership organization promoting social, environmental, and economic justice. We exist to share and provide information and education; encourage participation in decision-making processes that affect our lives; be mutually supportive and respectful of forest workers’ and harvesters’ cultures, communities, and individuals, and foster communication among all; promote the understanding of each others struggles and issues throughout the Pacific West.  Our organization was born out of a network organized by Beverly Brown of the Jefferson Center, a popular education organization based in southern Oregon.  Beginning in 1994, the Jefferson Center convened numerous multilingual gatherings of forest workers, non-timber harvesters and other stakeholders throughout the Pacific West.  People from Latino, SE Asian, Native American, and Euro-American ethnic communities participated consistently. These events were powerful experiences for many of us, inspiring and empowering us with new relationships and energy.

        After three years, in 1997 we decided to form an independent organization. We developed bylaws and defined an organizational structure, and in 1999 we appointed our first Board of Directors representing multicultural forest workers and non-timber harvesters from three states in the Pacific Northwest.  During the first year of intensive, focused work, our Board volunteers built the foundation of a strong democratic organization with an initial set of policies, a refined organizational structure, and new leadership. We were supported through this process by an interim Coordinator, 3 active committees, and several regional and national partners.

        From 1999-2005, the Board and staff continued to promote and support our unique work in the Community Based Forestry Movement as one of the 13 Community Based Demonstration Projects supported by the Ford Foundation. Our programs continue to grow and gain support from the workers/harvesters as well as funders, Forest Service employees, and other NGO’s.
Having worked together for more than five years, overcoming language, cultural and economic barriers, we have persevered and become a strong, independent organization. This is no small feat for a group of independent, working-class folks who would rather be planting trees or gathering herbs, and have little experience sitting in meetings or creating internal policies!  The credit for this accomplishment goes to our dedicated, hardworking Board of Directors.