Forest Fete 2009 to Honor California State Senator Fran Pavley, Forester Don Beaty

USDA’s Jay Jensen to Deliver Keynote Speech

Supporters of the conservation of America's vital forests will gather at the Presidio’s Golden Gate Club on September 9 to celebrate two leading forest and climate champions at Forest Fete 2009, the Pacific Forest Trust's (PFT) annual dinner and awards ceremony.

PFT is pleased to announce California State Senator Fran Pavley will be honored with our Outside-the-Box Award for her innovative climate policy achievements. Forester Don Beaty and his W.M. Beaty and Associates team will be honored as this year’s Forest Champions.

“Senator Pavley and Don Beaty have both done tremendous work providing leadership in developing climate solutions and advancing the lasting stewardship of forests,” says Laurie Wayburn, president and co-founder of the Pacific Forest Trust. “They should be commended for their commitment to protecting our atmosphere and promoting sustainable forest management.”

Sen. Pavely will be honored for her successful work advancing California Senate Bill 144, state legislation that ensures the climate impacts of forest loss are fully mitigated. The bill passed the state Senate in June and has moved to the Assembly. She is known internationally for California’s “Pavley Law” – a fuel economy standard adopted by other states around the country as a means of reducing emissions from automobiles. The Obama Administration directed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt the fuel standard earlier this year.

Don Beaty and W.M. Beaty and Associates have been exceptionally effective advocates for the stewardship and conservation of working forests, both in word and deed. Working with the owners of more than 300,000 acres in the key Klamath-Cascade region, they have demonstrated how these forests can be managed to benefit succeeding generations of people, communities and critters.

As president and general manager of W.M. Beaty and Associates, Don Beaty in particular has bridged historically diverse stakeholder groups in a common pursuit of sustainable forestry.

Come help celebrate Pavley’s and Beaty’s accomplishments at our annual dinner and awards ceremony. The theme of this year's event is In Forests We Trust, an affirmation in these tough economic times of the myriad benefits our forests provide: wood, water, wildlife and well-balanced climate. The Pacific Forest Trust community will celebrate Sen. Pavley, Beaty and our other forest and climate champions, whose work ensures our woodlands will continue to provide these life-sustaining ecosystem services.

This year's festivities will also feature a keynote speech by USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jay Jensen, silent auction, and a wonderful dinner. Round trip transportation from Sacramento via carbon-neutral luxury motorcoach will be provided by MTR Western.

For more information or an invitation, visit the Fete webpage or contact Alex Page at 415-561-0700 ext. 37.