About 60 community members, restoration partners, board members, staff, and volunteers gathered at the Caspar Community Center on October 24, 2026, for Redwood Forest Foundation’s Annual Meeting. Centered on the theme “Collaboration and Opportunity,” the gathering brought together people with different experiences and a shared commitment to caring for forests. Presentations, discussion, and time together highlighted the relationships behind restoration and the opportunities that emerge when neighbors work toward common goals.
Partnerships that support lasting restoration
Forest Conservation Specialist Karen Youngblood and Forest Manager Steve Severi, representing Usal Redwood Forest Company, part of the RFF organization, shared updates on restoration work underway. Their contributions helped connect the day’s broader conversations to the ongoing work of stewarding Usal Redwood Forest and its watersheds.
Hydrologist Todd Kraemer of Pacific Watershed Associates highlighted two decades of collaboration with RFF and restoration partners, including Eel River Watershed Improvement Group and Trout Unlimited. His presentation covered road assessments, streamside road decommissioning, and instream wood placement, with ongoing work on South Fork Usal Creek among the projects discussed. These efforts illustrated how sustained partnerships support restoration over many years.
Presenters also included Tim Metz of Restoration Forestry, Will Emerson of the Bell Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and representatives from Trout Unlimited and Angelo Coast Range Reserve. The reserve’s presentation emphasized the connection between neighboring forestlands and their overlapping interests in restoration and scientific research. Watersheds, wildlife, and ecological processes cross property boundaries, giving neighboring land stewards reasons to share knowledge and coordinate their efforts.
Healthy forests, connected communities
Gabriel Marone brought the bioeconomy and forest products beyond timber into the conversation, adding another perspective on the relationship between healthy forests and local communities. Together, the presentations explored connections among restoration, science, fire resilience, and economic opportunities rooted in forests.
Community Engagement Ambassador Chris Watkins spoke about connecting people to Usal Redwood Forest through guided tours, local business partnerships, and community outreach. His message emphasized the many people whose work makes those experiences possible and the opportunities to turn a visit to the forest into a lasting connection with its stewardship.
Honoring a lifetime of forest stewardship
A special moment in the gathering was the recognition of Richard Gienger and Jeffrey M. Romm for their lifelong dedication to forest protection and restoration. RFF CEO Matt Hill and Board Chairman Roger Sternberg presented each with a commemorative wooden plaque honoring their contributions. Richard’s extensive forest and watershed restoration experience and Jeff’s work in forest policy and natural resource governance reflect different, complementary ways of caring for forests. Their recognition connected the day’s focus on future opportunities with the sustained commitment that helps make those opportunities possible.
Finding common ground
A delicious lunch from Los Gallitos gave attendees time to reconnect, meet new people, and continue conversations sparked by the presentations. Those informal exchanges were part of the gathering’s value: an opportunity for neighbors, researchers, restoration practitioners, and supporters to listen to one another and consider where their work might intersect.
Thank you to Office Manager Cindy Richards and Assistant Director Patrick Fitzgerald for their work helping bring the gathering together, and to the volunteers who contributed their time and effort to make the day possible. RFF is grateful to every presenter, partner, staff member, board member, and community member who participated and helped create a welcoming space for learning and conversation.
The meeting offered a reminder that caring for forests depends on both work on the ground and relationships built over time. Sharing knowledge, recognizing dedication, and finding opportunities to collaborate all help carry that work forward. The forest gives us common ground and a reason to keep coming together.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was RFF’s 2026 Annual Meeting?
The meeting took place on October 24, 2026, at the Caspar Community Center.
What was the theme of the meeting?
The theme was “Collaboration and Opportunity,” with a focus on relationships that support forest stewardship.
Who took part in the gathering?
About 60 community members, restoration partners, board members, staff, and volunteers attended.
What restoration work was discussed?
Presentations covered road assessments, streamside road decommissioning, instream wood placement, and ongoing work on South Fork Usal Creek.
Who was recognized for lifelong forest stewardship?
Richard Gienger and Jeffrey M. Romm received commemorative wooden plaques honoring their dedication to forest protection and restoration.
