Seventh Annual Natural Resources Summit Held At Mother Lode Fairgrounds

Sonora, Ca — The importance of natural resources to the economy and the environment were two of the main topics of conversation at Friday´s Natural Resources Summit at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds.

The seventh annual event was sponsored by Senator Dave Cogdill, Assemblyman Tom Berryhill, Congressman George Radanovich and TuCARE (Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and the Environment.)

“Focusing on our forests as the precious natural resource that they are is essential for everyone, including individuals, businesses and government,” says Cogdill. “This year´s Natural Resources Summit has shown just how important our forests are and the overwhelming desire of many to mangae and care for our forests in a responsible, forward-thinking manner.”

“I think that ´hope,´ is the main message that I want to leave with everyone today,” adds Berryhill. “I think that what the forest industry has to offer is absolutely fantastic and critical as we move forward trying to educate liberal legislators up in Sacramento about just how much benefit the forest industry has for the environment.”

Other groups that helped sponsor the event included the Regional Council of Rural Counties, Sierra Pacific Industries and the Forest Foundation.

The Summit was open to the public, and featured a wide variety of speakers. They included CAL Fire Director Ruben Grijalva, Texas A&M Professor Emeritus of Forest Science Dr. Tom Bonnicksen, Regional Forester of the Pacific Southwest Region Randy Moore and Tuolumne Utilities District President Barbara Balen.

Following the Summit, registered participants were invited to attend a field tour of the Stanislaus National Forest and adjacent land. The tour, conducted by TuCARE, traveled up Hwy 120 and through the Groveland Ranger District.

Written by BJ Hansen