Forest campaign adds staff member

Our local forests have a powerful new advocate in Juana Torres, a Sierra Club regional organizer working exclusively on the Southern California Forests Campaign.

Torres, 23, was joined the Club's field staff in May. She sees her mission as giving people a voice and making it easier for them to communicate with the agencies in charge of protecting local forests. 'We use this forest. Give us some of the resources we need to enjoy it-like restrooms and trash cans,' said Torres on behalf of the communities she represents.

Torres will be working with people from communities that have not traditionally been involved in the environmental movement. Torres, who is fluent in Spanish, plans to encourage members of Latino community to come out and enjoy the forests. She will educate them about actions they can take to protect the environment.

Torres is working to build relationships in the community and to collaborate with other environmental groups. She said she is inspired by grassroots activism. 'I know that the people I'm focusing on really do care. Latinos do care about the forest, but they don't know what to do about it. I can provide them a simple action they can take.'

At California Lutheran University, where she majored in political science and environmental science, Torres was active in EDEN, an on-campus environmental club that promoted Sierra Club outings. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in public policy and administration, and training to become a Sierra Club outing leader.

Torres carries on a proud tradition of activism. In their native El Salvador, her grandmother, father, aunt, and uncle fought against poverty and worked for human rights. She honors her family's legacy through her own local activism.

Torres said, 'You have to fight for the people. My way of continuing to help is to help protect the environment, focusing on the local forests.'

To help Torres connect with local communities and faith-based groups, contact her at 213-387-6528, ext. 226 or e-mail her at juana.torres@sierraclub.org To learn more about protecting our local forests, visit www.sierraclub.org/ca/socalforests .