Michelle

I am impressed by his ability to run the most political organization in the world. He has always appeared to handle the most contentious situations with grace and dignity. I have long admired him and would love to find out how he has such patience given the urgency of the issues at the UN.

The first time I heard Wangari Maathai speak was at the 2005 United Nations Forum on Forests. I was so engaged with her eloquence and the passion of her story. This woman spoke to the UN and challenged them to talk less and act more. I wanted to stand up and shout in appreciation for her honesty and directness. She was an amazing speaker and is so inspiring. This year I was at the Goldman Environmental Awards, like the Nobel prize for grassroots environmentalists. I was there with the person I had nominated, Silas Siakor from Liberia who is also incredibly inspiring. As I was sitting there in the front row a parade of speakers came and then out comes Wangari Maathai. My eyes filled with tears as I heard her once again tell her amazing stories and encourage all of us to contineu to do our amazing work. I can’t wait til I meet this woman to tell her how inspiring she is and how much her work continues to move me to do what I can on to fight for the forests of this earth.

What a wild year. Was in Liberia working in Feb. In March I was in Montreal at a conference on DR Congo. I interviewed for a new job in March, got the job.

Saw my favorite Liberian win the Goldman Environmental Prize (Like the Nobel) which was a highlight in my professional life. Wangari Mattai was there too. She won the Nobel prize last year. What an inspiration.

Moved to San Francisco in June, man it still feels like i am on vacation. I scored a great apartment that looks at some trees, I have to top off my karma credits for that one!

Visited Vancouver for the first time and saw some amazing Haida art and enjoyed meeting my new colleagues.

Went to London and Cambridge for a conference where I presented on a brand new foresst issue. Last year I was an expert on conflict timber this year I presented on the market drivers for the supply side of forest prodcuts.

Had two fabulous work retreats one in the beautiful Marin Headlands and one on a barge in Bolinas. It feels like I have been working here for years and fit right in like a member of the family.

Spent Thanksgiving in Missoula and had a great time hanging in the local bars and seeing my first snow of the season. Heading back to DC, Boston and NY for the holidays.

Wow, what a year. I am very thankful for everything I have been able to do this year. I hope that 2007 allows me to do even more!