Rainforest Action Network

grass roots or astro turf?

The following information I found in RAN's webiste, and other environmental websites.

The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) works to protect the Earth's rainforests and support the rights of their inhabitants through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action. RAN accomplishes its mission through dynamic, hard-hitting campaigns that work to bring corporate and governmental policies into alignment with popular support for rainforest conservation. RAN works in alliance with environmental and human rights groups around the world, including indigenous forest communities and non-governmental organizations in rainforest countries.

According to Friends of the Earth International, " It plays a key role in strengthening the worldwide rainforest conservation movement through supporting activists in tropical countries as well as organizing and mobilizing consumers and community action groups throughout the United States. RAN places an emphasis on grassroots education and action, with strong networking capabilities and a commitment to mobilizing citizen activists to respond rapidly and directly to the forces that threaten the rainforests "

President Randy Hayes has been arrested 18 times and Executive Director Michael Brune a dozen for crimes like trespassing and disorderly conduct.

All of this evidence has lead me to believe that they are grass roots.

Waterways 2007 Lead

Waterways 2007 is proud to present Mr. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Natarajan Ishwaran as relevant keynote speakers of this eye-opening event. Both speakers have dedicated their lives to protecting water supply and will be speaking to the public in the one’ o’clock lounge on Wednesday as part of a weeklong event of current water issues.
Mr. Kennedy is a Harvard graduate, and is responsible for saving much of New York city’s water supply as the senior attorney and national spokesman for the Natural Resources Defense Council. Currently, Mr. Kennedy works at the Pace University School of Law where he works as a clinical professor and supervising attorney at the Environmental Litigation Clinic.
Dr. Ishwaran is a published author and editor in several books on the management of natural reserves and protected areas, as well as science and technology. He received his PH. D. in Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Management form Michigan State University. Dr. Ishwaran is currently the director of the UNESCO Ecology and Earth Sciences division. Waterways is Free and open to the public.