About Treehuggers International
Dedicated to the Preservation of Parks, Wilderness, and Special Places
The brainchild of media conservationist, broadcaster and outdoorsman Tommy Hough, Treehuggers International is an environmental affairs and natural science new media platform and radio show heard Sunday mornings on KBZT FM 94/9 in San Diego, and in capsule form on the webstream of KMTT 103.7 The Mountain in Seattle.
Portola Redwoods State Park, Santa Cruz Mountains.
Decidedly Green Media
A broadcast media, communications and P.R. professional, Tommy first produced Treehuggers International while at KNDD 107.7 The End in Seattle, discussing issues like green architecture, winter storm damage to Mt. Rainier trails, and the health of Puget Sound with area activists, lawmakers, and representatives from the Washington Trails Association, People for Puget Sound, The Nature Conservancy, and other organizations.
Upon returning to San Diego to take over morning duties at KBZT FM 94/9 in 2007, Tommy re-tooled Treehuggers International to cover not only wilderness and conservation issues, but also wildfire and earthquake preparation, and the development of several major threats to the integrity of California parks and protected places, particularly the proposed Foothill South 241 toll road at Trestles, to be routed through the backcountry of pristine San Mateo Creek and San Onofre State Beach.
As part of a broad coalition led by the San Diego and South Orange County Surfrider chapters, San Diego Coastkeeper, Friends of the Foothills and many others, Treehuggers International helped face down the biggest environmental challenge in Southern California in a generation, and took a major media awareness role in the fight to “Save Trestles.”
By producing special editions on the proposed freeway’s impact on the San Onofre backcountry and the world-class, pristine beaches at Trestles, Treehuggers International and the Southern California conservation community chalked up a major success when the California Coastal Commission and U.S. Commerce Department opted not to back plans to build the toll road.
For his efforts, Tommy and Treehuggers International were awarded the San Diego Surfrider chapter’s annual Clean Water Award in 2008.
Wilderness and Park Advocacy
Since the Trestles fight, Tommy has led Treehuggers International into media stances against the proposed route of the Sunrise Powerlink through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, lawless off-road vehicle activity, and guns in National Parks. Treehuggers International continues to advocate for wilderness initiatives in Oregon’s Kalmiopsis roadless area, California’s San Gabriel Mountains and Colorado’s Hidden Gems campaign, as well as reintroducing kids to nature and becoming a Vision Partner with the Donate-A-Pack Foundation, and has recently come on board as a member of the United for America’s Arctic coalition.
A strong supporter of California State Parks, Treehuggers International was an official supporter of the Yes On Prop. 21 State Parks Access Pass initiative. Despite the proposition’s failure in the 2010 midterms, Tommy continues to lobby state and federal lawmakers in support of state parks, and the guarantees and contracts the state of California made with citizens and property owners in securing and safeguarding park resources and access.
Utilizing revealing discussions with environmental organizations like The Wilderness Society and National Parks Conservation Association, and environmental personalities like writer George Wuerthner, filmmaker Peter Byck, and photographer Ian Shive in advancing the cause of conservation, Treehuggers International has grown into a go-to media destination for environmental matters throughout the west, from Puget Sound to the Rocky Mountains to the Grand Canyon. The show has also served as the San Diego media sponsor for the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival for the last three years.
As a media entity, Treehuggers International is committed to moving forward as an awareness-raising and activist rallying point, providing a rundown of environmental and conservation stories on our Twitter and Facebook feeds, detailing ongoing threats to parks and wild places, creating partnerships with conservation organizations, and delivering information on how you can make your voice heard with your elected officials.
Welcome to Treehuggers International. We’re glad to have you here.
On the banks of the Sauk River in wild Monte Cristo, Snoqualmie National Forest.
