Speak Up for Our Forests

Your voice matters! Committee hearings and floor votes move fast. A single constituent call can tip a legislator's decision.

  1. Lookup your representative

  2. Contact your Rep

    A. Call Their Office

    A phone call from a constituent is the highest-impact action you can take. Call during business hours (M–F, 9am–5pm). You'll likely reach a staffer — that's fine. They log every call and report to the legislator. Your call is counted.

    B. Email or Submit a Comment

    Most legislators have a contact form on their official website. A personal email is stronger than a form letter: customize the script below with your own connection to California's demonstration state forests. Mention a specific trail, your community, or your family's history with the land.

  • "Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a constituent from [YOUR CITY] in [DISTRICT].

    I'm calling to express my strong support for AB 2494, which would modernize the management of California's demonstration state forests.

    I'm asking [LEGISLATOR'S NAME] to please vote YES on this bill. These forests are part of our community's identity and our local economy. AB 2494 would bring them into a new era — prioritizing ecological restoration, watershed health, and meaningful Tribal co-governance. The current management model is outdated, and our forests and communities deserve better.

    This is a common-sense, science-backed bill that benefits everyone who loves California's forests.

    Thank you for passing along my support. I'd welcome a call back if the office wants to hear more from local stakeholders."

  • Subject: Please Vote YES on AB 2494 — Demonstration State Forest Reform

    Dear [LEGISLATOR'S NAME],

    My name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [YOUR CITY].

    I am writing to urge your strong support for AB 2494, legislation to modernize the management of California's demonstration state forests.

    [PERSONAL CONNECTION — e.g., "I've hiked the Jackson Demonstration State Forest for 20 years," or "Our trails depend on the health of these lands."]

    AB 2494 would bring much needed reform to the way these public forests are managed — shifting toward ecological restoration, watershed protection, and genuine Tribal co-governance.

    The current framework is outdated and fails to reflect what science and our communities tell us these forests need. It represents the kind of forward-looking environmental policy that California should be proud of.

    I respectfully ask for your YES vote on AB 2494.

    Thank you for your time and public service.

    Sincerely,

    [YOUR NAME]

    [YOUR ADDRESS / CITY, ZIP]

    [PHONE OR EMAIL — optional]

Key Talking Points

  1. AB 2494 modernizes an outdated management framework for California's demonstration state forests, which haven't seen major legislative reform in decades.

  2. The bill prioritizes ecological restoration: shifting the management mandate toward watershed health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

  3. It establishes meaningful Tribal co-governance, honoring Indigenous sovereignty and deep ecological knowledge of these landscapes.

  4. Healthier forests mean healthier communities: better water quality, more resilient recreation economies, and reduced wildfire risk for our towns.

  5. This is supported by local trail users, environmental advocates, and Tribal nations across the Mendocino and North Coast region.

  6. Opposition arguments often misrepresent the bill's intent. AB 2494 does not eliminate timber activity, it ensures management decisions are guided by the best available science and community values.