URGENT:

Write to the Assembly in Support of AB 2494

On March 23rd, the Committee on Natural Resources of the California State Assembly will hold a hearing on AB 2494, the bill authored by our new Assemblymember Chris Rogers that would redefine the management of Jackson Demonstration State Forest to prioritize biodiversity, fire resilience, tribal co-management, carbon sequestration, and recreation instead of timber production. The deadline to submit a letter of support for AB 2494 is Monday, March 16th.

Here are instructions for submitting a letter to the Assembly:

  1. Write a brief letter about the bill with your name at the top, your address, and the date. Address it as follows:

    Isaac Bryan

    Chair, Assembly Committee on Natural Resources

    California State Assembly

    Sacramento, California 95814

    Re: Hearing on AB 2494 - Demonstration State Forest Management

  2. Sign in to the California Legislature Position Letter Portal if you have used it before, or create a new account by clicking ‘Create an Account’ on the Portal’s website. 

  3. Submit your letter by clicking on ‘Submit a Letter’ (located beneath the ‘Activity’ banner)

  4. Identify the bill by choosing AB (Assembly) and typing in AB 2494.

  5. Follow the instructions provided by the portal to upload your letter and complete the process.

You can get ideas from our letter or copy and paste the script at the end of this email, but telling your own story is always more effective. 

Sample Letter

Dear Chair Bryan and Members of the Committee:

I am reaching out to you to voice my support for AB 2494, which would modernize the management plan for Jackson Demonstration State Forest. This proposed legislation would shift the management focus of the Jackson Demonstration State Forest away from industrial, commercial timber production to focus on restoration, recreation, wildlife, and tribal co-governance. I believe that having increased recreational access, tribal co-governance, and a more restorative lens for the forest would be meaningful to communities near the demonstration forests. In addition to this, we would be storing more carbon in our forests, thus improving our climate crisis response. Refocusing these priorities will strengthen local economies by enhancing recreation opportunities and providing many more jobs than with current forest management practices, through true restoration and research projects. Thank you for taking the time to consider my comments.