Ask the Board of Forestry to Prioritize Habitat and Climate Over Clearcutting

Why this matters

Urge the Oregon Board of Forestry to adopt a strong habitat conservation plan and a new forest management plan that safeguards Oregon's state forests, wildlife, clean water, and climate for future generations. The federal approval process is underway, and the Board is still making decisions. Now is the time to make your voice heard.

Steps to Take

Step 1

Use the included sample text to create an email and send to boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov.

Sample Text

Dear Chair Kelly and Members of the Board of Forestry,

I am writing to express my strong support for completing a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Western Oregon's state forests, and to urge the Board to follow through by adopting a comprehensive new forest management plan.

Oregon's state forests have endured decades of clearcuts and over-harvest. A well-designed HCP is an essential step toward restoring ecological balance, protecting salmon runs, wildlife habitat, clean water, and opportunities for outdoor recreation by limiting or prohibiting timber harvest within designated conservation areas. But conservation areas alone are not enough. The forests outside those boundaries must also be managed with the long-term health of the land in mind, not treated as industrial timber production zones with short harvest rotations geared toward maximizing revenue.

A new forest management plan must be grounded in the best available science and must actively respond to the climate crisis. That means widening protective buffers along headwater streams to keep water cold and clean for salmon, and fully implementing the Climate Change and Carbon Plan adopted by the Board in 2021. Reducing clearcutting, protecting mature forest stands, extending rotations between harvests, and applying ecological management practices are all concrete ways to increase carbon storage while keeping our forests resilient.

I recognize that timber revenue from state forests funds both the Department of Forestry and county services. But continued over-harvest is neither a reliable nor a sustainable funding strategy. I urge the Board to explore diversified revenue sources that reduce pressure on our public forests and provide more stable, long-term funding for essential services.

This is a pivotal moment. Adopting a strong HCP and a forward-looking forest management plan is the right decision for Oregon's forests, its communities, and the generations who will inherit both.

Sincerely,

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Details

Type: Direct Email Campaign
Organizations: Oregon Board of Forestry Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)

Why this matters

Steps to Take

Sample Text

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