Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor,
Re: Bill would shift focus of state demonstration forests from logging to restoration, 2/20
Jackson State Demonstration Forest (JSDF) is meant to be a place of learning, healing, and stewardship, but decades of logging have left lasting scars. Walking through JSDF, one observes the stark changes: clear-cuts above Chamberlain Creek let in harsh light where the canopy once provided coolness, and eroded soil is now clouding the creek that used to run clear. Along Hare Creek, reduced shade has warmed the water and destabilized the banks, while the absence of mature second-growth redwoods leaves a vertical emptiness that younger trees can’t yet fill. These alterations are evident in the light, soil, water, and the quiet places that once defined the forest.
This is why the AB 2494 bill is crucial. It represents more than a policy shift; it’s an opportunity to heed the land’s lessons. Our state-managed forests deserve more than to be seen as timber quotas. Restoration is not just an ideal; it involves revitalizing forests through partnerships with tribes who have nurtured these landscapes for generations, using fire respectfully, and prioritizing long-term health over short-term gain. Such care protects homes, water, and wildlife and gives future generations a fighting chance.
AB 2494 acknowledges that JSDF and other state-managed forests are living relatives, deserving our commitment. Passing this bill would demonstrate responsibility and a profound love for the places that define California.
Jennifer Normoyle
Hillsborough, CA
Could not agree more. I would like to see legislation that mandates a review of redwood cutting. These trees once provided the ecology that maintained the climate here. Old timers told us the climate changed with the logging that happened in the 1900’s to 2000’s.
This undermines the explicit purpose of the original justification/mandate for the acquisition of the property.