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,
Destiny Laird is absolutely correct: Jackson Demonstration State Forest is at a critical turning point. Although I don’t live in Mendocino County, it is one of my favorite places to visit. The beautiful coastline, historic quiet trails, towering redwoods and deep sense of history are what keep me returning time and again. This connection is precisely why the future of JDSF matters far beyond local boundaries.
For years, Tribal leaders, residents, and climate advocates have urged the state to reimagine this forest as a place focused on restoration, carbon storage and genuine tribal co-governance. However, despite new language about “modernization,” the draft Forest Management Plan still operates under a legal mandate that prioritizes commercial logging. As long as that mandate remains in place, every plan—no matter how refined—will inevitably revert back to business as usual.
If California is serious about climate resilience and justice for Pomo homelands, the rules must change, not just the messaging. This means rejecting any plan that keeps logging at its core and supporting a statutory amendment that redefines JDSF’s mission around restoration and establishes binding tribal decision-making power.
I fully support the urgent need to contact Assemblymember Chris Rogers about legislation to eliminate the logging mandate at JDSF. Although I am not a constituent and my voice may not carry much weight, it is crucial to recognize that constituents’ voices do matter. I also hope that the community stands in solidarity with Michael Hunter and the Pomo Tribe, who refuse to endorse a plan that undermines their sovereignty and threatens the sacred lands they protect. I encourage others to join in supporting Indigenous brothers and sisters.
Jennifer Normoyle
Hillsborough
CalFire comes to the table and betrays the people every time. It’s questionable whether the reasoning behind JDSF as a testing ground is being translated into new code. The forest practice rules get updated regularly but in the 400+ pages do the on the ground practices really change because of information gained from logging Jackson?
I think the state should be able to clearly show us how the information gotten from logging JDSF has changed practices across this area and how the last 20 years especially has given us new and better practices that are implemented in forestry. I think there could be a real disconnect between what the state says the demonstration forests are about and how they are really being used. The college programs in forestry may have information and data on logging from the state demo forests but that doesn’t by any means translate into how the private corporations that own 1/2 of this county are doing the logging.
Spray to play is the corporate game. Reducing forest diversity to focus on two commercial species is the approach on a million acres in Mendocino alone. This fight has gone on for decades. Do not even get me started on how integrated CalFire is with the prison system.
Ho-hum.
1. Political “climate resilience” is really all about increasing taxes. So, no, they really don’t care.
2. Justice. For who exactly? Who defines what is unjust and the remedy for it?
3. Logging. It is on the endangered list, making a small comeback.
4. Nature Visits. There’s plenty of parks around the state where you can take a nature walk. I will bet you that there is one closer to where you live than JSF.
Dear Dave, you are a foreign troll who doesn’t live here and has never been to Jackson. Get lost.
Evad: My loyal fan. You numba one!