Protect!
Encourage county parks, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, and other entities to protect Loma Prieta forestlands, especially those that are mature or harbor old-growth trees, and, by doing so, increase stored carbon in the short-term and long-term, promote biodiversity and healthy watersheds, and ensure soil integrity. Our methods will include:
- Providing input to help guide timber harvest plans and forest projects.
- Lobbying our local and state officials to reduce unnecessary logging, fuel reduction and post-fire removal of dead trees that otherwise serve as habitat, and provide soil nutrients.
- Promote home hardening, defensible space, and community preparedness as the most effective tools for protecting people, homes, and structures in the event of a wildfire.
- Hosting a public forum with our State Senator, Josh Becker to educate the public on home hardening and defensible space.
- Lobbying our local and state officials to promote education and incentives for home hardening, defensible space, and community safety.
Educate!
Educate Loma Prieta Chapter members, the public and our local legislators, and continue to educate ourselves on forest issues. This effort will include:
- Writing Letter to the Editors (LTE) to promote forest protection and home hardening.
- Writing articles for the Loma Prieta Chapter newsletter.
- Submitting posts to Loma Prieta social media.
- Recruit other Loma Prieta members to take small actions to protect forests (sign petitions, etc.)
- Encouraging Loma Prieta members that are not on our committee to attend the Forest Protection Forum
- Take periodic hikes as a group on our own, as well as with staff members of local and county parks to better appreciate forests and to educate ourselves
- Educate legislators through direct discussion and comments on their websites
- Update the LPFPC website as needed
Support!
- Support and leverage the Stop Clearcutting California campaign.
- Consider pursuing a renegotiation of the Board of Supervisors’ Electrical Franchise Agreement with PG&E (last signed in 1937).
- Support the chapter’s 30x30 efforts.
Grow!
- Recruit new members for the Forest Protection Committee.
- Continue monthly virtual Zoom meetings that may include invited guests with naturalists for open discussions about pertinent forest issues