Forests Forever's work to save Jackson Forest

Forests Forever decided to make Jackson Forest its primary campaign beginning in 2001. The decision was based on Jackson's value as quality open space for recreation and wildlife habitat.

Since Forests Forever began working on ending large-scale logging in Jackson, the organization has generated more than 13,000 letters, faxes, post cards and phone calls to CDF officials, Gov. Gray Davis and state legislators regarding the forest's plight.

A clear-cut in Jackson Forest. Photo courtesy of the Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest.

Together with ally the Campaign to Restore Jackson State Redwood Forest, Forests Forever generated almost 5,000 comments on the Jackson management plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) released in May 2002. For more information on Jackson and the management plan, visit www.savejackson.org.

In October 2002, Forests Forever and the Jackson Campaign sued CDF, asserting that the EIR for the forest violates California law. In August 2003, the court decided in our favor. Now CDF will not be able to log in Jackson until the EIR is rewritten.

Forests Forever is now working on legislation that would change the mandate of Jackson from that of logging demonstration to restoration. The legislation additionally would prohibit large-scale commercial logging in all eight state forests. Forests Forever is currently looking for a sponsor for the bill, and hopes to have it introduced in the state legislature during 2004.