Year in Review: What We Accomplished in 2021

Jan 19

Since the Mendocino Trail Stewards formed in March of 2020, much has occurred in the fight to Save Jackson State Forest. Fueled by our efforts to get the word out about CALFIRE’s multiple imminent timber harvest plans proposed in Jackson State Forest over the next 3-5 years, a county-wide movement was inspired and the Coalition to Save Jackson was formed. From rallies to trail cleanups, email campaigns to newsletters, we’ve shed light on the opaque worlds behind the management of Jackson State Forest and will continue to fight for a moratorium on logging in JDSF. Here’s a list of our group accomplishments over the last half of 2020 and through 2021.

Kept you, our 400+ subscribers, updated on all the latest news regarding Jackson Demonstration State Forest, via email and social media
Managed the Trail Stewards website, keeping you informed on the latest Timber Harvest Plans and advice on how to comment
Gathered over 5,000 signers on our petitions to lawmakers to create a reserve
Gained attention from various media sources, including SF Gate, Earth Island Journal, Jacobin, and LA Progressive
Featured in The Mendocino Voice, The Fort Bragg Advocate-News, KMUD, KPFA, and Forest and River News
Contributed op-eds in various newspapers, including The Fort Bragg Advocate-News, The San Francisco Examiner, and The Press Democrat
Placed ads in The Mendocino Beacon, The Fort Bragg Advocate News, The Ukiah Willits News, The Mendocino Voice, The Press Democrat, La Prensa, Sonoma Magazine and The Sonoma County Gazette
Started The Trail Steward’s Radio Hour on KZYX
With the help of Forest Unlimited and Trimtab Media, created The Last Stand, a 10-minute film advocating for a Forest Reserve in Jackson. Created three additional videos: Requiem for a Fallen Tree , Please Leave Us the Trees, and Why CDF Why?
Sent letters to every California State legislator, advocating for a change in the management of JDSF
In collaboration with Jughandle Creek Farm, spearheaded a Resolution by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on the management of Jackson State Forest, which passed unanimously
Hired a part-time staff member
Managed Instagram and Facebook pages and regularly posted in community groups to keep people informed and to attract new interest in the movement to Save Jackson
Created This Gem of a Forest, a coffee table book about Jackson Demonstration State Forest
Partnered with The Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, The Environmental Protection and Information Center, Redwood Nation Earth First!, Mama Tree Mendo, Jughandle Creek Farm, We Speak for the Trees of Jackson, PAIAEA, Mendocino County Youth for Climate and others to create the Coalition to Save Jackson
Decided to donate 25% of the proceeds from This Gem of a Forest to the Coalition to Save Jackson
Gave tours of the Forest to author Obi Kaufmann, district supervisors, reporters and more
Held Trash Cleanup Days and an invasive plant clearing day in JDSF
Held informational events (tabled) around the county
Created Trail Stewards merchandise for sale
Held/participated in multiple rallies in Fort Bragg, Caspar, and Mendocino
Held a virtual Trail-a thon
Held the first annual Caspar Forest Fest to raise awareness, network, write letters, and let loose
Donated all of the funds raised from the Caspar Forest Fest to The Coalition to Save Jackson
Presented to various groups, including Caspar Community Center, The Mendocino Mushroom Club, and Thanksgiving Coffee Co.
Acquired a fiscal sponsor, the legendary Trees Foundation
Developed the Youth Environmental Empowerment Initiative to be introduced in 2022
Partnered with Thanksgiving Coffee to create the Redwood Forest Reserve Blend, with a portion of the proceeds going to The Mendocino Trail Stewards