As Logging Resumes JDSF Activists Tell CalFire "No More Broken Promises"
b"August 29, 2022--Over 100 Forest Activists gathered in Caspar on the Mendocino Coast on Sunday, August 28, at a Youth Led Rally to protect Jackson Demonstration State Forest. The rally, called by youth climate activists, took on heightened significance after CalFire announced this week they would resume logging on four controversial Timber Harvest Plans that were shut down last year due to protests, including tree sits and road blockades. Trees could start falling as soon as today.\\n\\nCalFire\\u2019s decision to re-start logging operations came as a shock to activists. This announcement came just two days after CalFire released what they called \\u201cA New Vision\\u201d for JDSF, describing CalFire\\u2019s plans to Update the Management Plan to demonstrate forest restoration, expand the Jackson Advisory group, and establish some form of Tribal co-management. Government to government negotiations about the future of JDSF are ongoing between the State and the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, but the tribe was not consulted or informed about the resumption of logging. Chairman Michael Hunter said the news calls into question the state\\u2019s seriousness about co-managing his tribe's ancestral lands.\\n\\nSunday's Rally took place at the entrance to JDSF in Caspar, next to the Caspar 500 logging plan, home to large redwoods known as Mama Tree and the Gemini Tree. Buffie Schmidt of the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo and Bernadette Smith of the Manchester/Point Arena Band of Pomo Indians welcomed the group with a prayer and songs. Her daughter Suzette Smith spoke at the rally about her people's connection to the forest and the pain of watching it be logged. Another rally organizer, Ravel Gauthier, expressed their frustration with Calfire. And Sara Rose, co-founder with Ravel Gauthier, of Mendocino Youth For Climate, made the connection between ecological and racial justice in the fight against climate change. \\n\\nActivists are calling for a number of rallies to protect the forests of Jackson State. They will gather Monday from 1-3pm at Camp 20 Recreation area out Hwy 20 west of Willits, near the entrance to the Chamberlain Creek THP, at 4pm they will rally at fort Bragg Town Hall and march to Cal Fire\\u2019s headquarters on North Main Street. Tuesday there is a rally in Sacramento from 11-1 at the California Natural Resources Agency on P Street, followed by a legislative walk."