04/10/2026
California's "State forests: forest management" (AB 2494), sponsored by the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC), aims to modernize the management principles that have been governing California’s 14 demonstration state forests that have not been revised for decades. According to the Save Jackson State Forest Coalition, this current framework allows demonstration forests, such as the Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF), to be managed as “industrial timberland(s), routinely cutting large, old redwoods.”
For decades, advocates have sought out a shift for California’s demonstration state forests from a primary focus on industrial logging toward Indigenous co-stewardship, recreation, biodiversity, and climate resiliency. Early reform efforts such as SB 1648 in the early 2000s set the stage for later action, including the creation of the JDSF Advisory Group in 2008 and grassroots organizing through the Save Jackson State Forest Coalition in 2020. By 2023, calls for co-management and climate-aligned forest goals by leadership from Tribal advocacy and growing public advocacy, led to the creation of AB 2494.
Dating back to 1947, state demonstration forest management has prioritized a commercial logging mandate. AB 2494 would put an end to this mandate and shift management efforts towards “biodiversity conservation, fire resilience, outdoor access and recreation, and co-governance with Indigenous and Tribal people,” as stated by the Save Jackson State Forest Coalition. It also hopes to “influence the timber industry by demonstrating restoration logging practices,” per EPIC.
On March 23rd, AB 2494 was heard by the California Assembly Natural Resources Committee; it now will head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee before a Senate Natural Resources hearing.
In the meantime, here are some ways you can support this bill:
1. Sign EPIC’s petition in the comments section.
2. Run or cheer on runners at the AIM 500 Mile Spirit Runners Prayer run Sunday April 12! Go to Coalition to Save Jackson Demonstration State Forest's website in the comments to learn more!
3. Share this post with your community
Sources in the comments!
Photo: Alicia Bales