When choosing federal legislation to support, CCL looks for policies that will reduce emissions and remove climate pollution from the atmosphere. Over the years, we've backed several climate-friendly forestry bills to help achieve that goal — including one you may remember: the Save Our Sequoias Act.
In exciting news, the Save Our Sequoias Act recently passed the House (H.R. 2709), and a companion bill has been introduced in the Senate (S. 4103). This month, we're contacting Republican and Democratic senators to encourage them to sign on as cosponsors and continue building on this momentum.
On board since 2022
The Save Our Sequoias Act was first introduced in 2022. CCL's Government Affairs team provided feedback on the initial draft and subsequent reintroductions to help make the bill even stronger in terms of its positive climate impacts. Upon reintroduction in 2023, we publicly endorsed it.
"CCL is pleased to see strong bipartisan support for a comprehensive plan to address the increased wildfire and climate threat to California's treasured giant sequoias."
— CCL's 2023 endorsement statement
The bill is truly bipartisan — and CCL's mobilizations at key moments helped build the support that moved it through the House.
Next steps for Save Our Sequoias
Shortly after House passage, a bipartisan companion bill (S. 4103) was released in the Senate by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Curtis (R-UT).
"We must work across the aisle to strengthen the resiliency of these groves to ensure these California icons endure for generations to come."
— Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA)
This month, we're working to do exactly that — CCLers are writing to both Republican and Democratic senators to build more momentum, asking them to join Sen. Padilla and Sen. Curtis as cosponsors.
Take Action
Send a message to your senator today
Ask them to cosponsor the Save Our Sequoias Act and keep this bipartisan momentum going.
Science-based moves to save the sequoias
The Save Our Sequoias Act is designed to protect America's giant sequoia trees from the increasing threat of catastrophic wildfires. Normally these trees have bark thick enough to withstand naturally occurring fires — but today's wildfires, fueled by rising temperatures, drought, and denser forests, are burning much hotter than they can survive.
The researchers say clearly that projects like prescribed burns are "not only ecologically beneficial but also economically justified." The Save Our Sequoias Act would give land managers the tools and resources to proactively protect these forests — and CCL is keeping a close eye on proposed changes to the U.S. Forest Service to ensure it has the funding and staffing to implement legislation like this.
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Take action today to support the Save Our Sequoias Act!
