Forestry: April 2008 Archives
California ReLeaf monitors state and federal legislation in order to inform the urban forestry community of opportunities to influence public policy on behalf of urban trees.
In 2006 California ReLeaf hired a professional lobbyist to assist with its state-level efforts. As a result of its work, $20 million was designated for urban forestry programs under California Proposition 84 passed in 2006.
California Releaf also coordinates California ReLeaf Network, an alliance of urban forestry groups throughout the state. This alliance has been instrumental in raising the profile of urban forestry in the state and a key part of California ReLeaf's advocacy strategy.
BACKGROUND
California ReLeaf was founded in 1989 as a program of the Trust for Public Land and was incorporated as a separate 501c3 nonprofit in 2004.
California ReLeaf works statewide to promote alliances among community-based groups, individuals and government agencies to protect the environment by planting and caring for trees. It also serves as the state's volunteer coordinator for urban forestry in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Programs and services include:
* Coordinating California ReLeaf Network, a statewide alliance of urban forestry groups
* Administering a state grant program
* Publishing a quarterly newsletter, California Trees
* Providing assistance, information and referrals to individuals, organizations and agencies on urban forestry management issues
* Monitoring state and federal legislation and keeping the urban
forestry community informed of opportunities to influence public policy
on urban forestry
COMPONENTS
Hiring a professional lobbyist
From its inception, California ReLeaf was involved in advocating on
behalf of urban forestry. In 2006, California ReLeaf decided that
hiring a professional lobbyist would greatly improve effectiveness at
influencing state legislation on urban forestry.
Since California is a large state with a wide range of environmental issues, California ReLeaf, with a staff of three, found it difficult to stay on top of all the issues and proposals that affected urban forestry. Although California ReLeaf had many partners who worked with them on urban forestry issues, it needed someone to spearhead its efforts.
With the encouragement of other urban forestry groups, California ReLeaf hired a lobbyist who specialized in conservation issues and was willing to work with them at a reduced rate.
Martha Ozonoff, Executive Director of California ReLeaf, says that this decision has been critical in its advocacy efforts.
"Hiring a lobbyist has definitely increased our ability to be effective. You can lobby on your own. You are not required to have a professional lobbyist. But this has helped us stay on top of fast-paced decisions and has given us inside information about what different legislators are interested in and how to approach them. Our lobbyist has helped us see where we can connect to other environmental issues," Ms. Ozonoff says.
Ms. Ozonoff says whether or not your organization needs a professional lobbyist may differ from state to state. She recommends talking with larger environmental organizations in your state that have lobbyists on their staff such as the Trust for Public Land, the Nature Conservancy or the Sierra Club. Get recommendations from them on whether or not you need to hire a lobbyist and on potential candidates.
Making your case
Once the lobbyist identifies what legislation to follow and who the key
players are, California ReLeaf meets with key players including
legislators and their staff, testifies at committee hearings, sends
letters and emails, makes phone calls and encourages organizations in
the California ReLeaf network and other groups to support legislation
and other relevant initiatives, including funding propositions.
Ms. Ozonoff emphasizes that working with a network of urban forestry groups brings enormous value in supporting advocacy initiatives. California ReLeaf Network has approximately 90 member organizations located throughout the state. This allows California ReLeaf not only to harness the support of more constituents throughout the state, but also helps them target voters in specific localities where key legislators reside.
Funding
California ReLeaf funds its advocacy efforts through private foundation
monies in its general operating account. Government funds cannot be
used for lobbying.
RESULTS
California ReLeaf is particularly proud of its advocacy efforts which helped to ensure that "at least" $20 million funding was designated for urban forestry under Proposition 84 passed in 2006.
In addition, in 2007 California ReLeaf helped spearhead a letter-writing campaign thanking Governor Schwarzenegger for restoring $10 million to the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program, which provides public funds for urban forestry and other natural resource projects that reduce the impact of transportation projects on local communities. This year, the funds are being presented as part of the Governor's budget, thereby virtually assuring their passage. California ReLeaf believes that its "thank you" campaign may have played a part in the governor's decision.
California ReLeaf is currently sponsoring a bill in the state legislature to update the state Urban Forestry Act of 1978. This will be the organization's first effort at sponsoring legislation.
LESSONS LEARNED
1. Research your state to determine whether or not you need to hire a lobbyist. California ReLeaf says hiring a lobbyist was essential for them.
2. Nonprofits CAN advocate and lobby. Don't be paralyzed by the fear of violating IRS rules. Read the regulations and get advice but remember that both advocacy and lobbying are allowed within certain limitations. The rules may not be as restrictive as you think.
3. Advocacy and lobbying is easy. Do not be intimidated by the process.
4. You are the expert on your cause and its most passionate supporter. Make use of that.
5. Remember to say thank you to all the people who support your efforts.
6. Stay on top of legislation. Understand the process and realize that changes can happen quickly and often. You need to be vigilant.
7. The benefits of advocacy are enormous. It raises the visibility of your cause and your organization. It helps refine your message and increases your organization's credibility and reputation.
Contact Information:
Martha Ozonoff, Executive Director
California ReLeaf
P.O. Box 72496
Davis, CA 95617
Phone: (530) 757-7333
Fax: (530) 757-7328
In October, 2007, California Air Resources Board (CARB) adoptd the first standards in the US for forest-generated, carbon dioxide emissions reduction projects. This step is a voluntary, early action set of standards that will help California reach its recent Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32).
This adoption ensures that emissions reductions from forests certified under the "Forest protocols" developed by the California Climate Action Registry will be recognized in California's emerging climate program.
Forest Protocols for CO2 Emissions Reduction
The protocols were developed over four years by scientists, foresters, climate experts and other stakeholders to ensure CO2 emissions reductions from working forests. They will also meet international standards for a credible, transparent accounting method.
Van Eck Redwood Forest Project
The 2200 acre Van Eck Forest Project in Humboldt Co, California, a working redwood forest, was the first to apply the new Protocols. Two certification teams are involved in the review and verification process -- SGS North America, a global verification leader, and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) the leading U.S. independent forestry certifier. After certification, the forest will be monitored annually for compliance and annual reports will also be independently verified.
Once certified, the owners of the forest expect to sell substantial emissions reduction offsets in the international carbon market.
Carbon Sequestration by Forests
Forests like this provide climate benefits by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it as carbon in trees for hundreds of years. Compared to reforestation or afforestation techniques, managing established, working forests to achieve climate benefits is effective due to the fact that older forests have the ability to lay down greater volumes of carbon in shorter periods of time than younger forests.
In addition, forests prevent loss to development that harvests millions of board feet of living filtration systems provided by trees. By managing forests to grow older, these mature trees store more carbon than commercial redwood forests usually do. Selective logging that removes less timber volume than is grown each year increases the CO2 capture while maintaining revenue from responsible harvesting.
SOURCE: ForestLife, Winter 2007, The Pacific Forest Trust
Planting a billion trees is an astonishing number! The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees Campaign will preserve and restore Brazil's Atlantic Forest.
The threat is dire. "No tropical forest on earth has come closer to total destruction," says Claudia Picone, an information resource coordinator for The Nature Conservancy.
The Atlantic Forest is a spectacularly complex and biologically diverse expanse of tropical rainforest on the coast of Brazil. Once twice the size of Texas, only 7 percent of the original forest remains—it has been ravaged by ranching, illegal logging, agriculture, and other pressures.
The campaign to plant one billion trees in the Atlantic Forest continues The Nature Conservancy's mighty efforts to preserve the very special ecosystem. According to Picone, "We've finally turned the corner, and people are starting to realize that there are economic benefits to leaving the forest standing instead of cutting it down."
Since The Nature Conservancy's founding in 1951, it has protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers around the world. The group has more than a million members and works in all 50 states and more than 30 countries.
Give to the Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign
www.plantabillion.org
