Protect Massachusetts Forests and Support Urban Reforestation. Call on your legislators to co-sponsor!

Please Co-sponsor H.952, H.953, H.1048 and H.1013/S.553

The joint climate and biodiversity crises are the defining issues of our time. Massachusetts leadership has never been so crucial. As your constituent, I hope you will co-sponsor Sierra Club Massachusetts Forest Protection team’s legislative priorities, listed below: H.952 An Act relative to watershed forest protection (Rep. Gentile) The Quabbin, Ware, and Wachusett Reservoirs are the primary water source for the greater Boston area, and forests filter the water entering these reservoirs. Forests that are already “mature” will continue to age and become “old growth” forests, which maximize incalculable ecosystem services. Such benefits include carbon sequestration and storage, regulating local weather patterns, water absorption, filtration, and flood prevention, supporting biodiverse habitats, and preserving significant recreation areas enjoyed by thousands of Massachusetts residents throughout the state. This bill protects 100,000 acres of public land by designating our state-owned watershed forests as permanent parks or reserves that are off-limits to logging and other development. H.953 An Act relative to forest protection (Rep. Gentile) This bill protects 311,000 acres of state-owned land, including all state forests, as permanent parks or reserves that are off-limits to logging and other development. This maximizes carbon sequestration and storage, biodiversity preservation, and preserves forests that humans use for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being on public lands. H.1048 An Act relative to increased protection of wildlife management areas (Rep. Sena) This bill expands and makes permanent the existing system of reserves on public Wildlife Management Areas administered by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. It directs the designation by 2030 of at least 30%, or about 51,000 acres, of the agency’s lands, consistent with the latest biological and climate science, and would give these areas permanent protection. H.1013 / S.553 An Act establishing the Municipal Reforestation Program (Sen. Creem | Rep. Armini, Owens) The Act sets up a structure to provide funding and technical assistance to participating cities and towns to establish robust urban forests. It establishes the Urban Forest Advisory Council to provide technical assistance on optimal sites for planting and for proper maintenance to ensure that new and existing trees thrive. Expanding the urban forest addresses serious issues of “tree equity” as the bill gives priority to Environmental Justice and other communities with low tree canopy coverage. Benefits include significant cooling effects for “heat islands,” better stormwater management and reduced flooding, improved air quality and positive mental health impacts. Funding will come from such sources as an environmental bond bill, state appropriations, federal grants, private grants and donations. Thank you for your consideration.