One of the most common questions we are asked is, “What’s the best thing I can do to help defend our public lands, forests, and wildlife?”
While there are so many things an individual can do, the best thing is to simply participate in democracy. Yes, that means voting, but it doesn’t stop there; we must also pressure our legislators and elected officials to stand up for our values and hold them accountable for their actions. One of the best ways to do this and speak directly to our legislators is to attend and ask questions at their town halls.
Fortunately, most of our elected leaders in Oregon prioritize holding regular in-person town hall meetings, and several are scheduled across the state in the coming weeks. With a slew of current threats to public lands and the environment at the federal level, it’s now more important than ever to attend these town halls and demand action from our members of Congress.
Check out our town hall guide below for important tips, suggested questions, and to find an upcoming event in your area!
Upcoming town halls
Lake Oswego Town Hall with Rep. Janelle Bynum
Monday, June 16 at 6pm
Lake Oswego High School Auditorium, 2501 Country Club Rd, Lake Oswego , Oregon 97034
Malheur County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Thursday, June 19 at 6:30pm
Four Rivers Cultural Center, Meyer McLean Performing Arts Theater, 676 SW 5th Ave, Ontario, OR
Union County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Thursday, June 20 at 5:30pm
La Grande High School Auditorium, 708 K Ave, La Grande, OR
Baker County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Thursday, June 20 at 1:30pm
Baker City Armory, 1640 Campbell St, Baker, OR
Hood County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Thursday, June 21 at 12:00pm
Hood River Valley High School, Bowe Theater, 1220 Indian Creek Road, Hood River, OR
Estacada Town Hall with Rep. Maxine Dexter
Thursday, June 21 at 11:30am
Estacada Middle School Auditorium, 500 NE Main St, Estacada, OR, 97023
Redmond Town Hall with Rep. Janelle Bynum
Saturday, June 28 at 11am
Location TBA
Molalla Town Hall with Rep. Janelle Bynum
Monday, July 28 at 5pm
Location TBA
Silverton Town Hall with Rep. Janelle Bynum
Saturday, August 2 at 11am
Location TBA
Telephone Town Halls with Rep. Janelle Bynum
Tuesday, June 10 at 6pm
Wednesday, July 16 at 6pm
Monday, August 4 at 6pm
Visit your legislators’ websites or social media channels to find out about upcoming town halls. Senators Merkley and Wyden each have a goal to visit every county in Oregon at least once per year.
Town Hall Tips
Get there early and get a good seat. If you want to ask a question, you will likely need to sign up upon arrival and be given a raffle ticket.
There is no guarantee that your number will be called, and there will likely be hundreds of others who will also sign up to ask a question. To make sure your point is made, we recommend bringing a sign to hold that will get the legislator’s attention (e.g. “Vote NO on F Our Forests,” “Pass the River Democracy Act,” “Our Public Lands Are Not For Sale,” etc).
Think about what you want to say or ask in advance. Prepare two or three key points. Write them down.
If you get a chance to ask your question, be succinct and follow this general formula (see specific examples under “Suggested Conservation Topics and Questions” below):
- Identify yourself with your name and where you live. If relevant, say what your profession, expertise, or interest in the issue is.
- Thank the elected official for a past action/stance related to your question.
- Present your position and your ask/question of the official. Include any personal experience or connection you have on the issue but keep it brief.
- State your requested action of the elected official (support, oppose, introduce, protect, etc.)
- Thank them for their time.
Even if someone else has already asked a question on your topic, ask it again! The more our elected officials hear about a specific issue, the more they will understand its importance.
If you aren’t selected, or you can’t attend, you can still call the legislators’ office afterwards and ask your question or make your comment. Several of their staff will also likely be in attendance to answer questions before or after the event.
Suggested Conservation Topics and Questions
Thank you: It’s best to start any comment or question with a thank you.
- E.g.: “Thank you for opposing efforts to sell off and privatize our national public lands”
- For Wyden: “Thank you for your efforts to protect Oregon rivers through the River Democracy Act.”
Sample Topics:
- “I am concerned about the Trump Administration’s efforts to expand logging on public lands.”
- “I encourage you to expand protections for Oregon’s rivers and public lands by passing Senator Wyden’s River Democracy Act.”
Sample Questions:
- “From the Executive Order to increase timber production to the proposed Northwest Forest Plan Amendments, our forests are under attack. Our mature and old-growth forests provide critical habitat for imperiled species, clean drinking water, opportunities for outdoor recreation, and are critical in the fight against climate change. What can you do to ensure our environmental laws are upheld and our forests remain standing?”
- “The harmful and poorly named Fix Our Forests Act is making its way through Congress. Despite its proponents’ claims, the bill does little to invest in proven wildfire community protection measures and instead provides loopholes to allow for cutting large trees and skirting environmental laws. Will you oppose legislation that aims to expand logging on public lands and remove public oversight of logging projects?”
- “The current attacks by the administration and Congress on our national public lands underscore the need for more permanent protections. The River Democracy Act is a historic bill that would protect over 3200 miles of streams across the state for clean drinking water, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and other important values. Can we count on you to pass this bill and protect our public lands and waters?”
For more information on town halls or how to advocate for public lands in other ways, make sure to visit our Activist Toolkit.
Now go grab your friends, draft your questions, make your signs, and use your voice to speak up for Oregon’s public lands, forests, and wildlife! Together, we can make a difference.
