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!
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,” “Save Our Roadless Forests,” 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. You can also bring and leave a pre-written comment with staff.
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 co-sponsoring the Roadless Area Conservation Act” (note: all members of the Oregon Congressional delegation have co-sponsored the Roadless Area Conservation Act except Rep. Cliff Bentz and Rep. Val Hoyle)
Sample Topics:
- “I am concerned about efforts from the Trump Administration and Congress to expand logging on public lands.”
- “I am concerned about the Trump administration’s attacks on our public lands and bedrock environmental laws.”
Sample Questions:
- “From the proposed repeal of the Roadless Rule to the poorly named and harmful Fix Our Forests Act, our forests and public lands 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. I hope you will defend Roadless Rule protections for our wild forests and oppose the Fix Our Forests Act. What else 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 commercial 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 urgent need for more meaningful and lasting protections. I am encouraged by legislation that would do just that, such as the River Democracy Act, Roadless Area Conservation Act, and Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act. Can we count on you to pass these bills and finally give our public lands and waters the protection they need and deserve?”
For more information on town halls or how to advocate for public lands in other ways, make sure to visit our Activist Toolkit.
Now 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.
Upcoming town halls
Marion County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Tuesday, January 20 at 12:00pm
Chemeketa Community College Auditorium (Building 6), 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR
Lane County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Wednesday, January 21 at 5:00pm
Siuslaw Middle School main gym, 2525 Oak St., Florence, O
Yamhill County Town Hall with Senator Jeff Merkley
Thursday, January 22 at 10:30am
National Guard Armory, 333 SE Armory Way, McMinnville, OR
Polk County Town Hall with Senator Jeff Merkley
Thursday, January 22 at 1:00pm
Colonel Nesmith Readiness Center, 12830 Westview Dr. Dallas, OR
Marion County Town Hall with Senator Jeff Merkley
Thursday, January 22 at 3:30pm
Chemeketa Community College — Building 6 Auditorium, 4000 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR
Tillamook County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Thursday, January 22 at 5:00pm
Port of Tillamook Bay Officers Mess Hall, 6825 Officer’s Row Road, Tillamook, OR
Clatsop County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Friday, January 23 at 12:30pm
Seaside High School, 2600 Spruce Dr. Suite 200, Seaside, OR
Columbia County Town Hall with Senator Ron Wyden
Saturday, January 24 at 11:00am
Scappoose High School auditorium, 33700 SE High School Way, Scappoose, OR
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.
