Protect Unspoiled Forests for Good

rabinelliott
26 minutes ago
3 min read

Take Action

A U.S. Forest Service policy, known as the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule), shields 45 million acres of the most remote and wild areas of our national forests from logging and other development. Last August, the Trump administration began the process to repeal the Roadless Rule. Fortunately, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have introduced bills that would codify the Roadless Rule into law. Tell your members of Congress to support The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 in their respective chambers: H.R.3930 in the House and S.2042 in the Senate.

Background

Some of the United States’ most legendary forests fall under the purview of the Roadless Rule—most notably the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the country’s largest national forest and one of the world’s largest remaining coastal temperate rainforests. Forested lands like Tongass provide wildlife habitat, outdoor recreational opportunities, and clean watersheds – while also saving taxpayers money. They improve air quality and protect our climate by capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Many roadless forests, like parts of the Tongass, are critical to the livelihood and cultural well-being of indigenous communities.

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Why Now

Since the Trump administration announced its plan last summer to repeal the Roadless Rule, hundreds of thousands of public comments have been posted, the overwhelming majority of which oppose repeal. Despite the public outcry, the administration may still move forward with its intentions to repeal the Roadless Rule. Fortunately, both houses of Congress have versions of The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025, which would permanently protect our natural heritage from development.

Jewish Perspectives

Protecting undeveloped areas preserves habitat for plants, insects, birds and animals and it also rewards us with spaces for reflection and prayer.

Many of us experience a sense of spirituality when we are outside in nature. This is captured beautifully in the prayer of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, who was known for the time he spent in contemplation in the outdoors.

A Prayer of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (1772-1810):

Grant me the ability to be alone; may it be my custom to go outdoors each day among the trees and grass, among all growing things, and there may I be alone, and enter into prayer, to talk with the One to whom I belong. May I express there everything in my heart, and may all the foliage of the field, all grasses, trees, and plants, awaken at my coming, to send the powers of their life into the words of my prayers o that my prayer and speech are made whole through the life and spirit of all growing things, which are made as one by their transcendent Source. May I then pour out the words of my heart before your Presence like water, O God, and lift up my hands to You in worship, on my behalf, and that of my children!

Learn More

Roadless Areas, U.S. Forest Service

Timeline of the Roadless Rule, Earthjustice

Democrat or Republican, Americans want their national forests kept intact, the Hill

6 Reasons to Keep the “Roadless Rule” in Place, National Parks Conservation Association

Sample Message to Your Members of Congress

Subject: Support the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 (H.R.3930 in the House and S.2042 in the Senate)

Dear Representative/Senator Last name,

I am dismayed by the USDA Forest Service’s action to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Without it, tens of millions of acres of priceless forest land, including the Tongass National Forest, will be open to logging and development that will accelerate climate change.

Public lands belong to all of us. We are responsible to preserve their irreplaceable environmental, health, economic, and recreational benefits for ourselves and future generations.

Insert your personal story here. Have you visited one of our national forests? Why are national forests important to you? Have you taken steps to plant or protect trees?

As a Jew… Insert your own Jewish connection, for example: Our Jewish Earth Day, Tu Bishvat, which we celebrate at this time of year, has taught me gratitude for nature, and to appreciate that human survival depends on trees.

I urge you to co-sponsor and support the Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 (H.R.3930 in the House and S.2042 in the Senate), which will permanently save public lands from exploitation by private business.

Sincerely,

How to Contact Your Members of Congress

Find your Members of Congress at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials.

Call the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 to reach your Congress member’s office.

Online: Find your members’ websites and look for the “Contact” page to submit a message. For a senator’s website, search lastname.senate.gov. For a House member, search lastname.house.gov.