Politics : politics@vcmc.info

Right now we need you and everyone who loves Sequoia trails to make two phone calls expressing your concern and dismay about the wrongful termination of Stewards of the Sequoia volunteers. We need your help to ensure staff hear from thousands of people objecting to the wrongful termination of Stewards volunteers and urging the Forest Service to reinstate Stewards volunteer trail maintenance program.

PLEASE BE POLITE AND COURTEOUS

• FIRST CALL Congressman McCarthy (202) 225-2915
  If you do not get a live person be sure to leave a voicemail
• SECOND CALL Forest Service Chief (202) 205-1680
  If you do not get a live person be sure to leave a voicemail

TALKING POINTS- Feel free to read this verbatim. Add your own thoughts if you wish but PLEASE BE POLITE My name is _______________ Please log this call and my concern that the Forest Service reinstate Stewards of the Sequoia volunteer trail maintenance agreement immediately and stop persecuting volunteers. Stewards of the Sequoia have always been respectful and professional and most certainly helped meet the Forest Service Mission by performing an incredible 4000 miles of trail maintenance since 2004. I am utterly dismayed by the District Ranger's allegations to the contrary and without any evidence. The Forest Service needs to take corrective action to stop this kind of libelous and malicious behavior by Forest staff.. Congressman McCarthy submitted a letter to the Forest Chief on 4/2/20 asking that she ensure "Stewards of the Sequoia's First Amendment rights are not violated, and that the decision to restore the Stewards’ volunteer service agreement is based on this group’s performance of its duties under this agreement, not on policy disagreements or website postings that are unrelated to the volunteer service agreement". Instead of following Congressman McCarthy's suggestion Forest Officials have taken further discriminatory action against Stewards and have repeatedly refused to provide any evidence to back up their ridiculous claim that Stewards of the Sequoia have been disrespectful, unprofessional or do not help to meet the Forest Service Mission. The Forest Service has repeatedly stated they lack the resources to maintain Sequoia National Forest trails. There has been a huge increase in the public use of Sequoia National Forest lands during COVID. There appears to be absolutely no justification for turning away Stewards of the Sequoia successful productive volunteers. The termination letter does not cite any issue with any of Stewards volunteer work. Now more than ever, the Forest Service needs to allow and encourage Stewards of the Sequoia volunteers to help maintain trails and reduce environmental impacts. What can your office do to reinstate Stewards of the Sequoia volunteer agreement now to resume much needed trail maintenance?