Rogue Siskiyou had its second tour of the Ashland Loop project this last Sunday.
We had a handout with forest health and fire ecology info, but we ended up listening more than we talked.
After our conversations on Sunday, we understand better why outreach and public comment periods matter, and why people are upset about the way things have been handled.
We could comment on the language the City has used to describe the project, but this might miss the point.
The point is that the messaging has been inconsistent, confusing, and indirect. People never had the chance to be heard, and they feel ignored and condescended to.
People are legitimately frustrated. When the response they get to their questions and concerns is trendy jargon and studies defending a particular viewpoint, it doesn’t feel like listening, and it really doesn’t solve the problem.
It feels like ‘greenwashing.’ How can a logging project also be forest restoration? When we react by defending or explaining, we aren’t listening.
We can’t go back and fix the bungled roll-out of this project, but we can invite you all to join us on our next project tour. Please do come, and share this conversation with us.
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