Get Involved: Grassroots Information
Letter Writing Tips
Act Now: Your Letter Can Save Utah Wilderness!
Write a Letter to Your Representatives and Senators
Your Congress members and Senators will cosponsor America’s Redrock Wilderness Act if they hear that you care. This bill would protect over 9 million acres of pristine wild lands in Utah—federal public lands belonging to all Americans—by bringing them into the National Wilderness Preservation System. Your letter today can help save the wildlife and ecosystems of the spectacular Colorado Plateau and Basin and Range country for future generations to enjoy.
Your letter really counts—in Washington they say one letter represents a thousand constituents, because most folks don’t take the time to write. That gives you a lot of clout for just sitting down for ten minutes to put pen to paper!
Please write a short letter right away to your Congress member and to both your Senators, at:
Honorable Rep. [representative’s full name]
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Honorable Sen. [senator’s full name]
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
-- Insert state-specific material --
A few sentences are all that’s needed:
- Ask them to cosponsor America’s Redrock Wilderness Act today.
- Tell them why preserving wild Utah’s superlative scenery and wildlife habitat is important to you (if you have visited Utah, mention your personal experience).
- Ask representatives to contact Rep. Maurice Hinchey to sign onto the bill; ask senators to contact Sen. Richard Durbin.
It adds oomph if you follow up a letter with a phone call to ask them again—the Capitol switchboard is at 202-225-3121. If you get back a form letter thanking you for your views and promising to vote right if the bill comes up, fire back a quick reply to point out that that’s not helpful. With anti-environmentalists in control of this Congress, the bill is unlikely to come to a vote. Cosponsorship (publicly listing their support) is the only effective way to help!
Remember, these wonderful public lands belong to all Americans. By writing today, you will help keep them forever wild. THANK YOU for helping to protect America’s Redrock Wilderness!
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Write a Letter to the Editor
Writing a letter to the editor is one of the most effective ways to educate other citizens and raise the awareness of the general public about Utah wilderness issues. Hundreds of thousands of citizens read their local newspapers every day, and the editorial page is the most frequently read section of any paper. Published letters not only reach the citizens but garner the attention of elected officials as well, ultimately helping to shape public policy.
Remember to keep your letters short and concise. Editors often ask that submissions should be double-spaced and limited to 300 words. In order to be published you must include your name, address, daytime phone number as well as your signature. If you do not see your letter in the paper, please call the editorial section of the paper and politely ask why they are not printing your letter. It seems to take about one and a half to two weeks for letters to be published.
Be sure to send out two copies of your letters, one to the newspaper and one to us. We like to track our progress. Also, let us know if your letter is published. Thanks for taking the time to write on Utah wilderness. Again, letters to the editor are very important and play a key role in raising the issue in the public’s mind.
Following are some suggested topics for your letters:
- I support America’s Redrock Wilderness Act and would like to see wilderness quality lands in southern and western Utah become protected as federal wilderness.
- I would like to urge Rep./Sen. (your Rep./Sen.) to become a co-sponsor of America’s Redrock Wilderness Act.
- Please cite specific issues you feel strongly about and why you feel strongly about wilderness designation in Utah.
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