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Arbor Day home

Communicate with State Legislators

Trees in Georgia make up one of the state's greatest assets as a commercial industry that produces products for daily living. Trees also provide cover that enhances daily living, making Georgia 's cities and communities cooler, businesses better, and places nicer to live.

Rapid land development, the minimal self-enforcement of tree maintenance best practices, a small number of local tree ordinances and policies, and insufficient counseling with tree professionals are all greatly affecting Georgia's community forests.

Maintaining new and existing trees so they are healthy and provide common economic, environmental, and social values to everyone is the starting point to addressing these major issues in Georgia.

Communicating with state legislators is critical to bringing this issue to the public's attention at the most relevant time of the year - Arbor Day.

This task is not difficult. Below we show how you or your organization can be just as effective as all the lobbyists that work the halls and offices in and around the Capitol.

Here's how:

• Find Your Legislators. To find your legislators, use the Georgia Secretary of State web site at www.sos.state.ga.us . Click on "Elections," and then click on "Poll Locator." Once there, click on the "Place Where You Go to Vote," and it will display who your legislators are.

• Know Your Legislators and Teach Them. Study your legislators to get to know them. Most are not lawyers. They are bankers, teachers, doctors, pharmacists, etc. None of them identify themselves as foresters, so education is important to them. Call them. Make appointments to go to their offices to visit them. Tell them about your issues.

• Always Leave Them with Facts in Writing. Educate them throughout the year, and help them understand in simple terms. Take the role of a teacher. Tell them why these issues are important, why they should know and be interested, and why the issues are important to Georgia. Give them talking points.

• You Can Become Their Expert! Through ongoing relations with your legislators, you will become one of their advisors. When you communicate with them, always remind them of your background, so they will start to be proactive in calling you when they need you, too - when they have a Bill coming up for debate.

• Write an Arbor Day Issue Letter. Get their attention at the start of the letter, "Dear Representative (name), I live in your District." Then, state the issue and give them quick details to reasons why you are writing. Just so you know, November - December is the prime time for contacting elected officials. Regardless of the timing, they will read your letters, if you keep them brief.

Tips for Going to the Capitol for Arbor Day:

• Be Prepared. Legislators want to use your expertise, so be prepared. The more informal the better. Be prepared to have a conversation with them. Leave something with them in writing.

• Know the Legislative Process. Their schedules are difficult to pin down in January and February. They are available the first week in January, in recess the second week, and are back in session from the third week on through February.

• Get Noticed. You can go to the Capitol during the session. Wear a button, bring friends, and walk around. Have a "valuable tree" message and numbers of people.

• Know that Time is a Premium. You may not be able to get to your legislators because it is not the best time to see them one-on-one. If you do, though, know that it can only be for one or two minutes. It is more effective to call and send e-mails for direct communication.

• Be Direct. Keep your comments simple and always provide your name and contact information.

• Know that They Want to Hear from Their Constituents. They are elected to represent you and they want to. On the majority of issues, they actually want information. While lobbyists provide good, truthful information, you have more clout than they do, if you will use it.

• Be Reasonable. Play an active role in communicating with legislators. Always remain personable and professional with them, even if things do not work out according to your plans. Remember that the legislators and you are working together to get results for Georgia.