How to Write a Letter to the Editor Supporting 1% for Wildlife

Writing Letters to the Editor is an important and impactful way to advocate for issues you care most about - published pieces provide an additional line of communication with decision-makers and help to raise awareness of the issues and encourage the public to take action. With your help, a consistent flow of media hits can keep the drumbeat up on conservation issues and maintain the public pressure needed to bring real change.

What is an LTE?

A letter to the editor (LTE) is a short article written by a reader that is sent to the editor of a news outlet for them to publish/post. The letter is typically a short response to a relatively recent article ran by the publication you’re submitting to, although that is not a requirement. The reader’s response can be written as a comment to the story, to share an opinion, or add any additional information to the article. 

Find a local publication and guidelines here.

1. Open with a Hook

• Read a few previously published LTE’s on the paper’s website before drafting your own.

• Talk about how the specific newspaper you’re writing to has covered this issue. You can even include a link to their past reporting in your LTE.

• Respond to an article in the paper, if possible. The sooner the better. 

• Pick ONE point to respond to, and stay on topic.

• If no other article on the issue is available, begin your LTE with why you are writing about this now.  

Start with something timely or local. Draw from:

• Recent news about Oregon wildlife or habitat issues

• A personal experience, such as seeing whales at the coast, puffins at Haystack Rock, or encountering native pollinators in your garden

• A current legislative debate in Salem

Anything that reminds readers why Oregon’s wildlife matters is a strong opener.

2. Point to the Extinction Crisis

Highlight that Oregon’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need list is growing and is now over 300 species. Choose one or two charismatic species to illustrate the problem. Good examples include:

• Salmon (always a safe and compelling option)

• Native pollinators

• Sea otters or other broadly popular wildlife

Avoid more polarizing species like wolves, spotted owls, or marbled murrelets unless they suit the audience.

3. Explain Why Funding Matters

Underscore the need for dedicated investment:

• Species become harder and more expensive to save as they decline

• Early action avoids costly emergency interventions later

• Protecting ecosystems now reduces future conflict and restores ecological balance

4. Introduce the 1% for Wildlife Proposal

Clearly connect the solution to the problem:

• The bill creates a modest increase in the statewide lodging tax

• Revenue would go directly toward wildlife recovery and habitat restoration

• The proposal has bipartisan support

• Even with the increase, Oregon’s lodging tax would remain among the lowest in the country

• An economic analysis shows the increase won’t harm competitiveness, and investing in wildlife helps protect the natural attractions visitors come to see

5. Emphasize the Broader Benefits

Show that this is not just about wildlife:

• Healthy habitats support clean water, recreation, tourism, and rural economies

• Investments strengthen Oregon’s outdoor heritage for both people and wildlife

6. Acknowledge the National Context (Optional)

If useful for your audience, briefly note:

• Federal rollbacks, staffing cuts, and shrinking budgets have shifted more responsibility to states

• Oregon must step up to safeguard its wildlife

• You can reference national politics (including Trump) if appropriate, but the most effective LTEs for conservative audiences avoid blaming the President and focus on the long-term trend that has happened under both Republican and Democratic leaders

7. Close with a Clear Call to Action

Tailor your ending to the outlet:

• For statewide papers: Urge Speaker Julie Fahey, Senate President Rob Wagner, and legislative leaders to pass 1% for Wildlife

• For local papers: Thank your local legislators if they support the bill, or encourage them—and their colleagues—to do so

Additional Writing Tips

• Personalize it. National publications receive hundreds of letters every week, you want yours to stand out.

• Keep your letter to 150-250 words (the newspaper’s website should tell you their specific limit).

• Newspapers care about what affects the people who buy their newspapers, and they know a form letter when they see one. Speak from the heart about why you care about this issue. 

• Localize as much as you can by mentioning a local story, special place, loved one who benefits, etc. Editors won’t like a cut-and-paste.

• Do not repeat your opponent’s arguments or take the myth/fact approach - No need to give the opposition a microphone!

• Volume counts - don’t get discouraged if your first letter isn’t published!  

Submission Tips:

• Include your contact information: Full name, address, phone number, email in the body of an email but not in the LTE itself. The paper will probably follow up with you to confirm the author.

• Following up with the newspaper and asking if they received your letter can increase the chances of it getting printed!

• It’s ok to submit your LTE to more than one paper - but consider submitting them in the order of your preference for publication. Sometimes, a paper won’t run an LTE if it has already been run in another publication, although it’s not as strict for LTE’s as it is for OpEds.