In 2022, the National Forest Foundation’s Southern California Program worked with the U.S. Forest Service, state agencies, community partners, and funders to address some of the most pressing barriers to healthier and more resilient National Forests in Southern California. Here are some highlights of what we and our partners accomplished this year:

Junior Field Rangers

Thanks to the hard work for our partners at Pacoima Beautiful, the Junior Field Rangers program was able to increase the number of participants hired this year, providing more San Fernando Valley youth with paid, hands-on experience on the Angeles National Forest and adjacent public lands.

The Junior Field Rangers engage the public and promote sustainable recreation practices through online communication, nature interpretation, and information on impacts of uses. Click here to learn more about the program.

Trail Stewardship and Workforce Development

Thanks to our partnership with the VF Foundation, we worked with local youth organizations to address recreation access across Southern California communities and National Forests through the Trail Stewardship and Workforce Development in Southern California National Forests Project.

This project addressed these issues by providing much-needed maintenance and stewardship of popular trails and employment to historically marginalized communities across Southern California. Click here to learn more about this project.

Post-Fire Restoration and Wildfire Resilience

The NFF has partnered with the San Bernardino National Forest to manage multiple projects across the San Bernardino National Forest that will improve community wildfire safety and address post-fire restoration needs. Primary funding for the projects is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), as part of the California Climate Investments (CCI) Program.

In 2022 we conducted fuel reduction and tree release activities across over 2,100 acres! Click here to learn more about our partnership with the San Bernardino National Forest.

Recreation Infrastructure

The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the NFF, is working to improve public access to the Eagle Peak recommended wilderness area, including Eagle Peak and Three Sisters Falls. On November 15, 2022, NFF and the Cleveland National Forest (CNF) staff broke ground on the Cha’chaany Hamuk Trailhead Improvement Project, kicking off project implementation.

This project will improve recreation access for hikers across San Diego County. This project was partly funded through a partnership with the NFF, the CNF, and the Wildlife Conservation Board Public Access Grant Program. Click here to learn more about this project.

What’s to come in 2023?

In 2023, the Southern California Program will continue implementing work across our major priorities: post-fire restoration, wildfire mitigation, recreation improvements, and youth engagement. Some of those projects include:

• Junior Field Rangers - multiple National Forests
• Goldspotted Oak Borer Management - multiple National Forests
• Lightning Point Campground Improvements - Angeles National Forest
• Post-Fire Weed Management in the Santa Ana Mountains - Cleveland National Forest
• Grass Valley Fuels Reduction Project - San Bernardino National Forest

This is only some of the work we’re doing next year! To support these projects and more, click here to donate to the Southern California Forest Fund.

Thank you to our Southern California Program supporters and partners:

• Southern California Forest Fund donors
• Southern California Edison
• VF Foundation
• REI
• Rose Foundation
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), as part of the California Climate Investments (CCI) Program
• Rivers & Mountains Conservancy
• Wildlife Conservation Board
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
  

Cover photo by Brian Cavallaro.

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