Forest Service Launches Collaborative “Trees and Trails” Approach

On December 3, 2008, 15 forest recreation and conservation partners and the US Forest Service gathered to launch a new, unified approach entitled: “Trees and Trails.” The organizing theme will provide focus and energy to connect people with nature, provide green jobs for young adults through hosted programs, improve trails, restore ecosystems and provide meaningful volunteer experiences on the National Forests of California.

By joining forces, conservation partners and the Forest Service have a better chance of competing for grants and leveraging resources. Partners and Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region staff will share goals and individual strengths that will make the “Trees and Trails” effort successful. Read more

Bald Eagle Winter Census Volunteers Needed

The San Bernardino mountains support the largest wintering bald eagle population in southern California. Eagles typically begin arriving in the area in late November and continue to stay in the area until early April.  Volunteers are needed to help the Forest Service count Bald Eagles this winter in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Volunteers are stationed at various vantage points around the mountain lakes where they map and note any eagle observations during a 1-hour period on a Saturday morning. This is the 30th year that the San Bernardino National Forest has organized monthly winter bald eagle counts. Read more 

Forest Aid - From Ashes to Action

On November 18, the U.S. Forest Service launched a partnership – Forest Aid –  with the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) and Los Angeles based TreePeople to plant 40,000 seedlings and help restore the San Bernardino National Forest. This multi-year, volunteer-led effort will extend from February 28 – April 28 for the 2009 season. Read more

Abandoned Mine Closures and Protection of Bat Habitats

The Mountain Top Ranger District, on the San Bernardino National Forest, and the State of California, Department of Mine Reclamation has successfully closed seven mine entrances for public safety and protection of bat habitats along Forest System Road 3N03. The gates not only prevent the public from entering into dangerous mine openings but also protect bat roosts and maternity wards. Read more

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument- Electronic Monument Brochure

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains rise abruptly from the desert floor, reaching an elevation of 10,834 feet at the summit of Mount San Jacinto. Providing a picturesque backdrop to local communities, the National Monument significantly contributes to the Coachella Valley's lure as a popular resort and retirement community. It is also a desirable backcountry destination that can be accessed via trails from both the valley floor and the alpine village of Idyllwild.  The National Monument’s boundary encompasses about 272,000 acres, including 65,000 acres within the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest, and 89,500 acres within the Bureau of Land Management’s California Desert Conservation Area. Read more

Big Bear Green Thumbs Ready for 2009 Season

The Big Bear Greenthumbs are a group of volunteers (all ages and walks of life) who work together monthly assisting the Big Bear Ranger Station’s Native Plant Nursery and Restoration Program. Projects include seed collecting, germination, plant propagation, weed removal, site preparation (sometimes trash removal), and planting native vegetation on the forest. Open to all interested public. Over the past 15 years this group has restored hundreds of acres on the San Bernardino National Forest with native plants grown from our commercial sized greenhouse. Read more

Penny Pines Reforestation Program

The national forests in California cover some 20 million acres, or about 1/5 of the state. That is equal to an area just slightly larger than the state of South Carolina. Stretching from the Mexican border to Oregon , these forests include a variety of terrain and vegetation types.  These areas of great beauty and majestic stature are plagued by divesting problems, such as natural and man-caused fire, pests and disease. These cause vast depletion and destruction of the national forests in California. In time some land may recover naturally. Penny Pines provides a helping hand. It is a conservation program in which everyone can participate. In 1941, California's first Penny Pines plantation was sponsored by the San Francisco Sports-women's Association.  Over the years these groups have contributed more than a million dollars to the Penny Pines Reforestation Program. Through these donations, more than 27 million of seedlings have been planted, renewing 88,000 acres of national forest land in California--truly an outstanding achievement. Read more

Wildflower Photo

This flower, known as the California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) was photographed near the Camp Pali/Heaps Peak area off of Highway 18. Pollinated by hummingbirds, this beautiful red is amazingly common throughout California (and the San Bernardino Mountains). It can be seen blooming in the late summer days growing on dry slopes and ridges..   Photo courtesy of Tommy Stoughton

Forest Scenic Photos Would you like to see your photo featured here?

Winter arrives at Lake Fulmor in the San Jacinto mountains.   Lake Fulmor is a small lake consisting of 3 surface acres and rests at an elevation of 5,300 feet. It is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. There is a nice picnic area but there are no concessions, bring your own supplies. Parking is available across the highway.  Photo courtesy of Dan Felix

Only in Southern California can you decide to water ski or snow ski on the same day. The San Bernardino National Forest offers many recreational opportunities in the winter!  Unlike some of the wildlife that live within them, America’s public land / recreation areas do not hibernate for the winter. Rather, many of these areas are open to a host of recreational opportunities unique to the season. Cross-country and downhill skiing as well as snowboarding, and snowplay are just a few of the activities that you can enjoy on public lands.  Photo courtesy of Bonnie Ember.

Winter Clouds approach Running Springs on the San Bernardino National Forest. Running Springs is located in the San Bernardino mountains and is often featured on local television news as the gateway to the forest.  Nearby Children's Forest, offers forest visitors recreational opportunities year-around.   Join us for a snow shoe tour! Photo courtesy of Vera Frantom.