In May 2007, the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa and the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) joined in partnership to support projects that improve and enhance the surrounding National Forest. The General Manager at the time, Peter Henry, always said, "The Resort is surrounded by beautiful San Bernardino National Forest, which attracts our visitors to the Resort, and it is our intent to give back." By offering a voluntary $3 per day, per room charge to the guest bill, just over a year ago, the SBNFA has received over $100K. In return for these fees, SBNFA naturalists have offered resort guests educational tours throughout the Forest and have sold maps, books and Forest related merchandise in the Resort café and store, which is co–managed by SBNFA.

The SBNFA and Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa approached Big Bear Lake's Northwoods Resort last Spring, another full-service, all-season mountain resort like Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. Following a few meetings, Northwoods Resort's new owner, Packard Hospitality Group, LLC, and local management committed to allocating one percent of the Resort fee to the SBNFA. This program allows the resort to appropriate one-third of the existing three percent Resort fee to the SBNFA which began on August 1, 2008.

"We strongly believe in giving back to the environment here at Northwoods," says Michael Goldstein, President of Packard Hospitality Group, LLC. "The resort takes advantage of nearly every aspect of the beautiful surroundings; it only makes sense to take steps to ensure it remains beautiful for our guests for generations to come."

This partnership is particularly vital to the success of the educational programs that are offered by the nonprofit. The contributions from the Resort will expand SBNFA's capacity to connect with millions of people in Southern California and redeem the land conservation mission.

"We are very excited about these generous offerings from the local mountain resorts," shared the SBNFA Executive Director, Sarah Miggins. "This monthly income helps to strengthen the foundation of our organization and provide opportunities for meaningful and memorable visitor experiences in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and within our National Forest."

These pristine mountain locations lay claim to over 300 days of sunshine each year and endless options for outdoor activities. Visitors to Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead can experience traditional mountain activities such as hiking, biking, boating, skiing and fishing or venture into more unexpected recreational options like parasailing, golf and horseback riding.

"Northwoods Resort has long been a favorite destination for visitors seeking unspoiled beauty and an incredible array of options for outdoor activities," says Lynne Baker, General Manager. "And now guests of the Resort will each be a part of not only enjoying, but also enhancing this magnificent destination."

 

Welcome to the National Forest Association

Since 1992, we’ve worked to complement the mission of the US Forest Service. We develop new resources and partnerships that create new opportunities, particularly through the efforts of volunteers, for conservation, education, and recreation that have added value to the forest’s role as public land.
Our Forest Care program is a $4 million outreach effort to increase fire-resistance around homes and businesses while thinning the forest to healthy densities. Through Forest Care, property owners are reimbursed for up to 75% of the cost.
Big Bear Discovery Center connects the forest and people through its visitor center facilities and activities. Get your permits, passes, maps, interpretive tours and programs, not to mention your Adventure Outpost and View Café shopping experience, here.
Children’s Forest is forest discovery for and by kids. Children’s Forest Youth Hosts and Youth Naturalists are almost as astonishing as the forest mysteries they reveal.
Fire Lookouts carry on a 75-year tradition of service to the forest by restoring and staffing seven lookouts during the summer with volunteer interpreters and educators.
Fire Education Outreach promotes understanding of fire and its role in the forest ecology— from forest renewal to a virtual experience of the ferocity of a real forest fire.  The program offers traveling exhibits for display at public events including the Wildfire Education trailer and an original 1924 Model T Forest Patrol vehicle. These volunteers also assist during major wildfire incidents in and around the Forest by answering fire information phone lines and interpreting at the air tanker base, among other emergency related tasks.
Our Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Programs promotes safety, stewardship, and responsible off-highway travel on public lands.
Outdoor Adventures is your resource to links for information about hiking and biking trails and picnic and camping facilities.
	Seedlings of Hope in 2003, wildfireravaged over 92,000 acres of the San Bernardino National Forest.  Literaly thousands of trees and shrubs need to be planted to help heal this fragile ecosystem.  Through the Seedlings of Hope Program, Pine, Oak and native shrubs will be planted in the National Forest.  We need your help!