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US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region: National Forests in California
News and projects of Regional interest, including selected Washington Office and National Forest articles.
U.S. Department of Justice News Release
The U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Forest Service, with the coordination of the U.S. Attorney's Office, arrested a series of defendants on March 17, as part of a coordinated effort to apprehend misdemeanor violators who had failed to appear in federal court as required.
ARRA: Complete Podcast
In the seventh episode of "Forest Focus", members of the Pacific Southwest Region Public Affairs Staff interview various people involved in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Carbon Inventory Assessment
A team of Forest Service experts and scientists completed a rapid assessment that evaluates how different management activities on national forest lands in California might affect forest growth and disturbance and determine the changes in carbon storage and loss over the next 100 years.
Pacific Southwest Regional Silviculturist is Recipient of John R. McGuire Award: Landram leads effort which sets historic tree planting records
U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Silviculturist Mike Landram will be presented with the prestigious John R. McGuire Award on Sept. 9 during the National Forest Service Reunion at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula, Mont.
Marijuana -- Cultivation and Eradication: Complete Podcast
In this episode of "Forest Focus", John Heil of the Pacific Southwest Region Public Affairs Staff investigates the issue of marijuana cultivation and eradication on the National Forests in California by interviewing experts in the field from various agencies.
Three California Winners of Chief's Awards: Recognizing Volunteerism on National Forests
Three of this year's prestigious national awards for volunteerism in the Forest Service went to Pacific Southwest Region awardees. "Winning the Chief's awards is a significant honor that highlights the important work accomplished by volunteers around the region," said Randy Moore, Regional Forester.
Operation "Save our Sierra" (SOS)
The Director of the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske joined heads from the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, California National Guard, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and other law enforcement and land management agencies on July 22 to announce Operation S.O.S. (Save our Sierra).
Forest Service And California Deer Association Working Together
On July 24, the Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Deer Association (CDA), an organization that is dedicated to improving habitats for deer and other wildlife species throughout the state.
Sequoia Acquires Scenic Land and Quaint Cabins to Rent
Sequoia National Forest officials are proud to announce the addition of almost 600 acres of land to the Western Divide Ranger District on the Sequoia National Forest, Giant Sequoia National Monument.
U.S. Forest Service Report Released: Completed Fuels Treatments in Angora Creek Worked as Designed, Moderated Fire Behavior and Fire Effects on Tahoe Basin Forest
The U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has just released a report statistically detailing the effects of pre-fire forest fuel treatments on fire severity in the wildland-urban interface areas burned by the Angora Fire in 2007.
Organizations Unite to Combat Nature Deficit Disorder
On June 25, at 9:30 am, four national organizations -- the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Children & Nature Network -- will announce their partnership with the Get to Know Program in the Audubon Center at Debs Park, Los Angeles, CA.
International Efforts Emphasize Migratory Bird Conservation and Environmental Education Activities
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) actively collaborates with government and non-government partners across the Middle East to address natural resource management challenges. The USFS is focused on strengthening this network and building the capacity of non-governmental organizations, communities, and land managers to take part and engage in migratory bird conservation and environmental education activities.
Kyburz Flat Wildlife Underpass Dedication Ceremony
On June 25, the Highway 89 Stewardship Team's first mitigation project for California Route 89 is being dedicated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kyburz Flat, California. The stretch of Highway 89 from Truckee to Sierraville on the Tahoe National Forest is the only 'Experimental Highway' for environmental issues in the world.
Local Students Find Summer Jobs Fixing Trails on Sierra National Forest
On June 24, a Student Conservation Association (SCA) trail crew comprised of nine students enrolled in the Forestry Program at Reedley Community College will begin a 60-day trail maintenance project on the Sierra National Forest. The team is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and has been organized by the Student Conservation Association in partnership with the Sierra National Forest.
Living with Fire: Firewise Communities and You
Forests in the Sierra Nevada have evolved through fire. With the population increasing in the foothills and the mountains, there is a need to learn how to live compatibly with nature in this fire-adapted environment. Research on home ignitions has taught us that we should first focus on the "little things" to prepare our homes for fire season.
Deputy Secretary Announces New Economic Recovery Projects While Visiting California
On June 11th, Kathleen Merrigan announced 30 projects in 14 states, funded at $57 million. The projects will promote the development of biofuels from wood and help private sector businesses to establish renewable energy infrastructure and accelerate availability in the marketplace.
Get to Know Your Wild Neighbors
The Forest Service is proud to partner with world renowned artist Robert Bateman's "Get to Know" (Your Wild Neighbors) program and calendar contest. This is the first year the program will be introduced in the United States, with its California launch on National Get Outdoors Day, June 13, 2009.
U.S. Forest Service to Host National Forest Plan Revision Workshop
The U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region will host a workshop at the McClellan Wildland Fire Training Center in Sacramento on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to kick off the process of revising land management plans for the national forests of California. All are encouraged to attend.
Forest Service Hosts Members of Chico Mendes Institute for Conservation of Biodiversity
Public Services staff hosted two members of the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity May 26-30. The members will meet with Region 6 Recreation staff June 1-7. The Brazilians will learn how the United States engages in concession development and administration, eco-tourism, and public-private partnerships in Federal protected areas.
National Get Outdoors Day: June 13, 2009
The Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition are sponsoring the 2nd annual National Get Outdoors Day at 70 sites throughout the nation (30 of them are Forest Service sites) on Saturday, June 13, 2009.
Region 5 Receives Conservation Award
Region 5 was one of two recipients of PRBO's 2009 Conservation Partner Award. PRBO is a California based wildlife conservation and research non-profit organization. Accepting the award were Forest Service employees Diana Craig and Mark Williams.
Migratory Birds in the Middle East and Africa: Promoting Collaboration and Conservation Across the Hemispheres
Conservation biologists from PRBO Conservation Science and Forest Service International Programs will host conservation leaders from seven Middle Eastern and African countries at Palomarin Field Station in Bolinas, California on Thursday June 4, 2009.
Forest Service Hosts Members of Chico Mendes Institute for Conservation of Biodiversity
Region 5 Public Services staff and Region 6 Recreation Staff of the U.S. Forest Service are hosting two members of the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity (Brazil National Park Service) May 26-June 7.
The California Fire Alliance and Bureau of Land Management Launch "Take Responsibility" Campaign
The BLM and partnering agencies of the California Fire Alliance will hold a press conference in the community of Talmadge in San Diego to launch the "Take Responsibility" campaign, to raise awareness among homeowners who live in the wildland-urban interface about the importance of creating and maintaining defensible space around their homes.
Livingston Charged in 2008 Fires on the Stanislaus National Forest
Tuolumne Superior Court Judge Douglas Boyack has found probable cause for Gregory William Livingston to stand trial on three counts of arson. Livingston is charged with deliberately setting a series of fires on the Stanislaus National Forest on September 6, 2008.
Hats Off to the Plumas for Their Tree Planting Record
The Plumas recently completed planting more than 1.5 million trees on over 11,000 acres of land damaged by wildfire. This amounts to 2.3 times more planting than any other year in the history of the forest and more than half the Region's total tree planting efforts this year. Hat's off to all involved!
Arbor Day -- Forest Aid and Kids for Trees
The Rim of the World High School Singing Scots Choir of Lake Arrowhead, CA sponsored a free Arbor Day Concert. The choir was also complimented by poetry readings and dances about nature that were performed by students.
Be Safe on our National Forests: What to do if you Encounter a Marijuana Cultivation Site
As the summer approaches, the marijuana cultivation season will begin and it is especially important to be aware of your surroundings on national forests. Here are some clues that you may have come across a site.
QandA with Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) Member Paul McFarland
Currently, the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are seeking applications for three positions on the 11 member California RRAC. We caught up with committee member Paul McFarland recently for an interview about his volunteer position.
Los Padres National Forest Sets Tree Planting Record
The Los Padres recently completed tree planting on over 1,000 acres of forestland burned in the Day Fire of 2006, which is 5 times more planting than any other year in the history of the forest! A planting project with boy scouts helped celebrate the unprecedented season.
Pacific Southwest Region Demonstrates Carbon Sequestration through Reforestation
The Pacific Southwest Region recently took an opportunity to help inform emerging carbon markets and to demonstrate how forest management may be used as one part of a national climate change mitigation strategy through reforestation, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and El Paso Corporation.
Opportunity to Work in Partnership with Public Lands Agencies Still Available
The deadline for submitting applications for the Pacific Southwest California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) has been extended to May 15, 2009. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are seeking applications for the following three positions on the 11 member RRAC: Winter motorized recreation such as snowmobiling; hunting and fishing; and motorized outfitting and guiding or local environmental groups.
Courtney Sentenced to 15 Years for Starting Fires, Deaths of Two Firefighters
"Fighting fire is inherently dangerous work," said Regional Forester Randy Moore. "We feel for the families who lost loved ones, and we're pleased that the responsible individual is being held accountable for fires that resulted in two firefighter deaths and an overall increase in risks our firefighters face."
Forest Service First Round ARRA "Fuels" Projects Announced
First round Forest Service "fuels" projects in California will total approximately $1.5 million. The jobs are estimated to last up to 18 months. Projects will take place on the Shasta Trinity National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest through contracts and agreements and with a Grant through State and Private Forestry.
Fairy Possum Loses Its Enchanted Forest
The Leadbeater's Possum, an elusive arboreal marsupial, which nest in old growth tree hollows, has lost most of their habitat to the bushfires in Australia. US BAER team wildlife specialists continue to work with local resource experts to determine the potential direct and indirect fire impacts to Leadbeater's possums and other wildlife species within and downstream of the fire area.
Quiet Koala Found within Kilmore East-Murrindindi Complex North Fire
Several members of Erv Gasser's US Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, currently on assignment in Australia, were conducting post-fire assessments near a bridge along the Murrindindi River. The group sighted a Koala perched on a Red River Gum tree next to the bridge -- curiously watching them.
Modoc Forest Supervisor Recognized for Tribal Relations Accomplishments
During the Regional Leadership Meeting at the end of March, Forest Supervisor Stan Sylva was awarded with a beautiful hand-made headstall by Dan Meza, former Tribal Relations Coordinator on the Forest. Since he joined the forest in 2003, Stan has been committed to government-to-government relationships with the five Tribes that have ancestral interests in managing the forest. This has resulted in good ecosystem restoration and forest management.
US BAER Team Surveys Bunyip Fire Area for Australian Critically Endangered Bird
Members of Carolyn Napper's US Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team are currently on assignment in Australia assisting with the Victoria bushfires. At the Bunyip State Park, the team was led to feeding stations in a thick stand of tea tree where they observed nearly a dozen of the rare Helmeted Honeyeater birds.
Forest Service Contributes To National Economic Recovery
"I am proud that the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region will be playing an important role in creating private sector jobs for Californians on their national forests," said Regional Forester Randy Moore. "With the construction industry being one of the hardest hit, these projects will be right on point. In addition we have the opportunity to provide jobs to counties with high unemployment up to as much as a year."
Gasser BAER Team at Killmore East-Murrindindi Complex North Fire
The biodiversity Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) group members on Erv Gasser's US Interagency BAER team are currently on assignment in Australia assisting with the Victoria bushfires. The biodiversity group specializes in flora issues and has been assessing the burned area of the Killmore East -- Murrindindi Complex North fire since Wednesday, February 25, 2009.
U.S. Interagency BAER Teams -- 2nd Update
Two United States (US) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams continue to assist, supplement and support Victoria State agencies in Australia in their bushfire post-fire assessment efforts.
Full Plate for Forest Service BAER Team Members in Australia
From hosting the interim American Ambassador to Australia and assisting wildlife to assessing suppression and post fire concerns, the two United States Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams have had a very busy time in Australia since arriving on Feb. 15.
BAER Team in Australia Discovers Wombat in the Middle of the Day
Members of a U.S. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team in the Gippsland Region of Victoria, Australia, encountered a young wombat under distress while completing field work on Friday, Feb. 20., giving concern for the three natural resource specialists because wombats are nocturnal animals.
Interagency BAER Teams Deployed To Australia
Two United States (US) Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams arrived in Australia on Sunday, February 15, 2009, and were greeted by the U.S. Consulate General, Michael Thurston, at the Melbourne International Airport. Both teams have been requested by the Australian government to assist, supplement and support Victoria State agencies in their bushfire recovery effort.
Monumental Outlook Over The Horizon
Many times when we envision pictures of a National Forest, what comes to mind are the vast open spaces, and beautiful lush mountain meadows. If you are lucky, you see yourself fishing in a stream with a deer or two browsing, and birds flying overhead. Well, here is how the Forest Service and community partners helped to make that picture a reality!
Opportunity to Work in Partnership with Public Lands Agencies Still Available
The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are seeking applications for the following three positions on the 11 member RRAC: Winter motorized recreation such as snowmobiling; hunting and fishing; and motorized outfitting and guiding or local environmental groups.
Pilot Project Could Streamline NEPA Process
Could it be true, NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) made easy? The Washington Office Ecosystem Management Coordination (EMC) Publishing Arts group and the Sequoia National Forest recently launched a pilot project called ePubPlus, which could streamline the way NEPA and other documents are published and enhance public participation through the use of innovative Web-based software.
New Method Introduced for Vendor Incident Fire Support Services
A new process for entering into pre-season agreements with vendors that provide incident fire support services is being implemented by the Forest Service.
Forest Service Gives Presentation to China Exchange Council
The Pacific Southwest Region State & Private Forestry (S&PF) staff made a presentation to nine members of the United States China Exchange Council on January 20, 2009.
Pacific Southwest Regional Strategic Priorities
In October 2008, the Regional Leadership Team identified five strategic priorities that will guide the Region through Fiscal Year 2009 and beyond. These priorities reflect who we are as a Region and where we intend to go in the future.
Forest Service Meets with Representatives from Congressman Herger's Office to Discuss 2008 Fire Season in Northern California
Three members from Congressman Wally Herger's staff, members of the Concerned Citizens for Responsible Fire Management, County Supervisors from Butte, Shasta, Trinity and Siskiyou counties and Forest Service personnel attended a roundtable discussion on fire in Northern California on January 7, 2009, in Redding, Calif.
Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Extend Deadline for California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee Member Applications
The deadline for submitting applications for the Pacific Southwest California Recreation Resource Advisory Committee (RRAC) has been extended to February 6, 2009. We are seeking applications for the following three positions on the 11 member RRAC: Winter motorized recreation such as snowmobiling; hunting and fishing; and motorized outfitting and guiding or local environmental groups.
Lebanese Interagency Fire Tour Will Stop in Southern California
The national committee to combat forest fires in Lebanon will tour U.S. Forest Service sites in Southern California from January 9-13, 2009. The tour is being organized by U.S. Forest Service International Programs and funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Motor Vehicle Travel on National Forests in California
The use of motor vehicles, particularly off-highway vehicles, is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation on National Forest land in California. This use--and its effects--has largely gone unmanaged until now. Motor-vehicle recreation needs to be balanced with the many different uses of our National Forests, as well as ensure the protection of the land, wildlife and other recreational visitors.