Forest Aid

From ashes to action

Congratulations to everyone who helped make Forest Aid’s first planting season in the San Bernardino National Forest a big success! Thanks to support from volunteers and partners from across Southern California, Forest Aid planted more than 20,050 seedlings in its first year and became one of the biggest volunteer projects in the history of the San Bernardino National Forest. Forest Aid is a partnership of TreePeople, the San Bernardino National Forest Association and the U.S. Forest Service. Visit www.forestaid.net for more information!

Join us in 2010!

Volunteers are needed to plant thousands of seedlings in the San Bernardino National Forest this spring. Individuals, schools, community groups and businesses are welcome. The 2010 planting season is scheduled to begin March 2010 and promises to be even more impactful. For volunteer or sponsor opportunities, and to learn how you can join this volunteer-led effort and bring trees to areas of the forest made barren by fire, disease and drought, contact TreePeople’s Regional Manager for the San Bernardino National Forest, David Tankersley, at dtankersley@treepeople.org.

Train to be a Reforestation Leader!

We need the support of trained Reforestation Supervisors who will help guide and support other volunteers through the planting season. Trainings for this vital volunteer role begin in January, 2010. Please contact dtankersley@treepeople.org to place yourself on the email list.

In the meantime, you can volunteer right now by contacting the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA. To learn about volunteer and special event opportunities visit www.sbnfa.org or call their hotline at (909) 382-2780.

20,000 seedlings planted in 2009

The wildfires in the San Bernardino National Forest were driven by years of long-term fire suppression, drought and a subsequent bark beetle infestation. Reforestation must happen as soon as possible to ensure growth and to prevent the land from turning to brush – which would make it even more susceptible to fires.

Forest Aid responded by mobilizing volunteers to plant native seedlings in March through May 2009.

These tree plantings targeted high-need areas along Highway 18 between Crestline and Running Springs. Reforesting these areas was particularly urgent to mitigate erosion and prevent landslides that could impair mountain access.

Why it matters

In 2003 and 2007, massive wildfires tore through the San Bernardino National Forest, razing 185,000 acres of forestland.

Replanting these mountain forests will protect them from future wildfire destruction and enable them to, once again, function as part of a healthy, natural watershed. With assistance from Forest Aid volunteers, the forests will continue to perform their magic:

* Producing oxygen
* Filtering pollutants from the air
* Replenishing groundwater supplies by helping the land absorb and filter rainwater
* Reducing the negative effects of global warming
* Providing a habitat for wildlife

The beautiful San Bernardino National Forest is important to life throughout Southern California for these and many other reasons. Read more about the benefits of trees.

About Forest Aid:

The United States Forest Service, the San Bernardino National Forest Association and TreePeople are partnering to help rebuild a healthy San Bernardino National Forest. This partnership is based on a simple belief: That a single person planting a single tree can help revitalize fire-damaged areas, effect climate change, clean the air, capture rainwater and build a sense of community. Forest Aid's mission is to replant and revitalize the mountains of Southern California. Forest Aid is funded by generous grants from The Walt Disney Company and The Boeing Company, and by contributions from TreePeople and SBNFA supporters like you.

About the San Bernardino National Forest Association

The San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA) founded in 1993 is a key education, conservation and recreation nonprofit partner to the U.S. Forest Service, creating partnerships that bridge the gap between forest visitors and nature, through environmental interpretive programming and initiatives that promote forest appreciation and restoration. The SBNFA offers outdoor recreational programs that foster respect for the forest, the environment and stewardship, while providing hands-on activities for all ages.

In the spring of 2008, prior to the official launch of Forest Aid, SBNFA executive director Sarah Miggins organized an initial planting of 10,000 seedlings in Lake Arrowhead. For more information call (909) 382-2796 or visit www.sbnfa.org.