Forest Aid

27,990 trees planted in 2010!

Congratulations to everyone who helped make Forest Aid’s 2010 planting season a huge success! Thanks to support from volunteers and supporters from across Southern California, 27,990 trees were planted this spring in the San Bernardino National Forest. Individuals, schools, community groups and businesses all rolled up their sleeves and helped surpass our original goal of 25,000 trees.

Despite the unforseen road closures, planting delays due to weather and soil conditions, and the challenges of planting in rugged mountain landscapes, this heroic effort brought a river of humanity to the fire-damaged forest and became one of the biggest volunteer projects in the history of the San Bernardino National Forest.

TreePeople extends our heart-felt appreciation to our volunteers, volunteer leaders and partners - the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Association.

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.