Cleveland National Forest

Cleveland National Forest Penny Pines Program

NATIONAL FORESTS IN CALIFORNIA

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.

The Sierra Nevada range and along the north coast of California areas are great stands of woodlands.

In the arid mountains of the south where the 460,000 acre Cleveland National Forest is located, there are vast expanses of chaparral.

These areas of great beauty and majestic stature are plagued by devastating problems, such as natural and man-caused fire, pests and disease. These cause vast depletion and destruction of the national forests in California.

It takes thousands of firefighters and hundreds of pieces of specialized equipment working long hours to control these blazing infernos. Fires like these leave total destruction in their wake.

As destructive as fires are, disease and insect infestation destroy seven times more forest vegetation annually than fires because forests pests are scattered and not easily detected, so are harder to control.

In time some land may recover naturally. Penny Pines provides a helping hand. It is a conservation program in which everyone can participate.

Follow this link for a downloadable PDF of the Penny Pines Brochure.

Descanso Ranger District

One favorite drive for local residents in San Diego County is the Scenic Route that can be accessed by heading east on Interstate Highway 8 and joins with Sunrise Scenic Byway (S1) through the Laguna Mountain Recreation area and loops back to Highway 79 near Lake Cuyamaca then back through Cuyamaca Rancho State Park on or travel north through the historic mining town of Julian. The Penny Pines monument located in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area on Sunrise Scenic Byway across from the Noble Canyon trail head approximately 15-20 miles from Interstate Highway 8.

Palomar Ranger District

From Interstate Highway 15 take Highway 76 east to S6 (South Grade) Turn left towards Palomar Mountain Observatory. Go up Palomar Mtn. until you reach the intersection by Mother's Kitchen Restaurant and turn down S7 (East Grade will be off on your right) and travel approximately 1 mile. The Penny Pines Monument is on the right side of the road near a pull off. For a scenic drive, travelers can continue down S7 and it will run into Highway 76 near Lake Henshaw. About half way down S7 there is a new overlook and parking area where you can pull off and enjoy the view that looks out over the valley below. Once you reach Highway 76 you should turn right and descend back down towards Interstate 15 to return home.

The views from both South and East Grades on Palomar Mountain are spectacular in all directions. On a clear day one can see the Channel Islands off in the Pacific Ocean. From the Henshaw Overlook the view of Lake Henshaw and the surrounding mountains - including Hot Springs Mtn. which is the highest point in San Diego County - is excellent. From this vantage point one can see the historic route of the Butterfield Stage Coach that came up from the desert and headed Northwest via Oak Grove.

Trabuco Ranger District

Ortega Highway
From Interstate 15 take the Central Avenue (Hwy 74) exit. Follow the Hwy 74 signs west 4.7 miles to the junction of Grand Avenue and the Ortega Hwy (Hwy 74). Turn right. Travel west 5.3 miles to the junction of the Main Divide Road. Turn left (south). The Penny Pines monument is located on the left side of the road next to the Wildland Firefighter Memorial Picnic Area.

Continuing another .2 miles west on Hwy 74, you will come to the Visitor Information Center (VIS) located at the El Cariso Fire Station. The VIS is open on most weekends and provides information to the public on activities, campgrounds and the surrounding area.

Leaving Lake Elsinore, the views traveling up the Ortega Highway are spectacular in all directions. You will be treated to ever expanding panoramic views of Lake Elsinore and the surrounding mountains and communities of inland Southern California. There is a view point turnout just above the Look Out Restaurant to stop and safely take in the scenery.

From Interstate 5 take the Ortega Highway 74 exit in San Juan Capistrano. Travel east 22 miles to the Visitor Information Center (VIS) located at the El Cariso Fire Station. Continue another .2 miles east on Hwy 74 to the junction of the Main Divide Road. Turn right (south). The Penny Pines monument is located on the left side of the road next to the Wildland Firefighter Memorial Picnic Area.

HISTORY OF THE PENNY PINES REFORESTATION PROGRAM

In 1941, California's first Penny Pines plantation was sponsored by the San Francisco Sports-women's Association.

Recognizing the great need to restore these devastated areas, the association sent their donation to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in northern California.

Since that contribution, the number of participating groups and individuals has grown each year. They include such organizations as the Garden and Women’s Clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, civic and sportsmen’s clubs, and many others.

WHY THE PENNY PINES DONATION IS $68.00

At the start of the program in 1941, seedlings could be produced for about one cent each. Approximately 680 seedlings were used to plant a typical acre. For $68.00, seedlings for ten acres could be purchased. Site preparation and planting costs were met through regular Forest Service appropriations.

The Penny Pines program was so successful that money contributed to purchase seedlings soon far exceeded appropriated funds available for site preparation and for the actual planting job.

In1964, the original cooperative agreement was rewritten to provide that funds contributed under the Penny Pines program be used for reforestation, rather than solely for purchasing seedlings.

HOW PENNY PINES DONATIONS HELP THE NATIONAL FORESTS

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.

In southern California, contributions may be used to prepare plantation sites for new trees or planting seedlings grown in Forest Service nurseries throughout California. Seedlings are grown from local seeds and acorns, and replanted near the areas where the seeds were collected to improve their change of survival. The funds may also be used to maintain existing tree stands and improve wildlife habitat. Plantations are important for watershed protection, soil stabilization and shade for recreation areas. Any of these activities may be funded through Penny Pines donations.

The Penny Pines Reforestation Program plays a vital role both in renewing the national forests in California, and in multiple-use management. Trees help the ground store precious water, protect against soil erosion, and add to the scenic beauty of the national forests.

HOW TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THE PENNY PINES PROGRAM

A minimum donation of $68.00 may be made to a specific national forest, and even to a specific Ranger District within that national forest. The Cleveland National Forest has three Ranger Districts where Penny Pines are utilized.

The funds are deposited into a Penny Pines Reforestation account, drawn upon as improvement projects are determined by resource managers.

A certificate of appreciation and thank you note is sent to each donor. An initial donation from an organization or individual, or one honoring a deceased person, may also have a memorial plaque installed at a Ranger District Penny Pines Memorial.

Your donation to the Penny Pines Project will help bring new life into our National Forest!

Please support the Cleveland National Forest by printing this form and mailing it in with your tax-deductible contribution to:

Cleveland National Forest
10845 Rancho Bernardo Rd., Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92127-2107
Attn: Penny Pines Coordinator

Name: ______________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________

City: ________________________________ State: _______ Zip Code: __________

Phone Number: ________________________

E-Mail Address: ____________________________________

I have enclosed a donation of $_____________

If  this is a memorial/honor donation, please circle the district on which you want your name/names to placed.

Make checks payable to: The Cleveland National Forest

Thank you for your continuing support of the Penny Pines Reforestation Program.

You make a difference!

USDA Forest Service - Cleveland National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 16 April 2007 at 20:12:36 EDT