Pacific Southwest Region

Southern California Hazardous Fuels Rehabilitation and Restoration

California Wildfire Recovery Project

• USDA Forest Service Region 5
• Student Conservation Association

The USDA Forest Service Region 5 and the Student Conservation Association (SCA), utilizing FY 2004 Congressional earmark funding, are continuing the California Wildfire Recovery Project, previously administered by the Earth Day Network and Home Depot, Inc. This program focuses on mobilizing and managing volunteers on wildfire restoration and conservation projects on four southern California forests - the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests.

The eight-person volunteer management team, in partnership with the four forests, will work for eight months to serve as a link between the forests and volunteer organizations. The SCA interns also lead groups in site-specific stewardship projects and provide event management assistance to promote volunteer opportunities. The SCA recruits will address trail repair, habitat improvement, invasive species, and fire restoration and prevention. The SCA intern's first project was coordinating the Take Pride in America Day, and their next project will involve National Public Lands Day.

The interns receive safety and wilderness first aid training, take stewardship related classes and receive leadership and Forest Service orientation training. This unique program brings fresh, new leadership and perspectives to the agency. Also, by working with the surrounding communities the interns, help to inform the Forest Service about community viewpoints and perspectives towards these projects.

Over the duration of the SCA project, the four southern California forests will gain benefits from hazardous fuels rehabilitation and restoration projects, as well as other needed work. A Forest Service project coordinator will be hired to coordinate with agency personnel, to ensure quality assurance and standards are met, and to supervise the team.

For more information on the FS/SCA California Wildfire Recovery Project please contact Laurie Fenwood, USDA Forest Service, 707-562-8958.

Success Stories

• Barton Flats
• Breaking Barriers
• Burn Area Restoration Projects
• Carveacre Community Protection
• Charlton Flats
• Crystal Lake
• Evacuation Route Clearing
• Forest Area Safety Taskforce
• Grant Successes
• June Aerial Flight Results
• Kuffel Canyon Road
• Laguna Mountain Community Protection
• Lake Arrowhead Log Storage Facility
• March Aerial Flight Results
• Mistletoe Eradication
• North Lake Arrowhead Fuels Reduction
• Seeds for Forest Renewal
• Skyline Fuels Reduction Project
• Student Conservation Association Partnership
• Take Pride in America

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