San Bernardino National Forest, September 27, 2013 – The San Bernardino National Forest is offering a fee-free day this Saturday in conjunction with the 20th annual National Public Lands Day. On September 28, no Adventure Pass will be required for use of Standard Amenity Fee sites.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands, with more than 170,000 volunteers expected to participate around the country this year. Last year on this day, volunteers collected an estimated 500 tons of trash and 23,000 pounds of invasive plants, planted 100,000 trees and other plants and built or maintained 1,500 miles of trails.
San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron said, “National Public Lands Day is a good day to enjoy the great outdoors, both by visiting the national forest and taking part in one of the many volunteer opportunities around the forest.”
Here are a couple of local Forest Service activities:
Big Bear, Greenthumbs Ecological Restoration Project. Work will consist of seed collection, native shrub and tree planting and the scattering of woody debris to disguise unauthorized routes. Volunteers will meet at the Big Bear Discovery Center at 9:00 a.m. on September 28 and caravan to Holcomb Valley for ecological restoration activities until 3pm. Lunch will be provided through a sponsorship with REI. All supplies and gloves will be provided. Volunteers are requested to wear long pants and tennis shoes or boots. Sunscreen and hats are highly recommended. Contact Juli Goss at (909) 382-2826 or jgoss@mountainsfoundation.org
San Gorgonio Wilderness, South Fork Trail. Trail work along the South Fork Trail just above Horse Meadows will include brushing, thread work and trail clearing. Contact Alfredo Zarate at (909) 382-2900 or azarate@fs.fed.us.
You can find more information on these and other local events online.
