September 26 Fee Free for Day Use Visitors to the Southern California National Forests

US Forest Service
San Bernardino National Forest
602 S. Tippecanoe Ave San Bernardino, CA 92408
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Valerie Baca (909) 382-2711

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., September 18, 2009—September 26 marks a “Fee Free” day for day-use visitors to the San Bernardino National Forest. The Forest is celebrating the annual National Public Lands Day, held each year on the last Saturday in September. No Adventure Pass is required for use of High Impact Recreation Areas or day-use sites on Saturday, September 26.

“National Public Lands Day is a great way to connect communities with public lands all over the country,” said San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Jeanne Wade Evans. “This weekend is a great opportunity to get outdoors and appreciate the open spaces here in Southern California.” Each year the forest offers a variety of fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities across the forest to encourage public participation on public lands. This year’s projects include a clean up project and brush trimming/ removal project in Lytle Creek, Parry Pinyon Pine Protection Project near Pinyon and tree planting in the Butler II fire area near Big Bear, and invasive species removal at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument near Palm Desert. (Details below)

The “Free Day” policy was established as part of the Adventure Pass program in 1998 allowing three free days per year. In addition to National Public Lands Day, the four Southern California national forests also recognize National Trails Day on the first Saturday of June and Veterans Day on November 11. Other fees are still required, such as those in campgrounds, reservation and group sites. Exceptions will be posted onsite. Visitors who accidentally use their Daily Adventure Pass on a Free Day may have it replaced free-of-charge.

Volunteer Opportunities Planned For the Weekend

Lytle Creek Canyon Clean-up

Trash clean-up and brush trimming/removal at the Applewhite Picnic Area and surrounding areas. Creek clean-up of various portions of Lytle Creek.
Contact: Mark Uthus
Agency: US Forest Service & Toyota Motors
Phone: 909-382-2722
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Applewhite Picnic Area - Lytle Creek Road in Lytle Creek

Parry Pinyon Pine Protection Project

Volunteers are needed to help remove brush around the precious Parry Pinyon pine trees to help protect the trees in case of a wildfire. The two species of pinyon found locally are culturally important to the Cahuilla Indians and other Southern California Tribes. Volunteers will help clear away and pile the vegetation growing near the trees. Work will be in pre-selected areas and take place over three weekends from Friday morning through noon on Sunday. On each Saturday, efforts will take place on Ramona
or Santa Rosa Indian Reservation lands and provide opportunities to share cultural background on Native pinyon harvesting and other plant gathering practices. Come and join us.
Contact: Daniel McCarthy
Agency: US Forest Service
Phone: (909) 379-9332
Time: 8:15 a.m.
Location: near Pinyon on State Highway 74, East of Mountain Center

Butler Peak Restoration Project

Come and pitch in and help replant the 2007 Butler Peak burn area. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a smiling face and some working hands. All tools and lunch will be provided. No reservations necessary, groups larger than 10, please RSVP.
Contact: Danielle Grondin
Agency: US Forest Service & San Bernardino National Forest Association
Phone: (909) 382-2818
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Big Bear Discovery Center 40971 North Shore Drive in Fawnskin

Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Tamarisk Removal (invasive species Tamarix ramosissima) Volunteers are needed to hike into the site and use hand tools/manual pulling to remove plants.
Contact: Jennifer Taylor
Agency: Bureau of Land Management
Phone: (760) 833-7117
Time: 6:30 a.m.
Location: Palm Spring BLM Office 1201 Bird Center Drive in Palm Springs

Know Before You Go

Check with the following forest offices for Adventure Pass requirements, current fire use restrictions and our free forest visitor’s guide:
San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office: 909-382-2600
Lytle Creek Ranger Station: 909-382-2850
Skyforest Ranger Station: 909-382-2758
Idyllwild Ranger Station: 909-382-2922
Mill Creek Ranger Station: 909-382-2881
Big Bear Discovery Center: 909-382-2790

For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/18/2009 07:43PM by Rick.