ForestWatch is beginning a comprehensive inventory of the entire Los Padres National Forest. We need your help as we gather information about activities that are causing the most damage to fragile areas of the forest. Right now, we're focusing on unmanaged livestock grazing and unlawful off-road vehicle use.

The first step in our inventory is to determine exactly where this damage is occurring. We are already familiar with some areas, but we know that there are many other areas out there that we don't yet know about. Your information will help us as we visit each site, document the damage, and prioritize the areas that are most in need of protection.

 

Here's how you can help:

 

PHOTOS - We're looking for photographs showing damage to the Los Padres National Forest. Right now, we're only accepting photos showing damage caused by livestock grazing and off-road vehicles. This might include trail ruts, erosion, overgrazed vegetation, trampled springs and wetlands, illegal trails, and damage to Native American rock art or other fragile areas.

If you have digital photos, you can send them to info@LPFW.org . If you have prints, you can mail them to ForestWatch, PO Box 831, Santa Barbara CA 93102.

Click on the photos to the right for close-up examples of what types of damage we're looking for.

 

LOCATIONS OF DAMAGE - If you've seen damage to the forest, but don't have photos, send us an email at info@LPFW.org and provide us with as much information as you can. Please include: date, location (with as much detail as possible), and a complete description of the damage and what you think caused it.

 

FOREST NEWSLETTERS - We're looking for old issues of the quarterly newsletter sent out by the Los Padres National Forest.  Right now, this newsletter is called "Statement of Proposed Action," and it's used to alert the public about upcoming projects on the forest. We're looking for the following back issues, back when it was called the "Environmental Newsletter":

• July 1993 through July 1995 (13 newsletters total)
• November 1995
• March 1996
• October 1998
• January 1999

If you know anyone who might have back issues of this newsletter, please contact us immediately at (805) 252-4277 or email info@LPFW.org .