UP FROM THE ASHES: ANGELES ACTIVISTS UNITE TO RESTORE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST

Tasks closer to the hearts of our hiking members will be scouting and reporting on the status of trails throughout the burn area. Many of these trails will require extensive repairs due to rock and timber falls, as well as from erosion damage in the coming winter rains. Most of the trail signage has burned and will need replacing.

A large number of picnic and campground facilities will require extensive rehabilitation. While some of these sites may be so damaged that they will have to be abandoned for a period of years, others will require replacement of picnic tables, signage and sanitation facilities.

And then there is the forest itself. We anticipate a years-long reforestation effort that will involve hundreds of work parties planting trees and following up with nurturing them through their first seasonal drought periods. One idea being kicked around is the possible creation of memorial groves sponsored by chapter entities or by individuals.

How will the restoration work be accomplished?

AFRP will function as a primary point of contact between the Forest Service, which will identify and oversee all work performed by our volunteers, and the Angeles Chapter. AFRP will solicit, coordinate, sponsor and/or co-sponsor work parties from all chapter entities that wish to participate in the renewal of the Angeles National Forest. We anticipate that all outings will be O rated, as are service outings that have been sponsored by the Trails Committee.

When will the work parties start?

As soon as the Angeles Forest is opened to the public, AFRP will be soliciting the Chapter's outings community to fan out through the burn area so that we can make our own, independent assessment. That means visiting many miles of trails and forest roads, making notations on maps, and generating status reports back to the AFRP management team. Formalized work parties will start to be scheduled after the Forest Service has developed a list of projects and allocated supervisory personnel.

How do I volunteer?

Email growangelesgrow@gmail.com. Tell us one or more ways to contact you, some background information about yourself, and what kinds of forest restoration work interest you the most. No email? Send a letter with the information to Angeles Forest Restoration, c/o Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, 3250 Wilshire Blvd. #1106, Los Angeles, 90010-1904.