Ecological restoration and our partners

2013·3.2 MB·English

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.
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U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region
_ Ecological Restor.
United States
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Restoring California's National Forests
California Forests Threatened Where California Gets
Call to Action Half of its Water
ALIFORNIA’S FORESTS AND GRASSLANDS face serious threats With fifty percent of California’s water originating on National
from natural and human-caused stresses. Foremost Forest lands, water and watersheds valued at more than 9.5 billion
threats are climate change, disturbed and altered natu- dollars are among the most valuable ecosystem services California’s
ral systems, increases in non-native invasive species, and National Forest lands deliver.
impacts from an expanding human population.
Healthy forest watersheds capture, cool
Over the last 75 years, climate change has resulted and store water; naturally regulate sea-
in many visible changes in ecological patterns and processes,
sonal stream flows; enhance water quality;
changing trends in water and fire throughout California that reduce flood and storm damage; control
include: erosion; replenish groundwater; and
provide habitat for plants and animals.
* precipitation remaining steady or increasing, trending
When forests are healthy, they
strongly toward more rain than snow, with average annual
resist and recover quickly from
snowpack depths decreasing,
floods, fire, insect outbreaks
* peak stream flow shifting to earlier in the season by three or
and other extreme events.
more weeks, with lower low flows and higher high flows,
* fire frequency, size, severity and total annual burned areas California’s National
rising; mostly in low to middle elevation conifers. Forest’s water supply
sustains the state’s
Climate Change Impacts
thriving agricul-
Accumulating evidence shows that a warming climate is in- tural economy—the
creasing chances for extreme events like floods, droughts, heat world’s fifth largest
waves and downpours. Longer and more intense heat waves supplier of food and
commodities, valued at
and less intense cold temperatures are occurring, and the vast
majority of scientific models project these patterns will intensify $37.5 billion. Water from
National Forests produces 16
throughout this century. These patterns alter the frequency,
billion kilowatt hours of renewable
intensity and timing of events such as fires, heavy precipitation
and insect infestations. hydroelectric power, valued at $1.6 billion.
Science indicates that the geographic distributions of many
plant and animal species in California are changing (moving Fact: About 80 percent of our nation’s scarce freshwater resources
uphill or to cooler locations) and the interaction between rising
Originate on America’s forests, which cover about one third of our
temperatures and more profound summer drought is stressing
nation’s land area.
watersheds.
Critical benefits we receive from California forests are threat-
ened by climate change. These include provisioning services Restoring California’s Forests
such as water, wood and wild foods; regulating services such as
The Restoration Mission
erosion, flood and climate control; and cu/tura/ services such as
outdoor recreation, spiritual renewal and aesthetic enjoyment.
Restoring, enhancing and maintaining the health of our nation’s
The Forest Service is weaving climate change responses into
forests benefits the environment and creates jobs in rural communi-
policies, processes and partnerships nationwide.
ties. Increasing the pace and scale of restoring forests is critically
Effects on Water Supply needed to address fire, climate change, bark beetle infestation and
other threats—for the health of our forest ecosystems, watersheds
Climate change is expected to intensify issues of freshwater and forest-dependent communities.
scarcity and conflict. California’s National Forests are vital in
The Forest Service is committed to implementing and facilitat-
protecting and sustaining the state’s watersheds to ensure that
ing restoration work on our National Forests and Grasslands. We
surface water supplies meet the needs of present and future
are committed to including state, tribal, and private lands, working
generations.
with partners in what we call an “all-lands” approach.
Building Watershed Resiliency-—Water. the Essence of Life
‘The cost of restoring California’s National
Forest watersheds is about $300 million a California Average Annual Precipitation
year—a good investment considering
restoration ensures the continued flow of
water valued at $9.5 billion per year to down-
stream users. Precipitation in Inches
0.0 -15.0
The diverse restoration work needed to build 15.0 -50.0
healthy, resilient watersheds includes: 50.01+
Region 5 National Forest Lands
* Restoring meadows, wetlands and
floodplains to improve natural storage,
reduce flood hazards, prolong seasonal
flows, while moderating changes in
stream temperature to improve aquatic
Fact: Ecological
and terrestrial habitat,
restoration results
* Removing migration barriers and rees-
tablishing habitat connections to help will increase benefits
species adapt to changing conditions, to citizens in the
* Reducing flood and wildfire risks in
form of improved
vulnerable watersheds to prevent erosion
delivery of clean
and maintain clean water supplies,
water, recreation, and ®
* Improving or decommissioning of
roads to reduce erosion during adverse biodiversiftryom our Poe me 4,
weather events. National Forests. : S =
Kilometers
The Forest’s Bounty
services and Products
National Forests provide these benefits
to the American people:
Delivery of clean water
V%
Fish, wildlife and plant habitat
Mitigate droughts and floods
5 0)of California's water of California is National
Wood products, biomass energy comes from National Forest lands.
Forest lands.
Sustainable green economic activity
Scientific research 16 BILLION
Rural economic health in food and commodities produced kilowatt hours of the state's electricity—
in California's agriculture economy is valued at $1.6 billion—are produced by
Biodiversity
supported by water that flows from forest water for hydroelectric power and
National Forest lands. manufacturing.
Carbon sequestration
Air quality 38 THOUSAND
$9.5 BILLION
Cultural and spiritual
inspiration, healing, and restoration the value of water from jobs in the outdoor recreation industry
National Forest lands. are produced by California's National
Outdoor recreation Forests.
Scenic beauty
Fact: Carbon dioxide uptake by forests in thec ontiguous |Uni ted Stateso ffsets 1
percent of total carbon dioxide emissions.
When we use biomass treatment facili- completely virtual three day Sustainable
ties for vegetation thinning projects, we | Operations summit that brought leaders FierW oody
have the added benefit of turning wood in sustainability from across the nation, biomass provides
into energy. saving almost $1 million in travel and con- important ecological
| ference costs while avoiding 600 metric
What are the benefits of biomass? functions such as
tons of carbon emmissions.
SUCCESSFUL USE OF BIOMASS In addition Soil organic matter,
to promoting healthy resilient forests Who will continue the work it will take to
Why now? and more fire safe communities, the |_ restore our forests? nutrient cycling,
We are seeing and measuring impacts of use of biomass reduces land fill waste, GREEN JOBS, YOUTH, AND GREEN CAREERS The hydrological func-
environmental stressors—our forests are improves air quality, and creates five | Forest Service continues to engage youth tioning, and coarse
unhealthy. Major drivers are: climate change, | jobs per megawatt of energy produced. | from all walks of life to foster and recruit a
debris for wildlite
shifting weather and precipitation patterns, Biomass energy cycles carbon to the | diverse and multi-generational workforce.
increasingly dense and unhealthy forests, atmosphere that plants absorbed in We have committed to connecting kids habitat.
and fast-growing human populations. We recent past, resulting in no net release with nature and the outdoors.
see increasing demand for water, while both of carbon, if overall forests are stable We provide students, parents and teach- Fact: Biomass
water and biomass remain undervalued as or increasing. Biomass is an expandable ers with youth-oriented natural resource
commodities. We see a dramatic increase in technology and helps America reach and environmental materials. We promote BEES ine
events such as large-scale wildfires, floods, energy independence. having fun outdoors, being healthy and jobs per megawatt
insect and disease outbreaks, threats from For a long-term, successful biomass learning more about nature. We believe produced.
terrestrial and aquatic invasive species, and industry, a reliable and sustainable sup- | these outdoor experiences create an
an increasing need to revitalize rural econo- ply of biomass is needed. In California awareness and value of public lands,
mies in California, Hawai'i and the U.S. we are working with various agencies provide opportunities to be future stewards
affiliated Pacific Islands. to facilitate treatment, planning and | of these lands, or pursue careers in natural
Science tells us that if we want to restore implementation for a predictable sup- resources management.
our Forests to a healthy and resilient state, ply of woody biomass from public and
we must act now to make an impact. private lands.
“Ecologically healthy, resilient, and biodiverse landscapes,
Carbon emission—are we losing What additional tools are being used to
will have greater capacity to adapt and thrive in the
the climate change battle? restore forests? |
face of natural disturbances and large scale threats to
CARBON SEQUESTRATION National Forests are TRIBAL RELATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS The
sustainability... such as those driven by changing climates
some of the most efficient and readily avail- Forest Service consults and collabo-
and IyTeLrC TCASI; NG human use. D>) Randy Moore, Regi:o nal Forester
able carbon sinks on earth. Helping young rates with Native American tribes, tribal
forests become established, grow, and resist governments, traditional practitioners
adverse effects of fire, drought and mortal- and their communities to appreciate
ity from insects and diseases—helping old and benefit from thousands of years of
forests resist these stressors—will optimize traditional ecological knowledge gained Working Now for Tomorrow
carbon sequestration capabilities. Through from their stewardship of all lands in
reforestation and restoration, we expect to California. These collaborations will —Greating Alliances
increase carbon sequestration and optimize enrich the agency's design, implemen-
retention of carbon stocks. tation, success and longevity of forest
LLIANCES AND PARTNERSHIPS supporting restoration
Don’t forest watersheds repair themselves? | and watershed restoration projects. projects will assist us and secure the future for our
Why do they need help? How is the agency working to reduce
grandchildren’s grandchildren. In building California
MANAGEMENT OF FOREST VEGETATION While fire climate change impacts? forest resiliency, we will need to increase the amount
is an essential component of a sustainable SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS As the Forest
of acres restored from 200,000 to about 500,000 a
forest, current conditions lead to abnormally | Service maps out a second century in
year. To accomplish this, we will need an investment of at
severe wildfires and long term damage the midst of a changing climate, our
least $300 million a year. This investment could save $800.
for watersheds. This significantly affects choices about resource use and impacts
million annually in direct cost avoidance in suppressing fire
ecological restoration, community wildfire on people and the environment are at
with a savings in billions of dollars in overall resource:
protection and watersheds. Successful the heart of sustainability. In the Pacific
tected, including water, property and wildlife habitat.
vegetation fuels treatments slow the spread Southwest Region, the Forest Service
and reduce the intensity of advancing wild- is reducing the carbon footprint of our
Existing and future partnerships with other federal, state, cal
land fires. The Forest Service is working to operations by using virtual technology
and tribal entities are critical to increasing the ps
change abnormal wildfire severity, through to reduce travel, and establishing local
of restoration. Only with participation from the
projects that reduce hazardous vegetation. green teams to find ways to reduce
The Agency strives to reduce the millions energy, water, and waste. Our new fa- truly manage and protect these invaluable fores
of tons of forest fuels produced annually cilities are embracing renewable energy,
Our youth will be the recipients of the bou
on public and private lands in California. including solar technology and buildings
today’s restoration efforts. It is essential to
Through thinning vegetation, we can reduce that meet LEEDS standards.
this generation to participate and partnerw i
the severity of wildfires and reduce competi- As part of our commitment to sustain-
tion among trees, creating greater water able operations, the Region hosted a resilience to our nation’s forests. =
flow and reducing stress on the forest.
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Connecting for Success—Become a Partner
For more than 100 years, the Forest Service has partn ership Contact \
worked together with partners to restore and protect the Forest Serv
; U.S. FO st Region
land. Land steward partnerships reflect a growing and Pacific Southwes' "™ mince
important trend—the joining of passion and resources Regional Partnership
by committed citizens, organizations, businesses, ais 797+562°900!
tribes, and government agencies to achieve social, Club Drive
economic and ecological goals. me 1323 4592
NVAN/ita¥m Core M fe\"Asmere)anple )(s> Mrae laremanrelarcle)(s ianlcvai@ pe) ceve)(s gals) ostoolrs5!. | OmobiNle Sdev ice to add partnership
and more diverse public impacts, strengthening our information to your contacts.
agency with strong partners and alliances is essential to
achieving success for all. We are searching for significant Other Related Websites
and successful relationships between people, tribes, Ecotocica RESTORATION
organizations, businesses, private land owners, agencies www.fs.usda.govigoto/r5/EcologicalRestoration
and communities to work together, sharing resources and + Region 5 Leadership Intent
passion for the land for generations to come. Visit Us Online + Implementation Plan
At www.fs.usda.govipre to find: * Regional Projects
, Join ES Now * Cooperative Fire Protection Cumate Cuance
~The Forest Service is seeking new partnerships to increase Program Contacts ibee swriry wick, $i Aah aly on ae.»
the pace and scale of restoration objectives on National . Interpretive Association ¢ Region 5 Carbon Inventory Assessment
Coordinators * Climate Change Resource Center
Forest lands in California. With your help in using an “all * National Partnership Office * National Climate Change Strategy
nds’ approach, we can leverage our assets and resources ~—,_ Trina tC oordinators WareR
‘to ensure we bring nature's benefits to all Californians. z ;
ee 9 Volunteer Coordinators www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r5/WaterQuality

Wi LIBRARY
Ecological Restoration Projects
ay FireScape pinata @ Dinkey Creek Landscape Restoration Project
Sierra National Forest
Los Padre
The Forest “Ar estore and tan net a A 154,000-acre 30-member
collaborative framework for managing fire collaborative ecological restoration
across the Northern Santa Lucia Mountains ree -T e “Y project on the Sierra National
and the Monterey Coast, working with 25 A‘ aet e!M iia Forest and private lands in a
publiacn d private organizatiotnhsa tc onduct jee a ae ee San : priority watershed, has restored
planning and compliance activities up front ca 7% 4 034 acres of terrestrial habitat;
and at the landscape scale to increase work improved 1,187 acres of rangeland;
on the ground. The collaborative seeks to protect reduced fuels on 4,778 acres and
life and property affected by wildfire while sold 15,962 hundred cubic feet of timber.
maintaining healthy ecosystems.
@ Forest Aid. ..F rom Ashes to Action
@ Trout Creek Restoration Project
San Bernardino National Forest
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
The U.S. Forest Service and Los Angeles-based TreePeople
Federal and state agencies, private landowners,
partnered to recruit large numbers of volunteers and corporations.
and non-governmental organizations are partnering
Over two years, 25,000 volunteers participated, resulting in more
to restore 1.5 miles of Trout Creek. This also restores
than 51,000 native seedlings
the wet meadowland ecosystem, reduces and prevents
planted, one of the largest
erosion, improves habitat for redband trout and
volunteer-led tree planting
other wildlife, while fostering community-supported
programs in southern
stewardship of the watershed. hs California.
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National Forest Lands XW R.. To achieve
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@ Indian Valley Watershed Restoration Project \ * — Restoration goals,
Eldorado National Forest the Forest Service
Many partners came togethert or estore a 900-acre meadow at @ Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time ’
| mee will need to increase
the Mokelumne River headwaters. As a result, the stream can Pacific Southwest Region
access the floodplain and spread out, reducing the water flow A partnership between the Aldo the amount of acres
and re-watering a Leopold Foundation, the Center restored in California
Lal i for Humans and Nature, and the from 200,000
400 projec .
ate os ae U.S. Forest Service produced acres a year
Mn ap an Emmy® award-winninfgil m to about 500.000
byt he National examining Leopold’s thinking,
Fish and Wildlife acres per year.
renewing his idea of a land
Foundation and the
ethic for a population facing a
Coca-Cola Company.
21st century ecological challenges; with Leopold’s biographer,
Conservation Biologist Dr. Curt Meine as the on-screen guide.
About Us Contact Us ial e Scan this QR Code The USDA Forest Service is an equal op-
The U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region Pacific Southwest Region 4 oe oe portunity service provider and employer.
manages 18 national forests, encompassing 20 million gn nee information abet Printed on recycled paper February 2013
acres of Nati| onal Forest land iin n CaliCfaloifrornnii a and assi|s ts 707.562; .8737 thhee US USDA Forest Hawai'i< beach photo by: Matthew Tucker
the state and private forest landowners in California, TTY: 707.562.9240 fs hSearvlicoe,n PacRie fgihe.p n. Rainbow Falls photo by: Nathan Tucker
Hawai'i and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. www.fs.usda.gov/r5 [a]a ws