News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > $3.6 Million for Forest Care (Update)

$3.6 Million for Forest Care (Update)

Now Includes Private Properties Up to 20 Acres

By Michael P. Neufeld
Monday, May 26, 2008

Southern California's Emergency Supplemental Hazardous Fuels funds have been apportioned and the Forest Care program will receive $3.6 million to continue assisting private landowners with the removal of small trees and brush.

These funds are a part of a $19.5 million funding package destined for non-Federal lands in Southern California, and administered through the US Forest Service.

With current grant funds of approximately $6 million, Forest Care was set to expire in 2010. These new funds will help keep Forest Care around for successive years, providing opportunities for an additional estimated 1,000 private landowners to get assistance with thinning the trees and brush on their densely forested lots.

"We are tremendously excited at this opportunity to expand and continue our work to enhance the forest health and safety of our mountain communities," commented Sarah Miggins, Executive Director of the National Forest Association.

Forest Care can cover up to 75 percent of the cost of creating a healthier, more fire-safe forest landscape around your residence. (Photo by Forest Care.)

Forest Care is offered through the cooperation of CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) and the San Bernardino National Forest Association, a unique state-private partnership designed to deliver the program efficiently and professionally.

Forest Care reimburses landowners up to 75% of the cost of thinning their properties to reduce hazardous fuels. Originally intended for properties 5 acres or less in size, the additional funds will allow Forest Care to treat properties up to 20 acres. This covers the gap where the Forest Care program previously left off and the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) begins. CFIP is administered by CAL FIRE and treats properties greater than 20 acres in size.

Since the summer 2006, over 500 landowners have participated in Forest Care, a significant, but small portion of the total landowners in the mountain communities. Approximately $1 million in federal funds has been allocated to these projects to accomplish the work.

Forest Care is here to help make our mountain communities a safer place to live. To schedule your appointment with a licensed professional forester, get materials to hand out to others in your neighborhood or community, or to arrange for a Forest Care staff member to give an exciting and informative presentation to your group or club, call (888) 883-THIN or visit http://www.sbnfa.org.

Forest Care is one of six programs managed by the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA), a 501(c) 3 nonprofit. The mission of Forest Care is to help create forest-friendly communities through reducing fuels in the short-term and instilling stewardship values for long-term change. Forest Care partners with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and is funded through a US Forest Service grant. For more information or to find out how you can support Forest Care or SBNFA, contact Shawna Meyer at (909) 382-2697.