Replanting our Nation’s Forests
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Los Padres National Forest

Forest Overview

1.75 million acres. Located in central California

Towering stands of pines, river willows, and wildflowers characterize the Los Padres National Forest. Wildlife live among its mixed conifer and junipers, including the nocturnal yellow-blotched salamander. Steep sandstone cliffs rise high in the Sespe Wilderness Area, one of its 10 designated wildernesses full of fossils and petroglyphs. Current residents include red-tailed hawks, cougars and golden eagles.

The Need for Trees

The Los Padres hosts six endangered wildlife species plus 30 potentially endangered plant species. The California condor numbers less than 30 birds, seeking mountain cliff caves for safe nesting.

The month-long 2006 Day fire burned remote chaparral areas of the Mount Pinos Ranger District. It blazed into record-making history, commanding more than 4,800 firefighters as it consumed much of the forest.

What We Are Doing

A combination of 210,000 native trees will help restore small conifers. These Jeffrey pines, ponderosa pines, sugar pines, white firs, and big cone Douglasfirs will help reestablish wildlife habitat and regenerate the area's surrounding chaparral ecosystem.