Angeles National Forest Public discussion of Recreation, Access and Resource

Arcadia, Calif. -- The U.S. Forest Service will host a panel of local user groups, youth corps, cultural preservation experts, land management specialists and elected officials to explore opportunities for enhancing access, recreational use and protection of scenic, cultural and historic areas of interest on the Angeles National Forest and portions of the San Bernardino National Forest. The public discussion will be held Aug. 26, 2014, from 4:00-7:30 p.m. at the Baldwin Park Performing Arts Center- 4640 North Maine Avenue, Baldwin Park, CA 91706.

The historic and cultural significance of the San Gabriel Mountains and the surrounding forests are recognized by forest users, the public at large and elected representatives. Over the past decade, studies have been conducted to assess the way some of the last remaining open space should be protected and managed in the future. The Angeles National Forest is surrounded by a patchwork of intense urban development. It is the scenic mountain backdrop for the Los Angeles basin; includes over 70 percent of the open space for Los Angeles County and one third of the county’s drinking water; and is one of the largest and most diverse population centers in the world. The portion of the San Bernardino National Forest west of Lytle Creek is part of the contiguous San Gabriel Mountains range and shares the same unique natural character and significant recreational use by forest visitors.

The managers of the most urban forest in the country must reassess how to remain committed to forest and watershed conservation while meeting the challenge of increasing recreational demands. The Forest Service will engage the public to explore opportunities to achieve our shared goals to enhance protection of wildland and watershed values.