The unprecedented number of visitors to public lands during the COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, and officials are asking people to stay safe and clean up after themselves this Labor Day Weekend.
The Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument are examples of local public lands that are serving as places of refuge and recreation during the pandemic for millions of first-time visitors.
Due to the high number of visitors, not all restrooms can remain open and trash dumpsters and bins are overfilling. While most visitors may be more accustomed to visiting a city or county park with more maintenance and amenities, the Forest and Monument offer a more wild and untamed experience and with that comes more responsibility on the visitor.
To reach this new audience, local agencies across L.A. County are working with local partners, such as Nature for All and the National Forest Foundation, on messaging that urges the public to come prepared for their next visit to the Forest and Monument.
For peace and solitude, ANF District Rangers recommend visiting the Forest’s higher elevations where visitors will find fresh air, cooler temperatures, and much less crowding. Driving an extra 30-minutes can easily take you into the high country, where visitors will find spectacular vistas, along with needed space to roam, explore and enjoy the outdoors experience.
With more than 700 miles of trails, all open to the public, the Angeles National Forest has plenty of space beyond the more easily accessible and highly popular areas at the lower elevations.
This Labor Day Weekend the Angeles National Forest will temporarily close access to Chantry Flat and Millard Canyon Campgrounds to further limit crowding and fire risk within these restrictive mountain canyons. Both locations will reopen after the holiday weekend.
Ninety-five percent of all wildfires in California are human-caused. This Labor Day weekend’s high temperatures, low humidity and dry vegetation raise concerns in what has already been an above-normal fire season across California.
By taking a few steps to plan ahead, visitors can help these places stay open, clean, and safe for future visitors, especially during the pandemic.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when preparing to visit a National Forest or Monument.
Don’t assume you will have access to public service amenities such as:
* Informational/visitor services
* Available restrooms
* Public trash/recycling cans
* Have at least one backup destination in case your first option is too crowded.
* Bring and wear a mask, especially at the trailhead or when passing other people on a trail or in a picnic area.
* Use your own restroom prior to visit the Forest as there may not be public restrooms available at your destination.
* Bring a trash bag to take any trash home with you to dispose of.
* Bring along any maps, directions or other information you may need during your visit.
Take responsibility for your own safety:
* Check for fire danger or closures before you leave
* Bring basic first aid supplies
* Check weather and dress appropriately
* If there is an emergency or you see a fire – call 911.
While many organizations and outlets are communicating Leave No Trace principles, local organizations realize that the wording and language used in the principles may be hard to understand for the new visitor. Partners will be making a concerted effort to share basic tips and guidance in approachable language this fall as visitation continues to rise.
The Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel National Monument not only provide 70 percent of the open space in Los Angeles County, but they also provide 30 percent of the drinking water for the county. Conservation leaders in the region are depending on all visitors to help take care of this critically important place in Southern California.
About the National Forest Foundation
The National Forest Foundation works on behalf of the American public to inspire personal and meaningful connections to our National Forests. By directly engaging Americans and leveraging private and public funding, the NFF leads forest conservation efforts and promotes responsible recreation. Each year the NFF restores fish and wildlife habitat, facilitates common ground, plants trees in areas affected by fires, insects and disease, and improves recreational opportunities. The NFF believes our National Forests and all they offer are an American treasure and are vital to the health of our communities. Learn more at nationalforests.org.
About Nature for All
Nature for All works to build a diverse base of support for ensuring that everyone in the Los Angeles area—no matter where they live—has equitable access to the wide range of benefits that nature can provide. Visit www.lanatureforall.org.
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
After receiving athletic protocol updates from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LADPH) and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the William S. Hart Union High School District has put together a complete athletic program following all state and county guidelines.
Three teachers from the William S. Hart Union High School District have been named by NASA and the SETI Institute to fly on NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed Tuesday 91 new deaths and 1,407 new cases of COVID-19, with 26,212 total cases in the Santa Clarita Valley.
After receiving athletic protocol updates from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LADPH) and California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the William S. Hart Union High School District has put together a complete athletic program following all state and county guidelines.
The ability to transform data into information and insights that can elevate a business and influence decisions is at the core of the newest major being offered in California State University, Northridge’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.
Three teachers from the William S. Hart Union High School District have been named by NASA and the SETI Institute to fly on NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA).
Los Angeles County Parks is looking for highly-talented independent instructors to bring valuable expertise and learning to the community through the Contact Class Program.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed Tuesday 91 new deaths and 1,407 new cases of COVID-19, with 26,212 total cases in the Santa Clarita Valley.
After its cancelation last year due to the emergence of COVID-19, the College of the Canyons Scholarly Presentation will return this spring in a new virtual format.
Santa Clarita Planning commissioners are expected to make a decision Tuesday regarding the proposed expansion of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital via multiple construction projects that include building a second inpatient tower.
Santa Clarita Valley educators were next in line to receive their COVID-19 vaccine shots at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Monday, more than two months after the hospital received its first batch of vaccines for hospital frontline workers.
Los Angeles County Public Health officials on Monday confirmed 32 new deaths and 987 new cases of COVID-19 countywide, as Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia reported two new deaths since Friday.
In partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the city of Santa Clarita will launch its “Guard That Auto” campaign this spring to combat an increase in grand theft auto over the past year.
The city of Santa Clarita, in partnership with the Santa Clarita Sister Cities program, invites local students to submit artwork, poetry, essays/creative writing, photographs, or music for the 2021 Sister Cities International Young Artists and Authors Showcase.
In a rush to bring children back to California schools after a year of closed campuses, Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers said Monday the state will offer $2 billion to school districts willing to reopen next month.
The race to get a COVID-19 vaccine in Los Angeles County despite vaccine shortages is cutthroat and most people don’t even know they’re in the competition.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has learned of a text message phishing scam related to REAL ID and reminds customers that it will never ask for personal information related to driver’s license number, Social Security number, or financial information through email, text, or over the phone.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
0 Comments
You can be the first one to leave a comment.