President Obama used the Antiquities Act to proclaim roughly half of the Angeles National Forest a National Monument on Oct. 10, 2014. The monument is now 1 year old, and I’ve heard a lot of complaining that “nothing has changed.”

In fact, a lot of changes have been made in this single year.

The National Forest Foundation immediately launched the San Gabriel Mountains Community Collaborative. It assembled a group of people from all of the surrounding areas of the San Gabriel Mountains, from all walks of life. There are hikers, equestrians, OHV enthusiasts, mountain bikers, transportation entities, water entities, government officials, historians, archaeologists, Angeles National Forest personnel and many, many more. These people are working on a new management plan for the National Monument and have outlined what needs to be changed in the forest.

They work directly with the Forest Service to make recommendations for change. And the Forest Service is listening. The collaborative is identifying and prioritizing sustainable opportunities within the forest. It intends to improve the watershed, recreational opportunities, visitor services, land stewardship, educational, cultural and historical resources, and public safety.

The Forest Service has hired a young, enthusiastic, dynamic new forest supervisor. He has gotten the ball rolling and is making changes already. He’s hiring new rangers, visiting the entire forest to engage the community, and is ready to move forward with a new vision for the San Gabriel Mountains.

The National Forest Foundation has raised $3.7 million for on-the-ground improvements, many of which are completed or in progress.

One such improvement is the Dagger Flat Trail, which is being reconstructed by the Community Hiking Club of Santa Clarita. This trail was once a Tataviam footpath. Then it became a trail in the 1930s, having been constructed by the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps. Then it was abandoned, leaving Santa Clarita without any trails in the forest.

Despite the fact that Santa Clarita is the second largest city to abut the forest, there are no viable trails on this side of the forest. When Dagger Flat is finished, Santa Clarita will have a trail in the Angeles National Forest.

There are many more projects being considered for Santa Clarita residents, including wildlife viewing areas, picnic areas, trails and campgrounds.

Other improvements that are completed are Cattle Canyon off of Route 39. This was a needy-looking little day-use area that has now been improved. Trash cans have been painted, trees have been planted and signs have been painted. In other areas of the forest, stewardship programs including graffiti removal and trash pick-ups have been implemented.

Money is always a challenge. The Forest Service is under the Department of Agriculture, and it competes with farming, food safety, the Food and Drug Administration and more. Its budget has been barely enough to fight fires over the years.

And money is getting harder and harder to come by in Washington, D.C. The Forest Service has relied heavily upon volunteers to get lots of things done. If you would like to volunteer to see some of these desired changes become reality, contact the Community Hiking Club at zuliebear@aol.com, and we will happily put you to work. Only you can make a difference.

Businesses and individuals wishing to support the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument can contact the National Forest Foundation to learn more about the restoration campaign for the Angeles National Forest and the National Monument. Every donation counts. Big names like Walt Disney Co., Boeing Corp., Coca-Cola, Edison International, Alcoa and REI, among others, plus many foundations and individuals have made monetary donations to the NFF for the new National Monument.

Resources Legacy Fund financed the Dagger Flat project, Cattle Canyon and a tree planting day near El Monte. Kudos are due to all of the corporations, foundations and individuals who have donated.

To learn more about the benefits of corporate partnerships, contact Ray Foote, executive vice president, at 571-366-1705.

So when you hear someone complain that the National Monument has done nothing for our forest, you can tell them it’s only been a year. Change takes time, and yet things are rapidly moving forward. Many changes have already been made, and there are many more to come. Invite the critics to hike the new trail, to volunteer for a day, or to make a donation to the NFF fund. Be part of the solution.

Do you know a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop looking for something to do? Have them contact the Community Hiking Club. We need your help to finish Dagger Flat and to begin new projects.

Changes don’t just happen. It takes funding and motivated people to make them happen. Don’t be a part of the problem. Be a part of the effort and the solution.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.