California: Is “Forest Care” really about forest forest care?

Forest Care allots funding received from the U.S. Forest Service to
help private landowners thin green vegetation on their forested lots
to aid in efforts towards restoring forest health and changing fire
behavior in Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains. More than
900 landowners have participated in the thinning program, with an
amazing $1.8 million committed to reimburse residents for the
on-the-ground work occurring on more than 300 privately owned acres
across all mountain communities. “This program is an example of
community protection being everybody’s business,” said Jeanne Wade
Evans, San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor.

“I’m glad to see
the sustained congressional and private interest in continuing this
important work on lands close to and adjacent to the San Bernardino
National Forest. The response from residents has been overwhelming,”
said Shawna Meyer, Forest Care Director. “Participants are so positive
about their experiences with the program and the way their property
looks afterwards. Thinning unhealthy trees on overcrowded lots has
been shown to raise property values an average of 1-3% is a huge bonus
in today’s economy.” Community shows enthusiastic response. Many
program participants have noted the program’s positive effects on
their property as well as in their neighborhood. “From the start of
the program to the finish – everyone I came in contact with was
wonderful – very informative, professional, and personable,” said one
participant in a survey. “This program was a godsend.” According to
another participant, “All of the foresters we had contact with were
excellent as to their knowledge, courtesy and communication, but took
such a personal interest that it raised our interest and that of our
neighbors. Seven of them and us cannot say enough good things to
express our respect and appreciation. “The comments we receive from
landowners are amazing,” Meyer said, “it is exciting and humbling to
be part of such a proactive community movement.” Responses to
voluntary surveys distributed to landowners who have completed the
program indicate that 93% of respondents said they were ‘Very
Satisfied’ with Forest Care overall. In terms of work completed on
their property, 89% said they were ‘Very Satisfied’. Sixty-one
percent of those surveyed said that at least 50% of the forest health
information received through the program was new to them.
http://www.bearvalleynews.com/bvn%202122308.htm

Posted via email from Deane’s posterous