Forest Management
The Cleveland National Forest places a heavy emphasis on resource management. This includes fire, ecological, archaeological, recreation management, various projects, volunteer efforts and ongoing work. Below are some of the highlights and management efforts being conducted on the Cleveland.
Goldspotted Oak Borer
GSOB has contributed to the drastic decline of oak trees in eastern San Diego County, especially in the vicinity of Descanso, Pine Valley, Guatay, the Laguna Mountains, and Cuyamaca State Park. Tree mortality continues to be an area of high concern on the Cleveland, and efforts to restore and manage resources are well underway. You can help us to manage infected trees and reduce the spread of the beetle. If you think that your trees may be infested - Report it!
Cultural Resource Management
The responsible management of the archaeological, historic and Tribal resources found within the Cleveland National Forest is critical to understanding our collective past. These non-renewable resources are fragile and are constantly at risk from human threats (such as theft and vandalism) as well as natural processes (such as erosion and wildfire).
Fire & Aviation Management
The Cleveland National Forest Fire Management department is responsible for managing fire threat, potential fire hazards, conducting constant risk assessment, and maintaining fuel (dead brush - or dried weeds that can quickly ignite and cause fires) levels to mitigate fire risk on national forest lands and surrounding areas. They also assist local, city, county, and state agencies in managing risk and fighting fires.
Wildlife Management
The Forest has been working hard to ensure that raptors and their habitat are proactively managed. Area advisories for Prairie Falcon nesting activity and some sites warrant “area closures” for Golden Eagle nesting activities.
Laguna Mountains Skipper
Native Habitat Restoration
The Descanso Ranger is undertaking a project to restore native riparian habitat on Cottonwood and La Posta Creeks along Buckman Springs Road. The project includes removing non-native tamarisk trees and restoring native habitat by replanting the area with native species.
Abandoned Ramona Burn Dump
The Ramona Burn Dump Site is a former solid waste disposal CERCLA Site located on the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest.
The Site was discovered following the 2007 Witch Creek fire when vegetation covering the Site was burned and revealed that cover material had eroded and exposed waste burn ash and debris at the Site. The former Burn Dump was operated by the County of San Diego for the disposal of trash and rubbish from the community of Ramona and surrounding County areas from approximately 1948 to 1969 under special use permits issued by the Forest Service.
Travel Analysis
The Cleveland National Forest has performed analysis on National Forest system roads network since 2006. This effort has helped establish the minimum road system requirements for safe and efficient public travel and for administration, utilization and protection of National Forest System lands. Please see our most recent analysis below:
Cleveland National Forest 2017 Travel Analysis Report
Geospatial Data
Geospatial data are georeferenced, or spatially explicit, digital files that can be used in a GIS (Geographic Information System). The USDA Forest Service Geodata Clearinghouse is an online collection of digital data related to forest resources. Through the Clearinghouse you can find datasets related to forests and grasslands, including boundaries and ownership, natural resources, roads and trails, as well as datasets related to State and private forested areas, including insect and disease threat and surface water importance. You can also find downloadable map products, raster data, and links to other sources of forest resource information.
Forest Service Enterprise Data - use the interactive ArcGIS Online Data Extract Tool to access and download National Forest data available on the EDW (Enterprise Data Warehouse).