U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region
A diverse landscape awaits
From the tallest mountains to the rolling sea, adventure awaits! The National Forests in California are home to such unique scenic areas as Mt. Shasta, Lake Tahoe, Mt. Whitney, and the Big Sur coast.
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Virtual Services
Visit our Recreation Site Status Map and FAQ's for answers to many common visitor questions. If you need assistance or have any questions, please use our contact us form. Versión en Español: Visite el Mapa de Estado Actual de Sitios de Recreación y Preguntas Frecuentes del visitante. Si necesita atención, por favor use nuestro formulario de contacto (inglés únicamente).
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Featured Programs
Region 5 employees work on a wide variety of innovative programs such as these, below.
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Popular Topics
This is a list featuring topics that visitors ask about the most.
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Confronting the Wildfire Crisis
USDA Forest Service announces additional landscapes to address wildfire risk to infrastructure and communities.
Recent News
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9 Large Watershed Planning Grants Totaling $53M for California National Forests
Release Date: Jun 26, 2024
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Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Draft Guidance for Old Growth Management on National Forests
Release Date: Jun 20, 2024
Features
Forest Focus: Audio Podcast
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Forest Focus is a program about the National Forests in California, featuring specialists that work for the U.S. Forest Service and others who provide viewpoints on Forest Service issues.
California Forest News Video Series
![This graphic shows the words California Forest News along with a pine tree surrounded by audio waves](/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd973191_tn.jpg)
In California Forest News we explore the National Forests in California. In the first episode, ‘California Fire Intensity,’ we examine the combination of factors that exacerbate wildfire intensity and behavior including fuel, wind, terrain, and drought. Thanks for watching!
Spotlights
The CCCs Lend a Hand at Badger Hill
![A crew of young men and women wearing hard hats work in a forest cutting, clearing, and removing.](/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd1183445_tn.jpg)
The Greenwood Center California Conservation Corps helped breathe life back into the Badger Hill Seed Orchard.
Lake Tahoe Restoration Act: Experiencing the Impact
![A lake with trees and mountains.](/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd1181707_tn.jpg)
The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act could expire this September after nearly 25 years of conservation. This article highlights some of the accomplishments of that legislation.
Plants Aplenty for Pollinators
![A person with a hat and holding a butterfly net stands on rocking ground.](/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd1181981_tn.jpg)
Insects, birds and bats transport pollen for plant reproduction, and those plants give back food and habitat. This ecological exchange supports biodiversity in our national forests.
The Healing Power of Nature
![Three girls run through the forest while smiling and holding leaves and twigs.](/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fseprd1178635_tn.jpg)
Nature can be damaging and cause fear. Natural disasters like catastrophic wildfires can change landscapes, communities and lives. But nature can also help us heal.