Partnerships
Accepting the responsibility to care for America's natural treasures is a choice. We all make choices that affect our public lands every day in the ways we use water from forest watersheds, rely on communication facilities perched on forest mountaintops, make intelligent purchase decisions that conserve resources, or contribute our time and resources. Personal choices affect natural areas, whether we visit the forest or enjoy the bounty of natural resources from around the world. Los Padres National Forest employees and our partners demonstrate our commitment to conserve natural resources at home and abroad by thinking globally and acting locally.
Join Us!
Los Padres National Forest has provided public inspiration and natural resources for over a century. Today more than ever, the forest requires a commitment from citizens, organizations and government to work together to ensure these resources remain available in the future.
Partnerships are an important part of the answer. Partnerships help improve the health of the forest, provide recreation opportunities, enhance understanding of natural resources, and foster individual responsibility and stewardship. Here are just a few examples of the many partnerships underway today.
Los Padres Forest Association
Volunteer in the southern Los Padres with the Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA). Since 1981, the LPFA has worked in close cooperation with the Los Padres National Forest to support its mission. Through the development of web resources, support for forest care and interpretive programs and protection of heritage resources, the LPFA seeks to enrich visitor experiences while helping to protect forest resources. More information on volunteering with LPFA.
Los Padres Forest Association Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Program
The Volunteer Wilderness Rangers (VWR) provide a number of critical volunteer activities in the back country areas of Los Padres National Forest. These include trail and campsite improvements and maintenance, backcountry patrols, site surveys, repairs to structures and historic buildings.
For more information Contact:
Los Padres Forest Association
Jasonn Beckstrand 805-284-1624
jasonnb@lpforest.org
Ojai Ranger District - Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center Operated by the Los Padres Forest Association
Located just 8 miles north from Ojai on Highway 33 at 17017 Maricopa Highway, the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center is the gateway to the southern Los Padres National Forest. The Center sells maps, trail guides, forest-related books, Adventure Passes, and other items as well as providing recreational and other information to forest visitors. In addition, the Center sponsors a variety of educational training programs. The Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For more information, please visit: lpforest.org.
Ventana Wilderness Alliance Partnership and Volunteer Opportunities
Since 1998, the VWA has worked to protect wilderness qualities and biodiversity on public lands in the northern part of the forest by educating the public on fire safety and Leave No Trace principles, removing trash from the backcountry, launching an archaeological site steward program and organizing an all-volunteer trail crew and wilderness ranger program to keep camps and trails clean and accessible. More information about the VWA and Volunteer Opportunities in the northern Los Padres National Forest (Monterey Ranger District/Big Sur.)