San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2
San Bernardino National Forest Strategy
forms of environmental education would help to promote stewardship of the unique resources of
the area. Establishment of an 'Earthquake Park' to describe the unique, active geologic setting
may be considered in the future.
Childrens Forest Recreation and Scenic Places: Arrowhead
Acres: 3,395
Description of values: The National Children's Forest is an encapsulated, multiple-use working
forest offering high quality youth development and conservation education programs in
partnership with a nonprofit partner (the San Bernardino National Forest Association (SBNFA)).
It is a unique place where youth are empowered to learn about the environment and then share
that knowledge with visitors, partners and Forest Service staff as they help to guide and
implement management decisions. The National Children's Forest has developed a strategic
plan, as well as annual program plans. Major programs in education, ecosystem management,
and interpretation at the Deer Lick Visitor Information Center are in operation year-round.
Description of area: Located in the Arrowhead Place. In November 1970, a large wildland fire
burned 53,000 acres of national forest lands. Almost immediately, the Forest Service began the
process of renewing the forest by salvaging dead trees, reseeding barren slopes to protect topsoil,
and planting young trees. In partnership with Hunt-Wesson Foods, Inc. a campaign directed
toward youth was started to help reforest this area. The overwhelming success of this project led
to the creation of a new idea, the National Children's Forest. The original 20-acre site within the
San Bernardino National Forest was one of three sites selected nationally. That small area grew
into an expanded 3,395 acres during the early 1990s. It now consists of a distinctive Visitor
Information Center shared with a Forest Service Fire Station at Deer Lick, portions of the Snow
Valley Ski Resort, Shady Cove Group Campground, National Children's Forest Trailhead and
Interpretive Trail, and Keller Peak Fire Lookout (where spectacular scenic views extend into
much of southern California). Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 7,880 feet. The vegetation is
primarily montane mixed conifer.
Access: California State Highway 18 (a leg of the Rim of the World Scenic Byway) leads
through the communities of Running Springs, Deer Lick and Arrowbear Lake, and generally
forms the northern boundary of the National Children's Forest. At the Deer Lick Fire Station and
Children's Forest Visitor Information Center, Forest Road 1N96 leads into the National
Children's Forest.
Desired condition: The National Children's Forest creates opportunities for visitors to learn how
to enjoy a wildland setting and become an active stakeholder in their national forest; where youth
may learn, participate and help make decisions about the stewardship of the national forest; and
where a public land management agency can learn to work with partners to provide governance
and support for this program, creating a model for others around the nation.
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