Angeles National Forest

In 2024, the Angeles National Forest continued its dedication to ecological restoration with the Copper Fire Woodland Restoration project. This initiative focused on replanting areas affected by the devastating Copper Fire, which had left significant scars on the landscape. Over the course of the year, 5,700 native tree seedlings were planted to rejuvenate woodland areas, stabilize the soil, and provide habitats for wildlife. These efforts also sought to restore the forest’s natural beauty and improve its resilience to future environmental challenges.

The restoration of Angeles National Forest has been an ongoing effort, building on earlier projects. In 2023, significant progress was made with multiple initiatives, including an earlier phase of the Copper Fire Woodland Restoration, during which 11,000 trees were planted. That same year, the Sawmill Liebre Reforestation saw the addition of 11,840 trees, and the Windy Creek Fire Reforestation introduced 70,000 trees to areas impacted by past wildfires. Each project aimed to restore native tree populations, such as Coulter pine and bigcone Douglas-fir, essential for stabilizing slopes, supporting wildlife habitats, and enhancing the forest’s ecological integrity.

In 2022, reforestation efforts focused heavily on areas impacted by the Lake Fire, which had ravaged parts of the forest in 2020. The Lake Fire Reforestation project alone saw the planting of 114,190 mixed conifers across 472 acres, including sites along the Pacific Crest Trail and within habitats critical to the California spotted owl. Additionally, projects such as the Alder Saddle Planting Project and the Powerhouse Fire Reforestation contributed to broader restoration goals by addressing fire-damaged areas and ensuring long-term forest health.