Get into Forest Mode this week and join the fun!
Sierra Nevada – July 10, 2023 – With Ten National Forest Managed territories in the Sierra Nevada Region, life in the the Sierra begins and Ends with national forest recreation. From fire management, to recreational support National forests play a vital role in who we are as Western settlers and visitors.
The Ten National forest managed lands int he Sierra Nevada region include: Sequoia , Inyo, Sierra, Stanislaus, Eldorado, Toiyabe, Tahoe, Plumas, Lassen, Tahoe Basin Management unit, Plus the Mono Basin NF Scenic area. Each has its own unique features and hold a special place in recreation hearts across the Sierra. Which is your favorite national forest to visit and play?
July 10-16, 2023 Celebrate the incredible 193-million-acre National Forest System and all the benefits it provides to the public.
This year’s theme invites the public to consider what Forest Mode looks like in their life. Whether it is a thrilling whitewater adventure, a quiet evening by the campfire, or a rugged trek on backcountry trails, there are countless ways people find their Forest Mode.
National Forest Week™ Photo Contest
Celebrate National Forest Week™ by submitting your favorite photos of National Forests in the categories of landscape, recreation, and youth photography. Our judges will evaluate entries on their composition, naturalism, creativity, and connection to personal experience. We want to know through your photos how YOU experience the beauty of National Forests. No professional photography experience is needed! The contest will open on Monday, July 10, 2023 and close at midnight (MT) on July 16, 2023.
Why are National Forests so Important?
National Forests and Grasslands provide Americans with 193 million spectacular acres of wildlands.
- More than 9,000 miles of scenic byways to drive
- Almost 150,000 miles of trails to hike
- More than 4,400 miles of wild and scenic rivers to float
- At least 5,100 campgrounds in which to pitch our tents
- And 328 natural pools to swim in
Managed by the USDA Forest Service, National Forests and Grasslands host more than 170 million visits each year. Visitor spending pumps $13.5 billion into our economy annually, sustaining nearly 223,000 jobs in gateway communities.
These lands are the foundation of America’s outdoor recreation heritage and sustain our way of life. They provide water to millions Americans in thousands of communities, clean our air, store carbon, and provide timber, minerals, oil and gas and other resources for industry and communities.
Here are a few ways to get involved and join the celebration from home:
- Visit a National Forest Forest Near You. Did you know 7 in 10 Americans are within a 2-hour drive of a National Forest or Grassland? Find a forest near you.
- Enter the Photo Contest. Do you have a picture of a National Forest you are particularly proud of? Enter the National Forest Week™ Photo Contest for the chance to win great prizes!
- Share Your Story. Share your photos, adventures, and appreciation for National Forests with the rest of the world using #NationalForestWeek.
- Join the Conversation. Join us for a live #ParkChat on Twitter, Wednesday, July 12 at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT for a conversation about National Forests!
- Gear up. Support National Forests in style with a limited-edition tee and poster! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the NFF to protect and enhance forest health.
- Give back. Love National Forests and Grasslands? Make a gift that will support forest health for years to come so these incredible places can continue to provided us with resources and wonder.
Recreate Responsibly
As we explore the incredible National Forest System throughout the year, know that these special places rely on you. Be sure you recreate responsibly so that all users and future generations can continue to enjoy National Forests. Click here to revisit some basic tips to be a good steward of public lands.
California Program – Southern California & Sierra Nevada
With 20 percent of California designated as National Forests, the state features a diverse range of forests but also faces numerous challenges.
Treasured Landscapes
In the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, we are working closely with Forest Service and local partners to ensure the health of the Truckee, American, and Yuba River watersheds for generations to come.
Lake Tahoe West Restoration Partnership
This partnership is a new inter-agency effort to restore the resiliency of Lake Tahoe’s western forests, watersheds, recreational opportunities, and communities to climate change, drought, bark beetles, and other stressors. The science and stakeholder-driven collaborative process encompasses 74,000 acres of federal, state, local, and private lands.
Recent News and Updates of Recreational Growth in the Sierra includes:
Big Chief: Truckee’s New Favorite Mountain Biking Trail –
The Truckee Trails Foundation’s (TTF) newest Big Chief Trail, funded by the National Forest Foundation’s Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences Program, was a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service – Truckee Ranger District that grew out of a mutual desire to build a legal, non-motorized trail connection between Truckee and the Tahoe Rim Trail to the south.
Though this trail is open to all non-motorized uses, partners agreed that the region was in need of a unique trail experience designed specifically for mountain bikers. The partnership with Northstar California was critical to this effort as they granted the Forest Service an easement for the upper portion of the alignment – among the most stunning sections of the trail. The Big Chief Trail boasts seven miles of diverse opportunities including jumps, drops, a log ride, and thrilling flow. TTF’s crew also brought true trail artistry to the project by taking advantage of expansive views and building some of the best stone work found anywhere. Together, the experience on Big Chief makes it one of the most iconic trails in the region.
