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Conservation Education

County Foresters use the forest nursery as an outdoor classroom for nature studies. Nursery tours, nature walks and tree planting programs are available to school, scout and youth organizations. Annually at the Antelope Valley Fair, 10,000 seedlings are distributed to the public. In addition to conservation education programs, the Lake Hughes Forestry Unit works with area residents on environmental concerns.

Tree Planting

In November 1960, The Feather River Project was voted into existence. Annually, this water project delivers 4,000,000-acre feet of water to Southern California. Castaic Lake is one of several reservoirs, developed as part of this project. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Forestry Division was called upon by the California Department of Water Resources to convert 300 acres of brush-covered land into future campsites. From 1965 to 1968, 29,000 trees were successfully planted in 9 plantations.

The Lake Hughes Forestry Unit continues to maintain these plantations under contract with the Department of Parks and Recreation. Fire protection and plantation health are monitored monthly to ensure aesthetic pleasure for years to come.

Today the Lake Hughes Forestry Unit produces 42,000 forest tree seedlings suitable for planting at high elevations. The trees are propagated from seed and held at the nursery for two years until they are ready for field planting. In January of 2005, the Rooted Cutting Program was implemented. Today a variety of native and introduced plant species are available for soil stabilization and Fire Safe Landscaping. These plants are distributed free of charge to Los Angeles County Residents.

Homeowner Consultation

Homeowner inspections help residents to identify soil erosion, plant, pest, and fire hazard problems, which may exist on their property. During the past five to ten years Arizona and Leyland Cypress populations have been decimated in the desert region. The Seridium Canker, (an airborne fungus and the Cypress Beetle, (Phloeosinus cuppressi) in conjunction with extreme drought conditions have been the driving force behind the Cypress decline. For more information or an in depth site inspection, contact the Lake Hughes Forestry Unit. Office hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.