ForestWatch started a formal volunteer program in 2007. Since then, we have organized 120 different volunteer projects throughout Los Padres National Forest, Carrizo Plain National Monument, and other public lands in the region. Much of these efforts have been aimed at illegal target shooting sites where we focus on removing microtrash that can be dangerous to endangered California condors. More recently, our volunteers have focused on lead removal at old target shooting sites. Hundreds of pounds of lead have been removed from sites across the Santa Barbara frontcountry and Ventura County backcountry over the last few years. We have also eradicated invasive plants, removed derelict fencing, and cleaned up illegal pot grows.
To date, ForestWatch has organized over 1,800 volunteers who have spent nearly 10,000 collective hours removing more than 32,000 pounds of trash, dismantling 15 miles of old fencing, surveying and eradicating invasive plants along 40 miles of streams, and cleaning up three illegal grow sites. Simply put, our local public lands would look quite different if not for the hard work of amazing volunteers over the years.
