Spring wildflowers on the Carrizo Plain.

APR 11, 2008
Critter of the Month: Giant Kangaroo Rat
The giant k-rat uses its large feet to hop around like a kangaroo, thumps them on the ground to communicate, and never needs a drink of water - not your normal household rodent (and certainly much cuter)!  Click here to read more.

APR 4, 2008
Burn Area Reopens in Los Padres Forest
Forest Service Warns of Dangerous Conditions; Visitors Urged to Tread Lightly to Allow Burn Area to Heal from Effects of Wildfire

MAR 17, 2008
Another Successful Trash Cleanup in Condor Habitat at Whitaker Peak
ForestWatch Volunteers Return to Site Near the Sespe Wilderness to Help Protect the California Condor

MAR 17, 2008
Critter of the Month: Manzanita
There are eleven different species of manzanita on the Los Padres National Forest, including five rare ones. Click here to learn more!

MAR 6, 2008
Oil Company Announces Plans to Explore for Crude on the Carrizo Plain National Monument
Thumper Trucks and Explosives Could Have Devastating Effect on Rare Wildlife

MAR 5, 2008
State of California Sues Federal Government for Allowing Development in Pristine Roadless Areas of Los Padres
ForestWatch and Coalition of Conservation Groups Also File Suit Seeking Improved Protection of Wildlife Across Entire Los Padres

MAR 1, 2008
Winter Newsletter Now Available Online

FEB 27, 2008
Save the Date! A Creekside Barbeque Benefiting Los Padres ForestWatch
Join Us At Thacher School's Picturesque Diamond Hitch Camp in Ojai, at the Foot of the Los Padres National Forest

FEB 26, 2008
ForestWatch Announces Series on Fire Ecology in Los Padres National Forest
Series Finale on April 16 - Rare Plants and Wildfire

FEB 18, 2008
Critter of the Month:
Smith's Blue Butterfly
Learn more about this one-inch endangered butterfly that relies on a single plant species along Big Sur coast

FEB 12, 2008
ForestWatch Challenges Salvage Logging Project in Federal Court
Lawsuit Filed to Protect Fragile Burn Area from Harmful Commercial Logging Operation

JAN 30, 2008
ForestWatch Files Legal Notice Against Company Responsible for 2007 Oil Spill
California Files Complaint Alleging Violations of State Law, Declares Spill "Significant Environmental Risk;" ForestWatch Threatens to Take Company to Court to Prevent Future Spills

JAN 14, 2008
ForestWatch Volunteers Certify Cuyama Peak as 99% Microtrash Free!
Volunteers Spend a Sunny Afternoon Protecting Condors from Ingesting Small Bits of Trash; Additional Cleanups Planned for Spring 2008

JAN 7, 2008
Critter of the Month: Arroyo Toad
The endangered arroyo toad digs burrows into sandy terraces. The protection of its stream habitat has been marred by political scandal, official resignations, and formal investigations.

JAN 1, 2008
Forest Service Releases Latest SOPA
Statement of Proposed Actions is a Quarterly Listing of all Projects Slated for the Los Padres National Forest

DEC 7, 2007
ForestWatch Appeals Salvage Logging Plan in Ventura County Backcountry
Appeal Seeks Protection for Alamo Mountain and Piru Creek Watershed in the Los Padres National Forest

NOV 30, 2007
Critter of the Month: California Condor
With a wingspan of more than nine feet, the condor is an icon of the Los Padres wilderness and is one of the most endangered birds in the world.

NOV 11, 2007
Patagonia's 14th Annual Salmon Run Benefits Los Padres ForestWatch!
Thanks to everyone who made this year's Salmon Run the most successful ever! The 5K run/3K walk along the Ventura River raised more than $12,000 to support our local forest protection efforts!

NOV 5, 2007
Fall Newsletter Now Available Online

OCT 22, 2007
Critter of the Month:
Yellow-blotched salamander
A nocturnal amphibian that is restricted to a narrow band of mountains in the Los Padres.

OCT 10, 2007
The Aftermath of the Zaca Fire: A Presentation and Slideshow Sponsored by Los Padres ForestWatch - Wed, October 10 at Faulkner Gallery in SB
Click here to visit our Events Calendar for details.

SEP 24, 2007
Local Campgrounds, Trailheads Slated for Closure and Privatization
Forest Service Accepts Public Comments Through September 28

SEP 12, 2007
Volunteers Remove Even More Trash From Condor Habitat in Forest
Small Bits of Plastic and Glass Harm Young Condors at a Nearby Nest Site in Hopper Mountain Wildlife Refuge

SEP 12, 2007
Oil Company Seeks Drilling Rights in SLO's Upper Lopez Canyon
ForestWatch Joins with Landowners to Protect Canyon from Oil Development

AUG 20, 2007
Zaca Fire Update - Week Ending 8/19
Wildfire Continues to Burn Northeast Towards Pine Mountain Summit; Now Third Largest Wildfire in State History

AUG 17, 2007
Wilco Concert at Santa Barbara Bowl to Benefit ForestWatch
Proceeds from Limited Edition Posters Will Be Donated to Our Local Forest Protection Efforts

AUG 1, 2007
Forest Service Releases Additional Details About Salvage Logging Proposal in Piru Creek Watershed
Logging Companies Want to Remove More Than 1,400 Trees in Area Affected by Last Year's Day Fire

JUL 15, 2007
VICTORY! ForestWatch Halts Plan to Drill Two Oil Wells Along Edge of Condor Sanctuary in Los Padres Forest
Agency Decides to "Indefinitely" Delay Project Based on Concerns Presented by ForestWatch and Condor Biologists

JUL 14, 2007
ForestWatch Volunteers Remove More Than 150 Pounds of Microtrash From Condor Habitat in Forest
Small Bits of Plastic and Glass Harm Young Condors at a Nearby Nest Site in Hopper Mountain Wildlife Refuge

JUN 12, 2007
Planning Process Resumes for Carrizo Plain National Monument
Process Will Guide Land Use Decisions on the National Monument for Next Decade; ForestWatch Demands Strong Protections for "California's Serengeti"

MAY 30, 2007
Commission Postpones Vote on Diamond Rock Mine After All-Day Hearing; Vote Rescheduled for July 11
More Than One Hundred Concerned Residents Pack the Hearing Room

MAY 22, 2007
Salvage Logging Planned Along Roads and Trails Affected by Last Year's Fire
Proposal Would Allow Logging Companies to Remove 700,000 Board Feet of Lumber on the Mt. Pinos Ranger District; ForestWatch Submits Comment Letter Urging Officials to Scale Back Project