July 2024

Traversing the Dirt Roads of JDSF on Two Wheels with Dirt Gypsy Adventures  

Dirt Gypsy Adventures, the Truckee, California-based bike tour outfitter, just wrapped up a five-day gravel biking tour on the North Coast that spent a few days traversing the trails and logging roads that comprise the Jackson Demonstration State Forest. While they run a mix of bike-based itineraries across the west coast, this region remains special to them.

Protecting Communities and Watersheds through Research in a Redwood Forest 



We join USDA Forest Service research staff for a tour of the historic Caspar Creek Watershed Experiment. Joe Wagenbrenner, a research hydrologist with the U. S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station, shares the story behind the scenery. “Our scientific findings here help inform the regulation of the timber industry within state and private lands in California.” In these studies, researchers treat some areas and not others, so they can compare the results. In their latest experiment, researchers studied how a range of harvest intensities effected watersheds. To do that the density of the forest was reduced by 25 to 75 percent.

Rejuvenating Waterways - Creating Salmon and Trout Habitats in JDSF 

JDSF contains important habitat for threatened and endangered fish within the Noyo River and Big River watersheds. Several non-profits and agencies are working with CAL FIRE to implement restoration projects aimed at improving habitat for salmon and steelhead this summer. This project to add large wood to many waterways will improve fish habitat, the growth of large trees near streams and the establishment of priorities to improve or decommission roads. 

Help Stop Illegal Dumping on JDSF 

Help us keep JDSF beautiful and free from trash by reporting illegal dumping in the forest. The video linked above is just one example of a trash cleanup that forest staff and volunteers carry out throughout the year. Trash contaminates waterways and harms wildlife in the forest. Practice Leave No Trace and Pack It Out when visiting the forest and call 707-964-5674 to report dumping. 

A Quick Guide to CAL FIRE's New Incident Page

The latest enhancements to CAL FIRE's website, fire.ca.gov, utilize cutting-edge software, intel, and a human touch to keep the public informed on wildfire activity as it happens. Key features include a user-friendly interface, real-time data, and detailed layers allowing you to stay updated on fire incident information, including road closures and evacuations. Explore our incident map today, designed for you!