Angeles National Forest

The Angeles National Forest in southern California has undergone extensive restoration following years of wildfire damage. Reforestation efforts have focused on reestablishing native woodland cover, improving wildlife habitat, and strengthening the forest’s resilience to future environmental disturbances.

In 2025, the forest advanced its restoration work through the FY25 Copper Fire Woodland Restoration and Bear Divide Planting project, which resulted in the planting of 7,500 native tree seedlings. This project targeted areas previously affected by wildfire and aimed to stabilize soils, improve slope resilience, and support the recovery of woodland ecosystems.

This effort followed the 2024 Copper Fire Woodland Restoration project, which introduced 5,700 trees to areas scarred by the Copper Fire. The project focused on replanting native species to restore forest structure, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for local wildlife.

In 2023, three major reforestation efforts were completed. An earlier phase of the Copper Fire Woodland Restoration project planted 11,000 trees, while the Sawmill Liebre Reforestation project added 11,840 trees to areas requiring active restoration. Additionally, the Windy Creek Fire Reforestation project introduced 70,000 trees to fire-damaged zones, supporting slope stabilization and habitat recovery. These projects focused on key native species, including Coulter pine and bigcone Douglas-fir.

In 2022, the Lake Fire Reforestation project added 114,190 mixed conifer seedlings across 472 acres, including areas along the Pacific Crest Trail and in habitat designated for the California spotted owl. Additional efforts, such as the Alder Saddle Planting Project and the Powerhouse Fire Reforestation, addressed fire-impacted landscapes and contributed to the long-term restoration of forest health and biodiversity.

Together, these projects reflect the Angeles National Forest’s continued commitment to ecological restoration and wildfire recovery across one of California’s most heavily visited and ecologically significant forest landscapes.