Caring for the land and serving people
The Forest Service Volunteer Association, a not-for-profit organization formed in 1990, provides the Forest Service, San Jacinto Ranger District with supplemental manpower, to develop, and expand National Forest projects, to furnish public service, and in addition, to generate fundraising capabilities. It is the responsibility of the Forest Service Volunteer Association to serve as "Ambassadors to the Forest". Sub-groups within the organization include:
Wilderness volunteer patrol rangers - hiking volunteers patrol many of the trails in the National Forest sometimes spending one or more nights in the forest. These folks count the number of visitors, check permits and make sure camp sites are being used properly. These hearty men and women also perform trail maintenance, pick up trash and are available to provide assistance to any forest visitor.
Fire Lookout Volunteers - fire lookout volunteers monitor our forest and surrounding lands for signs of wildfire and give reports to dispatch via radio. They take weather measurements and use the Osborne Fire Finder to calculate fire location. They also talk to visitors about the history of the tower, and answer questions about the areas around the lookout.
Cross-cut saw team - this group uses manual cross-cut saws and wedges to clear downed trees from wilderness trails.
Equestrian volunteer patrol rangers - volunteers who own horses perform many of the same duties as the hiking unit, patrolling hundreds of miles of trails in the National Forest wilderness areas on horseback.
Pack stock volunteer team - using pack animals, this team delivers and removes camping supplies, such as food and water, to youth groups who spend their summer assisting in the forest.
Volunteers working in district ranger stations - volunteers work in the Idyllwild Forest Service office helping visitors complete visitor permits, selling books, maps, pamphlets, directing visitors to trails and camp sites, and may be called on to perform general office work.
Interpretive volunteers - these individuals lead adults, children and groups through areas of the forest pointing out the various flora and fauna. They also visit schools and other groups teaching "Leave No Trace" principles. Interpretive speakers will spend several hours learning the specifics of the San Jacinto Wilderness.
Board of Directors
Bob Romano
President
I started hiking and backpacking regularly in the San Jacinto Mountains with my wife Norma in 1995. At first we primarily visited the state park area of the wilderness via the tram but after finding out how peaceful and quiet the Federal Wilderness areas were we started using the Devils Slide Trail and others out of Idyllwild most of the time. After meeting volunteers over the course of time I became a new volunteer in 1998. In 2001 I became the FSVA Wilderness Volunteer Coordinator and in 2010 was elected as President of the Forest Service Volunteer Association. I also served as the Tower Leader from 2002 to 2014 for the Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout through another partner organization on the forest. Now the Tahquitz Peak Lookout and Black Mountain Lookout are run by the FSVA. I enjoy volunteering because I can help visitors enjoy their time in our beautiful and pristine wilderness. I enjoy the work the volunteers do to keep the wilderness a wild place for generations to come. In my work life I have been a luxury travel planner since 1975, now with Montecito Village Travel, a Virtuoso Member Agency. My wife and I live in Idyllwild.
Jana Desrocher
Vice President & Retail Store Coordinator
I joined FSVA as a Wilderness Ranger in 2011. I’ve always had a strong connection to nature and the San Jacinto mountains, so it was a perfect fit! I have also volunteered as a Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout host and have been a certified sawyer since 2012, helping to keep our trails clear. I truly enjoy interacting with hikers and sharing information they need or any help I can offer. I love managing our bookstore/gift shop in the Idyllwild Ranger Station, always on the lookout for new and exciting educational materials and of course, Smokey Bear merchandise to share his message to love and care for our forests! I feel honored to be a part of such an amazing organization of self-less volunteers, each doing their part to ensure our beautiful San Jacinto Wilderness will be enjoyed by future generations! I look forward to many, many more years of volunteering, see you on the trail or in the bookstore!
Patty Andersen
Secretary & Web Information Coordinator
I joined FSVA in 2013 as a Wilderness Patrol Ranger and expanded those duties by doing trail work with the Forest Service and Pacific Crest Trail Association, worked as a Fire Lookout Volunteer on Tahquitz Peak, and took over the FSVA website design and implementation. I also volunteer for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument out of Palm Desert, CA. I was elected to the board in 2017, and in 2019 I took on the role of Secretary.
Chip Hurn
Treasurer & Equestrian Coordinator
I was introduced to the San Jacinto Wilderness in 1980 after marrying my wife, Vicky. She had been spending summers here and hiking the local mountains since she was a little girl. After I retired from the Navy, we had more time to spend hiking and camping in the Wilderness. Our frequent hikes led to numerous encounters with volunteers on the various trails sparking our interest in volunteering with the FSVA. We completed training as Wilderness Rangers in 2007. In 2013, with our two new family members, Missouri Foxtrotters Risco and Rocky, we became Equestrian Rangers as well. I’ve served as Assistant Equestrian Coordinator and as an FSVA board member since 2014. In 2017, I became the Equestrian Coordinator. I was elected to serve as Treasurer in 2017 as well. For me, whether patrolling on my feet or my horse’s feet, I enjoy helping visitors enjoy their time in our local forest and helping to preserve it for the future.
Patti Hudson
Wilderness Coordinator & Uniform Coordinator
After retiring and moving full-time to Pine Cove, it was my time to give back. I’d been hiking in the San Jacinto Wilderness since 1989, so it made sense to volunteer with the FSVA which I joined in 2011 as a Wilderness Ranger. Since becoming a member I have been awarded the 1000 volunteer hour USDA Forest Service Chief award, I became an assistant FSVA coordinator, took on the job as the Leave No Trace education-coordinator and am now the Wilderness Coordinator. See you on the trail!”
Joe Bressi
Fire Lookout Tower Leader
I have been a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger since 2007. In 2008 I became a Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout Volunteer. Starting in 2014, I took on the job of Tower Leader for Tahquitz Peak and later added Black Mountain fire lookout tower. I enjoy volunteering , it gives me a chance to help keep our wilderness safe for future generations. Also, I educate the public on how they can do the same.
Robin Roberts
Interpretive Outreach Coordinator
When we moved to Idyllwild in 2012, our gratitude for the gifts of Nature that surrounded us prompted my husband, Dan and I to get involved with FSVA immediately. Since 2013, I have participated in a variety of roles - Wilderness Ranger, Breeding Bird Surveys, Bird and Mountain Yellow-legged Frog monitoring, Tahquitz Fire Lookout Tower Volunteer and the newest - Interpretive Outreach Coordinator. Lighting a spark of curiosity and appreciation of Nature in others is at the heart of interpretation. Where ever you find me, I will have a pair of binoculars and a camera around my neck. I don't want to miss anything. See you on the trails!
Chris Scott
Assistant Fire Lookout Tower Leader
I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and moved to Idyllwild in 2014. As a volunteer with the U.S. Forest Service, I serve as a Tahquitz Peak Fire Tower lookout as well as a Wilderness Ranger. I also serve on the Idyllwild Community Fund board and I am currently the President of the Rotary Club of Idyllwild. I am an avid Chicago Cubs fan and also play bass guitar.
Candace Sheridan
Board Member
Candace is the newest board member, joining us in the spring of 2023. She has experience with the Fire Lookouts group.
Forest Service Liaison
Chris George/Andy Smith
Forest Service Liaison
Non-Board Member Coordinator
Steve Schwitters
Cross Cut Saw Trail Crew Team Coordinator