Meet at the Forest Service conference room.

Operations training for new FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers.

In this session, new volunteers acquire the practical knowledge needed to be a Fire Lookout. A partial list of topics covered follows.

● Taking weather data
● Determining the location of a smoke or fire with the Osborne Fire Finder.
● Smoke recognition
● Agency jurisdictions
● Fire Weather
● Using the radio
● Fire prevention
● Health and Safety requirements
● Security and emergency procedures
● Expectations of volunteers
● Uniforms
● Tower selection and sign up In-Tower Training

Orientation training for new FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers.

The first 3-hour session introduces new volunteers to the expectations of the FSVA and becoming a fire lookout. The class helps them decide if being a Fire Lookout Volunteer is something they wish to continue to pursue and which tower(s) they would like to staff.

The second 3-hour session session covers both Natural History and Interpretation. Here, they learn about the ecosystem of the mountains and resources they can use to expand their knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the BDF. They also learn how to educate the public by engaging visitors in conversation, giving impromptu learning sessions, and enlisting children to be Smokey Bear Helpers. 

Come join our interpretative volunteer, Robin Roberts, on a bird walk on Monday, May 5th. We will spend most of our time at Lake Hemet and then head over to the Garner Valley ranch.

This event is open to FSVA volunteers and the Desert Cities Bird Club, but it is limited to 12 participants. We will meet in the parking lot of the  Lake Hemet market at 8am. We will search for birds until 10:30am or 11am.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending. Idyrobertsrobin1@gmail.com

Annual refresher training for all FSVA volunteers except Fire Lookout volunteers. As part of the training, we will have scenarios for you to brush up on the basics - Leave No Trace, 10 Essentials, and wilderness guest encounters. Bring a pen and notebook to take notes.  Chip & Vicki Hurn have graciously invited us to meet at their place in Garner Valley again.  

Not only will this update you on changes and new information, this is the  best opportunity for us to all be together to socialize! 

Annual 3 hour reconnect training for all current FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers. You must attend one of these 3 hours sessions to continue as a Fire Lookout, receive program updates, refresh your skills, and, in general, get ready for your first shift of the season.

Some of the topics covered during Reconnect follow.

● Forest updates
● FSVA updates
● Tower equipment and procedures updates
● Radio protocols
● Safety refresher

Bring a pen and notebook to take notes. 

 VIEW MAP

Annual 3 hour reconnect training for all current FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers. You must attend one of these 3 hours sessions to continue as a Fire Lookout, receive program updates, refresh your skills, and, in general, get ready for your first shift of the season.

Some of the topics covered during Reconnect follow.

● Forest updates
● FSVA updates
● Tower equipment and procedures updates
● Radio protocols
● Safety refresher

Bring a pen and notebook to take notes. 

 VIEW MAP

Meet at the Forest Service conference room.

This 3-hour session introduces prospective wilderness rangers to the expectations of the FSVA and becoming a wilderness ranger. Led by Patti Hudson and Scott Schaufele.

Any questions about this event, contact Patti Hudson.

This is the closure date of Tahquitz Peak lookout tower for the 2024 season.

This is the planned date for the closure of Black Mountain lookout tower for the 2024 season.

Join us as we celebrate another year with fellow FSVA volunteers. Come hungry - pizza, salad, dessert and beverages are provided. Thank you for all that you do!

Meet at the Idyllwild town hall - brief meeting to elect officers.

Join us as we celebrate Smokey’s 80th Birthday!

There will be cake, Smokey gift bags, and opportunity to have your picture with Smokey!

Volunteers are needed to assist, please arrive at noon - let Jana know you are coming by contacting her at janaladon@msn.com

Operations training for new FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers.

In this session, new volunteers acquire the practical knowledge needed to be a Fire Lookout. A partial list of topics covered follows.

● Taking weather data
● Determining the location of a smoke or fire with the Osborne Fire Finder.
● Smoke recognition
● Agency jurisdictions
● Fire Weather
● Using the radio
● Fire prevention
● Health and Safety requirements
● Security and emergency procedures
● Expectations of volunteers
● Uniforms
● Tower selection and sign up In-Tower Training

Orientation training for new FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers.

The first 3-hour session introduces new volunteers to the expectations of the FSVA and becoming a fire lookout. The class helps them decide if being a Fire Lookout Volunteer is something they wish to continue to pursue and which tower(s) they would like to staff.

The second 3-hour session session covers both Natural History and Interpretation. Here, they learn about the ecosystem of the mountains and resources they can use to expand their knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the BDF. They also learn how to educate the public by engaging visitors in conversation, giving impromptu learning sessions, and enlisting children to be Smokey Bear Helpers. 

Annual refresher training for all FSVA volunteers except Fire Lookout volunteers. As part of the training, we will have scenarios for you to brush up on the basics - Leave No Trace, 10 Essentials, and wilderness guest encounters. Bring a pen and notebook to take notes.  Chip & Vicki Hurn have graciously invited us to meet at their place in Garner Valley again.  

Not only will this update you on changes and new information, this is the  best opportunity for us to all be together to socialize! 

Annual 3 hour reconnect training for all current FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers. You must attend one of these 3 hours sessions to continue as a Fire Lookout, receive program updates, refresh your skills, and, in general, get ready for your first shift of the season.

Some of the topics covered during Reconnect follow.

● Forest updates
● FSVA updates
● Tower equipment and procedures updates
● Radio protocols
● Safety refresher

Bring a pen and notebook to take notes. 

 VIEW MAP

Annual 3 hour reconnect training for all current FSVA Fire Lookout volunteers. You must attend one of these 3 hours sessions to continue as a Fire Lookout, receive program updates, refresh your skills, and, in general, get ready for your first shift of the season.

Some of the topics covered during Reconnect follow.

● Forest updates
● FSVA updates
● Tower equipment and procedures updates
● Radio protocols
● Safety refresher

Bring a pen and notebook to take notes. 

 VIEW MAP

This 3-hour session introduces prospective wilderness rangers to the expectations of the FSVA and becoming a wilderness ranger.

Any questions about this event, contact Patti Hudson.

All volunteers are invited to join us on this fun social hike at the National Monument in the desert.

Meet near the Bighorn Sheep statue in front of the Visitor Center. Parking may be limited so if the Visitor Center lot is full, park across the street either at the Art Smith Trailhead parking lot or in the parking spaces along Hwy 74 beneath the levee (you will have to walk across 74 to the meeting spot at the Visitor Center if you park in either of these two places).

This hike begins on the Art Smith Trail and then transitions to the Hopalong Cassidy trail. We will drop down into Cat Canyon and walk out through the field in Cahuilla HIlls to our shuttle vehicles. Distance is approximately 4 miles with 592 feet elevation gain. No dogs allowed as this is bighorn sheep country - if we are lucky we will see some!

Bring a sack lunch to enjoy on the trail at the overlook of Palm Desert.

If interested, please rsvp to Patti Hudson at fsvawildernesscoordinator@outlook.com

We may need another shuttle car, let us know if you have a vehicle that can hold at least 5 people and if you are willing to come early (8:30am) to meet at the shuttle location before heading to the Visitor Center.

One hundred twenty-four years ago, Frank Chapman, an early ornithologist and naturalist, proposed that instead of killing as many birds and mammals as possible on Christmas, we should count the birds instead.

The Audubon Christmas Bird Count was born.

To follow in that tradition, there are many Christmas Bird Counts that occur throughout the US and parts of the world. Each area that participates is divided into a 15-mile diameter circle. Birds are counted by participants in a 24-hour period. The results are compiled and sent to the National Audubon Society. This contributes to their long-term study.

Locally, the results are sent to Kim Boss, our District Biologist. It gives her a snapshot of birds in our area. When birds that are on the USFS watchlist are found, these results are entered into their database.

Our circle expands from Lake Fulmor to Tahquitz Peak to Garner Valley to East Hemet.

Whether you are a new birder or an experienced birder, there is a place for you. Individuals will be assigned to a specific area so as not to overcount birds. You can do this individually or as a group. If you want to participate but prefer to be a backyard birder, there is a place for you as well.

 If interested, contact our interpretative coordinator, Robin Roberts at:
robertsrobin@hotmail.com