On Friday, March 29, 2019, Mr. Ricardo Lopez of the Angeles National Forest spoke to the Arcadia Rotary club about his day-to-day duties at one of California’s 18 National Forests. Originally from Mexico, Lopez now serves as the forest’s Engineer and Program Director and has been there for 21 years. His main responsibility involves overseeing the engineering staff in their efforts to conserve the forest which hosts a multitude of water systems, trails, and vital habitats for animals and plants. Mr. Lopez gave the Rotary insight to the maintenance and mitigation required to keep the forest functioning.

While the conservation of the forest’s condition is his main area of focus, Lopez also works under the state to ensure that the forest is in compliance with EPA and federal requirements. This can range anywhere from monitoring the quantity and quality of the forest’s water systems to controlling a large wild fire. The forest is also engaged with the community not only by providing recreational use to the public, but by creating trail paths for those that don’t have cars. Lopez emphasized the importance of making the forest accessible to those who are underprivileged in their resources but still deserve the chance to experience all that the national treasure has to offer.

Mr. Lopez’s informational presentation shed light to the multi-faceted process of running the Angeles National Forest and gave the Rotary a deeper appreciation for all of nature’s benefits that we so often take for granted.