Soquel Demonstration State Forest
Soquel Demonstration State Forest | |
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Established | 1990 |
Soquel Demonstration State Forest | |
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Established: | 1990 |
Area | 2,681 acres |
Elevation | 450 ft. - 2,400 ft. |
Precipitation: | 44 in./yr. |
Temperature: | Max - 90F, Min - 32F |
Use and Purpose
Soquel Demonstration State Forest is one of eight Cal Fire operated Demonstration State Forests totaling 71,000 acres. The forests represent the most common forest types in the state. The State Forests grow approximately 75 million board feet yearly and harvest an average of 30 million board feet of timber each year, enough to build 3,000 single-family homes. Revenue from these harvests fund a variety of the Department's Resource Management Programs. In addition, the forests provide research and demonstration projects on forest management, while providing public recreation opportunities, fish and wildlife habitat, and watershed protection.[ca.gov 1]
The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) policy provides that the State Forests shall be used for experimentation to determine the economic feasibility of artificial reforestation, and to demonstrate the productive and economic possibilities of good forest practices toward maintaining forest crop land in a productive condition. The management objectives and plans developed for each State Forest are subject to periodic review and approval by the Board. [ca.gov 1]
Location and Description
Soquel Demonstration Forest is situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains along California's central coast. Originally part of a Mexican land grant, the property was logged by several different owners prior to the State taking ownership in 1988. Today, the Forest provides the public access to the beauty of the coastal redwoods and the wildlife found in this habitat type.[ca.gov 1]
The forest, also known simply as "Demo", is home to a series of mountain biking trails. Created in the 90's by Cal Fire and foresting employees, these trails have grown into some of the most popular in the California Bay Area. They range from long fire road climbs and descents to tight, technical singletrack. The diversity in the trails makes them good for everyone from strong beginners to expert mountain bike riders.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fire, Cal. "Demonstration State Forests". Resource Management. Cal Fire. Retrieved 20 March 2012.