Jackson Demonstration State Forest
Forest Stats:
Established: 1949
Area: 48,652 acres
Elevation: 80 - 2,200 ft
Precipitation: 39 in per year along coast
70 in per year inland Temperature: Max: 100 F - Min: 25 F
JDSF Base Map - Compatible with mapping apps (e.g. Avenza).
Research
Demonstration
Recreation
Public comments for the new Forest Management Plan Scope of Work can be submitted by email to JDSF@fire.ca.gov.
The deadline for submissions is September 8, 2023, at 5:00 PM PST.
Recreation Maps and Trail Information
- Recreation Overview Map
- Caspar-Big River Recreation Map
- Notable Trail Information (PDF)
- Area Closure Overview Map
- Seasonal Road & Campground Closure
JDSF maintains a rustic experience, so be aware of minimal signage. Smart devices and applications are useful tools to guide you through the landscape. All digitized maps are georeferenced and available for use offline (cell reception not required) in the Avenza app: https://www.avenzamaps.com/
Hiking: Three demonstration trails have been developed with trail guides to inform visitors about the ecology, history and management of the redwood forest. There are also numerous hiking trails situated in historically and ecologically interesting settings, such as the Waterfall Grove Trail and the Forest History Trail.
Biking: There are many opportunities for all types of bikers to explore JDSF. Mountain and gravel biking has grown in popularity. There are a vast number of dirt and gravel roads providing connector routes to ridge lines, streams, and forested areas. There are multi-use single track on JDSF, mostly located within the Caspar and Big River drainages, some connecting with neighboring public lands, including Big River and Woodland State Parks.
Hunting & Fishing: Hunting is allowed in season. No fishing is allowed per CA Department of Fish and Wildlife rules.
Firewood Cutting and Mushroom Collecting: Permits are required for firewood cutting and mushroom harvesting. Mushroom permits are issued on a Fiscal Year basis i.e. July 1 through Jun 30; all permits expire on June 30th regardless of when they were issued. Example: a permit issued January 18, 2022 expires June 30, 2022. A permit purchased July 1, 2022 will expire on June 30, 2023. Contact our office (707) 964-5674 for questions related to recreation events requiring Special Use Permits such as organized bike and equestrian rides and races.
All Permits by mail only at this time.
Related Links:
Camping: Seasonal camping is offered mid-May through September, weather dependent. There are two main overnight camping areas with a number of campsites, including equestrian camps. Camping is within designated campsites only (i.e., dispersed camping is not allowed). Camping fees are collected at self-registration stations located in the campgrounds. Camping fees will be used to support the recreation program including costs associated with maintenance and improvement of campgrounds and facilities, signage, roads, trails, etc. Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. Campers may collect dead wood lying on the ground for use within their campfire rings. There is no water at the campsites or day use areas. Pets are allowed but must be on a leash.
Permits:
Cautions:
Charter & Membership Resources:
Jackson Advisory Group Meeting Notes and Agendas:
2023
2022
2021
Jobs in the Forest:
Activities:
Jackson Demonstration State Forest is committed to providing innovative demonstrations, experiments and education. The number of acres and breadth of age classes and seral stages contained within JDSF will allow for large landscape level research and demonstrations to complement stand and individual project level work. JDSF will demonstrate the full range of intensity of forest management while maintaining a diversity of stand conditions for future research not yet known. JDSF explicitly acknowledges that forest management is a much broader concept than the growth and yield of merchantable timber. Special concern areas such as riparian and older forest corridors, unusual plant communities, ecological processes, wildlife use of habitat corridors or structural elements, and individual species are all worthy topics for examination within the research and demonstration program.
The Caspar Creek Experimental Watershed Study was established in 1961 as a cooperative effort between the CAL FIRE and the Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW). It is the longest continuous research project at JDSF and has important implications for forests worldwide.
Caspar Watershed Experiments: https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/psw/forestsandranges/locations/casparcreek#resources
Several studies from JDSF are presented here:
Redwood Symposiums: https://www.fs.usda.gov/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr258/
Research Partners:
California Forestry Higher Education Programs
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Forestry and Natural Resources
- Cal Poly Humboldt Department of Forestry and Watershed Management
- UC Berkeley Center for Forestry
List of Published Research
Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) is a 48,652 acre working forest. For over 70 years, JDSF staff have been stewards of the forest, practicing sustainable forest management while accommodating hundreds of demonstration and research projects and providing diverse recreational opportunities.
JDSF has a timber inventory of approximately 2.3 billion board feet of conifer trees that grows about 53 million board feet of timber each year. On average, JDSF harvests 14.3 million board feet of conifer timber each year which is approximately 27% of the annual growth. This conservative approach to harvesting results in significant increases in biomass (carbon sequestration) each year and over time.
Timber Harvesting Resources:
- Cal eProcure
- CalTREES
- CALTREES Guide (How to look up more THP Info)
- Forestry Definitions Glossary
- Proposed Timber Harvest Plans
Closure Maps:
- The Jackson Demonstration State Forest Advisory Group (JAG) is an advisory body of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board). The Mission of the JAG is to provide advice/recommendations to CAL FIRE and the Board regarding issues relevant to the periodic review of the JDSF Management Plan required under Board policy; ongoing implementation issues; and policy matters relevant to JDSF.
Charter & Membership Resources:
Jackson Advisory Group Meeting Notes and Agendas:
2023
- September JAG Agenda
- September JAG Documents
- June JAG Documents
- March JAG Documents
- Proposed JAG Meeting Dates
2022
2021
Boundary Creek info available under "Timber Harvest"
2020
2019
Caspar 500 info available under "Timber Harvest"
2018
JDSF Office
802 N Main St
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 964-5674 (Main Office)
(707) 964-5673 (Fire Station)
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