Forest Service seeking volunteers for Kern, Tulare Counties Resource Advisory Committee

KERNVILLE, Calif. — The Forest Service is seeking citizens to volunteer as members of the Kern and Tulare Counties Resource Advisory Committee for a few days each year.

The committee provides recommendations on how federal dollars should be used in the Kern and Tulare Counties and may also review proposed fee changes for recreation sites in the Sequoia National Forest. 15 members will be appointed by the Department of Agriculture to serve under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Nominees should represent the diverse social, economic, and environmental interests of forest users. Member terms are four years and members must be a resident of California.

Since 2010, the RAC has provided $678,661 in federal funds to nonprofit groups, conservation districts, tribes and other agencies for projects in Kern and Tulare Counties, according to the USDA website. Funds have supported projects such as fuels reduction on private land adjoining the forest, volunteer trail maintenance, and cleanup of the Tule and Kern Wild and Scenic Rivers.

The applications may be submitted to the Sequoia National Forest RAC Coordinator Penelope Shibley by email at penelope.shibley@usda.gov, or mailed to 11380 Kernville Road Kernville CA 93238.

For more information about requirements and how to apply, visit the USDA Forest Service website.