What are National Forests and National Parks?

By Paul G. Redington, District Forester

Muct4 confusion ancl misunderstanding exists in the public mind as to the essential differences between NIATIONAL FORESTS and NATIONAL PARKS. It is hoped that the following facts will help the mem,bers of your ,offi,ce to understand clearly the common accepted standards lor the establishment and administration of these public areas:

There are 17 National Forests in Califotnia with a net area of over 19,@0,00O acres. The National Parks of the State are four in number ancl include an area ,of approximately 1,C00,000 acres.

The National Forests are administered by the Forest Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture; while the N,ational Parks are under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service of the Department of the Interior.

The purpose of the NATIONAL FORESTS is to protect and maintain, in a permanent productive and useful condition, lands unsuited to agriculture, but capable of yielding timber or other general benefits, such as forage for livestock; water for irrigation, domestic use and power, and playgrounds for our citizens. All the resources of the National Forests are developed to the greatest possible extent co'nsistent 'with perm,anent prod,uctivity undtelr 'the principle of coordinated use. The principle 'o{ use of resources is the vital distinction between National Forcsts and National Farks.

The purpose in creating NATIONAL PARKS is to preserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, and