Together We Can Protect Southern California's Wondrous Wilderness

When President Theodore Roosevelt founded the Cleveland National Forest, its wondrous beauty stretched from Mt. San Jacinto to Mexico. In those promising days, everyone in the world called California the "Golden State."

Since then more than two-thirds (1,350,000 acres) of this irreplaceable wilderness has been lost to questionable boundary changes and misplanned urban development. The pressure continues unabated.

Our region shares one of the most threatened eco-systems on earth. It is imperative to stop further shrinking of our spectacular wildlands, and to that end UEF is raising a Cleveland National Forest Conservation Fund to acquire private inholdings, to permanently protect wildlife corridors, and to make our forest wilderness whole again.

For San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties, Cleveland Forest is a vital backyard, a breathing space, and the only local source of clean, natural water. For California it is part of what makes the Golden State still worthy of its name.

As a donor you will gain the personal satisfaction of giving with all who love the wild beauty of our region. Your name will be permanently placed in the history of California by being listed as an "American Wilderness Heritage Guardian." You can be proud of having made your mark by protecting the well-being of this wilderness now and in the coming century.

Your participation in this noble endeavor is absolutely critical.

THIS HELPLESS WONDERLAND NEEDS YOUR PROTECTION

Few may know that President Theodore Roosevelt founded 150 national forests and protected Southern California's wilderness by establishing the Cleveland National Forest nearly a century ago.

What remains of Teddy's gift to California now needs uncompromising and permanent protection. Unless we act immediately, in just a few years this wilderness may be entirely lost to encroaching urban development.

Today we still enjoy majestic stands of cedar and fir bordering fragrant green meadows where scented multicolored wildflowers bloom in spring. Live oaks set up a blaze in autumn that flickers over a backdrop of pines. Foxes bark and deer silently cross fields half hidden in the morning mist. Golden eagles soar in the blue sky over the bountiful home of mountain lions. Cleveland Forest shelters one of America's greatest diversity of wildlife and flora thriving only a few miles from urban life. Such a glorious setting practically in San Diego's own backyard is a treasure worth defending.

The aim of UEF's Cleveland National Forest Conservation Fund is to implement as rapidly as possible the 1993 voters' mandate to protect the Cleveland Forest by pursuing acquisition of habitat, wildlife corridors, and, wherever possible, re-opening those migration trails that have been obstructed.

Southern California's way of life and beauty depends on the health of our environment. Please help generously. Citizen participation is in this rescue is critical. Successful ecosystem protection here will be an inspiration to environmentalists all over the world.