City officials warn against community forest use after dark

ARCATA, Calif. (KIEM)-City officials want to remind folks – the Arcata Community Forest – is closed to the public from sunset to sunrise per city code.

It’s to give local wildlife a break from human interaction.

The public service announcement, released Monday, was sent out due to an uptick in mountain bikers riding the trails at after dark.

“Night riding” is banned in the community forest and Arcata city officials say, it disrupts the natural balance of forest dwellers active during the day and night – some animals have adapted and are now more active after dark, to avoid a run-in with humans.

City officials say, if wildlife is not given a break from human interaction, it can disrupt predator and prey relationships.

They say the community forest is a wonderful place for residents to visit- their goal is to create a balance for public recreation and environmental conservation.

Forest visitor and Arcata resident Jessica McKnight says, it’s a reasonable request.

“Well, we co-exist with wildlife right, we live next door to them right we’re in their space, so I don’t think it’s inappropriate to particularly for nocturnal animals, to say let them be. Let them do that they need to do, they’re letting us do what we want to do so, let them have their space, you, know especially at nighttime.”

Arcata’s Police Chief Brian Ahern says, anyone caught in the community forest after dark can be cited and even banned from using the forest all together.