Pacific Forest Institute: Ross Relles Week July 23-28, 2006
Kay Antunez - Dept of Fish and Game
A Copepod?
Only Three Matches Allowed
Yuba Gap Fire - Steve Eubanks, Supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest
USFS Ranger Tony Rodarte Explains Logging
The Beauty of Ross Relles
Inspecting a Tree with Neal Lemerise
Part of the Skull Collection
Dr. Jamie Kneitel from Sacramento State University
Curriculum Development took Place Throughout the Day
A Campfire Complete with Smores!
Lincoln Mill: Part of the Yard
Lincoln Mill: Debarker
Mark Luster of Sierra Pacific Industries at the Lincoln Mill
Sunday
On Sunday, PFI Staff Mary McFarland greeted most of us at William Jessup University as we headed into a meeting room to register in the midst of a record heat wave. We were thankful for the air-conditioning! Orientation on Sunday night was low-key and we got to know each other, as well as pick up some background information about forests in California.
Monday
Monday brought great introductions to Project Learning Tree (PLT) and Project WILD (PW) and Project WILD Aquatic (PWAQ) by the State Coordinators of each program, Kay Antunez (Dept. of Fish and Game) and Bobbie Winn (Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection).
"Mark McReynolds (PFI staff) and Karen McReynolds (WJU Faculty) led us out to University Pond, and it was hot, but as we sampled the pond we saw dozens of bullfrogs, a few fish, one feisty crawdad, and figured out what a watershed was all about." - Kay Antunez - Dept. of Fish and Game
We brought back water samples and looked at what appeared to be wild monsters with the lab microscopes.
After lunch in the university’s cafeteria we returned to PLT activities learning about invasive species and literally using our noses to find the invasive “peppermint beetle” which had left a scent on some trees just outside our lab/classroom. Kay Antunez taught Fire Education by having us try to make fires with different size fuels in large tin cans set in gravel outside. Some had it harder than others as it had “rained” on some of the tins, but success was had by a few.
Kay completed our fire training by introducing us to Burning Issues, educational software that, among many other things, allowed you to dump water on a fire from an air tanker. Dinner was great and we were kept awake after a long day by the quite energetic Lisa Perry who Talked About Trees and gave us an industry perspective on tree use. Snack was next followed by bed soon after for many of us.
Tuesday
Tuesday we packed our gear into a bus and went to view the aftermath of the Yuba Gap fire off I-80 in the Sierra. Steve Eubanks, Supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest, explained how the fire happened, how it was fought and how mixed federal and private ownership meant very different management options.
Next we backtracked a bit to Foresthill, ate a sack lunch and were met by Tony Rodarte of the USFS and others, who showed us a current logging site and explained the planning process they went through as well as the functions of each piece of large equipment.
One more windy bus trip brought us to Camp Ross Relles – off CA 49 outside of Nevada City. Dinner, a swim and a low-key campfire rounded out a busy day.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning was dedicated to Silviculture – the study of trees, tree growing and tree cutting. Neal Lemerise, from Sierra College, used a PowerPoint presentation and then showed us examples outside in the surrounding forest.
After lunch we listened to Kevin Roberts of Sierra Pacific Industries, an expert of Spotted Owls, who explained how SPI plans around endangered species. His animal skull collection was out and impressive.
Following dinner, Mark McReynolds, explained forest issues from an environmentalist perspective and a bit of debate ensued as everyone learned how complex these forest issues can become. Our lodging was less than ideal, but no one noticed after our eyes were closed.
Thursday
Thursday brought Matthew Reischman from the CA Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, who brought with him fresh experience of fighting fires. He didn’t smell of smoke, but he could have. One topic no one expected was the effort fire fighters put into restoration of the wildfire area to erase temporary fire roads, clear streams of debris, and even fix private fences bulldozed at night by fatigued fighters. After lunch Dr. Jamie Kneitel from Sacramento State University wrapped things up by looking at the big picture: ecosystems. After a PowerPoint we took a hike to the creek and looked at the forest with new lenses.
The evening brought fun outdoor education songs, a few stories, certificates, participant’s deposit checks, and another campfire complete with smores.
Friday
Friday, we’re pictured here as we wait for the bus company to take us to our mill tour in Lincoln.
Once we arrived Mark Luster of Sierra Pacific Industries met us, we donned our hardhats and earplugs (a necessity!) and headed off into the heart of the mill. Surrounded by mountains of logs we stepped up a steel stairway and onto a catwalk which ran by the debarker – a machine which appears to eat whole logs.
As we clambered up and down stairways and catwalks, we watched amazed as logs were turned into lumber and door moldings that we all use. It was hot, and loud, but a fascinating tour and a great way to end our week. A short trip back to William Jessup University brought our week to a close.
