Pacific Forest Institute: Hidden Lakes Week July 16-21, 2006
Looking Through PLT and PW Activity Guides
Sampling University Pond
Exploring Microscopic Creatures
Yuba Gap Fire - Steve Eubanks, Supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest
Silviculture Walk led by Neal Lemerise of Sierra College
Kevin Roberts of Sierra Pacific Industries Calling a Spotted Owl
Mathew Reischman from the CA Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection Descussing Wildfire Possibilities.
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.
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. Most of us stayed for the video, The Greatest Good: A Forest Service Centennial, that linked forest issues of today to decisions made years earlier.
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, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor, explained how the fire happened, how it was fought and how mixed federal and private ownership meant very different management options.
Next we went to the Big Bend Ranger Station off I-80 where we ate lunch, waited for empty bathrooms, and bought all the copies of The Greatest Good in their museum store. We hit the road again to see a logging operation on the edge of Lake Tahoe led by Doug Praetzel of Sierra Pacific Industries. Our bus driver was great and took us down a long dirt road on nothing but faith that there really was a turnaround at the end. While there we watched equipment skid, stack and load logs onto logging trucks.
A longish bus ride brought us to the parking lot at the bottom of Hidden Lakes’ entrance road. The bus departed and SUVs picked up participants and took them up the rough mountain road to the glorious beauty of Hidden Lakes. Gear, a lot of it, came up in another trip.
Dinner was the first of many fantastic meals by Rick Gilmore, the owner of Paciocco’s Italian Deli and Market in Lincoln. The food was a highlight of our time at Hidden Lakes. 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 as was his Spotted Owl calling.
Following dinner, Craig Thomas, explained forest issues from an environmentalist perspective and a lot of debate ensued as everyone learned how complex these forest issues can become. We slept under the stars on tent platforms.
Thursday
Thursday, Matthew Reischman from the CA Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection arrived after breakfast, fresh from fighting fires. He didn’t smell of smoke, but he could have as he had been at one the day before. 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.
A hike to a nearby area gave us a good look at the fuel concentration in a small grove of trees. 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 short hike up the mountain side and saw ecosystems of all sizes. Some of us went to the top.
We got together and did some lesson planning and in the middle of a participant presentation we had a school fire drill (prearranged with the participant) to get a group photo with a glorious sunset as a background.
The evening brought fun outdoor education songs, a wild Hawaiian dance by a participant who will remain nameless, certificates, participant’s deposit checks, and another campfire complete with smores.
Friday
Friday, brought an unpredicted (it never rains in the summer!) sprinkle to wake us up. Our bus company didn’t cooperate well with our schedule and we ended up leaving for our mill tour in Lincoln rather late.
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. Lincoln Mill: Part of the Yard
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 bus trip back to William Jessup University brought our week to a close.
