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HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestland Steward - Winter 2018 ✓ � i i, r� �� r����J //��j r ,ilii� i i / rr r m r .I i N ✓r rL � Y �r t r,W � Yr { IIf NN r a o- y apr m lr`r 7✓r"l' ........................� 2 Winter 2018 California's Fores 'Ilie prospect of another dry year has created said funding for iron-fire programs will continue concern for forestland owners facing unprec- to shrink,constraining fire prevention work.This edellted treemortallty and[11C}4,rating forest Kiel situation has not gone unnoticed,but has yet to iii✓ loads. be fully resolved at the national level. Tlesearchel's say ccontinued dry and warmer conditions will lead to more tree die-off and Picking up the pace In the meantime,to further im love forest will have lasting�3f�t'.4tS o11 tl7{:distribution i811C{ 1� '/% abundance of tree species in many rheas of health,the Forest Service and CAL FIRE have increased the ace and Scale of their )rescribed /fjslrtSte �salpt�asl California. p l ✓ l/ / //////i/r r///r r �afALFIR,Paer �tlyiesaree Tile tre�atticnrts and other tree mortality projects llaese environmental changes have serious y l J C4arwrr`on��istlretCer � in high priority counties. nraplications foi•how private forestland owners €� p Y ltfer6slhtlillSpAtptstSeit e Between 2010 and 2017,more than 129 r � � w1d nyrr/ iia o dtGer aciclress the tree mortality crisis and how they /to a rfshi(p+sip iy/afe o stl nds� will manage their land in the future to main- million trees have died in CaliforniKa clue to a %� tain forest health and build resilience in rapidly combination of drought stress and bark beetle infestation.Since 2015 over I n]Hllion of these ��o'rexf"1k vii dsh Pr gw� r changing environmental conditions. '�;�PQ'14 r ► /�/, �/%s//L/'�iiariirstzr%ia//i/i�l��ap�riil/i!fptfr;//i�gF?ioa%r rj efI�sf%/+�t,%lrie�a�s/%/tdsrtal�u/�t✓��j/j/r,°/��//"/a; trees have been removed o r felled in high-priority Because these changes don't recognize own- Counties through the coordinated efrorts of theershtp or management boundaries,exertalso 'free�oEtlhty Task fofCe.iik/%�4 say tTere"s an increased need for collaboration "Addressing tree mortality at this magnitude e landowners,government agenciesfi' among privat saU`,; and other stakeholders to improve forest health tales on-going cooperation between public, %!Ste�rrarCyoP4 J;EfRt%/,'1across large and complex ecosystems. on profit Piaci private entities:'said Chief Acta r, // ri ✓% r//</ /%�/r/ /i '1]ae U.S.forest Service said in a recent Public 1 ta111ratt,CALL FIRE director and the state forester.. B working together and rising all the re- based statement that,is recognizes the need for SCle17Ce-� y f+ u b sources at or disposal,well be able to make uS will aSeil approaches to managing tlbt3 Iiil'�C,"^SCi1lep impacts of the state's tree mortality crisis-129 more progress towards our common goal of C healthier,more resilient forests that benefit all. million trees have cliecl on S.�million acres in a x., Californians, T.imlott said. elle Sierra Nevada raraga,alr�atle between 2(710 and 2017. /;��/ U /� r,',/��ir/,r✓r But,increased tree mortality is occurring throughout the strafe,including in oak wood- I ,%i C1k<FMN1 �T �r'%i'r lands and coastal forests. Tree die-off will continue ��11+,�5ffanw�5tce�ar,�i���rdf��drrr��te(a��r�nt� � �Dead trees will continue to Pose ra hazard to � wft� tr durrrr€gi�f�grkutttar T Pw %/r � yrsr�rgf�o�srt�e ;�; people and critical infrastructure,mostly in the // rd F Ntga� w J raga, /„ ✓ � ✓ v� central and SOLI het"n Sierra Nevada region of r //,��t nniar an e a nor RIO" ! w�ufrrl�t��aaarar�lrrlr�r�ri°r�� , "'the number oCaleacl experts said. �t ,ii state / 5 rm� eun�crklY�tdgrrai,o�wJ z dying trees has /z u irr es �n a�of t dwJrre continued to rise,along with the r rsks to corn- l""rat! munities and firefighters,if a wildfire bre�ks Wk rS��Pi '�Ue�SD,�tDO CV7�' w rat ray s is n l Jt rzt out in these areas:'said hand Moore Re torlal i Pacific I/>%%✓/�� �'// �% Forester ofthe USDA Forest Service, Southwest Region. Bhic rank leratvs and acorns.13frr4 oaks ar•e fi ind only in /r✓rn r/r r/ r /� r/ � r/ wo�eantay enera(CrwtdsrMat�4raxr bpipll�lr,�gnt1t's apparent from our survey flights ilial foothills surroundhW Californias Central Valley and the an,��rnrnt iirsaal�i n ConsuNtaR fstef species has hcerr in aPeclrrrc. 1'lre la7rrg-liaPed trees srarvive / r si�aMrratf r st rr qua Cr aeth>fral 1 Cali formas trees have not yet recovered frotrr lore to moderate irrterasrt iter Drat drzrr t crr"c,r✓ell iii iii rlr adw aafj' ? t r!mri ar?� u" ! drought,and remain vulnerable to beetle attacks irrterasrttr rarildf`rr"es,ladtoln y Beatrice Howin,C;aIiAC)rrrin !r strrr�tctaypuratwtds / 0" and and increased wildfire threat,"Moore said, �tCadf''?J'I�r C){"��SI,r�GJ'iCL.See more al)ClZft blue oaks mi page 6" While the l"c.Pi°est Service will continue to focus on removing hazard trees and thinning (?\+el-1y de11Se, forests,1'vlc'rore Said, to increase the /„ e1lt 11ss Irl ilillairllniet f�feC�c1as arty r pace and sC.a,ls;of this li7apoi"taut wop"I{>we need to fix flow fire suppression is funded." I-le said last year lire management alone cola ! / / +f5t1lt�tl/f1d1ftl� sinllecl 5 percent of alae tJSI Forest est Service 1 1U t0; %,eST1aO`�0,o ner,$ql,�n,# r t9f� Ct 111t11,faPrl$t 5l i bctdget.As fire suppression costs continue to ���f0��I �UC0 W1Pl�� f��TdZ�C�w fNlf�lf0V�5�f � f1t� y.. 7,�, �, glow as as percent, of the agency"S budget,he Forestland Steward Winter 2018 3 reduction rhe need for fuels reduction and active]nan agement in C,aliforniis forests 1s at an all time high and local,state and federal resource agen- cies say they're advancing an increased number „ of projects to help clear'aver-,growth on private �% t and public forestland., What that means for private forestland own- ci•s is increased resources for 1"eaiiovirag dead trees,brush and live vegetation from their relic] � � � � �r Py' said Rob Griffith,assistant director for USDA 41: Forest Service hire and Aviation for the pacific u t Southwest Region, It also means more C7 ortu- nities for collaboration and project funding. "The time to clear at Least 100...feet offlalrn- niaBle vegetation around homes in forested and wildland areas is now." I � °lliease efforts well increase homeowner and firefighter safety,protect communities reduce losses and save lives,lie.sand This 1s particularly important as California faces the potential of auiotlaer dry Year. 1 tS rig The Benefits of doing this work now are y, ]n�ian Griffith stressed. Landownerswill,find ,l C.iC7�alllf�� 1 ii there's greater soil iiio1St11rc, 1071`the remaining trees and greater forest health,which makes stands nl()1"e resistant to pests and f7T'E. The Future,of California's Forests "But,it's not lust about reducing current fuels;'lie said, It's also about planning for future growth;creating;forests that are more productive overall. Increasing temperatures and moisture stress may change the distribution and abundance of ti'ec w'l7(:cic5 in S47nic areas,Forest Service eXl)eG'tS said during a scientific Symposium last sumnnerIlls Oli "Lessons nad I'reeiV&ortality in ied From Drought the Sierra ca NcvaTl�lit ✓i� �r / /� ��„��,, Iii e forward-looking scientific event cera- d:eaaioviaag iardaler faaelx and frrasla that allow chat TNill��re to climb into forest canopies reduces the �l rt Because.these.effects do not recog- risk offiire spread and is a foeaas of land managers n ize ownershipenient boundaries in or niana T€� raa this hl,C.�orcaeio Gonaaaty forest. the future collaboration will Be required among private landowners,government and stakehold- "One thing the Forest Service recommends ers to build resilience in forest ecosystems across to California forestland owners is to connect � Large landscapes. with local 1-ire Safe Councils to learn.Taacare With the help of private forestland owners, about project funding and programs. the public partners,scientists and local state "Fire Safe Councils are a clearing house for and federal resource agencies plains are being grant funding and a great place to start if you developed to identify priority areas for forest have a fuels reduction project in mind." treatments over the next decade. Links to local Fire Safe Councilsare online "We want California forestland owners to at &ltt}a//Bit 1�/�l l� X13 .._."} .�___.... �' know that all the forest resource agencies in the A summary of the symposiums conclusions is state are working together very closely to support online at:httl?//Bit.l J2BEgicr, m the „'Griffith said. ___ Forestland Steward.. 1 Winter 20718 Research suggests the need to rethink Technology is increasing Understanding of low spotted owls actually use forest habitat. /Ye >Fr1ha11+r��%,/ Researchers say the species generally prefers tall dos r y o /err trees—above 157 feet----to shorter trees in dense Still7dS. believedIn what is re- s „ t ica�alarg st spottedwlto lstudy i terms of area analyzed,Light' Detection and Ranging �`° ,b ima ing, r i � �201�7ita�ass�s�► au � or Li DAR,is providing a more precise look at uhaaaa e tt wlGu , '/ ' habitat preferences Findings have implications aid zea t; e Enoma i for greater flexibility in future forest and species i rjo/�/ir/ //✓%rr/i%ii/i�iii/ir jr��/ l managelaaent, "For t1lC last 25 years,ffJl"gists 117 the SNeSter'!] United States have been managed to protect habitat forspotted carols based on gr•orrlac-1 surveys that were limited by plats with a small sample l"� area and what Could be seen from,the forest � s floor,"said Malcolm North,a research ecologist r with the U.S, Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station and lead author of the study. Calf lbrni2 potled owl.iSoo ce,UCANR We"re ernploying relatively new technology to t gea new vantage it it age ponni)the forest orest can�opy— i Land management strategies alnaled at 1n117B"C:DV- %� ' i 9CY U i9tl Sit r%/ across an unprecedented amount of terrain—to inn forest resilience to wildfires,drought,insects better understand the needs of spotter owls, and diseases should now include reconsideration of North said. historical tree density,he said. Researchers studied forest attributes across (Forests and owls at risk • �>feo � �r 1.2 million acres,encompassing 316 docun-iented p�/" �/ owl territories,along;California's Sierra Nevada. "While land managers may have felt compelled /r;�+ p�S,t l� �>✓ ��/ / 1.,rD_F7l Rar$¢',ti 1,2Sf'r pulses shot from art In.stril- to maintain these abnormal, high densif is C(Jr. r �y mcr7t mounted in an airplane that can measure a Cali s},ottecl owl territory}to adhere to the forest's canopy,including tree height,distribution 70 percent canopy cover threshold requirement,it of tree foliage and an),forest gaps. might,also have placed both forests and owls at risk,' North said Owls prefer hen t /,/ ectettes ses // the large trees favored by spotted owls can with- i`� previous r'eSeiarCl7 suggested spotted 0^115 stand low to moderate wildfires and other distur- ,,�/�,,,,, need clense canopy cover----generally about 70 bances,but when exposed to extreme wildfires from r percent or gyreia er--across a broad landscape, high fuel loads or avher7 their vigor is canlpromiseci I.iD R data reveals the owl's habitat preference is b too snarl trees cf)C77 7etrr7 an the landscape,these ) Y 1 g 1 1p '"seroor tc // i more about the height of the canopy than it is the tall trees can become vulnerable,lie added. cano Fs expanse. ;r pr er i p tkrer%'�' g Jhe findings were recentlypublished Researchers also studied how large openings it) "Forest 1 online the canopy or gaps in the,forested landscape affected by tragi jorurazal Ecology and Manage- owl use or nest site selection, eea adlxer o ac%s rner7t;"1r1clrlclu1 g data indicating spotted owls "Owls showed no diff-erence in the areas they used t ap h 'lath typically are found in forests with high cor7cen7 compared to the surrounding landscape with regard trattons of tall trees—meaSurrn at least 105 feet i tC) 2rpS, 1C)I't17 Said. in height,but preferably taller than 157 feet. Ibis study comes on the heels of as newly available Meanwhile,dense stands of trees measur- report synthesizing the last two decades of r"cserlrcla slag 52 feet or shorterwere generally avoieed pertaining to spotted owls. by the owls,The report is Online at:—17rt. ""I7e California Spotted Owl:Current urrent 2S tf3r1tef"of<f ! Ilowlecge by the purest Serrice's Pacific`oarth: ;v2e. st "We rarely found owlsin high canopy coverResearch Station is online at 7tffiitl Without tall trees,"North said."We also found owls in ureas with tall trees but low Surrounding "� oar /;r C G?rlSrty ........................ Forestland Steward Wintem'2018 Changing wildfire patterns require 53dQ� new i set for living in the West Current wildfire policy can't adequately pro- Moritz,University of California Cooperative rrrr i? tett people,]comes and ecosystems from longer, Extension wildfires specialist,and a coauthor ora 1 I y €, � p hotter fire seasons,according to new research bythe}}aper. the University of California and the University "We need the foresight to help guide these of Colorado,Boulder. ecosystems in a healthy direction now so they Researchers—a teamof wildfire experts--- can adjust in pace with our changing tlinaate;' z r ` g concluded efforts to extinguish la e�ery blaze and Moritz said.`17aat means eraabrracinf,some Chang- reduce the buildup of dead wood and forest es while we have a window to do so," undergrowth are becoming increasingly inad- Reducing stand density and understory � %�jrr/ rri / rr /illi rr 1 , ee uate, gl'ClIM1"t�l helps ease tGYI'eSt�dl}tr1t1C?n to Instead,they urge policy mak- "We need the ecosystem changes. ers and communities to push 17ae western U.S.has seen a 2-de- for policy reforms that promote foresight to help rree,s Celsius rise in annual average riiir `%/Ir U iir/ j// Di ✓! �'r adaptation to 'increasing wildfire guide these (forest) temperature and lengthening of the and warming. fire season by almost three months irr� r/�/r/a%i%ire%a/r /fry%r "Wildfire is catching tip to us;' e' oyste1?is in a sliced the 1970s;both elements con.- said head author Tania Schoen- „ tribute to what the authors call a".new healthy direction. , ��r r'aa el,a re's(,alch scientist,at CU era of western wildfires,' Boulders Institute of Arctic and 'a""aMoritz 1l-rrs pattern of bigger,hotter fires, �rbd Alpine Research, "We're learning wildfire expert, UC along avitl7 the influx of laoraaes into our old tools aren't enough and we Cooperative Extension 1 � � fire-prone ilreaS'—f7"�er"2 million since N need to approach wildfire differ- 1990—has made wildfire far more � eptly." wildfire as an inevitable costly an londangerous, costly incl r � rrrr r; This means accepting wil' ,+' a g time,we've thought that if we try r� r r r , part of the landscape,according to research con- harder and dao better,we can get ahead of wildfire , I VA elusions published in the journal "Proceedings and reduce the risks;'said Schoennagel."We of the`rational Academy of Sciences. can no longer do that. its is bigger than us and Additionally,as climate charge forces species we're going to have to adapt to wildfire rather to move their ranges,some may vanish entirely, than the other way aroeand" ', ��I'W' ✓�A�", �i1Jt��r/ studies indicate. But such changes,including 1 those caused b wildfire,could be necessary htt i�:Plbitalarplete research findings are online at: , for the environment ment in the long run said Max //� r r I (/// �� ,fir,✓� `� ,i �n�;, CY,� 'K're*M14C�'Ei'i rri r r •V; to r r r1, ,;✓o,>,// ,oaf r,v �'r/u , , r: "d as 1/ ri��i rr�r��//rr/�/%fir/r/r�r fir, u �„✓"J/,:%i„l �l�L7 9, r i /r„:e!wV �"l� r;,,I ;''” '/ ;;'. i//Ii rri /I /{ �J �i lff �rrr"r✓a y/�,M 1'P�'J r r'r/r rri r � r%/s Rural home in Seaga Bernrarafr"rnar f;eaunly is saved late fire f ghIers balding as large,i+ikOre tlrcat'slarrted in San 13errrardrxta National 1"orast rzracl rracar," y y yPhotography e its rsrra rrrlrr fire�trrrrrraat ' '✓rallt'� aar'era,,Sarerrcea:Yre�rraacr Oeyo Forestland Steward 6 Winter 2018 Fuels Management home,MoonShine Ranch conservation projects save blue oaks and 1 r *lc Gold Rush town from w*lld:fire �, � ,.�/� „/ ./f�4% //i/��Nry%f��0��,�/��i/�ti/;��/Firs✓//n//%% ,w//%✓/,i ✓� 1 � � a The 2017 Detwiler Firc in Mariposa County hurnedj,rorn Lake McClure,abow,e,across nearly 82,000 acres,destroying 63 residences,67 outbuildings and 1 business str•uct are.ririashclearing and cmuervation projects on MoonShine Ranch helped.firejighter•sstop the fire,serve the rarach and nearby historic C;oulterville,a gold mining town faunded ira1850.hwesiigatars p and discharge qf ireanns on public land caused the fire. Lake McClure from the ridge above MoonShine Ranch in 10 most hard hit counties—including Mariposa—is extreme. Mariposa County is a breathtaking sight—a landscape of blue oak Planning for fuels reduction woodland,dratted with pines,chamise and other native shrubs. Although fire has historically been part of this foothill ecosys- "The 1-Iasfls knew there was�vay too much woody fare]on t teres,decades of fire suppression and vegetation growth cloggedtheirproperty and that.fire hazardreductionwas critical for protecting the land they loved,"said Sanith,who worked with the 350-acre ranch. Landowners Stephen and MaryAnn'Huff needed help tans- the couple to develop Heels reduction and conservation plans ing the overgrowth to create a fire-safe hoarse site and pronnote a and help fiend funding. healthier landscape. MaryAnn's Master Gardener program training focused Stephen,recently retired,had tirne to invest in ranch improve- a lot on defensible space,she said,and the couple started by rnents.MaryAnn,a University of California Cooperative Exten- clearing and landscaping around their home with fire safety in cion master gardener,is no stranger to landscape restoration, mane]. The Huffs,like hundreds of other foothill landowners,'turned "Stephen spent months working to reduce the risk of to experts for help with fuels management projects,tree removal catastrophic wildfire by painstakingly thinning and cleaning and advice on finding conservation funding to get their land on up the overgrown oak woodland on the surrounding hillsides:' healthier environmental footing. Smith said. ']heir hard work paid off irn July 2017 when the Cast moving Restoring the ranch Detwiler hire raced from its ignition point near Lake McClure "Stephen and MaryAnn care,very much about restoring the up the canyon toward MoonShine Ranch. health of their oak woodland;said Robyn Smith,district conser- "'flee Huffs rushed home from Sonora when they heard the vationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and its fire was heading towards their home,"said Snaith."They could partner Mariposa County Resource Conservation District. only hope their efforts would protect the ranch:' It's a busy four-person teahx at the county's local partnership As the wildfire advanced,MaryAnn evacuated.Stephen, office that in 20117 found ways to help the Huffs and more than aware of the risks and prepared to help firefighters make a 270 other local landowners faced with a tree mortality crisis. stand,stayed behind to protect their home.The Huffs']-sonic `they were contending with dead and dying trees due to drought was given an`A"rating by CAI,FIRE for the defensible space and pest infestation and needed help addressing the problem. created during their brush clearing and conservation work. 'nic die-off throughout the county has created hazards for Huff`crossed his fingers and hoped it was enough. people and critical infrastructure.The wildfire threat in the state's In addition to cleaning out vegetation and preparing a clear- Forestland Steward Winter 2018 7 space for firefighters to safely stage trucks and by Smith and Ivlecchi,with added assistance "fools for equipment,the couple had also improved ranch from BluePoint Conservation Science con- reducing fuel roads and water systems,including installing sultants,"pulled out every strategy known to a back-upgenerator for well pumps and main- loads g }� p laa.nnan-kind„and a few that aren't;'said.Curtis ta.ining a 10,000 gallon pond on the property. Tarver,acting state conservationist for NrCS in Together these improvements made it easier for California.He presented Smith and Mecchi with firefighters to save their.'hone and provided safe a state"Outstanding Conservation Planning Free online re- spaces for regrouping during the fire, Team"award in Sacramento least:November. sources to help Benefits of forest resilience "What this team has accomplished borders create tailored 'said Tarver,"They some- 13art,there were sone unexpected benefits on the miraculous, fuels 3r1a�r°ra e- Because firefighters safe] sta ed on the rancl�r how developed the capacity to help hundreds of g landowners and secured funding for over 200 of went pians. and fought the advancingg b wildfire from there,. t1aeraa,'�aey developed conservation plans that they prevented.its spread into the town of prescribed thinning aafdaraaagecl forests,replant- Restoring and helped hold the Detwiler Fire to about52,,000 acres. ing trees and other vegetation,and scheduled Forest Health. David Iwleccin,president of the Mariposa erosion control practices to protect watersheds. hp: lbit. �eistrict,who "The'y found a contract forester to join their � 7_Off County resource Conservation also assisted with fare rehabilitation in the area team,recruited volunteers,wrangled funding, secured t around NloaanShirae Ranch,rooted well-managed-managedr°ainirag,to cover unfamiliaraspectsGuide�� blue oak woodlands can be a key to controlling conservation the work and developed a teaaaa approach to Brush dW�ar�tag+�- many wildland fires in the.Sierra Nevada foot- con,naccep planning,"he sale. meat:hhtt bit. In accepting the award on behalf of the hills through proper vegetation r nanagernent. Mariposa County team, Smith said,"We know M2 LA.A Blue oaksare slow growing,long-lived na- the people in this corninuaity,and saying`no' to tive trees that have natural ability to withstand Forest Ve eta- low- to meclfnrna-intensity�wildfire,but have had one of them simply wasn't an option,We knewy we had to find a way." tion Manage regeneration issues over the last 100-plus years, ment;]vitt , bit. said Smith, W2CtZC,,.AT "'fliere are very few young blue oaks left;" she explained.The majority of foothill stands t , contain mature trees 100 to 400 years old, { Value of Blue Oaks She cited changing land management ap- proaches,cnictrtroawrtaaaual grasses anddee pane 10 for a /tiro overgrowth of shrubs,shade intolerance and ��," directory of local loss of acorns to,livestock and wildlife as factors forestry experts contributing to the problem of stand decline, who can help with But foothill development has posed the big- gest threat to the species. creating fuels "Although younger~trees will re-sprout if cut anagrnent or damaged by fire,it's the loss of mature trees plans and mien. that often results in forest-type conversion to tifying funading oak savannah and open grassland,"she said. opportunities. "Blue Oak ecosystems are endemic to Califor- nia,and their preservation is crucial to nain- taining oak woodlands'biological diversity,"said Len Mckenzie,of the Yosen-rite,Area Audubon Society,who has studied the species decline. Experts credit good brush removal around blue oaks on In general,oak woodlands provide habitat for d lloonShiue Ranch in Allariposa Countyfor ar healthy amore than 300 species of wildlife,lie said,Blue under-burry in marry areas. "iris allowed firefighters oaks are an important part of that ecosystem, to stoop the ad%,arice of the 2017 De eviler,/ire onto the The county resource conservation tears,ped ranch and into the nearby town of Coulten ill'e. ............ ..... .. -__----- Forestland Steward 12 Winter 2018 CAL FIRE&Placer County RCD BLrff F,COUNTY Forest Stewardship Program ADMINISTRATIOIN PRESORTED 1500 W.El Camino Ave.#633 APR i 12018 STANDARD Sacramento,CA 95833 U.S.POSTAGE ()ROWLE.CALIFORNIA PAID CPS ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED mix FSC 1642 7 4 *****************AUTO**SCH 5-DIGIT 95965 FS00003287 BUTTE CO. Bil-113FISLIPERVISUM 25 COU%WMS1TMR'VR'TM= OROVILLE CA 95965-33,65 Safeguarding CaUTOrnia: 20'.18 Plan for Forest H'�ealth ........... Forestland Steward 174