Forest & River News GRASSROOTS CONSERVATION & RESTORATION IN THE REDWOOD REGION TREES FOUNDATION SUMMER 2019 Celebrating 30 Years of Ancient Forest International and the Formation of the 10 million-acre Patagonia National Park System!

• Protests Intensify at Rainbow Ridge • Getting Wildfi re Prepared • 22nd Annual Coho Confab on the Klamath River August 23-25 Index Forests & All Creatures 30 Years of Ancient Forest International ...... 3 Ancient Forest International

Rainbow Ridge ...... 16 Editor’s Note David Simpson and the Lost Coast League Rainbow Committee

History and Richardson Grove Update ...... 31 This issue celebrates the remarkable Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities achievements of Ancient Forest Meet the New Neighbors—Green Diamond Acquires 9,400-acres International (AFI), a group of Southern of Timberland in the Sproul Creek Watershed ...... 32 Environmental Protection Information Center Humboldt activists who 30 years ago leveraged the tremendous momentum A Fun Earth Day Celebration ...... 33 Lost Coast Interpretive Association of the Headwaters campaign to expand forest protection efforts into South Creating the Future ...... 35 Sanctuary Forest America. You’ll read about how the majestic Alerce inspired AFI, and AFI in Water, Rivers, & Fish turn helped to inspire the protection of Time to Celebrate Eel River Salmon—Time for Salmon Parks! ...... 10 Eel River Recovery Project Pumalín Park, a key component to the formation this April of the 10-million Tenmile Creek Water Conservation and Watershed Restoration Project Progress ...... 14 acre Patagonia National Park System. Th is Eel River Recovery Project is celebration worthy, and as Douglas Fir Updates from MRA ...... 34 describes it, the biggest “WOW” he’s ever Mad River Alliance had a direct connection to. State Grant Will Help Improve Salmon Habitat on National Park Lands ...... 36 Salmon Protection and Watershed Network While we celebrate the past, this issue also Redwood Creek and Marshall Ranch, SF Eel Flow Enhancement Eff orts ...... 38 leans into the grave challenges we face Salmonid Restoration Federation today, and provides many ways that you can join in and be a part of the solutions. Fire Show Your Partners You’re Listening. Literally! ...... 19 As we go to press, the Lost Coast League How We’re Using Values-Based Spatial Planning and many partner groups are engaging in to Visualize and Prioritize Collaborative Forest Restoration Will Harling and Jill Beckmann, Western Klamath Restoration Partnership direct action to halt Humboldt Redwood Company from logging Rainbow Ridge Getting Wildfi re Prepared: What Homeowners Can Do About the Scary Wildfi re Situation ...... 27 (see page 16). You can also read about Living with Fire by Bill Eastwood, Southern Humboldt Fire Safe Council EPIC’s concerns over Green Diamond’s From My Perspective acquisition of key salmon habitat in the Diggin’ In...Th e Gienger Report ...... 22 Sproul Creek watershed, and ERRP’s Richard Gienger, Restoration Leadership Project description of forward movement towards creating Salmon Parks along the Eel River. Announcements Richard Gienger digs into how increased Planet Humboldt—a Summit of Inspiration for Community and a Vital Earth ....21 September 14th at the Sequoia Center in Eureka, CA wildfi re threats highlight the importance Andy Barnett, Planet Humboldt of healthy, high quality forests, while A Convergence for Movement Resurgence! October 11-14, 2019 ...... 30 Bill Eastwood provides a breakdown of Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters important steps everyone needs to take to nd 22 Annual Coho Confab on the Klamath River ...... 37 prepare for this fi re season. Coho Habitat Restoration in the Era of Dam Removal and Megafi res, August 23-25, 2019 Salmonid Restoration Federation Please enjoy, and fi nds ways to get involved! CORRECTION! Trees Foundation apologies for two erroneous edits made in the print edition of our Spring 2019 Forest and River News. Th e errors were corrected in the online version. On Page 20 (Briceland Road Stream Crossing Update, Diggin’ In, Th e Richard Gienger Report) Cover photo: In 1989, during AFI’s second Gienger points out design fl aws in the stream crossing designed by NOAA Fisheries, California Expedition to the Pumalín, Chilean Lieutenant Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW), and Humboldt County. In the print edition, we Vargas (an amateur gold hunter and an avid mistakenly changed CDFW to CalFire. On Page 4 & 6, Sanctuary Forest refers to McKee Creek nature lover) presents AFI Founder Rick Klein Restoration Strategy permitting and funding from CDFW that we mistakenly changed to with a small vial of gold as a symbol of the CalFire in the print edition. We regret the errors and apologize to CalFire, Richard Gienger, importance of AFI’s work. p h o t o by st e v e g i l roy Sanctuary Forest, CDFW, and our readers. 30 Years of Ancient Forest International

In this issue we celebrate 30 years of Ancient Forest International (AFI) and its instrumental participation and outreach on behalf of various endangered forestlands in Chile, Ecuador, and Northern California. AFI was inspired by South America’s majestic Alerce, the “redwoods of the Southern Hemisphere” and their rich temperate rainforest ecosystem. Rick Klein first learned of the Alerce in 1970, and his goal of experiencing them, coupled with anti-war pragmatism in steering clear of the Vietnam War, led Rick to become a park ranger in Chile in 1971. At that time, he didn’t find the giant Alerce trees that he had read Original and current AFI Board members gather to celebrate 30 years of AFI. about, but Rick and his pal Douglas L to R kneeling: Steveau Millard, Fred Bauer (OB), Rick Klein (OB), Douglas Fir (OB). L to R standing: Suzelle (OB),Jared Rossman (OB),Tim Metz, Lynn Ryan, Dave Walsh, Fir succeeded in hunting down and Charlie Custer, Peter Childs (OB), Andy Barnett (OB). OB= original board member. photographing Alerce in 1988. p h o t o by D o u g l a s F i r

Around that time Rick also led—and could have met his demise scaling turning to him and saying, “That was nearly killed—a different Doug into a down a giant granite wall, or from fun, how much is it?” Rick replied, different Alerce forest called Pumalín. dehydration when an indispensable “$25 an acre”, and Doug went out According to Rick, when he took Doug water supply along the trek turned and purchased his first large chunk Tompkins to see his first Alerce, the out to be dried up. When they made it of Pumalín. famed adventurer and philanthropist out alive, Rick recalls Doug Tompkins Rick and AFI would continue to cheerlead and support Doug’s massive acquisition of wildlands for conservation in Chile. This was the start of a truly remarkable conservation achievement that just occurred. On April 25, 2019, Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and Kris Tompkins (who started Tompkins Conservation with her husband Doug Tompkins) finalized an agreement that completes the world’s largest transfer of land from private to public hands, and expands Chile’s national parkland by 10 million acres. The Tompkins Conservation donated slightly more than one million acres—largely consisting of Pumalín— and the Chilean government, for its AFI founder Rick Klein hugging an alerce tree in what is now the Alerce Andino National Park. Douglas Tompkins would introduce Rick at fundraisers as a “world champion alerce-hunter”. part, contributed nearly 9 million acres p h o t o by D o u g l a s F i r of federally owned land. www.treesfoundation.org Page 3 lands, retreating only higher up along the Andean rocky slopes. “What a lark!” these old-growth forest defenders thought. To find ancient, huge, unsung trees high up in Chilean fjordal mountains. What a positive and badly-needed jaunt to travel to see them! This was the very first of many expeditions that spawned Ancient Forest International as well as dozens of Chilean NGO’s, all dedicated to native forest appreciation and protection. Alerce-hunting with Rick By Douglas Fir Doug Tompkins was a founder of The North Face and Esprit, as well as an accomplished skier, climber, and paddler. From the early 1990s on, he devoted the fortune he It could be said that the seed that accumulated in business toward creating future national parks in some of Patagonia’s last wild places. He purchased altogether 2.2 million acres in Chile and Argentina would become Ancient Forest for conservation. Tompkins died in 2015 at the age of 72 from severe hypothermia International was planted in the when his kayak capsized and he was subjected to two hours of icy waters in Chilean twilight of a late austral summer day Patagonia’s General Carrera Lake. p h o t o c o u r t e s y o f To m p k i n s C onservation in 1988 on a little flat stretch of trail descending out of Southern Chile’s AFI was Spawned from The slideshow focused on the giant Alerce Andino National Park. Rick a Spirit for Trees Sequoia-like Alerce and its ecosystem, Klein and I were emerging from which was being pushed to the edge of By Rick Klein our second plunge into primeval extinction. Since 1531, this southern old-growth alerce forests, recently Ancient Forest International was born redwood has been extirpated from low protected by the aforementioned park. in 1989, at a time when the greatest standoff ever undertaken over a forest took place in the Headwaters Forest in North Coastal California. It consisted of 3,000 acres of the last great swatch of privately-held old-growth coastal Redwoods. Sit-ins, blockades, hostile confrontations, protester arrests, legal battles, prayer vigils, tree sits, occupations, and even deaths occured. Times were intense!

Douglas Fir and I had just returned from a trek high into the pristine fjords of Chile. He was arguably the first to photograph the majestic Alerce, the “redwoods of the Andes”, and presented his slideshow to a cadre of forest defense activists gathered in AFI’s second expedition in 1989 that took ecotourists deep into the heart of Pumalín. Garberville, California. p h o t o by H a ro l d S c h l a n g e

Page 4 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 We had lingered reverentially among the ancient cathedral trees, picked our way gingerly over the litter strewn forest floor (sometimes eight feet of moss coated, jack-strawed, entwined fallen branches tangled above solid ground), and attempted to capture the definitive photograph of these little known evolutionary pinnacles of the botanical world (in this I failed). Our guide on the first trip had told us that we were likely among less than a dozen human beings to experience these groves. But now on our way out we had plum run out of light. A slim rivulet of water paralleled the trail at that point, and so it seemed as good a place as any to stop if we didn’t want to stumble onward in the on-rushing darkness. The postcard dated April 29, 1994 was mailed from Doug Tompkins in Puerto Rick was flushed with excitement Montt, a city north of Chile’s Pumalín Park, to Rick Klein’s PO Box in Redway, as we bivouacked on this flat spot CA. (In April, 2019, Pumalín Park was officially transferred from the Tompkins on a mostly descending ridge. In the Conservatory to the Government of Chile to become a National Park, making previous month he had manifested it the largest transfer of land from private to public hands in the history a long-held dream, entering of conservation.) cathedral alerce forests twice here in Alerce Andino. “Dear Rick, …The news is good. We’ve finalized the purchase of all Pumalín’s land, about 200K hectares, including of course Cahuelmo! After more than As we reflected over the past month’s three years of arduous negotiations, this was a major success. I want to let you experiences (which included being know that you were an important catalyst in this and that you should know shanghaied on a 100’ sloop for nine I recognize and appreciate that. Now as they say, “the work begins’ - we will days), Rick mused about the fate of the formally create a private park/reserve then hopefully a National Park. Dreams alerces, the lack of knowledge in North sometimes come true! Thanks for all your inspiration. Best, Doug” America of the existence of these forests, and the threat facing existing alerce groves outside of the protection he collected a staff made up of myself expedition splashy enough to attract of the national park system. What if as Project Coordinator; Ami Goldberg major media attention was in order. there was an entity, an organization, as Administrator; and a host of Expedition Alerce was essentially a a non-profit devoted to bringing volunteers. Rick attracted a number reprise of our earlier discoveries in these forests to the attention of the of local noteworthies to serve as AFI’s Alerce Andino, but pushing beyond world and possibly raising money to first board of directors including: Peter to terra incognito. Forest ecologist purchase unprotected tracts? Could Childs, Fred Bauer, Suzelle, Andy Dr. Paul Allaback signed on, giving we effectively organize such an effort Barnett, Lloyd Hauskins, and Jared the effort scientific credibility. Rick from our remote Humboldt refuge? Rossman. Jared’s brother Michael also engaged Scott Holmquist (later to was brought on as science advisor. When Rick returned to Humboldt go on to create a number of projects he forged ahead, inspiring a coterie At Rick’s urging, the board authorized that seek to memorialize the SoHum of environmental activists whose AFI’s first project: Expedition Alerce. experience, notably the art/archive energies had been focused on domestic Rick reasoned that in order to bring piece, chronic freedom) to organize a issues to internationalize their scope. attention to the facts and plight of film crew to document the trek, which Paying initially out of his own pocket, the southern forests, an international he did, landing the documentary, www.treesfoundation.org Page 5 Expedition Alerce: Lost Forests of the and garnered AFI its first funding Cañi that the introductions to Yvonne Andes, on The Learning Channel, stream and its first acquisition project, Chouinard (founder of Patagonia clothing company), Doug Tompkins where it aired repeatedly in 1990. Santuario Cañi, ironically not an Alerce forest. It was, however, Chile’s (founder of The North Face, and The energy and excitement generated first private park and its premier forest Esprit) and Alan Weeden (New York by the first expedition was contagious education project. It was through the financier) occurred. These three would be AFI’s primary sources of support for the initial years. AFI would go on to organize expeditions into the Chilean wilderness for the next several years as Doug Tompkins dug into southern Chile at the beginning of his effort to protect vast quantities of Patagonian wilderness, the culmination of which we currently are celebrating. AFI Inspired Protection of “The Yosemite of South America” By Douglas Fir The Cochamo Valley sits near the top of Chile’s Reloncaví Sound, a long p h o t o c o u r t e s y o f To m p k i n s C onservation slender finger of briny sea some 70 miles from open water, a picturesque sliver of the ocean slotted between verdantly forested, steep slopes dropping precipitously 3-4000’ from the often-snowy heights lining the sound. The valley’s floor has been cleared and grazed for 140 years but the granite walls and domes, the primary alerce forests, and the crystal clear river provide an extraordinary wilderness experience. Following AFI’s first expedition in the area in 1993, we began calling the glacially carved Cochamo Valley “The Yosemite of South America.” Now, p h o t o f ro m n e w s . m o n g a b ay.c o m when you do a web search for Cochamo, Doug Tompkins and Kris McDivitt Tompkins were the ultimate eco-power couple. They two out of three sites say something were both worth millions when they fell in love in the early 1990s. His fortune came from similar, including the Chilean sites, the cofounding two giant outdoor-clothing companies, North Face and Esprit. Kris made her fortune as the first and only CEO for 20 years of billion-dollar outdoor clothing company owners of which have probably never Patagonia. In the early 1990s they both cashed in their shares and uprooted from California been anywhere near Yosemite. So, to live in the real Patagonia, and each set up conservation charities to purchase and protect amongst AFI’s lesser accomplishments, millions of forested acres. Since Doug’s death in 2015, Kris has run both charities, and this year concluded a long negotiation with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet’s administration we created a meme (even if that word that created a 10 million-acre Patagonia National Park system. didn’t exist when we did it).

Page 6 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 The comparison with Yosemite works finding the funding for the community Like many activists in Humboldt when it comes to the 3,500-foot sheer to mount a successful legal challenge County, I cut my baby teeth during the granite walls topped by magnificent that has permanently prevented Headwaters Forest campaign, opening domes and cut by waterfalls, providing further extension of the road. the Arcata Action Center in 1989 breathtaking visuals and numerous to support Forest Forever signature The Wikipedia article on Cochamo technical climbing challenges. But the gathering. That same year, as a member includes the comment: “Recently, analogy ends there. First, the valley of the Rainforest Action Group at ecotourism has become a constantly is in private ownership as opposed to Humboldt State, I was involved in growing activity in the area.” Inevitably, very successful fundraising events being part of Chile’s extensive national the valley would have been discovered, to purchase primary forests on the park system. The fact that landowners but AFI’s work and expeditions into western slope of the Ecuadorian Andes have chosen to protect their land and the area really put it on the map and as part of Los Cedros Cloud Forest create income-generating recreational helped create what is maturing as a Reserve. It was around this time that opportunities testifies to the fact that sustainable ecotourism economy. when locals recognize that their region I heard about Rick Klein and the work has amenity and resource values that AFI Helped Protect AFI was doing in Chile. also yield economic benefits, they can Key Biological Then a project in 1992 with the be encouraged to preserve them. Corridor in Ecuador Centro de Investigaciones de Bosques AFI can claim some credit for this. In Tropicales engendered my lifelong By David Walsh 1994-95 I lived in Cochamo for four affinity to the jungles of Ecuador. To months. Along with organizing a The transfer of Pumalín Park into the assist in physically demarcating a guide training program, a large part of Chilean national park system is not the million acres that had recently been my work consisted of helping people only victory AFI is celebrating on this adjudicated to Ecuador’s Huaorani understand the extraordinary resource 30th anniversary. In February of 2019, contacted and un-contacted bands, that they had, one that would serve we successfully negotiated the sale we spent months in the Amazon them without exploiting and degrading of the Pañacocha Lodge to a private bushwhacking with machetes and their environment. A few years later, tourism company, culminating almost living off of the land. As a backdrop, AFI secured funding for a brilliant 20 years in the leadership role of Ecuador was in the grips of World Chilean activist and environmental establishing and defending a 140,000- Bank and IMF deregulation of the scientist, Elisa Corcueras, to develop acre primary tropical forest reserve in oil industry, and plans were on the a management plan in conjunction the Ecuadorian Amazon. table to build the Maxus Road into with the community of Cochamo. That effort served to consolidate the community’s dedication to preservation and tourism. Another way that the Cochamo Valley and the Yosemite differ is that the road only penetrates four miles from the Valley’s mouth. To arrive at the heart of the valley where the great, great walls ascend, one needs either to walk or ride a horse. Construction of the road by the military engineers began in the last month of my stay. Because I learned that the military had not taken out the required environmental permits, I filed a protest with the newly The top of the fjord of Cochamo Valley, where AFI led expeditions and dubbed the area “The Yosemite of South America.” AFI assisted in the development of a management organized equivalent of the U.S.’s EPA. plan in conjunction with the community of Cochamo, and helped block the extension Subsequently, AFI was instrumental in of a road into the ancient wilderness. p h o t o by H a ro l d S c h l a n g e www.treesfoundation.org Page 7 the area. Just north of the Pañacocha lagoon you can see the fine cleared line of a pipeline cutting south and east through the reserve. There are no roads, no clearings, no colonization, or oil palm plantations in the heart of the reserve. While there is some oil development conducted by the national oil company, it is nevertheless the first example of minimal impact development ever carried out anywhere in Ecuador, including in national parks. This is a direct result AFI’s third expedition in 1990, posing on a temporary tidal flat while the tide in the bay was receding in front of the fjord of Cahuelmo in the Pumalín wilderness of Chile. of AFI’s work within the Ministry of p h o t o by Da n i e l Da n c e r the Environment to advocate regional planning, starting with Pañacocha. the heart of the Yasuni National The Pañacocha Lodge is located in The Correa government closed Park. This road was eventually built, the narrow gap between Ecuador’s thousands of non-profits in 2010. We causing horrendous fragmentation, two largest protected areas in were forced to sell the Pañacocha colonization, and pollution. the Amazon: the 982,000-hectare Lodge or have it nationalized. The Yasuni National Park and the Around 1998, AFI partnered with reserve will very likely experience 600,000-hectare Cuyabeno Wildlife future threats such as road building Earthways Foundation, Rainforest Reserve. The Bosque Protector—a by regional entities and colonization. Concern, and Rainforest Information land status in Ecuador that restricts AFI will continue advocating to make Centre in fundraising to acquire timber harvesting—was established in sure that doesn’t happen to this vital the Pañacocha Lodge, a 137- Pañacocha in 1995 by grassroots efforts Biological Corridor. acre (55-hectare) property with a to protect the area’s important values backpacker-style lodge. The coalition as a Biological Corridor. Without AFI in California succeeded in purchasing the lodge in a Management Plan and strong By Lynn Ryan, 1999-2000. advocacy, however, this designation AFI California Program Coordinator did little to prevent fragmentation and The strategic in-holding of the unbridled colonization. From the Oregon border south and Pañacocha Lodge in the Bosque from the Pacific Ocean east, Ancient Protector Pañacocha positioned AFI AFI helped fund the creation Forest International works across a as a central player and advocate to of a Management Plan for the fragmented yet still-viable landscape influence petroleum development 56,000-hectare Reserve and In 2000, I wandered into the Ancient policy in the western Amazon. shepherd the Management Plan Forest International (AFI) office During our tenure, the Bolivarian through the Ecuadorian Ministry in Redway looking for volunteer revolution saw Ecuador nationalize of the Environment. As a result, opportunities. AFI and Save the Ecuador adopted what are called the oil concession known as Block 15 Redwoods League had just raised “Best Management Practices” for from Occidental Petroleum, and take $7 million to purchase, transfer to the first time in history. AFI also a lead role in managing their own Bureau of Land Management, and helped gain recognition for the natural resources. In gold mining and preserve 3,800 acres of second and old- conservation of Yasuni-Pañacocha- other sectors, due mostly to Chinese growth forest, along with neighboring Cuyabeno biological corridor in the investment, this has not worked out conservation easements, in order to Ecuadorian Oriente. very well. But our advocacy during protect an intact wildlife corridor this transition most certainly led to The only way to truly understand the connecting two large protected the minimization of impacts on this full scope of the conservation victory ecosystems on either side of the pristine Amazonian frontier. this represents is to Google Earth Mattole river valley. This was the

Page 8 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Redwoods to the Sea Project, and the protect hundreds of thousands of Following that victory, AFI devoted nation’s first wildlife corridor initiative public acres as Wilderness. This time and energy to supporting a to hit the ground. included the organizing of hundreds multitude of other California projects. of public hikes out of the AFI office: The Environmental Protection Our first comments to CalTrans forest treks where we searched for old Information Center (EPIC), the on their Richardson Grove project trailheads, fixed flat tires, got lost and Redwood Chapter of the Sierra Club date back to 2005, as do our efforts found, laughed a lot, and slept under and local watershed group Friends of to preserve ancient forest habitat in the stars in the middle of nowhere. Gilham Butte had successfully litigated Rainbow Ridge along the northeast to designate Gilham Butte lands We educated legislators in Sacramento boundary of the Mattole watershed. as a Late Successional Reserve that and Washington, D.C. over the Ongoing AFI efforts include anchored the project between the Eel following years, culminating in promoting a public trail rather than a and Mattole rivers. These critical BLM the 2006 Northern California railroad along the Eel River; saying no stepping stones protect connectivity Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness to offshore oil drilling; coordinating between Humboldt Redwoods State Act, federal legislation that added efforts with EPIC and other local Park and the King Range National 273,000 North Coast acres to the and statewide groups to stand up to Conservation Area, and have since Federal Wilderness Preservation egregious timber harvest plans; and doubled in size. System. Areas permanently protected into the Federal Wilderness preserving roadless areas, critical Shortly after, in response to a Preservation System along the Eel habitat, and their animal species. AFI threatening timber harvest plan, the River include Red Mountain, Elkhorn may have numerous accomplishments Stable Slopes campaign added around Ridge, Cahto Peak, Yuki, Sanhedrin, to celebrate over the past 30 years, but 700 acres to the DeWitt Redwoods and additions to the Yolla Bolly and we aren’t done yet! State Natural Reserve right across the North Fork Eel. The King Range a For more information: Eel River from the town of Redway. Wilderness was designated. www.ancient-forests.org Currently, community interest is rising in extending hiking and biking trails through the Stable Slopes forest addition to the Dewitt Redwoods State Natural Reserve, located across the South Fork Eel River from the town of Redway. AFI and residents who brought about that acquisition 10 years ago are starting to explore possibilities for the town’s scenic backdrop, also known as Redway Ridge. Stay tuned! Empowered by the success of Redwoods to the Sea, AFI wrote grants and jumped into the California Wildlands Project, part of a nationwide connectivity campaign. We helped coordinate efforts of place-based groups like LEGACY—a coalition Araucaria trees in Santuario El Cañi, which was AFI’s first completed acquisition and community-based native forest project, aided by wildlands philanthropists Doug Tompkins of The Landscape Connection, Map- and others. An araucaria tree can live for 1,800 years and grow more than 8 feet wide and Rap, Lost Coast League, Mattole 185 feet tall. The species is also known as “the Monkey Puzzle Tree” (because an Englishman Restoration Council, Friends of the Eel remarked in the 1800s that it would be a puzzle for a monkey to climb). Araucaria forests were widespread on the Earth alongside dinosaurs in the Jurassic period (carbon records River, Willits Environmental Center, date back at least 180 million years); the tree’s armor of daggerlike leaves was designed to North Coast Environmental Center, thwart the appetite of 80-ton herbivores. To maintain maximum protection, Santuario El Cañi does not permit roads, tree cutting, or permanent structures, and only allows human access Siskiyou Wildlands, Friends of Del by foot. Santuario El Cañi is believed to be Chile’s first private park and ecotourism project. Norte, and others—to permanently p h o t o by Da n i e l Da n c e r www.treesfoundation.org Page 9 Time to Celebrate Eel River Salmon —Time for Salmon Parks! By Eel River Recovery Project The Eel River Recovery Project (ERRP) has organized volunteers throughout the watershed to assess the population of the magnificent wild fall-run Chinook salmon since 2012, and we have discovered that the population is showing signs of resilience. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for more northern stocks of Chinook salmon, which have plummeted in population since 2015. This makes the relative importance of our Eel River population rise in terms of over-all species recovery. In order to foster further recovery of the Eel River population and make them a more central part of our culture, ERRP promotes the creation of Salmon Parks as places where people can connect with the river and the fish so they feel inspired to be a part of the river and Upper Eel River help heal it. between Potter Valley Project dams In mid-May, ERRP Managing Director Pat Higgins visited Portland, Oregon collapsing from Oregon to Alaska. It and tremendous productivity due to present on Eel River Chinook at turns out that warm water conditions to numerous ocean canyons, their the International Year of the Salmon in the Gulf of Alaska from late 2015- juveniles had a better fate. Although conference. Participants included 2016 caused ocean life to produce not discussed at the conference, scientists from Japan, Russia, South fewer planktonic organisms rich in Korea, and Canada, as well as another factor playing in favor of our Omega-3 fatty acids, which lead to Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. salmon is that the Eel River has a much the starvation of juvenile fish. A warm The conference was hosted by the lower level of pollution from pesticides water mass passed through northern North Pacific Anadromous Fisheries and herbicides that are quietly killing California near-shore ocean waters in Commission (NPAFC), an inter- juveniles in basins with extensive 2015 and was referred to as “the Blob”. governmental organization established industrial agriculture. This water continued north and lodged in 1993 to promote the conservation in the Gulf of Alaska. The result is that Eel River Chinook of North Pacific anadromous fish, salmon are now more important than meaning fish that migrate up rivers Conference attendees really from the sea to spawn. NPAFC appreciated the ERRP presentation ever for the survival of the species members include Canada, Japan, the as it represented one of the few bright over-all. So, let us celebrate the salmon, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the spots on Chinook regionwide. Since make them more a part of our culture, United States. The focus of discussion Eel River Chinook salmon graze off and let’s reconnect people to the river was what scientists had learned about the northern California coast, where and work together to recovery it. It’s why Chinook salmon stocks were there is more consistent upwelling time for Salmon Parks!

Page 10 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Lower Eel River Salmon Parkway While the idea of Salmon Parks has been kicking around ERRP since 2012, the Rose Foundation greatly assisted advancement of this concept with a grant from August 2018 through January 2019 which allowed ERRP to root the concept of a Lower Eel River Salmon Parkway with local agencies and entities. The purpose of the project was to promote both the creation of a trail along the river and the North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) right-of-way, as well as the restoration of lower Eel River adult Chinook holding habitat and safe fish passage. Fortuna City staff, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources Agency staff, and ERRP volunteers. a l l p h o t o s t h i s a r t i c l e by ERRP, u n l e s s n o t e d The City of Fortuna has picked up the ball and is now running with people of the city with the river and to Fortuna and east to Headwaters Forest. it, submitting and winning a River anchor the trail. City Manager Merritt ERRP has also been working closely Parkway grant from the California Perry sees opportunity to connect with with the Wiyot Tribe and proposes Natural Resources Agency to acquire seven acres along the current River parts of the Great Redwood trail route that information signs along the trail Walk trail north of the River Lodge for to the north and south, and the John provide information on the Salmon the creation of a park to connect the Campbell Trail that extends through People, as well as the salmon. Most

International Year of the Salmon conference attendees with Pat Higgins in front row, right of center. www.treesfoundation.org Page 11 Map of Upper Eel River Salmon Parkway Trail route M a p by Pau l Tr i c h i lo

Fortuna residents no longer go to were filled and that salmon were in eroding bank upstream of Fernbridge the river to fish as they once did. The peril of stranding in long shallow through bioengineering and to help Lower Eel Salmon Parkway would riffles. He arranged to float agency rebuild the Worswick Pool there that provide another means of connecting and county staff to make sure they is critical habitat for holding salmon. the community with the magic of the understood the problem. Sal worked Upper Eel River Salmon Parkway salmon. ERRP will continue to assist with Loleta Elementary School folks in Fortuna and neighboring students on river education, and also The Upper Eel Salmon Parkway communities in organizing to help organized meetings with agencies, concept is being explored with the make this vision a reality. non-profits, and Tribes to increase help of Trees Foundation’s Cereus their awareness of a potential fish kill. grant. Once again, the emphasis is Factors that hugely helped make this Largely thanks to these efforts, the on salmon habitat restoration and project a priority and move it forward National Marine Fisheries Service recreation. The reach of the Eel River was work by river guide Eric Stockwell, has increased the priority of lower Eel between the Potter Valley Project as well as watershed educator Sal River restoration, and the Humboldt dams has been altered by 100 years of Steinberg. Eric watched the lower Eel County Resource Conservation artificial flow levels which created a River and the fish daily from August District is poised to take the lead on narrow willow riparian corridor that to November and reported that pools an important project to stabilize the isolates flood terraces. This problem

Page 12 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 is similar to the Trinity River below Lewiston Dam, and the solution is the same as practiced there by the restoration program: feather edging. By strategically removing riparian willow, flood terraces can be reconnected. This will greatly increase entrainment of spawning gravels and allow Chinook juveniles access to slower edge-waters and improve their survival. This project is needed whether dams remain in or are removed, but is even more important if dams stay in. An added benefit of the riparian removal Looking downstream at the upper Eel River Gorge from Monkey Rock between will be improved viewing of Chinook the PVP dams. p h o t o c o u r t e s y N o r t h A m e r i c a n A n a d ro m o u s F i s h e r i e s C o m m i s s i o n salmon spawning from a trail that Company (PG&E) own most of the objectives, and would bind any party ERRP envisions along the south side of road right of way and National Forests acquiring the Potter Valley Project. this reach of the upper Eel River along have a mandate to accommodate the route of an old logging road. ERRP has found that local business recreation. PG&E is party to a owners in the upper Eel River Stunning beauty abounds along the Settlement resulting from earlier watershed and Potter Valley favor reach of the Eel River between Scott bankruptcy proceedings and the the Upper Eel River Salmon Parkway Dam, that forms Lake Pillsbury, and company has signed a Conservation concept, as does the Potter Valley Cape Horn Dam, where water is Easement that stipulates that the 5,500 Indian Tribe (PVIT). The Tribe is party diverted to Potter Valley. North facing acres they own surrounding the Potter to the Settlement and will receive land, slopes are covered with old-growth Valley Project will be used exclusively including near Pioneer Bridge. The Douglas-fir forests that extend across for conservation, recreation, and PVIT economic development plan the canyon within the river’s inner restoration. Plans for salmon habitat envisions recreational development gorge. Mendocino National Forest restoration and the trail proposed by within their Potter Valley Project (MNF) and the Pacific Gas and Electric ERRP are compatible with the latter holdings, and they are considering development of a campground that could be a jumping off point for trail enthusiasts. ERRP will be exploring the receptivity of Mendocino National Forest to this concept at a June meeting. Preliminary contact with Congressman Huffman’s office indicates that the Upper Eel Salmon Parkway concept could be considered for funding as part of Potter Valley Project’s relicensing and/ or decommissioning. Get Involved: ERRP is running field trips to the Upper Eel Salmon Parkway this summer! a For more information: www.eelriverrecovery.org, , check out ERRP volunteers Philip Buehler (l) and Jesse DeWolf (r) ERRP or Eel River Recovery Project on during Upper Eel Salmon Park reconnaissance on Memorial Day. Facebook, or call (707) 223-7200. www.treesfoundation.org Page 13 Tenmile Creek Water Conservation and Watershed Restoration Project Progress

By Eel River Recovery Project In August 2018, the Eel River Recovery The Boat Pool, where Tenmile Creek flows all year. Project (ERRP) was awarded a grant by the California State Coastal for riparian restoration and for creeks were chosen because they share Conservancy (SCC) from Proposition gully erosion abatement, but water headwaters with undisturbed Elder 1 funds to assist Tenmile Creek conservation technical assistance is Creek on opposite sides of Cahto watershed residents in restoring being offered in only two key sub- Peak. The rainfall is equivalent and stream flows and improving watershed basins. The SCC requested that ERRP the watersheds have similar bedrock health. Two community meetings narrow the focus geographically geology, so flows of these streams were have been held, 740 landowner surveys for a “pilot project” to improve the likely similar historically. Thomas mailed, dozens of responses received, likelihood of success for near-term Gast and Associates Environmental and now free technical assistance is flow improvements. Streeter Creek Consultants (TGAEC) is calculating being rendered in the field. joins Tenmile Creek at the Black Oak historic flow versus current and will The SCC grant provides free consulting Ranch and Big Rock Creek flows in work with consultant Hollie Hall to services to landowners basin-wide from the west just upstream. These estimate how much more storage is needed so that water users can forebear in late season and stop water withdrawal to get both creeks flowing perennially again. Residents of the Streeter and Big Rock Creek watersheds can have access to free technical consulting services on water conservation, water permitting, and farm practices that decrease runoff and increase infiltration. Hollie Hall, PhD, is one of the foremost authorities on water permitting, water rights, and water conservation, and she can help farmers understand their water rights and file permits, if Group photo after Community Water Workshop in Laytonville at the new they so desire, as well as calculate ERRP Office on 1/23/19. a l l p h o t o s t h i s a r t i c l e by Pat H i g g i n s their needed additional water storage.

Page 14 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Coho juvenile in Big Rock Creek pool. Transparent bluegill in Big Rock Creek.

Free consulting services will also be Creek just upstream of the South of charge to Tenmile Creek watershed available from Anna Birkas of Village Fork Eel River, where another gauge residents on riparian restoration or Ecosystems who has similar expertise was maintained, had surface flow all gully erosion control; several projects to Hollie, but can also advise on farm summer and fall, as did a reach north have already been identified. Several planning that minimizes pollution and of Laytonville just upstream and locations with failing banks, that run-off. downstream of Tenmile Creek Road. are major sources of erosion, will be All data or information collected Biological assessment is part of the bundled into a grant request this fall by ERRP best practices team is SCC grant, but the project started too so that needed work can take place proprietary and confidential. While late for deploying automated water in 2020. Tenmile Creek watershed ERRP is state funded, we do not temperature sensors in 2018. However, residents wanting riparian or gully necessarily promote adherence to stream surveys and dive observations assistance can call Philip Buehler at regulations but rather want to help the lead to some very interesting (707) 513-6010. community coordinate water use, to discoveries. There were steelhead devise a plan for augmented storage, trout rearing in the perennial reach The Tenmile Creek Watershed Council and to help them get their creeks of Tenmile Creek above and below (TCWC) has been a loosely affiliated flowing perennially again. When Tenmile Creek Road, when other grassroots group, but is now getting additional water storage needs are reaches upstream and downstream more organized and on a path to calculated, ERRP intends to pursue were dry with isolated warm pools become their own 501(c)3 non-profit grant funds so that farmers can get that often harbored bullfrogs. The corporation. They now share an water security and also forebear from most surprising find was the fish office with ERRP and BioEngineering stream diversion in summer and fall. diversity in isolated cold pools in Big Associates at 44935 Highway 101 in Rock Creek. Not only were steelhead A flow assessment in the first year of Laytonville, just south of Geiger’s present, but also coho salmon juveniles the project was assisted by the State Market. ERRP contractors will assist that require water temperatures under Water Resources Control Board. They the TCWC with water conservation 62° F. California roach and stickleback set up stream gauges in April in the and restoration tasks, but the group were noted, but a novel find was a blue Tenmile Creek watershed at locations also wants to explore projects in gill. Washed down from a farm pond planned under our grant because our the realm of forest health. Anyone and stuck in a cold dark pool instead contract did not open until August. interested in knowing more about the of a warm sunny pond, they stunted Our first season results found that and had almost no skin pigmentation— pilot project can call Kristen Garringer Tenmile Creek lost surface flow near see-through sunfish! at (413) 329-9530. the Black Oak Ranch and that lower Streeter and Big Rock creeks were BioEngineering Associates, based in a For more information: also underground. Lower Tenmile Laytonville, can provide services free www.eelriverrecovery.org. www.treesfoundation.org Page 15 Efforts to Protect Rainbow Ridge

Direct Action at Rainbow Ridge Despite decades of effort to protect the spectacular conservation landscape of Rainbow Ridge, the Lost Coast League reports that logging operations commenced on Wednesday, June 5th on Unit 4 of the Long Ridge Timber Harvest Plan (THP). Since that time the Lost Coast League and partner groups have organized direct actions in efforts to halt the logging and bring public notice to the fact that HRC’s sustainable certification requirements are being bypassed as they log in a High Conservation Value Forest. On June 10th, four protestors—longtime local residents Ellen Taylor, David Simpson, Jane Lapiner, and Michael Evenson— were arrested blocking access to the site. Four more protestors were Rainbow Ridge looking northwest toward the Pacific. p h o t o by Th o m a s B. D u n k l i n arrested on June 17th after a 40- foot mono-pod with a tree sitter in it was erected that blocked off the water supplies above her—which Rook on the way down. That same main gate. The protest sign atop the sent large water jugs whirling by morning the area being logged mono pod read, “Leave Rook alone! her. Since then Lear guards have gained further proof of being a High Protect Rainbow Ridge!”. sporadically provided her with small Conservation Value Forest when a amounts of water, and she reports rare species of rodent, the Sonoma The sign referred to a woman going eating about 300 calories a day— Tree Vole (Arborimus pomo) visited by the name of Rook who began a carefully rationing food she was able Rook’s tree. She was able to capture tree sit in an old Douglas-fir in the to save, or retrieve from branches several photos of it (see back cover). early hours of June 8th within the where it got caught on the way down. The vole is found in mature forests, grove being logged. Lear security and considered a species of special guards, hired by HRC, have not tried On June 24th, an HRC contractor felled concern, an “indicator species” of to physically remove her, but they small trees immediately adjacent to forest health, as well as the favored have tried in many ways to get her Rook’s tree sit, one of which struck prey of the Northern Spotted Owl, a to leave, including employing a tree the branch she was sitting on, and state and federally listed threatened climber who cut down her food and another small tree which brushed species. Earlier this year the Northern Spotted Owl was determined to reside in the THP units that HRC intends to log in early September. Rainbow Ridge History By David Simpson and the LCL Rainbow Committee The Lost Coast League is comprised of Longtime local residents Mattole Valley and Humboldt County Jane Lapiner, David Simpson, Michael Evenson, residents who have been seeking for and Ellen Taylor being over 40 years to protect the forests arrested after attempting and unique landscape that lies above to block loggers from accessing the Rainbow the north forks and tributaries of the Ridge High Conservation Mattole River. This rare, powerful Value Forest. p h o t o c o u r t e s y LCL landscape surrounds Rainbow Ridge, with its proximity to the great old

Page 16 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 redwood stands in the adjoining Humboldt Redwoods State Park and the Redwoods to the Sea corridor to the south. Collectively, it might be best understood and valued in the context of being one of the last places where the natural barriers to human activity allow evolution to actually perpetuate itself—even after having endured the havoc of past logging. There are species still inhabiting this landscape that exist in fewer and fewer places. Most recently, in an effort to protect Rainbow Ridge, the Lost Coast League (LCL) spent nearly four years attempting to create a meaningful dialogue with the relatively new owners Maps of the old growth, before and after logging, an indication of how important it is to save what is remaining!. by M at t o l e R e s t o r at i o n C o u n c i l , 1988 of Humboldt Redwood Company (HRC) and Mendocino Redwood Company (MRC)—the Fisher family, management produced little common HRC/MRC has recently had its San Francisco real estate moguls who ground and no assurance that logging certificate of compliance under FSC also own the clothing retail giant Gap, in critical stands would not proceed, standards renewed by the FSC- and its several subsidiaries. The 18,000 the League grew to understand accredited certifying agency, SCS acres of Rainbow Ridge is a small that other leverage in the situation Global Services (SCS). It is Lost portion of the total 420,000+ acres might be needed. One previously Coast League’s conviction that these of timberlands held in northwestern unexplored avenue was to challenge claims of sustainability, as they play California by the family. This recent HRC’s claim that their kind of forest out on Rainbow Ridge, are highly overture to company managers management was indeed ‘sustainable’. questionable. We are no longer followed 25 years of often herculean In the Fall of 2018, the Lost Coast allowing the company to make these efforts to secure the Rainbow League resolved to dispute the basic claims uncontested. properties against further pillage by legitimacy of HRC and MRC’s claims In November 2018, the Lost Coast its former owner. Sadly, permanent to ecologically sound management League initiated a formal grievance protection has yet to be achieved for practices throughout its holdings. against SCS’s certification of HRC/ even a small part of the incomparably MRC. We claimed that the certification, The ‘sustainable practices’ claim has high value forests still remaining there. and recent renewal in the case of HRC/ been widely incorporated into HRC/ MRC, is flawed. The basic contention When long though fairly amicable MRC’s company image and made into discussions with mid-level HRC is that HRC/MRC’s widespread use of an integral element of their marketing highly toxic herbicides and its lack of strategy. Home Depot, for instance, clarity in designating those stands that *FSC is a non-profit corporation created in the has a substantial line of HRC/MRC constitute High Conservation Value early 1990’s as a means of providing market- forest products in some stores, mostly Forest (HCVF), as well as its failure to based incentives for improving forest practices. redwood and Douglas-fir, which are Timber producers seeking to increase market unequivocally state how those stands share or price for it’s products volunteer to sold to consumers, often at a premium, ought to be protected, effectively operate under a set of principles and standards, as “certified” sustainable. This claim rules out SCS’s certification—or which, in concept, minimize negative impacts was ostensibly guaranteed through should. This, in turn, should negate of timber operations on forests and forest soils. Millions of acres of forestland worldwide have, the process of ‘certification’ under the what amounts to a modest financial since that startup, been certified by the Forest standards and principles of the Forest reward for achieving certification. We Stewardship Council or one of its surrogates. Stewardship Council (FSC*). also suggested that the Company’s www.treesfoundation.org Page 17 practices fell short of FSC Standards in yet a third area—outreach to and dialogue with the local community. External, but closely related to this grievance process, is the admission by SCS’s Dr. Robert Hrubes that FSC plans to make significant modifications of it’s certification process in the future. These will specifically reflect new understanding of climate change impacts on forestlands. Central to any vision of responsible forest management in the time of climate change is an understanding Alwart Creek on Rainbow Ridge p h o t o by L au r a R ec h n ag e l of how essential volumes of carbon stored by forest systems are, and herbicide use nor determinates of into mitigation measures that might what management practices optimize High Conservation Value Forest has be contrived. While reduction of or deplete such storage. yet been adequately redrawn by HRC/ carbon emissions enabled by the wind In December 2018, SCS responded MRC to meet FSC standards for project may be of the utmost concern, to the LCL’s grievances with the renewal of certification. resulting losses to biodiversity determination that our first two should not necessarily be deemed of The LCL’s working of the levers of areas of concern—herbicide use and secondary importance. the grievance process has apparently the lack of rationality in making the served to at least help keep the trees on In the meantime, the Lost Coast HCVF designation—“had merit”. This the two lower North Fork THP’s still League will continue to offer the response is potentially momentous. standing—for the moment. We believe benefits of a partnership with HRC/ It moved us forward in this it should be of utmost concern to our MRC, the Bear River-Rohnerville acronym-burdened process to stage neighbors, partners, and supporters Band, and the Mattole and regional 2, a formal appeal to Accreditation throughout the North Coast that the restoration community. The goal Services International (ASI). ASI is third point of challenge—outreach to as always is the protection and an organization originally spun off restoration of high conservation value the community—was not found by FSC. Indeed, ASI’s website states it is forests along Rainbow Ridge and the SCS to have merit. We will continue wholly owned by FSC, in what could tributaries that flow from them. We to seek involvement at every stage of seem a matter of the fox watching the are also, at this point, intensifying possible development. hen house. fund-raising efforts in preparation It is painful to report that a third large Another complication in our efforts to for the time when the company Timber Harvest Plan (THP), this one protect the Rainbow Ridge ecosystem might determine that offering its above Rattlesnake Creek in the upper is a massive project planned for Mattole properties for sale to a North Fork drainage, has been filed Monument Ridge, the next ridge over. conservation buyer or partnership is by HRC with CalFire. (The plan was It calls for constructing up to sixty the preferred outcome. moving rapidly through the review 600 feet high wind turbines. (HRC’s Calculating where and how to move process up until CalFire’s taking issue Fisher family owns a significant area ahead in efforts to save our forest with the herbicide use the Timber of the Monument Ridge land involved). and help protect our civilization in Harvest Plan calls for, as well as the The disturbances that this level of the process is a complex business. grave fire danger that would result.) industrial construction and audible Developing clarity about what lies Both the plan itself, as well as its imprints will cause to diverse and ahead is of utmost importance as the FSC certification, will be examined rare wildlife populations—as well as existential stakes mount. extensively and, if we believe it to humans—must be, at the very least, necessary, fiercely contested. Neither calculated into the trade-offs and/or a For more information: lostcoastleague.org

Page 18 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Show Your Partners You’re Listening. Literally! How We’re Using Values-Based Spatial Planning to Visualize and Prioritize Collaborative Forest Restoration

By Will Harling and Jill Beckmann habitat,” mused Klamath Forest Some members of the Karuk Tribe Originally posted on the Fire Adapted Alliance executive director Kimberly worked as loggers. Environmentalists Communities Learning Network Blog: Baker. “Isn’t there a way to have a weren’t all “preservationists” by default, bit.ly/SpatialValuesPlanning vibrant community without sacrificing and supported Traditional Ecological the things we love?” Knowledge and mechanical thinning The first meetings of the Western in roadside plantations. Loggers “The land is sick right now. When our Klamath Restoration Partnership expressed a deep connection to fishing (WKRP) felt like going on a blind date … people managed this land with fire, the and restoring rivers. Seeing people with 60 people! As our facilitator, Mary rivers were full of fish and the forests for their entire selves, rather than Huffman, divided us at various tables, were open and healthy,” offered Karuk assuming that they fit into one simple she made sure we were sufficiently Tribe cultural biologist Ron Reed. category revealed where our values separated from our affinity groups. From Stereotypes to Shared Values overlapped, and quite literally, where “Divorce” seemed imminent. Instead, we could work together. tenuous bridges based on each other’s Although the Western Klamath Restoration Partnership officially truths started to form. Merging Multiple Values launched in 2013 with that “blind date” into One Vision Bill Estes, the preacher from Happy meeting, the conflicts surrounding Camp who tended a congregation the issues we’re trying to address Through a series of meetings, we ravaged by underemployment, are decades, and in some instances created a list of what WKRP partners envisioned a return to the “golden centuries, old. From timber wars to individually cared about. Then, we put years” (the logging boom). the genocide of indigenous people, those values on a map. Sometimes the the stakes couldn’t have been higher data layers already existed, such as past “When the logs were flowing and the when we first started. It was easy to wildfire footprints, but other times, schools were full, this town had a soul categorize, or stereotype, everyone we had to create and digitize this and there was almost no drug use,” he at the table: “the tribal member,” “the spatial data manually. In those cases, remembered. “Now half the town is logger,” “the environmentalist.” But partners always had the opportunity shuttered and the remaining families as we took time to get to know one to participate in collecting the data, so are just hanging on...” another, we began to realize how they felt comfortable with its integrity. “Yes, but that clearcutting claimed nuanced, and often overlapping our Each value essentially became a data a majority of our old-growth forest values actually were. layer, or multiple layers. People’s eyes

Tucked away in northwestern California, the community of Orleans experienced significant loss due to a wildfire in 2013. Since then, they’ve been using spatial fire planning to chart a better path toward wildfire resilience, including leveraging the wildfire footprint to create additional fuel breaks around our community. p h o t o by Th o m a s B. D u n k l i n

www.treesfoundation.org Page 19 lit up as their “layers” appeared on our project prioritization map, or what we called our “overlay assessment.” Th en, we designed WKRP pilot projects based on these prioritized treatment Potential project prioritization of only structures, private areas. Each partner knew that our property, and ingress/egress routes were considered. Red project plans accounted for what they areas have the highest presence of that combination of values cared about. and green area have the lowest. The Magic Beyond the Map The more values that are present on a given parcel of land, the redder the parcel. For example, an area A different prioritization if an that contains a home and critical alternative set of variables, such as Native American Cultural Use Areas, elk habitat (so two values at risk) is elk winter ranges, and spotted owl habitat were considered. Note how the deemed redder than another area that yellow area, which indicate a moderate presence of the values considered, contains only a home. expands, and the red shrinks. As we added more and more “values” (i.e., data layers*) to the map, priority restoration areas morphed. Th e areas displayed in red on the fi nal map, “All,” visualized where we collectively agreed to work; those were the areas with the A third version of the prioritization most values present that would benefi t based on yet another set of variables. Here fire is considered. So, if an area from restoration. is steep, south-facing, and has a high potential for crown fire, it is in red. So, What’s Happening as a Result? Th is process helped our collaborative write specific prescriptions for what is now known as the Somes Bar Integrated Fire Management Project. Project implementation will begin this This was our final prioritization. It accounts for 23 different values. The spring and will involve mechanically end result was a map that everyone around the table felt represented— treating 809 acres as well as manually we reached agreement about where treating 1,500 acres, in preparation for to begin working together. applying prescribed fi re to 5,500 acres. m a p s c r e at e D by we s t e r n k l a m at h r e s t o r at i o n pa r t n e r s h i p ta b l e : Data l ay e r s u s e D i n s a m p l e m a p s o n l e F t. Want to Share Our Approach? If you’re looking to share this approach Author’s note: The examples listed in with partners, check out the printer- red on maps 1–3 are not exhaustive. The Fire Adapted Communities Learning friendly PDF-version of this story at Several additional variables, or values, bit.ly/SpatialFirePDF. were included in each map. See four Network is supported by a cooperative tables above, for a complete list of the agreement between The Nature *As you read through these various datasets, you might be inclined to subconsciously group values mapped. Conservancy, USDA Forest Service, and them with certain stakeholders (i.e., “Oh, Map agencies of the Department of the Interior X must be the layers the Fire Safe Council The Fire Adapted Communities advocated for.”) If you fi nd yourself doing Learning Network publishes through a sub-award to the Watershed that, reread the section on “From Stereotypes stories like this weekly. Subscribe at Research and Training Center. This to Shared Values.” Many of our partners care bit.ly/FACNetSubscribe to have them deeply about layers included in each sample institution is an equal opportunity provider. map displayed above. Email [email protected] for delivered to your inbox. more information on the geospatial analyses we conducted. a For more information: www.mkwc.org

Page 20 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Planet Humboldt—a Summit of Inspiration for Community and a Vital Earth September 14th at the Sequoia Center in Eureka, CA

By Andy Barnett • Honor the people and land of the North Coast Redwood Region (and Humboldt County was named beyond) as living examples of the vision for Alexander von Humboldt, the of Alexander von Humboldt on his enlightenment polymath, world 250th birthday. explorer, and arguably the first • Generate action steps for individuals ecologist and chronicler of climate and organizations to further vibrant change. His dictum: “All living systems human and natural habitats. are interconnected and mutually • Bring notoriety to the Redwood dependent on each other.” Region for leadership in the human- nature bond. Alexander von Humboldt’s daring exploits and scientific rigor inspired Planet Humboldt Guiding Principles Darwin, Emerson, and Muir. From The Gaia Principle: The earth in it’s inception, Trees Foundation has • it’s entirety is a closed system, clearly furthered the essence of his message. exemplifying the characteristics of a Everyone is invited to celebrate single living organism. Humboldt’s 250th bir thday on • Alexander von Humboldt’s world th influence (1769-1859): His dictum : All Alexander von Humboldt September 14 , 2019, sponsored by living systems are interconnected and (September 14, 1769—May 6 the Abundant Earth Foundation, an mutually dependent on each other.” 1859) was a Prussian polymath, Arcata-based 501(c)3. geographer, naturalist, explorer, and • The Rotary International 4 Way Test infl uential proponent of Romantic for service to humanity: philosophy and science. Th e event has three elements: p h o t o F ro m wi k i p e D i a • Is it true? Is is fair to all concerned? 1) A Resiliency Fair where skills and Will it build friendships and better resources will be shared relationships? Will it be benefi cial to all? 2) An Ideas Summit with local, With these guiding principles in mind, national, and international presenters consider addressing these topics: Visit planethumboldt.org for details about participating, information all linked through video conferencing How does your work demonstrate • on Von Humboldt ’s work, and 3) The Fire of Life Gala will honor the mutually dependent connections between human beautiful videos featuring Humboldt those who embody Planet Humboldt and natural systems? landscapes and conservation pioneers. guiding principles And everywhere you can, share the • In what ways does your work The Planet Humboldt Mission express fairness and benefi t to all? Humboldt essence.

• Highlight the life and works of those • What action steps can be taken a For more information: planethumboldt.org who exemplify the mutual dependence of to build friendships, service to or contact Andy Barnett, Coordinator, living systems. humanity and a vital earth? (707)223-1626

Humboldt Bay p h o t o F ro m wi k i p e D i a www.treesfoundation.org Page 21 Diggin’ In The Richard Gienger Report

So I’ve made a little list of what I’d like movie, among other things, makes over Rainbow Ridge which extends to to cover: ten or more ‘stand alone’ and horrifyingly vivid the catastrophe and 18,000 acres of rugged and invaluable inter-related topics—each of which hubris of U.S./Vietnam and human forests, streams, and meadowlands could fi ll one “Diggin’ In” column. I’m wars in general. of the Lower and Upper North Forks going to have to use some short-hand of the Mattole Valley. Th e threats are A really exciting and exhilarating and postpone a lot of in-depth coverage. compounding with an out-of-control experience has been the abundant I’ll be mixing category labels like ‘the- industrial wind farm development of May rains which swelled streams way-it’s-supposed-to-be’, disillusion, sixty 600 foot tall generator towers and rivers to winter fl ows. I’ve heard salvage, reality, rearrange, and proposed for the adjacent Bear River reports of late runs of Steelhead in persevere. Two things I’d recommend and Monument Ridges. Additionally, some of the local streams and rivers. to you for context are Timefulness— not just perfi dy by Humboldt Redwood Unfortunately, Red Flag fire danger How Th inking Like a Geologist Can Help Company is going on, but also the persists in large areas of California, Save the World, by Marcia Bjornerud; public trust in the credibility of the with the recent Sand Fire in Yolo and, the 2018 John Lennon and Yoko certification process of the Forest County being one example. Ono movie, Above Us Only Sky. The Stewardship Council (FSC). The book takes you through the immensity On page 16 of this issue, you will grievances over herbicide use and high and impact of 4.5 billion years in find some riveting accounts of the conservation value forest successfully understanding our situation today. Th e continuing decades-long struggle brought by the Lost Coast League to FSC for Rainbow Ridge’s 18,000 acres in the Mattole have been basically shined on, and the League has been excluded from participation in grievance corrections as logging operations recommenced. Th is has led to long-time Mattole Valley restoration stalwarts, David Simpson, Jane Lapiner, Michael Evanson, Ellen Taylor, and others being held for arrest on the road to the new operations and related adverse impacts. Only 200 out of those spectacular 18,000 acres have been granted permanent protection. Following Up On Some Other Continuing Issues: • Looking forward to seeing how the significant, but avoidable impacts to listed coho salmon habitat in the Dinner Creek tributary described in several of my recent columns will be addressed at a two day restoration session for the Redwood Creek (Briceland) watershed held by NOAA Fisheries and the California Looking upstream from CR 435 County Bridge, the top photo shows the winter-like Department of Fish & Wildlife. Harry swollen Mattole River headwaters on May 17, 2019; lower photo shows pre-winter fl ow on Vaughn and Bill Eastwood, with decades November 10, 2018. of survey and restoration work, will have

Page 22 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 a thing or two to discuss. Please note that there were some misprints in the last FRN about the three culverts up & downstream adverse impacts which have been corrected in the online edition. One was that CDFW played a role in project design, not CalFire. (See Page 2 in this issue for the correction.) • The Final Report of the initial Planning Watershed Pilot Project, done as part of the Timberland Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund/Program of the CA Natural Resources Agency, has yet to come out for comment and approval. This has been a topic in this column for many years. Some changes seem to have been made in the fi rst draft report, but nothing that corrects serious defi ciencies and acknowledges the vital importance of following up in the 2nd and 3rd Pilots on two other Planning Watershed forest types. The California 2.2 Planning Watershed scale is the scale Here’s the reality on Needle Rock Road . . . a l l p h o t o s t h i s a r t i c l e by r i c h a r D g i e n g e r almost always used for the evaluation and response to cumulative watershed impacts, and oft en other impacts. I will for larger, older, and higher quality trees. Management Task Force (FMTF). Please have to bear down soon and give you a A specifi c goal is better forestry education check out their website and delve into the summary with links to a more thorough regarding evaluation and response to organizations and missions that will be description and response. cumulative impacts and higher standard dominating fi re and forest issues for years forests. Unfortunately this goal, which to come, with enough funding to have The latest on Needle Rock Road: It • should be non-controversial, is hampered large impacts, and some high potential is still closed with an additional road- by lack of leadership at several levels, as and attendant diffi culties. Th e horizontal closing slide during the May rains located well as the current low-bar for cumulative just before the bluff plateau/meadows and vertical integration of efforts is a eff ects. Many foresters that practice good south of Low Gap Creek, and north huge logistic and cultural leap. There’s forestry seem wary of public support for of Needle Rock. The Usal Road gates too many persons and communities in positive changes for fear of alienating north of Usal and south of Four Corners high fi re risk settings, many but not most persons in their profession and their are now open. Emergency grading and in ‘classic’ forestlands, with vast areas employers, by even gently supporting drainage work by Mendocino County of fire ecology brush expanses—with some basic improvements. just before winter hit actually did quite the seasonal and extreme high wind well. There are still many issues, of • Forests Forever, led by Paul Hughes, conditions. There is confusion between course, but a lot of gullies were graded continues to support good forestry and what needs to be done to protect human out (for now) and serious water bars forest protection for Rainbow Ridge, by communities, and what needs to be and rolling dips were installed above pressing for a saner approach to burned done to create fi re resistant/fi re resilient many of the problem areas to prevent areas. Paul recently was on a large- expanses of forestland. Thinning and further road deterioration. Th e draining scale field tour of the 2013 Rim Fire increased prescribed fire are important of pond and quagmire areas done two that burned over 200,000 acres and got tools, but there’s a push and focus on years ago continues to be eff ective and a into Yosemite National Park. There are streamlined, ministerial approvals to the major improvement. huge issues over heavy salvage impacts exclusion of the ‘big picture’ attainment • Why Forests Matter (WFM): This and natural recovery. Please read The of healthy, high quality forests. Richard Wilson founded non-profit Ecological Importance of Mixed-Severity For North Coast folks looking for st • organization is trying to actually have the Fires: Nature’s Phoenix, 1 Edition, project funding, please pay attention to intended high quality forests and wood by Dominick A DellaSala and Chad the FMTF and their committees and products described in the 1973 Forest T. Hanson, as well as other books by regional groups. At the June 10th FMTF Practice Act be realized—as opposed to these authors. meeting it was pointed out that the current tree liquidation at 16” diameter • I’m going to wrap up with another Regional Prioritization Groups will be or less, with no standards or incentives ‘educational run’ at California’s Forest taking the lead in prioritizing projects www.treesfoundation.org Page 23 for funding. Th e Northern area includes Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, and 14 other counties. They meet the second Thursday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the conference call # 707-576-2048 (no passcode). You can find more information on the FMTF website about members, the mission, and Photograph of a direct contacts. LANDSAT (infrared • At the Salmonid Restoration photography)map Conference in April, I was lucky to be showing the Camp Fire, which spread on a tour of the Nun and Tubbs Fires twelve miles in about th areas from 2017. Similarly, on May 8 I four hours, from the was lucky to be on a Board of Forestry source near Pulga tour of the Camp Fire and some of (upper right corner of fi re). Paradise the areas tragically burned. Sonoma can be seen already County is bustling to rebuild. Areas burning (central part of Paradise seem half like Pompeii of photo between after the eruption—like the fire had main fi re on east just passed. There also seemed to be edge and spot fi re on west edge hundreds of excavators, hazmat workers, of Paradise). and dump trucks hauling toxic waste, as well as untouched sections of forest I’m appending here two talks: One young, smart, and earnest with a lot of and scattered homes. We went to where • a short one by me to the FMTF at experience to gain—fifth generation schools and hospitals were evacuated, their April 8th meeting; and one, a Sierra foothills, but was unaware of and to fuel breaks (not shaded fuel longer one, by Jessica Morse, Governor the huge impacts of the ad valorem tax breaks) that looked to have saved whole between 1946 and 1976 on the depletion neighborhoods. Southern Humboldt fi re Newsom’s recently appointed Deputy Secretary for Forest Management in and conditions of our forests today. Lots and emergency crews were given kudos to take in—including her mission to for their role in a successful back-fi re that the Natural Resources Agency, to the th change the culture by the next century— saved the town of Sterling. Board of Forestry on May 9 . She is eliminating the ‘silos’ and transcending the limitations of jurisdictions and ownership. I don’t think Trump wrote her speech.

rg: Thank you. I’m with the partner “public” agency. My name is Richard Gienger. I represent Forests Forever, and we’ve been involved with this, all this forest thing, for many years. Congratulati ons to you two for your appointment [Jennifer Montgomery, new Director of the FMTF, and Jessica Morse, new Deputy Secretary for Forest Management in the Natural Resources Agency]. This [FMTF & the hundreds of moving parts] is a big deal. And the work people are doing here is very, very important. It’s just—it’s a big change to bring this much energy into forest acti on—so-called forest health. And I spoke here once before, a few months ago. It’s really important to bear in mind—we don’t have a standard of what o n e o F t h e 15 t r a i l e r pa r k s i n pa r a D i s e— m o s t o F w h i c h w e r e l i k e ly D e s t roy e D a healthy forest is yet—all this work. We

Page 24 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Greened up view of Mount St. Helena, Mark West Creek, & the Tubbs Fire area before it blew into Santa Rosa and across Hwy 101. Photo taken at a SRF Conference fi eld tour. need to have foresters, scienti sts—too would be protected. So I think you need public’s mind. And the severity of these bad scienti sts didn’t do a scienti fi c to keep that in mind as you go forward megafi res that we’ve been facing year evaluati on [of forest decline] since the aft er year and everyone’s recogniti on of ad valorem tax in 1946 [yearly tax on ... the compounding impacts of a century standing ti mber unti l you cut 70% of of fi re suppression and on top of now, it—replaced with yield tax in 1976]. And so—there’s a lot of science that climate change, that we have to act. And These are really serious problems to needs to be followed up on, whether so we have this opportunity now that deal with. We need to get foresters to you consider the Litt le Hoover only comes around once in a century agree [about] the diff erent standards Commission Report [#126] in June to act, and we have to make sure that of health in diff erent forest types in we are designing our strategies and of 1994 to be science, or the Dunne California, because [in] the drawings our programs with the resources, the Report—the cumulati ve impacts [“A about a healthy forest there’s large trees politi cal will and the public support [See the April 2018 report on Managing Scienti fi c Basis for the Predicti on of we have in a way that will actually set California’s Forests & Watersheds by the Cumulati ve Watershed Eff ects” UC June up the next century, eff ecti vely—that Legislati ve Analysts Offi ce (LAO)]—and 2001]. All these things need to be rolled we have an opportunity that’s not there’s no standards or incenti ves for in and acted upon to make the kind of presented oft en to plan for forests, landowners to come up with a porti on changes that will benefi t the people. and not just in terms of budget cycles of their forest that actually reaches And the forestry needs to have forestry and politi cal cycles, but in terms of the ecological cycle of the forest. [culminati on] of mean annual increment experts. You’ve got the communiti es [Over 100 years for most commercial at risk with a diff erent . . . There’s two species]. It’s like very important to have And we have the politi cal will to do diff erent aspects there, with the that faith—that the public to have faith— that now and there’s interest in big to set those kind of standards. emergency aff ecti ng communiti es-at- picture thinking, out of the box ideas, risk and the long-term standards of larger strategies and effi ciencies. But And a couple other quick comments: forestry moving forward. Thank you. before we oft en faced a lot of politi cal About the archaeology, about non-secret and public headwind to getti ng things done. And so we are wanti ng to take archaeology—increasing [the number advantage of this moment that we have of] archaeologists is not necessarily Deputy Secretary for Forest Resources Management Jessica Morse @ Board to really do a serious reset on scaling the answer. I don’t think there’s a of Forestry Meeti ng—9 May 2019 up forest health and strategies. We representati ve here of the [California] recognize that forest health is part of Nati ve American Heritage Commission. Jessica Morse: Morning. Thank you a larger public safety strategy around There needs to be some kind of bridge for having me today, and thank you fi re miti gati on. We recognize that we because that’s important. I was on the for facilitati ng that really sobering tour need to solve the insurance problems EPIC versus Johnson case. One part of yesterday, incredibly helpful. One of the and we need to solve home hardening things that Paradise really shows us is a and long range development and how it was cumulati ve eff ects need to be sobering reminder of the work we have people live and engage in the WUI considered. The other two [CA Appeal ahead. And what’s helpful statewide is [Wildlands Urban Interface]. And our Court rulings 1985] were adequate that it’s been a reminder for everyone. piece of that puzzle is this questi on of consultati on with Indian People and You know it’s on the Governor’s mind. how do we scale up forest treatments adequate assurances that heritage It’s on the Legislature’s mind. It’s on the and forest health projects that will help www.treesfoundation.org Page 25

to miti gate, not only the immediate watershed level treatments, and identi fy To Get Involved dangers in the WUI, and build fi rebreaks where the gaps are? Then so that we and fuels treatments like we saw don’t allow things like jurisdicti on and C Richard Gienger yesterday, but also do that landscape landownership to get in the way, then [email protected] 707-223-6474 level, that landscape level work, because when we have a twenty year plan that we recognize that when you build a says: Hey, we know what we’re doing C CalFire fuelbreak, and you do forest treatment this year. We know what we’re doing in fmtf.fi re.ca.gov typically whoever is leading that charge 5 years and we know what we’re doing C California Fire Safe Council is looking through one silo. You know in 10 years. Suddenly the project that’s cafi resafecouncil.org when you’re talking with CalFire they 5 years out, you know exactly when you C CA Forest Management Task Force are obviously focused on public safety. have to start your spott ed owl searches, fmtf.fi re.ca.gov When you’re talking with water boards and you know exactly when you have to they’re looking at watershed quality start your CEQA process and the fi lings C California Legislative Information www.leginfo.ca.gov and yield. When you’re looking at land you’ll need. And it suddenly makes the conservancies they are oft en focused on enti re process much more proacti ve C Forests Forever habitat. And yet, we all recognize that rather than reacti ve and allows us to www.forestsforever.org/ science tells us that we can actually hit identi fy where the gaps are and where C Lost Coast Leauge all of these markers with one project. the partnerships are that we need to lostcoastleague.org That when we do a fuels treatment get on board to make sure that we’re C Why Forests Matter correctly that it is actually improving not doing a great fuels treatment in one whyforestsmatter.org watershed yield and quality. There’s area and suddenly on BLM land next a chance for bett er biodiversity and to it nothing got done and suddenly habitat. There’s improvement of carbon there’s just—there’s an entry point for we also expand traditi onal wood mar- sequestrati on—potenti al. And so when that fi re. And so we are wanti ng to make kets. Where is that investment in capital we’re looking at forest health projects, sure we are building [fi lling] those gaps, going? Where is, where’s this source of we’re asking groups to start breaking and a long-range strategy that has this people that can actually get their litt le down those silos and start managing real plan behind it that can show what micromills into these neighborhoods for all of these outcomes rather we’re doing when and where and why and start taking out logs. I don’t know than managing for one outcome and will help us have this more wholisti c why there’s not high demand for hazard miti gati ng negati ve impacts on the rest. approach, and allow us to be proacti ve trees from Paradise. I mean you’d think rather than reacti ve. people from San Francisco would be ... people from San Francisco would be delighted to have a dining room table One of the other gaps that we’re seeing delighted to have a dining room table with a burn scar through it that came And so we’re starti ng to see typical is workforce development. You know with a burn scar through it that came from Paradise. I mean there’d be a niche silos breaking down and we really want that’s across-the-board, everything from from Paradise. I mean there’d be a niche market for that. ... to positi on ourselves to encourage traditi onal handcrews and masti cators, market for that. ... that and support that eff ort. So we are and foresters. There seems to be a big looking at this broader strategy that gap—you are all aware of this, but the says: How do we scale up forest health foresters are reti ring. And also, where That’s it folks, food for thought. to the target set by the Forest Carbon are the women? So we need to start are the women? So we need to start Please help out where and Plan of 500,000 acres a year? You know thinking about how we are recruiti ng it’s a good marker that helps us build and encouraging more foresters. Spe- when you can. Check out the an infrastructure behind it. And it helps cifi cally this is a task for the Board [of workshop tour programs and other us identi fy where the gaps are. And Forestry & Fire Protecti on]. And how do information for Sanctuary Forest, the I’ve only been on the job a month, so we encourage more women? Because Institute for Sustainable Forestry (ISF), we don’t have a strategy yet, but we’re it’s a lot easier to recruit when you are and EPIC. getti ng there and looking for insights recruiti ng the enti re populati on. And and feedback, and input into this to so, making sure we are setti ng up our assure that we do get it right. So when programs in a way that is encouraging we’re looking at how do we scale up people to join, that’s making it appealing Since arriving in the Mattole Valley of forest treatment to 500,000 acres a year for them to stay. And that’s going to be Humboldt County in 1971, Richard Gienger over a 20 year strategy—how do we do a collaborati ve eff ort between all of us, has immersed himself in homesteading, forest activism, and watershed restoration. that? What are the missing links? One to make sure that these jobs are endur- of the big pieces that we’re needing Richard’s column covers a range of ing. And obviously workforce develop- issues including fisheries and watershed is exactly what you were talking about ment has a much broader spectrum. a few minutes earlier, which is this restoration and forestry, plus describes We need to be focusing on community opportunities for the public to make concept of a statewide mapping strategy. colleges, high school programs. We positive contributions in the administrative How do we really map and know where need to also start investi ng in secondary and legislative arenas as well as in their we are doing landscape level treatments, wood markets and ask ourselves how own backyards.

Page 26 Forest & River News a Summer 2019

LIVING WITH FIRE Getting Wildfi re Prepared: What Homeowners Can Do About the Scary Wildfi re Situation A few thoughts from Southern • Increasing the fi re resistance readers from those areas. HCFSC Humboldt Fire Safe Council member of our homes and immediate deserves a lot of credit for supporting and veteran wildfire practitioner, surroundings the publication of Living with Wildfire Bill Eastwood. • Practicing fi re prevention as well as recently taking on the Developing eff ective monumental task of updating the The conflagrations in Northern • evacuation plans Humboldt County Community California of the last two fi re seasons • Reducing hazardous fuels Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) have seriously amped up the fire in the wildlands (https://humboldtgov.org/FirePlanFinal), concerns of homeowners in this • Supporting our local volunteer a county-wide risk assessment and region. Global climate change and a fi re departments. 5-year plan of action to better prepare serious buildup of fuel is making the There is a lot of literature out there Humboldt County for wildfire. The wildfi re picture more threatening and about fire preparation. A good place Southern Humboldt Planning Unit unpredictable. We are experiencing to start is the free publication, Living Action Plan is a separate chapter in longer fire seasons, higher with Wildfi re in Northwestern California, the CWPP that can be used as a tool temperatures, and more prevalent, hot the third edition of which was recently to guide and inspire action (and help and dry, Santa Ana-type fire winds. published under the guidance of the leverage funding) for projects in the Th is situation is probably going to get Humboldt County Fire Safe Council Southern Humboldt area. worse rather than better. So, what (HCFSC) in partnership with several Take the fi re threat seriously and build to do? It’s clear that we need to get other agencies and organizations. fire preparation into your life. Don’t seriously busy and greatly increase The magazine is available be the person who starts the next our level of preparation at most CAL FIRE stations megafi re because you weren’t prepared for wildfires and many other places and to put out a tipped over barbeque fi re. by: is also available online at: https://humboldtgov.org/ Increasing the Fire Resistance livingwithwildfire. This of Our Homes and Immediate publication provides Surroundings many useful strategies for There is a lot written about “fire preparing your home and hardening” homes and defensible property for wildfire. space (see Living with Wildfire for a It also highlights start). Most rural homes are diffi cult many organizations to make fi re resistant overall. Lumber in Humboldt, Del and all sorts of stuff are often stored Norte, Trinity, and under houses on piers. Firewood piles Siskiyou counties and flammable landscaping close to that are working the house are another problem. The toward fire area within the first five feet of your resiliency in their home is the most important and needs communities. to be clear of all fl ammable material. Their projects, In really big fi res, ember ignitions are p r o g r a m s , a big problem. However, there may not and community-specific be embers and the important factor resources may be of interest to then, is protecting the home from the www.treesfoundation.org Page 27

flame front. If you have done a good Practicing Fire Prevention McCloud is a bare minimum. job of making defensible space, your During critical fire weather times, be • A small chain saw. This can home will be much better protected. especially vigilant about anything that be used to clear a fallen tree Don’t forget that in evacuation could possibly start a fire, including, blocking an evacuation route and situations there may not be any fire power tools, vehicles, electric for trimming and limbing trees personnel present to protect your appliances, smokers, etc. Instruct and bushes near your home. home when the fire passes through. visitors in fire safety. Carry a fire tool • Perhaps a 5-gallon backpack It’s equally important for residents of or two around in your vehicle. Check fire pump for small fires towns to organize to do fire hazard that your water tanks are full and beyond the reach of hoses. reduction of neighborhoods to limit accessible to firefighters. Make sure Not feeling qualified or capable of spot fires that could result in house to that your home’s fire tools are in order. putting out a small fire? Get some house ignitions. training from your local volunteer fire What sort of tools should be found at department. Better yet, join up. A little Follow defensible space guidelines, and every homestead? First, realize that training will not make you a firefighter, if you have the energy or money, go most fires start small—a tipped over but it will enable you to do some basic larger, especially if the area is heavily barbeque fire, a neighbor’s house on suppression safely. Be careful. If you forested or the home is on a steep fire, a nearby lightning fire during are unable to use fire tools yourself, slope. Make it a priority to maintain a thunderstorm—and, if contained you should still have fire tools available the clearance around your home at quickly, can be kept small. Usually that can be used by neighbors or fire least yearly. This work can usually be evacuation is not required for these department personnel. done with hand tools such as pruners, fires. Often any fire suppression that loppers, and pole saws. takes place before fire personnel arrive Developing Effective Evacuation Plans If, for some reason, evacuation is is up to local residents who will need impossible, taking shelter in a home firefighting tools to be successful. Of During really big fires, effective that has been fire hardened and has course, it’s also good to know which of evacuations have been challenging to good defensible space may save your your neighbors have put in a stint with achieve. There have been problems life. See Living with Wildfire for more the local VFD and/or have the needed with notifying residents in a timely details about what to do if you get firefighting tools. Ideally every rural and effective manner, creating traffic trapped by a wildfire. home should have: jams on escape routes, automobile • Water access. Homes should have accidents, and miscommunication hose bibbs located in key places, between agencies. The Humboldt and at least one hose near a door County Office of Emergency Services to the house that can be instantly (OES) is working hard to plan for more grabbed and is long enough to effective evacuations. You can do reach anywhere in the house your part to stay informed by signing or around the back. During fire season, hoses with nozzles should up for emergency notifications at: be hooked up and ready to go. https://humboldtgov.org/alerts. • Dedicated fire water. See Living There are lots of recommendations with Wildfire for more information. for how to prepare for evacuation that A buried 1 ½- or 2-inch water line most homeowners do not do. What coming down from a fire water most people don’t realize is that it tank and hooked into a metal takes longer than you would ever standpipe with a 1 ½-inch valved fire hose adapter. See photo of the believe to do a good job of getting standpipe and fire hose storage ready to evacuate. Very often there is bucket. The two ¾-inch valves little warning and people have to leave A 1 ½ inch standpipe with a 1 ½ inch fire on top are for attaching ¾ inch with the clothes they are wearing and hose connection and two ¾ inch hose garden hoses, which for small fires, perhaps a pet. Go bags with critical valves on top. The bucket has two 50 foot usually will be the first choice. lengths of 1 ½ inch fire hose, nozzles and items are highly recommended to adapters. p h o t o s by B i l l E a s t wo o d • Hand tools. A shovel and a help with leaving in a hurry. Wise Page 28 Forest & River News a Summer 2019

landowners plan their evacuation NorCalRXFireCouncil.org or the route and check out alternate escape Humboldt Prescribed Burn Association routes. Rural neighborhoods are on Facebook, to learn more about beginning to get organized to make prescribed fire. You can also contact sure everyone has been notified and Kai Ostrow, Southern Humboldt anyone who needs help evacuating gets Prescribed Burn Association Liaison, at it. This is happening in the Petrolia [email protected] for information area, Telegraph Ridge, Palo Verde, and on prescribed burning resources in other neighborhoods. Southern Humboldt or email Lenya Quinn-Davidson, the University of What happens when you can’t California Cooperative Extension Fire evacuate? You start out and around Advisor, at [email protected]. the first corner, a large tree is across the road. Some people blindly start A standpipe and hose arrangement Supporting Our Local walking down the road and may or built by an Ettersburg resident Volunteer Fire Departments may not make it out. Having more and Fire Support Organizations information, you realize that your are common. Fire suppression efforts All the work that you do to harden your best bet is to return home and prepare can be quickly overwhelmed in this home, maintain your defensible space, situation and evacuation becomes a to shelter-in-place in your home, ensure safe access, establish adequate must. For this reason, it is important which is fairly ready for a fire and is and accessible firefighting water for neighbors to work together, surrounded by really good defensible sources, and learn about your local with local Fire Safe Councils, OES, space. Hunkering down in the house fire environment will help firefighters or other groups to plan potential as the fire approaches and roars past help you. If they cannot access your evacuation routes and reduce fuels is scary. Small ember-caused fires are home or are unable to safely defend along those roads. getting started in the yard and even on your homestead, they cannot do their the house. The flame front passes by Reducing Hazardous Fuels job. Local fire focused organizations in a relatively short time and it is then in the Wildlands are also always in need of volunteers— possible to go outside and put out the Usually, the first fuel reduction project from firefighters to fundraisers to small, ember caused fires with your most rural homeowners take on after board members to people who help fire hoses. Your home may burn to the defensible space is cleared around their clean and put away hoses after a fire. ground but you will have given yourself home is to build a shaded fuel break There’s a place for everyone to help. a chance to survive. In this scenario, along their driveway to facilitate access a For more information: contact survival is not guaranteed. Sheltering- and egress during a wildfire. This can Bill Eastwood at 707-923-9109 in-place should be used as a last resort, be a big job and few homeowners take The Southern Humboldt Fire Safe Council when evacuation is not possible. it on themselves, instead many opt meets monthly. Also check out the HCFSC Photo Library at Homeowners in towns are realizing to hire a professional contractor. In https://www.flickr.com/ some cases, the work can be partially photos/147180090@N06 for more photos. that they are more vulnerable to Please credit the photographer (see photo wildfire then they thought. Add a funded by cost share money from details) or the HCFSC. Thanks! wind event to a small fire and it doesn’t CAL FIRE, the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), or local Trees Foundation board member Bill Eastwood take long to have a major fire that can is a geologist with 35 years experience in various Fire Safe Councils. Talk to the resource rain embers down on homes located aspects of watershed restoration and sustainable professionals in these organizations for forestry. As co-director of the Eel River Salmon up to a mile in advance of the flame recommendations about managing Restoration Project he has been involved in a front. This burning pattern can cause wide range of fish, habitat, erosion control, and your forests and rangelands. a leap frog effect that makes control educational projects. Bill is a founding member of the Institute for Sustainable Forestry (ISF) and evacuation very difficult. Towns Prescribed burning is another up and and served on the staff for ten years. He’s a board don’t do well in such a situation, with coming way to reduce hazardous fuels member of the Humboldt County Fire Safe Council and is also on the staff of the Southern multiple fires springing up in weedy in this region. It can be a valuable Humboldt Fire Safe Council where he is helping backyards and in leaf concentrations and cost-effective tool but may not develop a regional fire plan and various fire hazard on roofs. House to house ignitions be suitable for all properties. Visit reduction and education projects. www.treesfoundation.org Page 29 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

A Convergence for Movement Resurgence! Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters

By Karen Pickett

Th ere’s lots on our horizon, locally, regionally, and nationally. On the national level, we’ve been promoting the 2019 North American Forest & Climate Movement Convergence, and we want to let readers of Forest and River News in on this exciting event coming up!

Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters (BACH) is conducting outreach to groups and individuals in the Pacifi c Northwest. We are working in collaboration with the Convergence’s conveners: Th e Global Justice Ecology Project, the Indigenous Environmental Network, and Shawnee Forest Defense.

e national gathering, set to take place October 11 to 14 in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois, will bring together activists, Indigenous people, and groups to create strategies to address powerful enough to achieve the things around) and the UN Global the biodiversity and climate crisis. systemic change we need to survive. Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (the “extinction Forests are intricately intertwined Th e Call to Action States: report”), it is that the time is now. Not Forests, communities and the Earth are webs of life. Th e more intact and to plan for doomsday or author reform under attack. Governments, corporations diverse forests are, the better they can measures, but the time is now for action. and elites in North America are collaborating withstand stresses like climate change. Th at is central to the impetus behind this with others to consolidate power, profi t and Convergence. I hope you will become as control on a global scale. Th eir actions are Forests will be the model for our organizing. excited about it as I am, and look around driving climate change and destruction of Th e more diverse our movements, the more our robust forest advocacy community. forests, causing mass-extinction of species, interconnected, and the more focused on devastating communities, and threatening the roots, the stronger and more resilient I invite you to help fi gure out how whole peoples and the entire biosphere. we will be to withstand the stresses of California and the Pacifi c Northwest can the massive eff ort we undertake. be well represented so this gathering will We will bring together our diverse achieve as much as the potential predicts. experiences and backgrounds to build If we can glean any single thing from the a radical movement that unifi es eff orts recent releases of stunning (but not new) More information including Strategic to protect forests and land with those fi ndings in the UN Intergovernmental Action Sessions can be found at Th e dedicated to social, environmental and Panel on Climate Change (that estimated Resurgence: 2019 North American Forest climate justice to create a resurgence a dozen years was what we had to turn & Climate Movement Convergence

Page 30 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

website. Registration recently went live proposing a multimillion-dollar project alternatives in city centers such as bike at forestclimateconvergence.org/action if it would NOT increase truck traffi c? rentals and electric scooter options. Promoting increased use of mass transit Th is question led to the forming of a small Additionally has to include better frequency and timing, group to study the eff ects of big-rig truck Besides this work, BACH is also tracking better routes, and interchangeability traffi c and transportation policy. It became threats and organizing on the Mattole with last mile methods of getting apparent that advocating on the policy Forests, Caltrans projects in forest passengers from bus stop to home. level to promote better transportation ecosystems, and other campaigns in the alternatives would ultimately be a Bay Area. We continually bring news of the more eff ective strategy than litigation Update on Richardson Grove North Coast to the Bay Area population, In the most recent litigation in Federal alone. Th is became the CRTP’s mission: and maintain media resources for outreach Court regarding the Caltrans Richardson to advocate for better transportation collaboration with active advocacy and Grove highway-widening project, Judge policy, particularly at the local level. action campaigns on the North Coast. Alsup’s current ruling found four major Introducing new transportation modes areas of inadequate analysis by Caltrans: a For more information: 510-548-3113 as policy initiatives, particularly in a or [email protected] • eff ects of paving over half or more rural area, is a considerable challenge. of the root zone of certain trees; Resources are scarce, distances are • eff ects of construction in the History and Richardson long, car dependency is entrenched structural root zones of certain trees; and alternatives are few, especially for • eff ects on public enjoyment of the Grove Update from CRTP the elderly and mobility impaired. park, particularly the noise factor; Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities For example, take the case of the Arcata • eff ects of damage from Interstate- Plaza. Ideas for making the Plaza size trucks colliding with trees; a friendlier, more family-centered Greetings from the Coalition • and, importantly, an additional for Responsible Transportation community space have been solicited. missing analysis of why Caltrans Priorities (CRTP). One concept that has been put forward claims there will be no increased CRTP advocates at the policy level for (not just by CRTP alone) is to reduce the traffi c through the Grove as a result of the project. mass transit, walkable city centers, and amount of vehicle traffi c and parking healthy, active modes of transportation surrounding the Plaza. Th e walling-off It’s hard to believe that since the as part of the eff ort to reduce the of the Plaza by parked cars gives it an announcement of the project in 2007, greenhouse gas emissions that are isolated, unsafe feel. Th ink about how and since litigation began in 2009, that driving climate change. Speaking of lively and welcoming the Plaza feels on Caltrans has generated almost 18,000 driving, I’m sure you are all aware that Farmers Market Days when folks can pages in the Administrative Record of the the transportation sector is the greatest freely walk the streets surrounding the project and not managed to adequately driver of greenhouse gas emissions. Plaza without dodging traffi c. Th ink what analyze these important aspects! As an this area could become as a pedestrianized aside, the Judge commented that mastering CRTP began its evolution as a group area with the businesses able to set out the Caltrans incomplete and confusing working to oppose the Caltrans tables and chairs where there used to Administrative Record was “awful” and Richardson Grove highway-widening be parked cars. While the idea may be “resembled decoding hieroglyphics”. project. Caltrans announced the project new to car-centered Californians, many in 2007 to promote the passage of However, the struggle continues because European city centers are car-free and Interstate-size trucks through Richardson it is possible that Caltrans will decide to business does not suff er. Of course Grove’s tight curves on Highway either undertake a full-blown EIS analysis options for the mobility-impaired 101. Caltrans claimed there would be or try another EA/FONSI to correct the need to be included in the planning. NO increase in truck traffi c resulting defects. Meanwhile, the taxpayer dollars from the project. Th is made no sense Other cities in California are spent on their inadequate eff orts is to the opponents. Why was Caltrans experimenting with increasing car estimated to have doubled, if not tripled,

www.treesfoundation.org Page 31 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work the cost of the project. In addition we Sproul Creek property raises immediate salmon occurs in the South Fork are awaiting Judge Neel’s decision in and serious concerns for the fate of one Eel River sub-basin, aside from that our companion State Court lawsuit of the South Fork Eel River’s last and in Sproul Creek, where extensive under CEQA. We’ll keep you posted. best coho salmon refugia watersheds, investment of time, money, and eff ort which is also one of the least disturbed or has been expended to recover conditions a For more information: on Facebook developed corners of Southern Humboldt for coho in the hopes of aff ording a or at transportationpriorities.org and Northern Mendocino Counties. much-needed refugia in the system What’s the worry, some may wonder? for the fi shery and other aquatic life. Meet the New Th at’s an easy one: based on past and Green Diamond’s Aquatics HCP sets in current evidence of Green Diamond’s Neighbors—Green stone measures for riparian protection timber management, it seems clear all the Diamond Acquires company knows how to do is clearcut on in its Riparian Management Zones— 9,400-acres of a maximum 45-year rotation, meaning protections and retention measures Timberland in the Sproul clearcuts and plantation planting of the that are arguably not even as protective same pieces of ground over and over as current baseline California Forest Creek Watershed again every 45 years, at most. And, as Practice Rules for Watersheds with Listed Environmental Protection we know, where there are clearcuts, Salmonids, Anadromous Salmonid Information Center there will be herbicides—likely multiple Protection Rules, a.k.a “ASP Rules.” When applications for each clearcut unit By Rob DiPerna, EPIC these marginal riparian management between the phase of the harvest and the protections and restrictions are coupled Green Diamond Resource Company, establishment of plantation seedlings. with multiple adjacent clearcuts in a formerly Simpson Timber Company, Worse still, Green Diamond and its watershed vital for the maintenance and acquired 9,400-acres of timberland in smooth operating public representatives recovery of critically-endangered coho the Sproul Creek Watershed of Southern have managed to broker multiple salmon, as is the case here, it seems only Humboldt and Northern Mendocino sweetheart long-term deals. Th ese bad things could be foreshadowed to come. County from Boyle Forests, LP, the include a property-wide coverage for Successor-in-Interest to Barnum Timber EPIC has taken a pro-active approach timber harvest related waste discharges; Company, in late 2018. Th e Sproul Creek a property-wide agreement to cover all to the Green Diamond acquisition property acquisition by Green Diamond its road-related waste discharges; and in Sproul Creek, holding two public occurred aft er Boyle Forest, LP, had two diff erent Habitat Conservation Plans community meetings in Garberville to donated a Conservation Easement on the (HCPs): one for northern spotted owl, inform, educate, and mobilize the local property to the Northcoast Regional Land the other for fi sh and aquatic species. citizenry and our membership with a Trust. Th e Conservation Easement terms singular goal in mind— to change what prohibit sub-division, parcelization, and In addition, they have procured a Master might seem like an inevitable outcome development of the multiple individual Agreement on Timber Operations, to cover in Sproul Creek under Green Diamond’s patent parcels on the ownership but all its stream and watercourse alteration timber ownership and management, that does not address or constrain forest and activities associated with timber harvest timberland management in any way. activities; and most recently, a Safe being, more short-rotation clearcuts; Harbor Agreement from the California and instead work together to produce a Th e vast majority of Green Diamond’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, giving sustainable management plan that protects nearly 400,000-acres of industrially- the company a free pass on protecting the the watershed and those that rely on it. managed California timberlands are critically-endangered Humboldt marten situated in Northern Humboldt and in Want to help? Want to get involved? during its clearcutting operations. Del Norte Counties, with isolated tracts Contact us! in Mendocino and Trinity Counties. Very little viable spawning and rearing Green Diamond’s acquisition of the habitat for the state-endangered coho a For more information: wildcalifornia.org

Page 32 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

A Fun Earth Day Celebration Lost Coast Interpretive Association

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to come together as a community and take care of our corner of the earth here on California’s North Coast! Th e second annual Shelter Cove Earth Day Celebration, hosted by Lost Coast Interpretive Association and our partners in SCiPP, the Shelter Cove Invasive Plant Project, created an opportunity for volunteers to get out and pull invasive plants together as a community, and then enjoy festivities, celebrate the earth, Winning Earth Day poster for 1-2 graders. a r t i s t: m a h ay l a ro b i n s o n and take in a kid’s poster contest. of problems, such as reducing genetic Interpretive Association, with support Th e community of Shelter Cove is diversity by reducing native habitat for from the Cereus Fund of Trees Foundation, located at the southern gateway to the birds, insects, and other wildlife. Coastal has gathered together a group of partners King Range National Conservation Area to form SCiPP. Together we have come up areas are especially prone to invasive in Humboldt County. Both areas have with several ways to raise awareness and plants due to their mild climate. In an growing populations of Pampas grass and get the community involved, the funniest other invasive plants, which can create a eff ort to stem the tide of invasive plants of which is the Earth Day Celebration! monoculture. Monocultures cause a host moving into the King Range, Lost Coast On the morning of April 27th, the Saturday following Earth Day (which fell on a Monday this year), 60 eager volunteers showed up to the Community Clubhouse in Shelter Cove. Volunteers were divided into groups and sent out to various locations, each group with a lead from local non-profi ts, businesses or the BLM King Range. Th e respective groups pulled Pampas grass by the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse at Mal Coombs Beach; fennel from Black Sands Beach; non-native grasses at the monument by the Black Sands parking lot; and Chilean ice plant at Abalone Point —all locations within the King Range National Conservation Area. In addition, volunteer groups picked up trash on Shelter Cove Road and at Mal Coombs Beach, where a recent sailboat

Winning Earth Day poster for 5-6 graders. a r t i s t: l i v i t y sa l u s crash left fi berglass shards strewn all along

www.treesfoundation.org Page 33 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

late summer; and a property owner rebate Conservation Committee Update: program for those who hire contractors to Mad River Alliance’s bi-monthly river remove large plants from their properties. clean-ups have been well received and attended by community members. Our Our partners in SCiPP are the BLM King volunteers have removed over 800 cubic Range, Shelter Cove Resort Improvement yards of trash, 500 automobile tires, 200 District (RID), Southern Humboldt appliances, hundreds of syringes, and Business and Visitors Bureau (SHBVB), more. Community members now have and the King Range Alliance. SCiPP the option to recommend clean-up sites funders include the Cereus Fund of on our website under our conservation Trees Foundation, Conservation Lands tab. If you have seen areas in the Foundation, and the Shelter Cove RID. Mad River watershed that need to be a For more information: www.lostcoast.org cleaned up, go onto madriveralliance. org/conservation/river-clean-ups/. Volunteers having fun while removing Chilean ice plant in the King Range National Conservation Area Updates from MRA Restoration Committee Update: p h o t o by sa n Dy m i l e s Mad River Alliance Th e Powers Creek Riparian Enhancement project is still in progress, and will the tidal zone. Aft er a satisfying morning Mad River Alliance (MRA) is a be followed by the installation of an of service work, volunteers returned to community driven group working interpretive foot bridge in Blue Lake. the Clubhouse to enjoy a lunch funded to protect clean local water and the Invasive plant removals will take place by donors and prepared by the Cape ecological integrity of the Mad River throughout the Summer and then Mendocino Lighthouse Society. Th is watershed for the benefi t of its human native planting on the creek will begin delicious lunch was served up free for and natural communities. MRA is a in September. Th is project will increase volunteers and for a charge for community 501(c)3 (Humboldt County, California). habitat for native salmonids; increase members who did not make it out to work visibility of the creek; and encourage use but wanted to join in and celebrate. Beer, Science and Monitoring of local trails. We are seeking volunteers donated by nearby Gyppo Ale Mill, and Committee Update: to come and join us on our work days. wine was on hand, and a fi ve piece band of Mad River Alliance continues sampling Come join us anytime, for any amount local folk musicians kept us entertained. on the Mad River to identify trends and/ of time. All help is greatly appreciated. or abnormalities at each of our sample As part of the celebration, local school locations. Our Citizen Water Quality kids created Earth Day posters earlier Education and Outreach Monitoring study is intended as a in the week for our poster contest. 60 Committee Update: community outreach and educational beautiful and creative posters were Mad River Alliance participated in the opportunity to engage volunteers in the submitted, with grassroots messages Environmental Heroes Fair with Blue pursuit of scientifi c knowledge about the about littering, loving the earth, invasive Lake Union School on April 19th. Our Mad River. Data collected is intended to plants, and more. Posters were displayed naturalists engaged students from engage other stakeholders and community at the celebration for all to see and participating schools in environmental members in pursuit of high-quality appreciate. Contest winners, ages 5 to topics pertaining to their watershed, scientifi c data collection. Th e eff orts 12, won either a scholarship to LCIA’s local drinking water, and the salmon life conducted to date should be viewed Summer Adventure Camp or a cash prize. cycle. Th e fi sh painted by the students as a platform from which a dedicated can now be seen in the City Hall offi ce Other ways our SCiPP program works to water quality monitoring program and along Glendale Blvd. in Blue Lake! address invasive plants is to off er Shelter can continue. In May, we released our Cove residents a bounty on seed heads fi rst report on the data collected in As Summer begins, so does the MRA when the Pampas grass starts to bloom in this study to the Rose Foundation. Outdoor Education program. If your club,

Page 34 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

camp, or school program is interested Th is article will focus on the origins of in a hands-on, educational fi eldtrip its hike and scholarship programs. on the Mad River, contact caroline@ madriveralliance.org to schedule. Hike Program Soon aft er SFI began working to conserve Interested in volunteering? Let us know! Mattole forestlands, Will Bell, an early Contact our Programs Manager, Caroline board member, told us, “People from Hall for more information about our Whale Gulch, Ettersburg, and Whitethorn programs and how you can get involved. started asking about the virgin forests they had been hearing about.” Th e a For more information: madriveralliance.org. untouched forests were not visible from the road. Will and Rondal Snodgrass, SFI’s founding Executive Director, invited Sanctuary Forest’s 2019 scholarship Creating the Future folks to join them on hikes where there winners, clockwise, from top left: Kylie Sanctuary Forest were no trails, to places where they could Messenger, CJ VanMeter, Agustin experience the forest as a complex process Gercinuno, Haley Hutchinson, Nathaniel Mills, and Paige Lyons By Marylou Scavarda and Anna Rogers of interconnected beings, rather than In 1987, Sanctuary Forest, Inc. (SFI) was simply trees. Once they saw nature in this founded by 15 people who dreamed of an way, these folks began sharing SFI’s vision. conserving land. We want to create a ecological reserve in the headwaters of Th is was the beginning of what would future.” He and Will had recently met Tom the Mattole River, located in northwest later become SFI’s public hike program. Dimmick, Sr. whose family was a local California. Th ese visionary community When SFI began off ering public hikes, producer of timber for three generations. members understood that promoting our local business community became Th ey discovered that they shared a appreciation, understanding, and underwriters for the program. Experts commitment to sustainable forestry as respect for the unique Mattole temperate on a variety of subjects, along with rainforest was vital to their success. well as education. For the past 23 years, docents trained by SFI, volunteered to the Dimmick family has partnered guide hikers. Th ese generous community with Sanctuary Forest by underwriting members make it possible for more an annual $1,000 scholarship. than 200 children and adults to learn about and enjoy our rivers, forests, In 2000, Jimmy Friel, a new SFI board grasslands, and coastline each year. member, expanded the program. A local Many are locals, but people also come businessman himself, Jimmy reached from elsewhere in California, as well as out to other business owners. Since then, other states and countries. Th ey express more than 30 scholarships have been gratitude for their experience and a underwritten by businesses partnering renewed commitment to conservation. with SFI. In 2002, when Rondal retired as SFI’s Executive Director aft er 25 Scholarship Program years, friends expressed their gratitude Our scholarship program began in 1996 by establishing an annual scholarship with one $500 scholarship. “It was Will’s in his name. In 2014, the Robert & idea to award a scholarship, the fi rst Maria Kelly Stewardship began to presented anywhere in the U.S. by an underwrite two annual scholarships, environmental organization,” Rondal and a year later the Humboldt Redwood Sanctuary Forest’s Birds of the Lost Coast hike 2019 was held this year in the said. “We realized that an environmental Company began underwriting one as Southern Humboldt Community Park. group has a responsibility beyond well. Sanctuary Forest now awards six

www.treesfoundation.org Page 35 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

$1,000 scholarships each year—with over $91,000 having been awarded since 1996.

We ask scholarship winners to check in with us now and then. Th eir ongoing commitment to environmental work inspires us! Jamie Albin, a 2002 winner, told us in 2007, “I am part of Colorado’s growing solar energy research initiative.” Kristopher Buihner, a 2006 winner, told us he has worked for California State Parks, and attended HSU’s teacher preparation program with Credential in Earth Science. Kai Neander, a 2011 winner, became an alumni advisor to Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program and travelled to Doha, Qatar as an international ambassador for that organization. Will Bell said it best when he presented a scholarship in The fi rst phase of SPAWN’s fl oodplain project saw the removal of more than 13,000 cubic yards of dumped fi ll and abandoned structures from the ghost town of Tocaloma. 1997: “While on a hike with renowned p h o t o by m e l wr i g h t forest ecologist, Chris Maser, I asked him, ‘What is the best thing we can do in Marin County for multi-benefi t Recovery, Phase II’ project, designed now to help sustain our environment?’ ecosystem restoration and protection to reconstruct destroyed fl oodplain He said, ‘Give the forest to the children.’ projects under California Department wetlands in the ghost town of Jewell, So that’s what I’m here to do!” of Fish and Wildlife Proposition 1 and located just downstream of Samuel P. Proposition 68 round of grant programs. Taylor State Park between Lagunitas a For more information: sanctuaryforest.org Th e award is for the ‘Lagunitas Creek Creek and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. Floodplain Restoration for Coho Th e project builds off the successful fi rst State Grant Will Help Improve Salmon Habitat on National Park Lands Salmon Protection and Watershed Network

Th e Salmon Protection And Watershed Network (SPAWN), a program of the national environmental organization Turtle Island Restoration Network, was awarded a competitive grant this summer to improve habitat for endangered salmon on Golden Gate National Recreation Area lands along Lagunitas Creek.

Th e award, totaling $593,040, was one of 38 grants awarded statewide, Volunteers help care for native plants in SPAWN’s native plant nursery that provide and the only grant awarded for work much needed shade for young salmon in Lagunitas Creek. p h o t o by h a r ry m c g r at h

Page 36 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

phase of the project, which occurred a species. Th e derelict buildings elements that Coho salmon critically need mile downstream in 2018 and saw the from this site were removed by the for recovery,” said Todd Steiner, executive removal of more than 13,000 cubic yards National Park Service in 2016. director of Turtle Island Restoration of dumped fi ll and abandoned structures Network. “Th ese habitats will create slow “We are excited to add several thousand from the ghost town of Tocaloma. off -channel areas that are commonly seen native plants to the area that we have in undeveloped pristine waterways that “Th e goal of this project is to ensure been growing in our native plant nursery, provide spawning, feeding, and rearing Coho salmon remain part of our from around 100 species which we have habitat for fi sh and other threatened landscape for generations to come,” said chosen specifi cally for this amazing wildlife including California freshwater Preston Brown, SPAWN’s watershed spot on Lagunitas Creek,” said Audrey shrimp and California red-legged frog.” conservation director. “In addition, Fusco, SPAWN’s plant ecologist and the project will restore the wild and native plant nursery manager. “Our a dynamic nature of Lagunitas Creek and For more information: seaturtles.org/ plants are healthy and ready to go thanks our-work/our-programs/salmon provide benefi ts to several endangered to the volunteer power of thousands of species and improve water quality.” community members that have nurtured nd the plants for the past few years. Many Th e project aims to recover a lost 22 Annual Coho Confab of these students and volunteers will fl oodplain that has been buried under dirt on the Klamath River help with the planting this upcoming that was dumped in the creek corridor Salmonid Restoration Federation winter. Th is project will improve habitat decades ago to build the village of Jewell. for many species of wildlife in addition Th e project will remove 6,000 cubic to Coho, and it will fi ght climate change Coho Habitat Restoration in yards of fi ll, concrete, and construction and protect biological diversity.” the Era of Dam Removal and rubble, add several pieces of large woody Megafi res, August 23-25, 2019 debris, replace non-native invasive “Restoring the fl oodplain along the creek Salmonid Restoration Federation (SRF) plants with native species, and create will re-create the large, dynamic wetland is coordinating the 22nd Annual Coho critical side-channel habitats for with off -channels, alcoves, and numerous Confab that will take place August 23-25 coho salmon and other endangered large woody debris structures—all in the mid-Klamath region in Humboldt County. Th e Coho Confab is a fi eld symposium to learn about watershed restoration and techniques to restore and recover coho salmon populations. Th e Confab provides an ideal opportunity to network with other fi sh-centric people and to participate in fi eld tours that highlight innovative salmon restoration practices. Th is year, SRF is collaborating with several groups to produce this educational event including Mid- Klamath Watershed Council, the Yurok Tribe Fisheries Program, the Karuk and Hoopa tribes, and Fiori GeoSciences.

Th e Coho Confab will open Friday evening, August 23rd with a community dinner and inspiring keynote presentations SPAWN’s Habitat Restoration Intern Skylar Lipman, left, and Watershed Conservation Director Preston Brown measure fl ow rates in the main stem of Lagunitas Creek. from Will Harling, Executive Director p h o t o by h a r ry m c g r at h of Mid-Klamath Watershed Council,

www.treesfoundation.org Page 37 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

Th e last day of the Confab will include two concurrent fi eld tours including a tour to explore the use of Beaver Dam Analogues as a restoration tool in McGarvey Creek in the Lower Klamath led by geologist Rocco Fiori and Sarah Beesley from the Yurok Fisheries Program and a tour of Trinity River Restoration Projects sites from Lewiston to Junction City.

a To register for the Confab or to view the full agenda please visit our website: www.calsalmon.org.

The 22nd Annual Coho Confab will take place at Sandy Bar Ranch Redwood Creek and on the banks of the mid-Klamath. p h o t o by m a r k D u p o n t, sa n Dy ba r r a n c h Marshall Ranch, SF Eel Flow Enhancement Efforts who will give a presentation about what When participants return from an exciting Salmonid Restoration Federation the Klamath community has learned day seeing exemplary fi eld sites, there will Since 2013, Salmonid Restoration aft er a decade of restoration. Toz Soto, be Klamath Dam Removal Open Forum Federation has been conducting low Karuk Fisheries Program Manager, will at Sandy Bar Ranch to discuss the status, expound on coho ecology studies in the fl ow monitoring in Redwood Creek timeline, and restoration opportunities. Mid-Klamath in this time of climate and analyzing the feasibility of creating Th e Open Forum will include change and creating cold- water habitats a suite of fl ow enhancement projects representatives from the Yurok and Karuk with groundwater. Additionally, Amy that would enhance instream fl ows tribes as well as a representative of the Cordalis, General Council and Mike for salmon and provide water security Belchik, Senior Scientist, both with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation. for rural landowners. In 2018, the Yurok tribe will share a Yurok Perspective on the Science and Progress Made Toward Dam Removal on the Klamath River.

On Saturday, Mid-Klamath Watershed Council will feature two full-day tours including a tour of in-channel and off - channel projects in Seiad Creek and a tour of coho salmon recovery eff orts in Horse Creek to address the cumulative impacts of mining, channelization, human development and fi re. In the morning, Justin Alvarez from the Hoopa tribe will lead a stream and valley fl oor restoration in Klamath tributaries and there will be an aft ernoon tour of BDA planning Will Harling (third from left), Executive Director of Mid-Klamath Watershed Council and an advocate of prescribed burns, will be providing one of the keynote addresses at the projects and thermal refugia in Boise Confab about what the Klamath community has learned after a decade of restoration Creek, a tributary to the Klamath River. and will be leading the Seiad Creek tour. p h o t o F ro m mkwk p h o t o a rc h i v e s . Page 38 Forest & River News a Summer 2019 Conservation Partner Organizations at Work

Wildlife Conservation Board awarded SRF two planning grants that have greatly advanced our planning eff orts.

Redwood Creek is a critical tributary for juvenile salmonids in the South Fork Eel watershed. For over fi ve years, Salmonid Restoration Federation (SRF) has been conducting low fl ow monitoring in order to understand low fl ow patterns and prioritize water conservation eff orts in this impaired watershed that is home to hundreds of residents as well as threatened species like coho salmon.

SRF recently began our 2019 low-fl ow SRF began monitoring on May 11th this year to capture the fl ows in this unusually rainy monitoring season and with late rains, spring as well as the spring recession. This fl ow was nearly 30,000 gallons per minute. One month later fl ows were less than 5,000 gpm. p h o t o by k at r i n a n y s t ro m fl ows at the end of May were approximately 30,000 gallons per minute (GPM), one William Rich and Associates (Cultural Board, and Wildlife Conservation Board week later they were approximately 14,000 Resources), and Hicks Law (Water (WCB). All agency staff was supportive GPM. From previous data collection Rights and Legal Consulting). of moving the preferred alternative years, we can anticipate that fl ows forward to subsequent design phases and may be less than 100 GPM in July and At this time, the project has been advanced the project team is currently working on potentially less than 5 GPM in August through a feasibility study and alternatives technical details to advance the project when we usually observe disconnected analyses with a selected preferred design. Th e project team aims to submit pools with stranding juvenile salmon. alternative of a 16.3 million gallon pond an implementation grant to WCB in on an upper terrace and infi ltration gallery SRF will continue our outreach campaign September 2019 to secure implementation on a lower terrace with the objective in Redwood Creek in an eff ort to identify funds for the project. Th e earliest possible of delivering approximately 50 gallons construction start date target is June 2021. and provide assistance to landowners per minute of fl ow augmentation to who are interested in building suffi cient Redwood Creek during the 5-month dry Th is would be the largest fl ow enhancement water storage to be able to forbear from season. One hundred percent of this fl ow project of its type in the South Fork Eel diverting water in the summer months augmentation is intended to benefi t fi sh watershed and could ultimately enhance when fl ows are critical for aquatic and wildlife. Water from the pond will instream fl ows in Redwood Creek to species. Water storage opportunities be piped to the infi ltration gallery with a allow for salmon migration. include ponds, tank farms, rainwater control valve regulating fl ow releases. Th e SRF is currently participating in catchment, and groundwater recharge. pond will be fi lled from direct rainfall the South Fork Eel Salmon Habitat (~6 million gallons), hillslope runoff (~1.3 A feasibility study and engineering design Restoration Priorities process initiated million gallons), one small tributary (~1.1 is currently underway on a large fl ow by NOAA Fisheries and CDFW. Despite million gallons), and water pumped into enhancement project on the Marshall cumulative impacts that have impaired the pond from Redwood Creek during Ranch near the town of Briceland, in sections of Redwood Creek, it still the wet season (~7.9 million gallons). Southern Humboldt County. Stillwater ranks as a priority tributary to the SF Sciences is the technical lead on the project In February 2019 a Technical Advisory Eel for biological importance, habitat with support from SHN Engineers and Committee meeting was held with agency condition, and optimism and potential. Geologists (Geotechnical Engineering staff from CDFW, NOAA Fisheries, North and Water Conveyance Infrastructure), Coast Regional Water Quality Control a For more information: www.calsalmon.org.

www.treesfoundation.org Page 39 Trees Foundation PO Box 2202 Redway, CA 95560 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Our mission is to restore the ecological integrity of California’s North Coast by empowering and assisting If you would like to distribute Forest & River News in your area, please contact us! community-based conservation If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please let us know. and restoration projects. Printed on 100% recycled paper with 40% PCW, using plant-based inks Trees Foundation is located at 439 Melville Road, Garberville, CA, (707) 923-4377, www.treesfoundation.org Direct Action at Rainbow Ridge Logging operations began on June 5th in a portion of the Mattole watershed’s revered Rainbow Ridge that is owned by Humboldt Redwood Company (HRC). The logging sparked protests and direct action, including blockades and the installation of a treesitter into a Douglas-fi r within the area slated to be logged (See Page 16). Th e Lost Coast League and partner groups contend that HRC’s FSC-certifi cation requires it to create a management plan for the area due to the evidence of “indicator species” of forest health—such as the Sonoma Tree Vole. From Forest Stewardship Council Guidelines: Principle #9: Maintenance of high conservation value forests Management activities in high conservation value forests shall maintain or enhance the attributes which defi ne such forests. Decisions regarding high conservation value forests shall always be considered in the context of a precautionary approach. 9.1 Assessment to determine the presence of the attributes consistent with High Conservation Value Forests will be completed, appropriate to scale and intensity of forest management. 9.2 Th e consultative portion of the certifi cation process must place emphasis on the identifi ed conservation attributes, and options for the maintenance thereof. 9.3 Th e management plan shall include and implement specifi c measures that ensure the maintenance and/or enhancement of the applicable

conservation attributes consistent with the precautionary approach. Treesitter Rook, and the rare Sonoma Tree Vole Th ese measures shall be specifi cally included in the publicly available who has visited her—proving that the area of management plan summary. Rainbow Ridge being logged is a high conservation value forest. This, according to Forest Stewardship 9.4 Annual monitoring shall be conducted to assess the eff ectiveness Council (FSC) guidelines, requires a management of the measures employed to maintain or enhance the applicable plan which maintains or enhances the forest’s conservation attributes. defi ning attributes. p h o t o s by ro o k

To support the printing and distribution of this news magazine, please send your tax-deductible contributions to Trees Foundation, 439 Melville Road, Garberville, CA 95542