Sourdough Notes U.S

SourDough Notes U.S. Forest Service Alaska Region Magazine Volume 6 Issue 2 Spring 2010 ON THE COVER: INSIDE : RF Award Winners...... 2 Volunteers such as Ken Kirkland The Relative Factor: Volunteers Lend a Hand...... 3 Wilderness Stewardship Success Story...... 4 (i.e., Smokey Bear) are part of High School Career Expo Is a Big Success...... 5 the “relative factor” that help us 50th Annual Cordova Ice Worm Festival Parade...... 6 reach our communities and fulfill Retirees: Where are They Now? An Update from Steve Law...... 7 our mission. The Alaska Tribal Leaders Committee...... 8 Photo by Kim Kiml. Kevin Hood Recognized for Wilderness Efforts...... 9 Story begins on page 3. Forest Service Presents Ceremonial Staffs ...... 10 David Rak Honored for Stewardship Efforts ...... 11 Telling the Tongass Story...... 12 SourDough Notes Recovery Act Project Helps Companies, ‑ Employees Stay Afloat...... 13 Sitka Office Wins Sitka Green Business Award...... 14 Pain With a Gain...... 15 Quarterly news magazine Eight Fathom Cabin: A Success Story...... 16 for the Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: Yakutat Youth Career Development...... 18 Exotic Invasive Insect: A Disturbing Find...... 20 U.S. Forest Service A New Flock of Junior Ornithologists...... 21 Alaska Region Sitka Kids Are Hands On for Earth Day...... 22 P. O. Box 21628 Harbor Mountain Road Earth Day Cleanup...... 23 Juneau, AK 99802-1628 Injured Birds Stopover in Portage Valley...... 24 http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 I’m Going to College!...... 25 The Green Mile...... 25 Sitka Office Receives Tongass Safety Award...... 26 Spotlight on Tricia O’Connor...... 27 Spring 2010 Prince William Sound Zone: Shoreline Rare Plant Surveys...... 28 Young Leaders Awarded...... 29 Seward Ranger District Take Youth Ice Fishing...... 30 Produced by: 1,000!...... 30 Regional Public Affairs Office One Space After Periods...... 31 Adams Cause a Stir™ Essay Contest...... 31 Teresa Haugh, Editor Recovery Act Puts Americans Back to Work...... back cover

Submissions: SourDough Notes is written for people interested in RF Award Winners the Alaska Region. egional Forester Beth Pendleton recently announced recipients of the Your suggestions, articles, and 2009 Regional Forester Awards. Here are the brief descriptions. You photographs are welcome. won’t want to miss the the summer issue of SourDough Notes—we will Please contact: R be featuring some of the stories and photos of these employees and partners so readers can learn more about their contributions to the Forest Service and the Public Affairs Office Alaska Region. An expanded list that includes the names of the team mem- U.S. Forest Service bers can be found at: Department of Agriculture P. O. Box 21628 http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/ro/newsroom/releases/2009 Juneau, AK 99802 _Alaska_Regional_Forester_Awards_100511.shtml. (907) 586-9337 [email protected] • Hector Gandara Memorial Award: Ruth Monahan, Regional Office • Employee of the Year Award: Debra Srb, Cordova Ranger District Acceptance of articles does not guarantee publication. • Resource Stewardship Award: Peter Griffin, Juneau District Ranger The editorial staff reserves • Meeting America’s Needs Award: Key Coastal Wetlands Strategic Team the right to edit all articles for • Promoting Recreation Award: Victoria Houser journalistic standards and space consideration. Articles will be • Partnership Award: Alaska Geographic and Chugach National Forest edited to Associated Press style • Safety & Occupational Health Award: Alicia Stearns, Tongass Nat’l Forest with consideration of • Excellence in Business Operations Award: Dawn Heutte, Reg. Office GPO guidelines. • Excellence in Customer Service: Erin Andresen, Wrangell RD

2 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 The Relative Factor: Volunteers Lend a Hand By Kim Kiml, Interpreter, Cordova Ranger District

o the credit of many invisible element usually Interpreters, we are not acknowledged by any- Tnothing if not cre- one but us. ative. Sometimes we have There may be other ben- a project where we need efits derived from this ex- some help; we just can’t do perience though. You may it all alone. And when all of be giving your family and our coworkers are swamped friends a glimpse of why with their own projects and you put forth the time, en- duties, what can we do? ergy, and passion into your We recruit our family and programs. friends to help us out. Comments from the par- Such has been the case ticipants expressing their Naomi Morris, daugher of Kim Kiml, volunteers at the with my family and friends, gratitude and appreciation; Cordova Ranger District’s Discovery Room January 2010. as I am sure there are those children telling you that of you who can relate to this situ- at a station for a program, hauling theyt didn’ think “learning could be ation. They know that look in our the many totes of equipment used so much fun,” or a parent sharing eyes—before the words come out of for programs, being a character in with you how delighted they were to our mouths—what is about to hap- a puppet show, and, yes, helping to have their children share with them pen. They are about to be enlisted, clean up after programs are done. something they had learned while at- their services for the “greater good” The hours that they put forth may tending one of your programs. And are being requested again. They are not be as noteworthy as some spe- sometimes it is the adults who come going to sign up to volunteer at an- cial awards requiring hundreds of along to watch their children partici- other Forest Service event. volunteer hours, but they are signifi- pate in a program, oftentimes join- The list of activities has varied cant in their timing. They are there ing in themselves, commenting later, over the years: planting flowers, when we need them. Many pro- “I wish there had been programs like donning the costume of a celeb- grams would not have happened if this when I was their age.” rity bear or fish, setting up tables our families and friends did not step Hopefully, participating in these and chairs at a program, assisting beyond their comfort level and help events allows your friends and rela- us with our programs or events. tives to witness firsthand the why There is no form of measuring the we do what we do. value of their contributions. And perhaps no certificate of appreciation, just a heartfelt “thank you” to our families and friends who have over the years given up their free time to volunteer and to help us to keep our programs going. So, the next time you are at a gathering of family and friends, let them know just how much you appreciate their efforts and contributions put forth for your programs. Naomi Morris (left), daughter of Kim They are the “relative factor.” Kim Kiml’s mother, Ellie Brimanis, volunteers at Kiml, and Bethany Kirkland, (right), They are the silent and almost aughter of Jeannie Kirkland, plant flowers the Shorebird Academy. at the Crooked Creek Information Site. SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 3 Wilderness Stewardship Success Story Invasive Plant Eradication in the South Etolin Wilderness By Maria Burke, Wilderness Ranger, Wrangell Ranger District

ithin the mist of the is still very susceptible to other Tongass National invasive plants which makes it WForest lies the South imperative that the site contin- Etolin Wilderness (SEW), an ue to be monitored for another isolated, natural area within the three to five years. Wrangell Ranger District rel- Alternative treatments con- ished for its opportunities of sidered were hand pulling or hunting, fishing, camping, and using herbicides. Hand pulling solitude. would have resulted in distur- The SEW was presumed to bance of surface soil due to the have no invasive weeds until an need to remove rhizomatous annual wilderness monitoring roots and the use of herbicides trip in 2005 discovered a 1/7 Clean site in the South Etolin Wilderness after the would have required a timely 1 acre patch of orange hawkweed removal of a tarp that was used to cover invasive MRDG and environmental (Hieracium aurantiacum) at orange hawkweed. analysis. Our tarping method its southeastern corner. Histori- did not disturb the soil surface; cally, this location contained six however, the ground did have structures that were likely used the appearance of a three year as a fisherman’s camp. The or- old moldy block of cheese when ange hawkweed was discov- the tarps were removed. This is ered eight years after the struc- now gone back to a natural ap- tures had been removed from pearance (see photo above). the area. This is the only inva- Factors that contributed to sive plant population found to the success of the project in- date in the SEW. clude: awareness by the wilder- On the day of discovery, the ness team; taking swift action district wilderness team used the when plants were first discov- only available resources they ered; routine inspections done had at hand to cover up the inva- Summer scenery, South Etolin Wilderness, Wrangell in a timely manner; remoteness Ranger District. sive plant population: blue and of site allowed for no visitor gray scavenged tarps that con- In Summer 2007, there were no disturbance; cooperative work- tained several rips and holes. A field living plants under treated area but ing relationship between the Wil- inspection the next summer revealed one plant was found growing out- derness team and Invasive Species that orange hawkweed had managed side perimeter. The escapee was Coordinator. Thanks to those man- to grow and flourish through any pos- carefully pulled to remove as much agement actions, South Etolin Wil- sible hole. To combat this battle, an of the rhizome as possible. By the derness is assumed to be weed-free additional layer of tarps were added, end of Summer 2008, two growing and able to score 10 points to meet and the entire area was covered with seasons had passed with essentially the Wilderness Stewardship Chal- six millimeter black plastic. Later no growth of the orange hawkweed; lenge for invasive weeds in 2009. that year an inspection indicated no the treatment was deemed effective, 1A Minimum Requirement Decision sign of plant life under the black therefore the tarps and plastic were Guide is used to determine if an action plastic but there were roughly thirty removed. Inspection of the site in should occur in Wilderness, and what plants growing around the perimeter. 2009 confirmed our success due to activities could be carried out. If the Additional black plastic was added to the absence of orange hawkweed action is determined necessary in cover where escapees were growing and the recolonizing of native moss- Wilderness, the MRDG then establishes and a camouflage tarp was laid over es and liverworts. Due to the area be- what the minimum activity could be in plastic to provide visual screening. ing in the early succession phase, it order to carry out that action. 4 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 High School Career Expo Is a Big Success By Teresa Haugh, Editor

tudents from Juneau-Douglas High School, Thunder Mountain High SSchool, and Yakoosge Alternative High School flocked to the Forest Service booth at Juneau’s High School Career Expo held April 14. Not only were the students interested in collecting some free candy, Smokey Bear water bottles or LEI flash- lights, they wanted to ask Forest Service employees, “What do you do all day?”

Above: LEO Michael Mills and Archaeologist Nicole Lantz answer questions from curious students. Top right: The first wave of students make their way through the crowded gym at Juneau-Douglas HS. Bottom right: LEO Chad Curey and Engineer Rod Dell’Andrea discuss career options with the Forest Service. Photos by Keith Riggs.

And employees were there to an- Service. Past interns Hannah Atadero Other participants included: swer. Many brought examples of the and Melinda Hernandez talked about • Michael Mills, LEO type of work they do for the students their conversions from part-time • Chad Curey, LEO to see, including engineering draw- student jobs in the regional office to • David Zuniga, LEO ings, beautifully drawn maps, sam- permanent positions at the Juneau • Andy Morse, LEO ples of completed projects, and pho- Ranger District. • Nicole Lantz, Archaeologist tos of float planes to show students The event was organized by re- • Adelaide Johnson, Hydrologist how we get into the field. The LEOs gional EEO Specialist Teddy Castil- • Marie Messing, Engineer were there in uniform, with all their lo, who is part of the newly-formed • Rod Dell’Andrea, Engineer equipment. recruitment strategy team. She is • Bob Francis, Mapping Eli Carlson and Chris Hoffman, looking forward to hosting other • Michael Wilcox, Engineer our current student employees who successful events like this in the • John Kato, Geologist attend Juneau-Douglas High School, future. Today’s students are tomor- were on hand to meet their classmates row’s natural resource and public A special thanks is extended to and discuss working with the Forest land managers. Jeff Miller who provided the candy.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 5 50th Annual Cordova Ice Worm Festival Parade Story and photos by Kim Kiml, Information Specialist, Cordova Ranger District

intere tim in Alaska is, for many, a cause or season to celebrate. An- Wchorage has its Fur Rendezvous, Fairbanks has its Winter Carnival, and Cordo- va has its Ice Worm Festival. This past February was a milestone celebra- tion for Cordova as Ice Worm Festival 2010 marked 50 years of merriment and activities. Some of the long standing activities included: The Ice Worm Tail Hunt, the Photo Show, the Historical Ice Worm Display, the Ice Worm Variety Show capped by the Miss Ice Worm Coronation and Citizen of the Year Award, the Arts and Crafts Show, and last but not least, the Ice Worm Parade. Two local children ride aboard the flatbed with employees Bruce Compared to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Campbell and Chris Dunlap. TJ Holley walks alongside with Hank, Parade, you would miss the Cordova Ice Worm who wants her fish. Parade if you blinked too many times (it usually lasts about 20 minutes, weather permitting). That being said, the spectators are none the less enthusiastic and appreciative of the efforts put forth by participating organizations and individuals. This, year with less than 12 hours before the parade was to start, the winds were clocked at 100 mph at the harbor, along with pelting rain and hail. Three hours before the parade, the winds died down to a mere 40 mph. An hour and a half the parade started, it began to snow, and by the start there were already two inches of snow on the ground. The parade was not cancelled. It continued perhaps at a quicker pace than it would had it been a sunny day; nonetheless, the crowds cheered and waved at Dave Zastrow and Kat Michael suit up for the parade. the snow-covered participants. Although there were fewer parade entries this, year the Forest Service entry helped bol- Thanks to all the district employees who participated: ster and lengthen the parade. We entered not eTeresa Benson eMilo Burcham only two floats—an airboat pulled by the LEO eDeyna Kuntzsch eKat Michael vehicle, and a Delta truck pulling a flatbed with eChris Dunlap eGretchen Lampe recreation enthusiasts on board—but also had eNancy O’Brien eBob Behrends walking firefighters, Smokey and friends, and eTJ Holley and Labrador Hank eDana Smyke, and friends our Forest Service banner holders. eBruce Campbell Danika Sapp, Melanie Thee tim and effort put forth by many For- eDede Srb O’Brien, Keyona Mattson, est Service employees was rewarded with a eDave Zastrow Cole and Elias Hanson “Best Workmanship” prize. eTanya Zastrow

6 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 Retirees: Where Are They Now? An Update from Steve Law

was the Forest Engineer on the going to be a lot dif- South Tongass National Forest ferent from what had I when I resigned from the Forest been successful in the Service in 1978. 20th. century I decided Twenty years earlier, I began my Maine needed my help career in the agency on the White to be ready for the fu- Mountains National Forest, trans- ture. ferring to the Green Mountains Na- In 1984, I was tional Forest and then the Six Rivers elected to the Maine National Forest in California before Legislature, where I being named the forest engineer on authored a bill titled the Jefferson National Forest in Vir- “Forests for the Fu- ginia in 1963. ture.” A freshman leg- My stint on the South Tongass islator, in the minor- was the best job I ever had, and I ity, party could almost loved every minute of it. Unfor- never get a bill passed. tunately, as the saying goes, “All But the previous Leg- good things must come to an end.” islature had estab- In 1978, I was told it was time for lished a committee to Retiree Steve Law teaches first graders about forest me to move to a regional office, ei- come up with a recom- resources—one tree at a time—as part of the Kids and ther to Juneau or to some other re- mendation on how the Trees Growing Together program he and his wife initiated gion. Obviously, not every engineer state of Maine should for the area schools around Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. in the Forest Service can spend 15 be managing its for- years as a Forest Engineer because est resources. Thirty days before its ners plant fir tree seeds and then, in there are just not that many forests. I report was due, the committee had subsequent years, the students trans- already had enjoyed the opportunity nothing to submit and no prospects. plant the baby trees to a transplant of a lifetime, in the best job in the I heard about the committee’s prob- bed, then those seedlings are trans- Forest Service, so I chose to resign lem and offered my bill as its solu- planted to a plantation. We set aside rather than take a desk job in a re- tion. The committee accepted and about two acres on our family farm gional office. the bill was passed into law. for each school district, allowing I was too young to retire so I In 1989, I volunteered for and about 100 trees for each class in each purchased a set of sporting camps was accepted to teach in the Elder- school. When the kids are seniors in on Sebec Lake in my home state of hostel program aboard the Alaska high school, the seeds they planted Maine. Our expenses were greater State. Ferry That was a fun job but in kindergarten are ready to harvest than the income we received from only lasted two weeks. as Christmas trees. The seniors can the camps, so I took a second job In 2003, my wife and I got a great have the profits from the Christmas as Town Manager of Milo, a small idea of how we could introduce all tree sale for any project they want. town. nearby Neither the excitement the area kids to a forest environment The first sale will be ready in 2013. nor the satisfaction from the two in an objective setting. To do this, I have had too much fun and en- jobs combined was comparable to we initiated the Kids & Trees Grow- joyment in the past 50 years to keep that of being a forest engineer, so I ing Together program, which would it to myself. I wanted to share my looked for something else to occupy involve kids from kindergarten to forest experience with those who my time, something where I could their senior year in high school. We do not have the opportunities I had, make a difference. went to all the schools in the area, so I wrote a book, A Forest Envi- My years in the Forest Service four School Administrative Dis- ronment, which has been published had made me realize that forest tricts, with our idea and they agreed by Tate Publishing. See website at management in the 21st century was to participate. We help kindergart- http://www.tatepublishing.com.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 7 The Alaska Tribal Leaders Committee Tribal and Forest Service Leaders Building Relationships By Lillian Petershoare, Regional Program Leader, Tribal Government Relations

he Alaska Region in Decem- ber 2008 officially launched Tribal Delegates bring substantial experience and Tthe Alaska Tribal Leaders knowledge to the ATLC: Committee at a regional leadership e Woody Widmark has been the Tribal Chairman for Sitka Tribe of team meeting in Juneau. Over two Alaska for seventeen years, a Baranof Island Housing Authority Chair days, ATLC delegates and Forest for twelve years, a Native American Rights Fund Board Member for Service leaders became acquainted, five years, and prior to 1990, a Sitka Ranger District employee for discussed tribal priorities, developed ten years. Woody currently works for the Sitka School District and in a plan for getting organized, and lis- 2001, he was the recipient of the Alaska Education Support Person of tened to presentations on climate the Year Award. change impacts in Alaska Since then, the ATLC has met twice. Dur- e Richard Peterson has been the Tribal President for the Organized Vil- ing a video conference March 17, lage of Kasaan for eleven years, the Mayor of Kasaan for twelve years, 2009, committee members discussed and an Executive Council Member of the regional tribe Central Coun- the draft charter, listened to presen- cil Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for three years. Richard tations regarding the employment is also the CEO of the Prince of Wales Tribal Enterprise Consortium, a dynamic 8(a) company that provides information technology and engi- of Alaska Natives within the region, neering services. and identified ways that the Tribes and the Forest Service can work to- e Sasha Lindgren, for over 15 years, represented the Kenaitze Indian gether to improve outreach to po- Tribe in a unique partnership with the Forest Service to preserve, pro- tential Alaska Native applicants. At tect, and present the cultural and natural resources of the Sqilantnu the November 20, 2009 meeting, the archaeological district in Cooper Landing. As the Tribe’s Cultural and ATLC adopted a charter, the forests Educational Department Director, Sasha directed interpretive programs and regional office reported on out- and sites; maintained the Tribe’s register of traditional, historic, and reach activities and successes, and sacred sites; and developed and presented cultural, Dena’ina language, Tribal Delegate Woody Widmark and traditional knowledge seminars and trainings. provided on overview on the White House Tribal Summit. e Mark King has represented the Native Village of Eyak on many Tribal Delegates have participat- boards and councils during the past ten years. His passion for hunting, ed in different leadership team meet- fishing, trapping, and berry picking crosses over into his work with the ings on both forests. Thorne Bay Tribe; “many of NVE’s programs have been carefully crafted…allow- District Ranger Jason Anderson said ing the elders and youth to interface with each other…to [encourage] the ATLC “…is a powerful way for the younger generation to embrace a … subsistence lifestyle.” the Tribal leaders to communicate issues that are important to them on a local level. It fosters an awareness tive relationships, collaboration and sultation between the Forest Ser- of the issues the Forest Service has the furtherance of government-to- vice and the Federally Recognized to grapple with while being respect- government partnerships between Tribes. ful of traditional tribal uses on the the Forest Service and the Federally The Committee consists of four landscape.” Recognized Tribes of Southcentral Tribal Delegates, two Tribal Alter- The ATLC will meet formally and Southeast Alaska in promoting nates, the Regional Forester’s Team, twice a year to address regional- sustainable forests, resources and and a Pacific Northwest Research level issues, and is working towards communities. While the Committee Station Representative and Alter- establishing an informal monthly is advisory in nature, the ATLC fully nate. The Tribal Delegates were conference call. The mission of the recognizes that it is not a substitute elected by the Federally Recognized Committee is to advance coopera- for government-to-government con- Tribes located in or near the Region’s

8 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 two national forests. Twelve out of Forest, and Paul Clark, Tribal Rela- the Tribal Delegates. The Environ- 12 Tribes on the Chugach National tions Coordinator on the Chugach, mental Protection Agency provided Forest and 15 out of 19 Tribes on to develop a proposal and a plan for a facilitator for that forum: the late the Tongass National Forest voted. launching the ATLC. Carol Jorgenson, a former Director The elected Tribal Delegates were to Many individuals and Tribes as- of EPA’s American Indian Office met serve on a Forest Service proposed sisted the region in establishing the with the Regional Leadership Team to National Tribal Leaders Committee. Alaska Tribal Leaders Committee. build support for the ATLC proposal, During a conference call with Thirty-one Federally Recognized and other EPA staff shared technical Chief Kimbell in November 2007, Tribes embraced the concept, iden- information about their tribal advi- Tribal Delegates Woody Widmark tified a process for electing tribal sory committee charters. At the first and Sasha Lindgren advocated that delegates, and collaborated with the ATLC meeting, members expressed the Alaska Region create a region- region in the implementation. The their desire for the committee to get al tribal leaders’ committee. Chief Office of Tribal Relations in Wash- organized quickly. In response, the Kimbell expressed her support for ington endorsed the Alaska Region’s region hired a contractor, Jan Caul- the concept, and regional Tribal Re- commitment to honor the Tribes’ re- field, to assist the ATLC is getting lations Specialist Lillian Petershoare quest to create a regional tribal lead- established. Everyone on the ATLC worked with the Tribal Delegates ers committee. The Bureau of Indian is committed to working together and John Autrey, Tribal Relations Affairs hosted a forum for the Tribes to further partnerships between the Specialist on the Tongass National for identifying a process for electing Tribes and the Forest Service. Kevin Hood Recognized for Wilderness Efforts By Keith Riggs, External Affairs, Regional Office uneau Ranger District Wilder- Leave No Trace coordinator for the our lives. Most folks appreciate that ness Ranger Kevin Hood has Alaska Region, and leads the special wilderness is essential to preserving Jreceived the 2009 Alaska Re- training of outfitters and guides. biodiversity, supplying fresh water gion Wilderness Champion Award. He is the region’s representa- and air and protecting intact eco- Hood’s efforts as a wilderness ranger tive to Forest Service Chief Tom systems. I also believe wilderness have advanced the district’s wilder- Tidwell’s Wilderness Advisory will increasingly serve as a place of ness program through his delivery Group, where his passion for wild sanctuary and renewal as we strive of professional presentations aboard places will influence national per- to escape lives that are technologi- cruise ships. He also serves as the spectives. Hood speaks eloquently cally isolating and full of e-fatigue. for the values demonstrated in the Wilderness will afford us a return Wilderness Act. In 2009, he attend- to our organic, simpler and more ed the World Wilderness Congress wholesome lives,” Hood concluded. at his own expense to deliver a high A former resident of Los Osos quality presentation. and a graduate of Swarthmore Col- “Somewhere in my upbringing lege in Pennsylvania, Hood has been a soft spot for the underdog was with the Forest Service since 1995 instilled in me, and in our modern and has been assigned to the Alaska world, wilderness is a tremendous Region for the last 11 years. underdog,” Hood explained. “The “I am honored to receive this notion that there is a value to pre- award. Whatever degree of wilder- serving some of our wild country is ness professionalism I have achieved so contained that less than 5% of our is due to the high quality of my col- nation is designated as wilderness. I leagues who have taught me, chal- prefer to stand for that which is ir- lenged me, enlightened me and in- replaceable, invaluable and under- spired me. So I also view this award represented in our democracy.” as a tribute to the caliber of the wil- Wilderness Ranger Kevin Hood received the “In my opinion, wilderness will derness folks in the Forest Service 2009 Alaska Region Wilderness Champion Award play an increasingly vital role in with whom I work,” Hood said.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 9 Forest Service Presents Ceremonial Staffs Story and photos by Keith Riggs, External Affairs, Regional Office

Lillian Petershoare, Tribal Government Relations Specialist for the Alaska Region coordinated the cre- ation and presentation of the staffs. “To me, the staffs represented our integrity; a representation of our good will,” she said. “The acknowledgement ceremony (in 2008) was a beautiful thing to have happened. At that ceremony we heard, for the first time, tribal elders say, ‘this is the first time I’m using the word, ‘trust’ when working with the Forest Service.” “We did a series of interviews after the acknowledgement ceremony (in 2008) and would get comments where people would say, ‘I would visit district ranger offices and I never really felt welcome but now I know that the Forest Service wants to work with the tribes.’ We had a huge paradigm shift take place,” Petershoare revealed. Deputy Regional Forester Paul Brewster (l) listens as carver “You would talk to people about it and you could feel Donald Frank explains how the staffs were designed and made. the, anger the pain, the hurt. In acknowledging this— t the annual General Assembly of the Central that was pretty tremendous.” Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Deputy Regional Forester Paul Brewster said, “I had AAlaska in 2008, Alaska Regional Forester Den- the privilege of participating in the (2008) acknowledge- nis Bschor and Tongass National Forest Supervisor For- ment ceremony. The ceremony had a deep impact on me est Cole acknowledged the removal of Alaska Native … By acknowledging the past, Central Council and the fish camps, smokehouses, and cabins by the Forest Ser- Forest Service have paved the way for respectful and vice in the mid-1900s. honorable relationships, and continued partnerships. My “I am here today to stand before you and acknowl- hope is that these staffs will serve as a powerful symbol edge that these things happened, that the Forest Service, for our future relations.” in its efforts to manage uses of the Tongass National Forest, did burn and remove many fish camps, cabins, and smokehouses that once belonged to Alaska Native families and clans,” Bschor said at the time. With the removal of fish camps and smokehouses, an essential aspect of the traditional pattern of life was lost. Opportunities for families to work together harvesting fish, to pass cultural knowledge from one generation to the next, and to learn respectful ways of harvesting and processing traditional foods were diminished. Alaska Native identity was seriously damaged with the loss of the seasonal camps. By acknowledging the past, Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the Forest Ser- vice paved the way for respectful and honorable relationships, and continued partnerships. On April 21, 2010, that acknowledgment was commem- orated with the presentation of two ceremonial staffs from the Forest Service to the Central Council during the 75th Annual Tribal Assembly of the Central Council of Tlingit Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole (r) presents & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Central Council is Central Council President Emeritus Edward K. Thomas Sr. with the governing body for over 27,000 tribal citizens. the Raven staff. 10 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 Forest Service Tribal Relations Liaison Donald Frank, his son Steven Frank and Angoon resident Jamie Daniels carved the staffs. One depicts a raven, the other depicts an eagle; the eagle and the raven are symbols of unity between the Tlingit and Haida people in Southeast Alaska. Each staff has a plaque that reads:

David Rak Honored for Stewardship Efforts By Keith Riggs, External Affairs, Regional Office ecreation and Lands Forester David Rak, of the Wrangell Ranger District, was selected to receive the 2009 Alaska Region Wilderness RStewardship award. Rak has worked in the wilderness program on the Tongass for more than 25 years. He was honored for his efforts in improving the stewardship levels of the Stikine-LeConte and South Etolin Wilderness Areas to meet Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell’s Ten Year Wilderness Stewardship Challenge. The Stikine-LeConte and South Etolin Wilderness Areas are north and south respectively from the city of Wrangell in Southeast Alaska. The 10-Year Wilderness Stewardship Challenge was developed by the Chief’s Wilderness Advisory Group as a quantifiable measurement of the Forest Service’s success in Wilderness stewardship. The goal is to bring each and every wilderness under Forest Service management to a minimum stewardship level by the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act in 2014. The first year of the Challenge was Fiscal Year 2005. Through Rak’s leadership, South Etolin now meets the required score for achieving the Stewardship Challenge, and the Stikine-LeConte is only one point away from doing so. His work has been Forester David Rak received the 2009 instrumental to the Alaska Region Wilderness Stewardship Award. progress achieved in meeting the Chief’s challenge. Rak says, “…the opportunity to protect and manage a special place to be experienced by future generations in its natural condition” is what makes wilderness special to him. Quoting former Forest Service Chief Jack Ward Thomas, Rak cautions to “see that Wilderness doesn’t get inched away from us, one compromise at a time.” A graduate of State University of New York College of En- vironmental Science and Forestry, Rak has been employed by the Forest Service since 1977, spending his entire career in David Rak travels to the field. Alaska.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 11 Telling the Tongass Story Introducing Sitka Black-tailed Deer to the Lower 48 By Faith L. Duncan, Tongass Interpretive Program Manager

his past February, several representatives for the Tongass National Forest participated in the West- Tern Hunting & Conservation Exposition in Salt Lake, City Utah. The event is sponsored by the Mule Deer Foundation and by Sportsmen for Fish & Wild- life. Forest employees and volunteers have been working with these groups to achieve common goals for the past three years. This, year we assembled a new exhibit with our key messages, talking points and a collaborative sheet of projects which was used in both the exhibit hall and in meetings with individual Mule Deer Foundation members. Kristen Romanoff, Boyd Porter and Dave Persons from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game donated Deer Tracks magazines and hands-on items so that a youth teaching kit could be assembled for the show. The colorful displays attracted hundreds of families and Left to right: Tongass Forest Geologist Jim Baichtal, Forest young people to the exhibit. Volunteers Steve Daniels Biologist Jim Brainard, and retiree Dennis Neill open the Western Hunting and Conservation Exposition and Mule Deer and Dennis Neill provided logistical support to help us Foundation Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. contact over 2,000 people at our venue during the four- day event. The expo allowed us to interact with the public and bring them to a new level of understanding about our work on: • The restoration and enhancement of young-growth forests. • Research into the habitat needs of the Sitka black- tailed deer. • Forest management practices on the Tongass. • The recreation and cabin programs in Southeast Alaska. • The importance of our partnership with The Nature Conservancy in the attainment of management goals.

Danielle Chi, Forest Service National Mule Deer Foundation Liaison, and George Garcia, Program Leader for Wildlife in Region 4, visited our booth several times. They were impressed by our approach and organization. We have made great strides in working with Mule Deer Foundation as a result of these contacts. Many thanks Program Manager Faith Duncan staffs the Tongass National go to employees Jim Brainard and Jim Baichtal and vol- Forest booth at the Western Hunting and Conservation unteer Dennis Neill for standing on concrete to talk to Exposition in Salt Lake City, Utah. all our visitors. Through their stories they shared enrich- ing, personal experiences about Sitka black-tailed deer. having a chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation in South- Thanks are also given to those provided input for the east Alaska in the near future and a state-wide organiza- exhibit and to our partners at The Nature Conservancy tion that recognizes the Sitka black-tailed deer, its habi- and ADF&G. We are looking forward to the benefits of tat needs and management challenges.

12 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 Recovery Act Project Helps Companies, Forest Service Employees, Stay Afloat By Julie Speegle, Asst. Public Affairs Officer, Tongass National Forest

nother American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project helped keep Wes Tyler and his em- Aployees at Icy Straits Lumber and Milling employed. The company also provided Alaska yellow cedar for a new deck on the Wrangell Ranger District’s floating camp. A polyethylene float was constructed in Washington State, Each field season, the floating camp houses Forest and was then shipped to Wrangell, AK, in three pieces. Service employees charged with the administration of the Anan Creek Wildlife Observatory, a world class wildlife viewing site that attracts tourists from around the world. The Anan facility is of great economic importance to the community of Wrangell because of the visitors it draws to the area. The marine float keeping the camp above water was in failing condition, and was badly in need of repair. Dan Ash and employees at Sage Systems Technologies, LLC, in Anchorage were awarded the contract to replace the marine float. A new polyethylene float was constructed in the state of Washington and shipped to Wrangell in three pieces. The contractor bolted the pieces together on the City of At the city dock in Wrangell, Sage Systems Technology crews Wrangell dock. Using yellow cedar purchased from Icy construct a deck on top of the polyethylene float to support Straits Lumber and Milling in Hoonah, workers con- the building that will house Forest Service employees at the structed a 28 ft. by 26 ft. deck that would support the Anan Wildlife Observatory. housing unit. After the new float was lowered into the water, crews from Stikine Transportation in Wrangell used a crane to transfer the existing housing building from the old float to the new float. Stikine Transportation also towed the new floating camp to the City of Wrangell harbor where the contractor finished attaching the building to the deck and ensured accessories—such as utility lines, steps, thermal pain windows, hot water heater, marine sanitation device and skirting—were properly relocated and/or replaced. The project provided work for five Sage System employees, as well as opportunities for the economically depressed communities of Wrangell and Hoonah. The completed float will house Forest Service administrative personnel at Anan Bay, and will also be avail- After the new polyethylene float was lowered into the water, able for use as a remote camp for other Tongass projects Sage Systems Technology workers transfer the existing during the Anan off season. building from the old float to the new float using a crane from Stikine Transportation.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 13 Sitka Office Wins Sitka Green Business Award By Michelle Putz, Writer/Editor, Tongass National Forest

any small ac- to increase our sustain- tions led up to able operations. Thank Mone big award them! They are the ones for the Sitka Office of who deserve the recog- the Forest Service in nition.” April 2010. The Sitka Jacquie Foss, a soil Office received a 2010 scientist and the Sitka “Sitka Green Business Office Green Team rep- Award” for their green resentative, was pleased business practices from by the award. “The sus- the Sitka Global Warm- tainability effort in the ing Group/Sustainable Sitka building has been Sitka. Employees of the focused on small steps… Sitka office received the simple every day things highest recognition in we can do to green up the program, a Platinum District Ranger Carol Goularte and Writer/Editor Michelle Putz our work place. It’s great Level award. While 32 accept the Sitka Green Business Award. Photo by Barth Hamberg. to see that those little Sitka businesses were things add up and really recognized in the program, the For- I was happy to present the award do make a difference,” Jacquie said est Service Sitka Office was one of to employees of the Sitka office at after getting the award. only three Sitka businesses to re- the April 2010 District/Supervisor’s SGWG/SS developed the local ceive this highest honor. Office meeting. We received a let- certification process to determine The program came about because ter of recognition and a “2010 Sitka those businesses and practices to members of SGWG/SS recognized Green Business Award” certificate. recognize through this program. that many Sitka businesses are en- All the green businesses are listed The program’s four levels (bronze, gaged in green practices such as re- on the SGWG website at www.sit- silver, gold, and platinum) recog- cycling, composting, installing bike kaglobalwarming.org. nize different levels of commitment racks, encouraging use of reusable Employees reacted with surprise towards green practices. The more cups/bags/plates, and energy con- and excitement at the recognition. actions that a business is doing to servation. Realizing that these green Most of the businesses, includ- help the environment, the higher the practices benefit the environment, ing the Stika Office, did not realize recognition level they received. save, money and increase sustain- they were even in the running for an SGWG/SS compiled a list of over ability, SGWG/SS wanted to recog- award because they did not know 30 green practices that are being nize and thank businesses like the that their employees or customers used by businesses in Sitka to de- Forest Service, encourage others to had nominated them. These awards termine the green business awards. start greening their business, and have been a great way to show sup- The Forest Service Sitka Office was help local businesses take advantage port for the Forest Service and oth- recognized for 10: of a green marketing strategy. ers who use sustainable business • Recycling all city-sponsored “We recognize and appreciate practices. items (mixed paper, newspaper, how the Forest Service and other Carol Goularte, Sitka District tin and aluminum cans, glass, and award-winning businesses are con- Ranger, said, “Recycling is a ‘no now plastic). tributing to the sustainability of our brainer’ for some people. It is fan- • Recycling specialty items (like community, both in an environmen- tastic to see people at the office batteries and phones). tal sense and in a financial and social coming together to recycle, save pa- • Composting coffee grounds. sense,” said Natalie Sattler, a repre- per or address ways to save energy.” • Encouraging double-sided print- sentative of SGWG/SS. “We hope Staff Officer Jon Martin said, “I ing. these awards are the start of added really appreciate the recycling and • Re-using serving items (plates, business and sustainability in Sitka.” other things that Sitka employees do cups, bowls) in their break room. 14 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 • Properly disposing of hazardous all the time. Now, when people leave list of local businesses taking ac- waste. they shut their lights off. And when tion to reduce their environmental • Turning off lights at night. you get to work in the morning, only footprint in Sitka. All of our award • Using teleconferences and video- the lights that people are actually us- winners, but especially our three conferences to reduce travel for ing are turned on. The motion sen- Platinum award winners, Sitka Con- meetings and training. sor light switches we added to rooms servation Society, Sitka Tribe of • Using recycled paper and other like the break room and copy room Alaska, and the US Forest Service- refurbished office supplies. have worked great to help us con- Sitka Office, are doing many great • Establishing an employee Green serve energy. Now we only use lights actions to reduce waste, conserve Team. when we actually use the room.” energy, reduce fuel use in transpor- Lisa Hirsch, Support Services Su- This is the first year that SGWG/ tation, and support the community pervisor, said, “You can see a differ- SS have presented the green busi- and green products industry. We ence in how we are doing things in ness awards. They hope to present hope that businesses review the list Sitka. A couple of years ago, you’d awards every year. Natalie Sattler and work towards reaching a higher see all the lights on in the building said,e “W are excited about the long award level next year.” Pain with a Gain By Jacqueline Foss, Soil Scientist, Tongass National Forest andatory data ous task, much like herding entry into na- cats. Little bits of info keep Mtionwide data- slipping away, hiding in bind- bases is taking up more ers, file cabinets, boxes and of our time, but the Ton- people’s desks. Each legacy gass soil scientists have point in NRIS represents at found a silver lining in least two different data forms, this seemingly drudg- air photos and field data ing task. Their NRIS da- forms, and about 20 minutes tabase is becoming an of work for one dedicated soil excellent archival tool scientist. New points are add- which may also have re- ed to the database as part of search applications. Sev- the regular soils program of eral thousand individu- work. Adding new points is al soil data points have Dave D’Amore takes measurements for a soil data point in a easier because our field meth- been taken across the for- Sunnyhae (alpine meadow) soil. Photo by Dennis Landwehr. ods use electronic data cap- est since the early 1960s. ture like GPS field computers Once entered into NRIS, users will ble document file), all of the scanned reducing the data entry tedium. be able to pull up spatially-locat- field forms and lab data will be at- Knowing the distribution of soil ed soil and lab data from across the tached to that point on the maps. data across the Tongass is incredibly Tongass with a simple click. The soil mapping effort repre- valuable. Researchers can mine the NRIS, or natural resource inven- sents millions and millions of dol- information in the database to reduce tory system, is a nationwide geodata- lars and decades in data collection, data collection costs or for use in a base used to catalog a range of natu- processing, and organizing. Digitiz- model. For example, we can use the ral resources. Soils and vegetation are ing the soil information preserves depths of soil or the depth of devel- just one application. This database it for future inventories or research opment to age the Tongass or answer has site information like aspect, soil while making it available to many microclimate or carbon questions. information like drainage class, and users., Now the Tongass soil infor- Soil drainage class explained 40% vegetation information like species mation will be stored in a long-term, of the variation in the recent young and quantity, and it’s all represented electronic database. growth model! Think what you could by a point on a map. Once NRIS adds Migrating the data from hardcopy glean from the more than 4,000 data the tool that allows Adobe pdf (porta- into the NRIS database is an ardu- points in this database.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 15 Eight Fathom Cabin Eight Fathom Cabin Economic Recovery By Judy Suing, Public Affairs Specialist, Tongass National Forest

ard times are no stranger local businesses like Icy to Wes Tyler, owner of Icy Straits. HStraits Lumber and Milling “This mill is an op- in Hoonah. He has seen the number portunity to provide jobs of local timber jobs in the communi- to the community and ty drop dramatically since the 1990s. make use of the great In an effort to save the remaining timber here,” said Tyler. timber jobs in the area, Tyler and his The timber resources wife, Susan, purchased the town’s in Hoonah are what real- ailing lumber mill in 2003. Despite ly spark Tyler’s passion, difficulties obtaining a loan, the cou- “It’s always rewarding ple persisted because they felt com- to build something out pelled to provide employment op- of material that you cut portunities to the residents. yourself. When I’m cut- Times continue to be hard for ting down a tree, I like the family-owned mill. “Every day to picture in my mind all is very much a struggle, but we are of the products that tree working non-stop to keep our peo- will become.” ple employed,” said Tyler. From the locally-cut Icy Straits Lumber and Milling was yellow cedar and spruce able to keep employees on its payroll, logs, Tyler and his crew thanks to a Forest Service contract to expertly crafted the Wes Tyler, owner of Icy Straits Lumber and Milling, build Eight Fathom Cabin. The con- Eight Fathom cabin us- talks about the spruce and yellow cedar logs that were tract was funded by the American Re- ing four-by-six squared locally harvested, processed, and used to construct covery and Reinvestment Act. timbers. The 16-by-20 Eight Fathom recreation cabin in Hoonah. “This contract came at a critical foot shelter is complete time,” Tyler said. “[Staffing] got with a stove, table, benches, bunks, Alaska, but it is also a critical step in very thin just before. We were hav- and a full loft, providing a cozy transitioning the Tongass away from ing to lay people off, so this was a place to relax after a long day of old growth harvesting to young real big boost.” Ultimately, 15 em- hunting, fishing, or exploring along growth management. ployees from the company worked the road network that is adjacent to As a good neighbor to Southeast on constructing the recreation cabin. the cabin. communities, the Tongass has a role In addition to providing jobs for The pride that went into build- to play in providing more projects the local economy, the cabin’s con- ing the cabin is evident. “We like to that encourage local harvesting, pro- struction also served as a tourist at- make high value-added products out cessing, and selling of wood. The traction. The cabin was constructed of the wood here – that is our vision Eight Fathom Cabin is a great start. at the ferry terminal in Hoonah to al- and goal. Fundamentally, that’s the In the meantime, Tyler remains low visitors to see their tax dollars, only way our business is going to optimistic about new projects for and the employees those dollars survive here.” his business. He points out that the funded, at work. This brought ad- It is this commitment to value- road network at Eight Fathom Bight ditional recognition to the company added wood production that will is large enough to accommodate ad- and sent a strong message about the not only help create economical- ditional cabins which can serve both impact of the economic recovery on ly diverse economies in Southeast subsistence and recreation users.

16 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 Photographs by Geno Cisnero Eight Fathom Cabin A Success Story Picture Perfect By Sue Jennings, Planning Team Leader, Tongass National Forest. Photos by Geno Cisnero

he new Eight Fathom Cabin pleted, it was moved 15 was constructed in Hoonah miles southwest of Hoo- Tin the summer of 2009. This nah to Eight Fathom American Recovery and Reinvest- Bight, where it is now ment Act (ARRA) project was built ready for reservations. with lumber harvested and milled On April 22, 2010, by Icy Straits Lumber & Milling in Forrest Cole, Tongass Hoonah and constructed through a Forest Supervisor; Rich contract with Channel Construction Jennings, Hoonah Dis- in Juneau. Once the cabin was com- trict Ranger; and Geno Cisneros, Hoonah Rec- reation Specialist, visited the new Eight Fathom Cabin. ble, and bunks. You will feel right at This was the first visit to the struc- home. There is no need for pictures ture for Cole since it was moved on the walls, the view out the win- from Hoonah. dows is enough. When you have fin- Access to the cabin is by a ished setting up your living area, go 45-minute boat ride from Hoonah, for a walk up the road, go fishing, go or a short 10-minute flight from hunting, or just sit on the deck and Hoonah, or a 30- minute flight from enjoy the view and maybe you’ll Juneau. The gravel beach where you spot some wildlife. arrive leads to a short barrier-free While Cole, Jennings, and Cis- trail. nero were at the cabin, they saw lots All of the wood in the cabin is ce- of shore birds and some whales. Re- dar. Most of the cabin is built with member, this is brown bear country yellow cedar with red cedar for the so bring some protection along with trim. From the outside deck, the your other supplies. craftsmanship details are obvious. If you are looking for a real Alas- Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole After stepping inside, you will notice ka vacation this summer, try the and Hoonah District Ranger Rich that the attention to detail continues, Eight Fathom cabin. It is just a short Jennings inspect the new cabin. with the wood stove, counters, ta- flight to this new experience.

Left: Bunk, dining table and kitchen area. Right: The cabin sits at the end of the road. Be on the lookout for bears.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 17 Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: Yakutat Youth Career Development By Susan Oehlers, Wildlife Biologist, Yakutat Ranger District

hanks in part to the Alaska Region Diversity Matching Funds Program, Yakutat area students Tare well on their way to discovering their future career paths. Six high school students recently traveled to Fairbanks to attend the Alaska Association of Student Governments (AASG) Spring Youth Leadership Con- ference. The purpose of AASG is to provide leadership training, communication, and a student voice of issues at the local, state, and national levels. AASG creates young leaders in communities and schools by teaching them leadership skills and increasing their awareness of political issues and the political process (see www.aasg. org for more information).

Ellen Anderson and Chad Hood field questions from inquisitive high school students. Photo by Laurie Lamm.

for the resolutions. The workshops that they offered were great experiences as well. I attended a martial arts class where I was taught how to break a wooden board with my hand. I also went to a Salvation Army where we sorted clothes for the Air Force base. The tour of UAF really gave me an idea of what college will be as well. Spring AASG 2010 was a great experience.” Funding for the student’s travel to Fairbanks was provided by the Alaska Region Diversity Matching Funds Program. The Alaska Region has a long established management emphasis on diversity and understands the Yakutat student Savannah Beckstrom (foreground) learns significance and importance of integrating diversity into the value of community service. every aspect of how we do work and engage with our During the conferences, students attended general business meetings where issue-related resolutions were introduced, debated, and voted on by the delegation. They also attended leadership workshops and other presentations, and elected new officers. Students volunteered for community service events, including helping out at the local animal shelter, Salvation Army, and cleaning up a local skate park. The students also took the opportunity to tour the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, including the Far North Museum. Yakutat student Maka Monture summarized her experience: “I met many other students from all over Alaska who are making a difference for their schools through student council. It was cool that Yakutat’s student coun- Myra Gilliam gets “grilled” by a kindergartner. Photo by cil was able to contribute to those differences by voting Susan Oehlers.

18 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 communities. The primary objective of the diversity matching fund program is to achieve the four diversity goals of the Alaska Region Diver- sity Strategy: • Promote a better understanding of the value of diversity. • Increase outreach, partnerships, and program delivery to nontraditional users, underserved communities, and diverse youth programs. • Enhance personal commitment and accountability for creating an inclusive and diverse work environment. • Increase the recruitment, employment, and retention of a more diverse workforce.

The diversity matching fund op- Yakutat high school students depart the Yakutat airport for the AASG conference portunity is intended to expand cur- in Fairbanks. rent programs, build upon existing Ranger District has extremely small partnerships, expand employment Myra Gilliam (archaeology); Jeff staff and consistent community out- opportunities, and help develop new Bryden (law enforcement); Chad reach can sometimes be challeng- relationships with under-represent- Hood (minerals); and Laurie Lamm ing; however, we take great pride ed and nontraditional communities, (interpretation and conservation in our community involvement and partners, and youth. education). will continue to build towards main- Yakutat students also had the op- Students from kindergarten taining and increasing these impor- portunity to explore possible future through 12th grades circulated tant relationships. careers during the Yakutat Elemen- throughout the fair, each interview- The events high-lighted in this tary and High School Career Fair. ing several representatives. Posters, article are only a small sample of Approximately 60 people repre- videos, brochures, and other dis- thes district’ many outreach pro- senting a variety of disciplines par- plays and props helped children to grams. Through all of our outreach ticipated in the Fair, including the gain a better understanding of the activities, we believe we are mak- military, public safety offices, health careers available in the Forest Ser- ing great strides toward addressing care,, law architecture, and meteo- vice (not to mention “freebies” such the goals of the Alaska Region Di- rology. Forest Service employees as Smoky gear that helped attract versity Strategy. Many thanks to the included Russel Wicka (represent- them to the tables in the first place). “visiting” Forest Service folks who ing trails and wildland firefighting); The Career Fair was a great success, made time in their busy schedules Teresa Hunt (recreation, minerals, with wide participation by members to travel to Yakutat for the Career heritage, lands, cabins, and special of the community, in addition to the Fair; your dedication and partici- uses); forester Daryl James; Dis- students and their parents. pation are highly appreciated.! The trict Ranger Lee Benson; and Susan Exposure to educational and ca- school is already making plans for Oehlers (wildlife biology). Visiting reer opportunities that they might not next year’s Career Fair, scheduled Forest Service representatives were otherwise be aware of is a valuable for, Friday April 8, 2011, so mark Terry Suminski (fisheries and sub- experience to students in this iso- your calendars. sistence); Ellen Anderson (botany); lated, rural community. The Yakutat

A copy of the 2009 Alaska Region Diversity Strategy can be found at: http://fsweb.r10.fs.fed.us/staffs/cr/diversity/R10_Diversity_Strategy_2009.pdf.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 19 Exotic Invasive Insect: A Disturbing Find Contributors: James J. Kruse, Ken Zogas, John Hard, and Nicholas Lisuzzo, Forest Health Protection

ntroductions of exotic invasive Palmer, Alaska in 2004. By the time insects are a serious threat to bi- of identification, green alder sawfly Iological diversity, both nation- was actively defoliating thin-leaf al- ally and within Alaska. Increased der in Anchorage, Kenai, Seward, commercial activity and tourism in and in the Matanuska-Susitna River Alaska and climate change trends in Valley. In 2009, the invasive green northern regions increase the prob- alder sawfly was positively identi- ability that non-native organisms fied from Alaska, a new U.S. record. that are introduced into Alaska will Green alder sawfly adults have been establish breeding populations and recently collected in Fairbanks. In begin to spread. Once established, 2010, the sawfly has been found on invasive pest populations can be ex- the Columbia River in Washington tremely difficult and expensive to State. manage. How to identify green alder sawfly The newly emerged larvae are very pale green and approximately 2.0- 3.0 mm in length. As they develop, the larvae undergo a color change to Prepuae found in Eagle River a vibrant green. Fully mature larvae are 15.0-18.0 mm in length. Adults as early as mid-May in temperatures are 7.0 - 10.0 mm in length. Females as low as 15.5 °C. In Washington, of green alder sawfly have a black adults are active by early April. At head and antennae, and a white la- this time, alder leaves have begun to brum. The thorax is black, some- flush. One to five eggs are laid on times with some yellow or brown- either the upper or lower leaf sur- Adult green alder sawfly ish coloration; their legs reddish face. Females appear to be parthe- brown to black; and the abdomen is nogenetic (a form of reproduction in In the early to mid-1990s, the in- black with the margins of the seg- which an egg develops into a new vasive green alder sawfly was first ments white to yellow. Males have individual without being fertilized). discovered in North American in not been recorded in North America European populations have been Newfoundland, Canada. The green or the UK. documented laying up to 40 eggs alder sawfly is native to Europe, per individual, however, this has not North Africa and the Near East, Biology and potential impacts to been observed in Alaska. where its preferred host is Europe- Alaska Within two weeks, the new lar- ank blac alder trees. There were no There is a small body of scien- vae emerge and immediately begin known populations of the green al- tific literature which focuses on feeding. Most young larvae soon der sawfly in Alaska at that time. green alder sawfly under laboratory migrate to the lower leaf surface After discovering the woolly al- conditions and in its native habitat. to feed and continue their develop- der sawfly in Southcentral Alaska, Observations in Alaska suggest that ment over the next several weeks. in 1997 researchers began assess- there may be significant differences Feeding is not formally gregarious ments of riparian thin-leaf alder between their life history in Alaska as in some other sawfly species. It defoliation events. In 2007, during and their behavior as described in is common to find larvae feeding in one of these surveys, green alder European literature. In Alaska, green concert with one or both of the other sawfly larvae turned up. This led alder sawfly appears to be the first two major alder-defoliating sawflies to a review of collection records, alder-defoliating sawfly to emerge in Alaska; woolly alder sawfly and which revealed that the first green in the spring. Newly emerged adults the striped alder sawfly. Green alder alder sawfly specimen was taken in were actively engaged in egg-laying sawfly are exceptional among other

20 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 nitrogen in the most productive for- Scientific terms: ests may have its origin in stands of Green alder sawfly (Monsoma pulveratum) alder and that the rate of nitrogen European black alder (Alnus glutinosa) fixation can decline by as much as Thin-leaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia) 73% following defoliation. Further, Woolly alder sawfly (Eriocampa ovata) studies in Southeast Alaska have Striped alder sawfly (Hemichroa crocea) Canker fungi (Valsa melanodiscus) shown that the mere presence of alder in riparian habitats could protect or even improve the productivity non-native sawflies and canker may of aquatic organisms, thus having synergize to cause alder dieback; a positive impact on fisheries and (4) attempt to identify whether non- Green alder sawfly worm salmon production. Alder stands af- native sawflies may serve as infec- fected by this widespread mortality tion court facilitators or otherwise sawflies as they burrow into rotten show few signs of recruitment or predispose alder to pathogens. Ul- wood or the piths of branches. They recovery. timately, this work will help deter- diapause (suspend development) The Forest Health Protection mine whether there is a correlation in a pre-pupal state. The following staff is conducting an Evaluation between alder sawflies and alder spring, they pupate and emerge as and Monitoring project during the pathogens, and help determine the adults. 2010 and 2011 field seasons. This necessity for chemical or biologi- The increase of alder-defoliat- project will serve to investigate cal control of non-native sawflies ing sawfly activity, coupled with alder dieback in riparian areas in to protect riparian alder forests and the widespread mortality of alder Southcentral Alaska previously salmon spawning streams. in Southcentral and Interior Alas- identified via aerial survey; (1) ka, attributed to a variety of canker identify the extent to which non- How you can help fungi poses a considerable threat to native sawflies contribute directly To report infected trees or to re- riparian areas that are dependent on to alder dieback; (2) identify the ceive additional information, please alder for its nitrogen-fixing contribu- extent to which alder canker con- contact your state or federal forest tion to soil nutrition. Research sug- tributes directly to alder dieback; health specialist. On the web, visit: : gests that up to 70% of the available (3) identify the extent to which http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/spf/fhp. A New Flock of Junior Ornithologists By Katy Toth-Stauble, Conservation Education Specialist, Seward Ranger District his spring, the Forest Ser- fifth presentation, the students de- room visits for more bird lessons. vice has helped fledge fif- compressed by listening to music One of the three classroom pre- Tty-two Seward Elementary provided by local musician Mike sentations is “Bird ID; the 11-Step School third and fourth graders to Glaser. The students were sway- Program.” This presentation is in become Junior Ornithologists during and singing along as Mike preparation for the Bird Watch- ing this year’s Bird Academy. I played his repertoire of bird songs. ing Field trip to the meadow and have coordinated this two-day in- The event culminated with the five wooded area near the Seward Air- tensive workshop for the past five teams playing “Jepro-Birdy” which port; the finale for the multi-week years. included actual “Jepro-Birdy” bird unit. On this structured excur- Students rotate through five buzzers and categories pertaining sion, I challenge these new junior 30-minute presentations for a total to all the sessions they attended. ornithologists to utilize and put of 10 lessons in two days. Mudflat The success of this event is be- into practice all of their newfound Café, Pass the Parts, Wing, Flight, cause of a phenomenal team of knowledge. Watching and listening and Feathers, Binocular Detec- presenters from Forest Service, the to the students in the marshy mead- tive, and Bird Banding are just five Kenai Fjords Park Service, and the ow, rich in bird sightings, “wing of the 10 hands-on, action packed Alaska Sea Life Center. bars, contour feathers, and palmate workshops the kids take part in. This event is followed up with feet” are the quiet words that drift On the second day, after their two to three, post-academy class- away on the gentle spring breeze.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 21 Sitka Kids are “Hands-On” for Earth Day By Frank Barnes, Information Receptionist, Sitka Ranger District

Geof Smith teaches kids about the interdependency of organisms in the stream. Kids simulate rain drops running down the hill.

he 2010 Earth Day Awareness Kelsey Jacobson supervised a as riffles and pools can be built in Program was a big success very creative game designed by 3rd to make the stream more supportive Tfor the Sitka Ranger District. grade teacher Rebecca Himschoot to of life. That mucking around in the Brad Krieckhaus, District Biologist, help the kids understand watersheds. muddy water really had the kid’s at- planned and implemented a fun day Jacobson explained the concept of a tention. of learning for the 3rd grade classes watershed by asking the kids to track Joes Serio’ presentation featured at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary a drop of rain as went from the top an aquarium with live cutthroat and School in Sitka. The students were of Gavan Hill, down to the ocean, Dolly Varden trout that were re- very receptive to the educational and back to the top again via evapo- moved from the creek that morn- materials and seemed eager to learn ration. Then, she reinforced the con- ing. He pointed out and named the about their outdoor environment. cept by asking the kids to simulate different body parts and markings For this multiagency effort, Geof the process. They ran down a small of the two species of fish as they Smith represented the National Park hill while touching markers labeled swam around the tank. Serio then Service, Caroline Jezierski the Alas- “stream,” “river,” and then “ocean,” used a series of pictures to explain ka Department of Fish & Game, where they picked up more markers the life cycle of salmon and their Kelsey Jacobson the Sitka Conserva- labeled “evaporation,” and ran with dependence on healthy streams. He tion, Society and Linda Speerstra the them back up to the “mountain top.” also spoke about the strong sense of Army Corps of Engineers. I joined At another station, Caroline smell that salmon have to help them other Sitka Ranger District employ- Jezierski pointed out different char- find their way back to the stream, ees Marty Becker, Rob Miller, Craig acteristics of the stream and how where they were born, after years of Buehler, Erik Abele and Joe Serio to important these features are to fish roaming the Pacific Ocean as adults. help with the day’s activities. habitat. She then walked them along Geof Smith had a streamside ta- Several learning stations were the stream and to explore ways to im- ble full of examples to explain the set up along Cutthroat Creek, where prove the streambed to make a bet- fish food chain and emphasized the small groups of Keet Gooshi Heen ter home for the fish. Marty Becker, interdependency of the organisms in students were given presentations Miller Rob and Craig Buehler got the stream he was standing in. His on the different aspects of stream down in the stream with their shov- display had not only preserved spec- management. els and demonstrated changes such imens in vials but he also livened it

22 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 up with live specimens collected in Cutthroat Creek that morning. Everyone knows how well bugs and kids get along—he was a hit. Smith also had hands-on examples of slimy algae, swimming, crawling insect grazers and minnow size cutthroats. He pointed out the habitat limitations of Cutthroat Creek imposed on it by the surrounding development and explained what changes could be made to restore it to a healthy stream. Students were reminded at each station of what Earth Day is all about, and how important it is for them to be mindful of, and take care of, their natural environment. Joe Serio’s presentation featured an aquarium with live cutthroat and Dolly Varden trout that were removed from the creek that morning.

Harbor Mountain Road Earth Day Cleanup By Perry Edwards, Fisheries Biologist, Sitka Ranger District

k, so it was the weekend after Earth, Day but it was a beau- Otiful sunny day. The Sitka Ranger District partnered with the City of Sitka, Sitka Conservation Society and RecycleSitka to clean up the Harbor Mountain Road. This area is 2½ miles of mixed ownership between the Forest Service and the City of Sitka. Over 30 volunteers showed up, including Forest Service employees, a Boy Scout Troop, the Youth Ad- vocates, and part of the 297th Mili- tary Policy Company of the Alaska Army National Guard. Joe Serio, Ryan Cox and I (all Sitka Ranger District employees) made this project a success and kept everyone safe for the event; at times it was like Sitka employees Joe Serio, Ryan Cox and Perry Edwards, along with 30 herding cats. volunteers, clean 4,170 pounds of trash from Harbor Mountain Road. The unique part of this project was that we separated out recycl- Not only did we remove a 1970s We also had 30 bags of miscella- able materials from trash. So many vintage Datsun sedan, be we also neous garbage. Total weight was cleanup efforts end with taking all picked up a bunch of scrap metal 4,170 pounds. Many of the volun- the material to the landfill. In Sitka, (recyclable) which included an en- teers asked, “When and where are this means it goes on a barge to Se- gine block, a car axle, a pile of old we going to do this again?” attle and then ends up in a landfill. culvert parts, a commercial dryer, a We hope that when people see We felt it was important to recycle van load (over 200 pounds) of plas- how clean the Harbor Mountain whatever possible to make this a tic bottles and aluminum cans, 15 Road is now, they’ll keep it this better project. wood pallets, and two televisions. way! SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 23 Injured Birds Stopover in Portage Valley By Julie Buehler, Interpreter, Glacier Ranger District

his win- to large raptors ter, the come through B e g i c h , thes clinic’ door T each. year Overall, Boggs Visitor Center reopened its doors to win- the clinic has about a ter visitation for the first 50% success rate. Because birds time in two years. In addition need to be at 100% to survive in to the exhibits and an award win- the wild, some birds cannot be re- ning film, the BBVC teamed up with leased and therefore join the cen- Bird Learning and Treatment center ter’s educational program, becoming (Bird TLC) of Anchorage and of- ambassadors for their species to the fered a series of Sunday afternoon general public. presentations. There were 12 differ- Each week, a volunteer handler ent educational presentations featur- from Bird TLC brought a differ- ing rescued birds and their handlers. ent live Alaskan bird to the visitor The series was a hit among the local center and engaged audiences with funs fact and useful information about the birds and Bird TLC. One of the Patricia Garcia with Jasper, a rough biggest stars was legged hawk. Photo by Burnie Shultz. Sparky, the one- winged Bald Eagle. Sparky was brought to Bird TLC in 2005 after he electro- cuted his wing in a flying accident. Ranger District is thrilled to Unable to return to re-open the doors of the BBVC this Gena Holloman with Avery, a Stellar jay. a normal life in the winter and is extremely grateful for Photo by Kevin Smyth. wild, Sparky joined the efforts made by the Bird Learn- communities and visitors from out- the educational team in 2006. ing and Treatment Center in offering side Alaska alike, many people re- During one weekend, over 50 this program to the public. Thank turning week after week. children and adults joined Sparky you to all the handlers and birds who Bird TLC is a non-profit orga- and his handler, Kristin Guinn, visited. nization dedicated to rehabilitating to learn more about Bald Ea- sick, injured or orphaned wild birds gles and their natural habitat. and providing avian education pro- In addition to Sparky, some of grams to the public. Bird TLC was the other birds that participated founded in 1988 by Anchorage vet- included; Willow the one-eyed erinarian. Dr James R. Scott. Scott’s Magpie that said “hello,” De- vision was to treat sick or injured nali the Golden Eagle, and var- birds and release them back into their ious hawks, owls, falcons and natural habitat. Today, hundreds of other birds. birds ranging from tiny chickadees Thef staf of the Glacier Avery, the Stellar Jay. Photo by Kevin Smyth.

24 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 I’m Going to College! “The Green Mile” hat was the declaration of 420 fifth-graders who attended the two-day “I’m Going Tto College!” event held at the University of Alaska Southeast in May. EEO Specialist Teddy Castillo recruited regional office employees to talk about their careers and share with students what it takes to become a scientist or engineer in the For- est Service. Castillo complimented the presenters for their ability to engage the students. She said, “It was great to see the students raise their hands, hoping to be called on to give the answer.”

Left to right: Roger Birk, Gary Sonnenberg, Bob Simmons, Richard Stahl, Hannah Atadero, Sue Alexander, Adam Kackstetter, Marie Messing, Jeff Miller, Carol Voneida, Michael Wilcox, Teresa Haugh, Anne Bergstrom and Gene Miller. Not pictured: Katie Benning. Photo by Ray Massey.

mployees in Juneau celebrated Earth Day a little early by cleaning up “The Green Mile.” For the last nine years, as part of the State’s Adopt-A-Highway Fisheries Biologist Don Martin described to students how E he gets to the field via boat, plane, helicopter, or hiking. program, employees haved cleaned this stretch of scenic highway between Juneau and the Mendenhall Glacier as a public service project and a morale builder. The first cleanup of the year is always a challenge, ac- cording to coordinator Ray Massey. This year’s was the worst he’s seen it since the agency began cleanups. “We picked up two, eight-foot pickup–sized loads of bags and debris in one mile,” said Massey. “Everything from the front end of car, tag included, to credit cards and health insurance cards from a woman who lost her purse two months ago.” The Forest Service returned the cards, but not the front end of the car. Wildlife Biologist Mike Goldstein showed what happens It took 15 employees from the Regional Office and Ju- when a wolverine finds a nest of black oystercatcher eggs. neau Ranger District four hours to complete the task. As the group gathered to turn in their safety vests, Massey gave each of them a $10 gift card to a local sandwich shop, donated by the Forest Service Woocheen Committee. The Committee supports Regional Office employee internal communications and morale, and encourages employee community service. Thes State’ Adopt-A-Highway program calls for an organization to agree to pickup one to three miles of highway, three times a year, for three years. Massey said he will have to think of something very special for the cleanup crews next year. After all, it will be their tenth anniversary. Engineer Marie Messing takes the students from maps and blueprints to the finished product: a bridge or a road.. SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 25 Sitka Office Receives Tongass Safety Award By Bill Moulton, Tongass Safety Officer

orest Service employees co- located at the Sitka Office Frecently received the annual Tongass National Forest Safety Award. The Sitka Office includes personnel from the Sitka Ranger District, Tongass Supervisor’s Of- fice, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Albuquerque Service Center and Regional Office. The award is presented to the unit that best dem- onstrates exceptional proactive or innovative approaches to hazard recognition, prevention and employee protection. District Ranger Carol Goularte Deputy Supervisor Becky Nourse presents Staff Officer Jon Martin, District Ranger andf Staf Officers Jon Martin and Carol Goularte, and Staff Officer Scott Snelson with the Tongass Safety Award. Scott Snelson made a highly effective effort to improve awareness and graph and names of safety commit- designed and successfully imple- understanding of safety goals by tee member were distributed. mented at Redoubt weir addressed designing training programs to im- To better manage risk, the Sit- problems with human/bear interac- prove the understanding of employ- ka Safety Committee insures that tions. This has not only improved ee protection responsibility and op- work leaders and supervisors use safety for employees and the general portunities. Safety training tracking and practice frequent tailgate meet- public, but also kept the bears alive. spreadsheets were drafted and dis- ings tied into job hazard analyses. In addition, management has been tributed to all Forest Service units at This action resulted in a four-time increased in developed recreation the Sitka Office. Last spring, three increase in the number of tailgate areas, with site-specific tempo- weeks of safety training were stag- sessions reported from the previ- rary closures, signage, patrols, and gered with different starting dates to ous fiscal year. Redesigned tailgate education for outfitter/guides and reach all employees. safety forms were printed on Rite- campers. This has proven effective Safety training and job hazard in-the-Rain sheets; the front has tail- in areas such as one that had nine analyses were completed for summer gate instructions and the back side different brown bears appearing all volunteers from the Southeast Alas- has Go-No-Go standards and emer- summer and fall, including at least ka Guidance Association, the Stu- gency contact information. two sows with cubs. dent Conservation Association, the Sitka’s OSHA 300 logs over the To maintain Office of Safety and Sitka Conservation Society and the last three years show measurable Health Administration standards, Alaska Department of Fish & Game. benefits to the safety and health of the Sitka Safety Committee con- Sitka held spring safety meetings Sitka employees. Reportable inci- ducted a spring facility inspection. where all permanent and seasonal dents dropped from two in 2007 to Office risks that were addressed in- employees received incentive items one in 2008, then to none last year. cluded an air quality survey, ergo- such as water bottles and insulated The committee insured that fire nomic workspace consultations (of- coffee mugs with safety mottos. A drills were completed with good fered to all Sitka Office employees), safety award program was created, response. They also created a new and the repair of structural building with the new motto, “SAFE: Situ- standard operating procedure for issues such as back stairs. Manage- ational Awareness for Everyone.” an automated external defibrillator ment insured that all safety prob- An annual calendar of safety train- which was purchased and installed. lems have been mitigated, or that ings and events as well as photo- A new hazing policy that was fixes are in the works.

26 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 Spotlight on Tricia O’Connor By Wini Kessler, Director of Wildlife, Fisheries, Ecology, Watershed, and Subsistence Management

elebrating the successes of our people has been one of Cthe real highlights of my career with the Forest Service. On February 9, I added one more event to my collection of special memo- ries. The setting was the conference room of the Juneau Ranger District. The occasion was a pizza lunch shared by the Tongass Lead- ership Team, who were meeting that week, and the JRD staff. What a perfect venue to present the 2009 WFEWS Director’s Award to Tricia O’Connor, whose look of total surprise made my day, if not my entire week! The WFEWS Director’s Award was initiated in 1984 to recognize employees in wildlife, fisheries, ecology, botany, watershed, or sub- WFEWS Director Wini Kessler presents the 2009 Director’s Award to Tongass sistence management who are mak- Staff Officer Tricia O’Connor. Photo by Michael Goldstein. ing outstanding contributions to tence Regional Advisory Council, bear Tricia’s mark; for example the their professional fields, to commu- Tribal leaders, and non-government completion of the 2008 Tongass nities, and to the Alaska Region’s organizations are achieving real Forest Plan and Record of Decision, mission. In nominating Tricia, her progress toward shared objectives. improved implementation of forest peers described an outstanding track Within the Forest Service Tricia plan monitoring, various aspects of record of advancing the Alaska Re- has taken a lead role in the training the Tongass workforce reorganiza- gion’s mission, both in her previ- of field biologists, serving as a coach tion, and the recruitment of highly- ous position as the Yakutat District in the Middle Leader Program and a qualified new talent to the forest and Ranger and currently as the Tongass mentor to many others. All of these the region. Staff Officer for Wildlife, Subsis- contributions are acknowledged by Tricia’s peers describe her as “a tence Management, and Planning. her coworkers with deep apprecia- voice for the districts, forest, and fe- She is known and appreciated for tion for the positive difference she gion,” a “dedicated, thoughtful, and her dedication to people, both inter- is making. true professional,” and “a tireless nal and external. In describing her accomplish- advocate for the Subsistence Pro- Examples include her outreach ments, Tricia’s colleagues referred gram and rural Alaskans.” The en- to State colleagues in the Alaska to certain qualities that appear in- thusiasm in her supporters’ voices Department of Fish & Game and strumental in her success. These in- makes it clear just how much she is the Department of Natural Resourc- clude a holistic outlook, her forward respected, valued, and appreciated. es. That effort has fostered strong thinking on difficult and emerg- Oh, did I mention how surprised and effective working relationships, ing issues, her ability to build trust she was to receive this recognition? better coordination, and progress among stakeholders, and a willing- That’s because this modest and toward productive outcomes. Like- ness to take on new tasks and chal- humble professional is most com- wise, the strong relationships Tri- lenges including those with no prec- fortable working quietly behind the cia has forged with the U.S. Fish & edents. These qualities have been at scenes. Did I feel guilty for dragging Wildlife Service, Southeast Subsis- work in many important efforts that her into the limelight? Not a chance!

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 27 Prince William Sound Zone: Shoreline Rare Plant Surveys By: Kate Mohatt, Erin Cooper, and Betty Charnon, Chugach National Forest

Kelly Bandoch stands in one of the few known Yellow Cedar stands Marilyn Barker surveys a delightful Prince William Sound fen in Cedar Bay, Prince William Sound. for rare plants. Photos by Kate Mohatt.

rince William Sound (PWS), Ranger Districts on the Chugach ticular importance are new sightings Alaska is known worldwide National Forest collaborated on this of Region 10 sensitive plant species, Pfor its amazing wildlife and survey, making it the first zone-wide including four distinct populations scenery, but the wide varieties of project in PWS. Results from the of Sessileleaf scurvygrass (Cochle- plants that inhabit this area are lit- survey have greatly increased the aria sessifolia) and a single collec- tle understood. Past surveys have understanding of the presence and tion of Unalaska mist-maid (Ro- documented numerous sensitive and distribution of sensitive plants in manzoffia unalaschensis). rare plant species on Southcentral PWS and will be useful for a variety Sessileleaf scurvygrass has never Alaskan maritime shorelines. Prior of natural resource and human use been documented before on National to this survey, little was known of project assessments. Forest System lands and this is only the presence or distribution of sev- The primary purpose of this proj- the third documented occurrence of eral sensitive plant species that are ect was to inventory plant species Unalaska mist-maid on the Chugach known to occur in similar habitats that occur along PWS shorelines National Forest, which only has 29 as found in PWS. The PWS area is while targeting key habitats for Re- occurrences world-wide. Addition- managed to maintain its wild char- gion 10 sensitive plant species. Plots ally, we found three species desig- acter and unique wildlife habitat. were selected using a stratified ran- nated as rare by the Alaska Natural Although human access is gener- dom process and a few subjective Heritage Program, including two or- ally limited to boat or aircraft, rec- sites were selected for their unique chids (Malaxis palidosa and Platan- reational and other human uses are geologies or habitats. A total of 100 thera chorisana), and Pacific butter- continuing to increase. random points were surveyed in cup (Ranunculus pacificus). Range Through the PWS Framework, July and August of 2009. This proj- extensions were also documented the Chugach National Forest is cur- ect took approximately 4 weeks and for three species including the Pa- rently working on projects to help documented 364 plant species. cific buttercup. understand human uses and their po- Prior to this project, 181 plants Estimates of richness based on tential impacts to natural resources. were known in PWS from various our data suggest that our current This, in combination with a recent surveys and data from vegetation plant list includes approximately revision of the Region 10 sensitive ecology plots. Through this survey 80% (up from 35%) of plant spe- plant list, made an investigation into we identified an additional 200 dis- cies that actually occur along PWS sensitive plant distributions in PWS tinct plants bringing the total num- shorelines. Because a majority of timely. The Glacier and Cordova ber in PWS to at least 381. Of par- plots surveyed for this project were 28 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 randomly chosen, several locations, specifically those in closed forest habitat types, were species poor. In 2010, we plan on conducting more targeted surveys in areas with unique geologies or habitats that were under-represented, such as sandy or recently de-glaciated gravely sites. This will likely add significantly to our known plant list and may potentially add additional Region 10 sensitive species such as Pale poppy (Papaver alboroseum) and two Moonwort fern species (Botrychium tunux, and Botrychium yaaxudakeit). Including additional habitats such as sandy beaches and alpine areas in future surveys will yield an even greater understanding of the plant species and their distribution in PWS. Participants included Kate Mohatt, Betty Charnon, Erin Cooper, Marilyn Barker, Rob Lipkin, Helen Cortes, Kelly Ban- doch, Rob Develice, Mary Stensvold, Sean Meade, Erin John- Helen Cortes identifies plants in a Prince William son, and Jason Fode. Sound wetland. Photo by Erin Johnson. Young Leaders Awarded By Sara Boario, Public Affairs Officer, Chugach National Forest

e Zoe Fuller ,of Palmer Alaska was recognized for her leadership in a statewide effort to “Re- Think Plastics,” for initiating a “Sustainable Schools” campaign, and convening a conference on school nutrition. e Homer Middle School group, EcoLogical, was praised for its campaign to reduce the community’s trash output. They eliminated Styro- foam trays from their school’s lunchroom, cut- ting waste in half and allowing the school to go from two dumpsters to one.

Youth were also recognized for their leadership in the following additional categories: cultural activities; government and business; lifesav- er and prevention; service to youth; overcoming Left to right: Alaska Geographic Executive Director Charley Money, challenges; technology and media; faith-based award winner Zoe Fuller, and Acting Chugach Forest Supervisor Nancy Peak at the 2010 Spirit of Youth awards event in Anchorage. Photo by service; fine arts; and, service to community. Joshua Borough. The Spirit of Youth is an Anchorage-based non- profit dedicated to creating, promoting and recog- n recognition of the Chugach National Forest and Alaska nizing youth involvement in their communities. It Geographic’s commitment to developing young leaders began in 1997 as a media-based project to address through their Children’s Forest initiative, Acting Forest Su- I the growing negative image of teenagers. Since pervisor Nancy Peak and Charley Money, Executive Director of then, hundreds of positive stories about Alaska Alaska Geographic, were invited to present the Spirit of Youth’s youth have spread through statewide television, 2010 award for outstanding youth leadership in science and the radio, and local newspapers. Now in its 12th ,year environment. the Spirit of Youth awards ceremony recognizes Over 300 community leaders, young Alaskans and their fam- the hard work and effort of these young leaders. ilies were in attendance the evening of March 27 to recognize This year over 160 nominations were received this year’s winners. Two awards were presented in the science from 50 Alaskan communities. and environment category.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 29 Seward Ranger District Take Youth Ice Fishing By Katy Toth-Stauble, Conservation Education Specialist, Seward Ranger District

Left: A young ice fisher admires his rainbow trout.

Right: Kids fish through drilled holes in the 18-inch ice.

n February 24, 50 students, It was 32 degrees with mostly clear and Katy Toth-Stauble. We were for- their siblings, parents, and skies. tunate to have two enthusiastic vol- Oteachers (a total of 82) par- It proved to be a jubilant day for unteers: Gail Canaday who warmed ticipated in the Seward Ranger Dis- the participants. While only four hotdog buns, assisted grilled hot- trict’s second annual Ice Fishing Day rainbow trout were caught, there was dogs, and cleaned up after we were at Jerome Lake. Whether or not the an abundance of smiles, laughter, full; and our other courageous vol- event could take place was touch and hot dogs, chips, hot cocoa, and apple unteer, Andrew Nuclkles, who along go for a while due to the threat of cider. Paula Johansen, our wonder- with other tasks, dug stairs into the several days of warm temperatures ful and dedicated partner from Tel- steep and very deep snow bank to ande rain. W had already cancelled Alaska, purchased all the food for provide easier access to the lake. once due to marginal conditions. The the event. Participants, young and old, dis- day before the rescheduled event, we Ruth D’Amico, Acting Fisheries covered that fish are one example of drilled several test holes to assess the Biologist, led this effort to get our the many natural resources found in thickness of the ice and found it to local kids outdoors. Ruth had the as- their national forest. Another discov- be 18 inches thick. The next morn- sistance of three Forest Service em- ery was how fun ice fishing can be ing, the weather turned in our favor. ployees: Adam Cross, Phil Ingersol on a pleasant winter day. 1,000! n May 4, 2010, Fire and Fuels OManagement Lead Ron Knowles once again taught the Interagency Incident Business Management class to several students at the regional office in Juneau. Little did the students realize Diane Woodling and Ron Knowles. they were being counted as they walked through the door. Ron found who he was looking for when Diane Woodling from the Tongass National Forest made her entrance. She was Ron’s 1,000th student! In honor of the occasion, she received a stuffed Smokey Bear and a candy bar. Congratulations to Diane for her good timing, and thanks to Ron for his years of service in imparting his wealth of knowledge to others. 30 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 One Space After Periods By Julie Speegle, Tongass NF, Asst. Public Affairs Officer

ongressional staffers, edi- have variable widths, only one tors, reporters and other space is needed at the end of a Cmedia, even professional sentence. colleagues and coworkers could Since 1894, the U.S. Govern- be giggling at you behind your ment Printing Office’s (GPO) back. Is it because you have toilet Style Manual has served as a paper stuck on your shoe? A hole guide to the style and form of ripped in the seat of your pants? federal government printing. Broccoli stuck in your teeth? The 2000 and 2008 editions of No. Something far worse the GPO Style Manual state: “A could be harming your credibil- single justified word space will ity...and consequently the cred- be used between sentences. This ibility of the U.S. Forest Service. applies to all types of composi- In many of the agency’s corre- tion.” (Paragraph 2.49) Julie Speegle wants you to overcome an ingrained habit. Photo by Ray Massey. spondence, publications, yes, even The use of a single space at news releases, someone is still the end of a sentence is now the standard practice worldwide when using a putting two spaces after periods. language with a Latin-derived alphabet. In fact, no known U.S. or internation- Is it you? al style guide currently advocates the use of a double space after concluding Most of us were taught to put punctuation for final work. This applies to periods, colons, question marks, ex- two spaces after a period in high clamation points and closing quotation marks. school typing class. Back in the For some of us, breaking the “two spaces” habit after decades of ingrained days of typewriters, letters in use can be an overwhelmingly difficult feat. The simplest fix is to do a “search typefaces were all the same width and replace” (Ctrl + H) to change our two spaces to one. and two spaces were needed to You can do it. Start today putting only one space after a period in all your accentuate the end of a sentence. writings and correspondence. You’ll be able to hold your head high knowing Enter the computer age. you’re boosting the credibility of the agency and saving the sanity of your pub- Because computer characters lic affairs specialist.

Adams Cause a Stir™ Essay Contest By William Moulton, Safety Manager, Tongass National Forest ecently, encouraged by How am I helping the environment? I decided at an early age to follow my wife who wants me the example of my maternal grandparents. Like them, I dedicated my life to win a free trip to Yo- to protecting and caring for the forested land of the western United States. R For the last 36 years, I worked for an organization that preserves and pro‑ semite National Park, I en- tects millions of acres of our dwindled natural environment. We lovingly tered the Adams Peanut Butter treat dying elderly stands of trees to insure the new growth has a chance. Cause a Stir ™ Essay Contest. In the process, we insure biodiversity and habitant for diverse species. Contestants were asked to We educate the public on the need to preserve our natural resources. We write an original essay describing provide recreational opportunities so that people will learn to enjoy and to creative ways in which they are love the great outdoors as much as we do. We foster wilderness areas helping (or supporting) the envi- and set aside unique gems in the landscape for future generations. I per‑ ronment. I’m sure when you read sonally spent half my career fighting forest fires that annually threaten to my essay here, you will agree devastate our national legacy. Shoot, I was fighting forest fires as a Boy with many of my sentiments. Scout! In the process of saving the forest, we also save recreational sites, Contest winners were named summer homes and whole communities on the urban/rural interface. We save lives and coordinate search and rescue. We care for the land and in April at www.adamspeanutbut- serve the people. I am proud to work for the USDA Forest Service. ter.com/causeastire.

SourDough Notes  Spring 2010 31 Recovery Act Puts Americans Back to Work By Gary Lehnhausen, Fire Safety & Training Specialist, State & Private Forestry

ashington Creek, AK; December 12, 2009 - outh Fork Chena River, AK; February 15, 2010 - Hand treatment of Black Spruce fuels on Completed Shear-blading and windrowing of WWashington Creek with scattered “leave SBlack Spruce fuels on hill top near the South trees”. Washington Creek is located about 24 miles Fork of the Chena River. Fires in Black Spruce can oc- northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Fires in Black Spruce cur at higher dead fuel moisture contents due to flamma- can occur at higher dead fuel moisture contents due to bility of live spruce foliage. Fires in this fuel type pro- flammability of live spruce foliage. Fires in this fuel duce extreme fire behavior including torching, crowning type produce extreme fire behavior including torch- and spotting ahead of the main fire which makes direct ing, crowning and spotting ahead of the main fire which fire control efforts difficult. Shear-blading involves the makes direct fire control efforts difficult. The work was use of a specially designed dozer blade that shears the completed using Alaska Emergency Firefighters. These treesf of at ground level during the winter months when are temporary workers usually hired to help with wild- the ground is frozen. The blade is designed to float along fire emergencies. In this case the crew was composed of the ground surface leaving the vegetative mat largely about 50% Alaska Natives and all crew members were undisturbed. A second pass is made to move sheared unemployed at the time of the project. This work pro- trees into a windrow. Sheared trees may be offered to the vided extra money for their families immediately and public for harvest. Remaining windrows dry for a sum- valuable work experience to help compete for perma- mer and are burned in late fall by emergency fire crews. nent wildfire suppression positions in the future.

In the Winter 2010 issue of SourDough Notes, these photos of the polebarn and warehouse in Cordova were labeled as new construction. In fact, both of the structures have been around for many years. Each building had leakage issues due to the weather, and received new steel siding using Economic Recovery funds. Thanks to Dana Smyke for setting the record straight.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.