Trails Workshop October 19, 1994 Sponsered by PRAC & Sonoma County Regional Parks This will be a hands on workshop, so come ready to do some work. We will be doing trail lay-out (sur- veying and flagging), breaking tread, erosion control (water bars and grade dips), and discussing & showing other trail maintenance and construction techniques.

The Workshop is divided into two parts, with the morning session running 8:00 to 11:00AM. We will be discussing tool and safety concepts and go over some handout material that will be distributed to the participants. This will be at Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The afternoon session will be at Foothill Regional Park in Windsor, where the hands-on aspect comes in.

Lunch will be on your own as there are many choices near Foothill Regional Park.

The Workshop will be under the direction of Ted Kerfoot, a 16 year veteran of the CCC with extensive trail experience, and Sonoma County Regional Parks staff.

Pre-registration is $35.00 for PRAC members, $45.00 for non-members and $50.00 the day of the work- shop. Register with Doug Bryce at P.O. Box 292010,Sacramento, CA 95829. For more information call Bill Trunick, Wed.-Sun. (707)433-1625. 1995 Ranger Conference The 1995 Conference committee is moving along in the planning stages for the Santa Rosa Conference next March 6-10. This year a fourth track has been added to provide a greater range of workshop subjects. The tracks in- clude Law Enforcement, Inter- pretation, Resources, and Operations. Dave Sloane is on the Law En- forcement committee, Bob Donohue on the general sessions committee, Bill Trunick on local arrangements, and Dave Lydick on the Operations committee. If you would like to suggest topics, do a session, or help out at the conference, give one of these members a call. (Or of course you can always contact Doug Bryce.) Make sure to plan now to attend what promises to be an exciting conference. Upcoming Elections

The terms of our President, and Directors for regions 1,3, and 5 are up at the end of this year. We are setting up a nomi- nating committee which will be meeting in October to seek candidates for the offices. If you want to run for office, have suggestions for candidates, or are interested in being on the committee give Ken Miller a call at (408) 866-1240.

The Signpost 2 Theodore Solomons Trail The Pacific Crest, the Appalachian, and living in Fresno. One day in 1884after a Alaska. Like many of his generation, the John Muir are trails that we have all thunderstorm, Solomons was awe- Solomons was a jack of all trades, but heard of but how many of you have struck with the majestic ruggedness of in Alaska the one which profited him heard of the Theodore Solomons Trail? the . From that day on he the most was when he opened a coal And who was Theodore Solomons that dreamed of a crest trail in the high Si- mine. Eleven years later he returned to he got a trail named after him? erra. It was not until 1888 that he got a wealthy man. He never his first taste of the high Sierra, as he lost his love for the Sierra Nevada and Well, the first question is easier and had to work those four years as a court in 1910 at the age of 40, he and his wife quicker to answer so here goes. The stenographer so he could finance his Katherine set up a homestead of 21 Theodore Solomons Trail (TST) is an expedition. Remember this was before acres just west of Yosemite on a high alternative route to the over-used John there were detailed maps or trails of ridge above the . Muir Trail. The TST is 271 miles long the high Sierra, Solomons met up with traversing the Sierra Nevada from Joseph Le Conte (of and The last time he hiked the "high coun- Yosemite to at lower Yosemite fame) in 1892 and the two try route" was in 1932 at the age of 62. elevations. The TST stays within the young adventurers explored Mono It took him 5 weeks to hike the entire timberline, The Trail passes through Lake and climbed . trail. His closing comment was "I the Ansel Adams, Golden Trout, Din- climbed nearly as well as ever, though key Lakes, Kaiser and John Muir Despite several setbacks and mishaps, more slowly." Wilderness as well as Yosemite, Se- after five years of scouting and res- quoia, and Kings Canyon National couting on July 18, 1895 Solomons Theodore Solomons died of a heart Parks. The TSThiking season is longer dream of a continuous route through attack in 1947 at the age of 76 in than the Muir Trail, the weather is the high Sierra Nevada from Yosemite Hollywood, where he had gone and gentler the vegetation more hardy and to the the Kings River Canyon became became a successful screenwriter for chances of viewing wildlife is in- a reality. Theodore Solomons had laid the motion pictures industry. creased. The topography at times is out and hiked the entire trail which we rugged and the climbs to the passes can now know as the . One Theodore S. Solomons was thought by be intense but the rewards of the gentle year latter he published a 123 page some as a wild dreamer, but it is meadows, wild rivers and the cas- guide with maps and photographs of through his efforts that hundreds of cading streams are well worth it. I the "high country route." people have been able to enjoy and highly recommend it to you. recreate in the beauty of the High Sier- The adventurous spirit in Solomons ra Nevada while hiking the John Muir Now for the second question-who wasn't squelched. In 1897 the lure of Trail. This is an example that wild was Theodore Solomons? Theodore gold and adventure took hold of him dreams sometimes still do come true. Seixas Solomons at the age of 14 was once more. Solomons headed north to

Job Opportunity Planner II for Arizona State Parks

Minimum qualifications are three years of professional nat- ural resources planning which included some experience in supervision of planning personnel. The ideal candidate will possess experience in natural area protection and land acquisition.

For more information, phone (602) 542-5216.

3 The Signpost Get the Skinny on Skin Cancel' by Elizabeth Austin Reprinted from Today's Supetuisot, 7/94 (Published by the National Safety Council)

I know, I know. You've heard it all be- simply protected themselves from un- a sun block, he is not dressed for the fore, how the sun can damage your safe sun exposure. job." Orris, who is also a medical di- skin. Well, listen up. The chances that rector at Northwest Cornmun ity you'll become the next bronzed victim Battle the sun Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill., aren't as unlikely as you'd like to be- Outdoor workers should follow some considers the lax use of sunblock on the lieve. In fact, one in every six simple guidelines to avoid dangerous job to be a management breakdown Americans can expect to develop skin sun overexposure. Whenever possible, because management defines what is cancer in his Iher lifetime, according to outdoor workers should wear long acceptable. the American Academy of pants and long-sleeved shirts made of Dermatology. tightly-woven material, plus broad- Adams warns that it's not just those brimmed hats. If possible, workers who work outdoors constantly who Skin cancers are by far the most should try to avoid the sun between 10 need to protect themselves against sun common cancers in the United States, a.m. and 3 p.m. exposure. Recent studies suggest that with about 700,000 cases diagnosed even occasional severe sunburns may each year-30 to 40 percent of all Everyone needs a sunscreen lotion be even more dangerous than daily, cancer cases. while out in the sun. The AAD rec- moderate sun exposure. "I think we ommends a sunscreen with a sun have a pretty good idea that people Although most skin cancers can be protection factor no lower than 15. who get intermittent sunburn are completely cured if they're diagnosed People with high risk factors for skin much more at risk than most people and treated early, they still claim more cancer-fair skinned individuals, out- who receive short term, regular expo- than 9,000 lives a year. That's why it's door workers, those who have sure, who keeps a tan most of the important for supervisors to help blistered from sun in the past, individ- time," Adams says. That means tem- workers minimize their chances of de- ual with several moles and those with a porary and seasonal workers need to veloping the disease; family history of cancer-should be especially vigilant about sun choose stronger protection. A sun- protection. Exposure to the ultraviolet radiation in block, such as zinc oxide, provides the sunlight is blamed for 90 percent of best sun protection. Sunblocks reflect Exposure comes in all shades skin cancers. "The connection between the sun's rays instead of absorbing Although sunlight is the most common sunlight and skin cancer, that's been them. Workers should apply sunscreen source of ultraviolet radiation, germi- known for 80 or 90 years." says Robert about 20 minutes before they go out in cidal lamps and welding arcs also M. Adams, M.D., clinical professor at the sun, and reapply it every hour or generate UV radiation. A 1988study in Stanford university Medical School two-more often if they sweat heavily. England found that hospital workers and an expert i occupational derma- exposed to UV at work were 25 percent tology. "Traditionally it has been Supervisors need to remind workers to more likely to develop skin cancer. agricultural workers that were most wear sunscreen, even on cloudy days However, a 1981 study of arc welders affected, but it's an issue for any and under water, the AAD says. Don't showed no increased skin cancer risk. outdoor worker." underestimate the sun's strength during inclement weather. Sun reflect- Some experts believe UV radiation The problem is, many workers don't ed on snow is as hazardous as sun on may also harm office workers. Fluores- understand just how dangerous sun the beach, particularly at higher cent lights emit some UV. National exposure can be, partly because skin altitudes. Association of Working Women locat- cancer can take 20 years to develop. ed in Cleveland, cites studies that But as the UV-absorbing ozone layer Peter Orris, MD., and President elect suggest people who work under flo- deteriorates, scientists say sunlight ex- of the Association of Occupational and rescent lights may have a higher posure has become increasingly Environmental Clinics in Washington chance of skin cancer, particularly if the harmful. Cases of malignant melano- D.o., says outdoor worker should con- fluorescent bulbs are not covered by ma, the most deadly form of skin sider sunscreen basic safety equip- glass or plastic shields. cancer, have increased 600 percent ment, just like hard hats for con- since 1930,and the rate is expected to struction workers. "If the workers Although UV rays account for the vast double every decade, researcher warn. came to work without their pants on, majority of skin cancers, several other Yet the AAD says that 75 percent of they would be sent home, period," factors, such as exposure to coal tar and those cases could be avoided if people Orris says. "If a worker is not wearing Story continues on next page. The Signpost 4 MOUNTAIN LION UPDATE by Dave Lydick

As Mountain Lion sightings continue to garner more and more media attention and our agencies worry more and more about liability, another bill has been introduced in the legislature that would limit public agency liability. (Is there really a way to do that?) AB3701would add to Government Code Section 831.22that (a) A public entity shall not be liable for any injury or death caused by a wild animal in a public park if the public entity has posted, in a conspicuous location at every designated entrance to the park, a warning sign, at least 24" by 24", that contains substantially the following warning: ....

The wording goes on to warn and then scare users. At press time it appeared that this bill, supported by Orange Co. Parks and State Parks, was not going anywhere. I understand that it was not intended to affect the natural immunities that Parks should already have under state law, but was intended to provide additional protections. I don't know about other agencies but I would have to see a dramatic increase in my sign budget to fund the 100+ signs that it would take to cover one urban parkway. Why can't our courts just uphold immunities that are already in place? Oh welt work wouldn't be nearly as interesting then.

Get the Skinny Most importantly, workers need access (Continued from previous page) to well maintained, convenient wash- ing facilities, including showers. They petroleum products, can put workers also need to be encouraged to use mild in danger. That makes employees such soap and water to clean their skin, as roofers, road workers, cable layers, Orris says. "The best method is refinery workers and machine tool avoiding the exposer, but after that, the setters and operators candidates for washing is important." skin cancer. A 1993study of melanoma patients in the Netherlands found What's that spot? workers who were exposed to coal tar Early warning signs of dangerous ex- and petroleum products on the job posure to tar and asphalt fumes doubled their chance of developing the include redness and burning of the disease. However, many companies skin, which later may thicken and turn can easily reduce the figure with a few yellow-brown. Those symptoms signal changes. that workers may have a higher chance of skin cancer later on. Workers also The best strategy, Adams says, is to re- should know that coal tar and petro- duce exposure as much as possible. For leum exposure can enhance the example, replace petroleum-based dangerous effects of sun exposure, so cutting oils with water-based oil. If you they need to wear sunsceeens both on must use dangerous oils, he says, "the and off the job. machine that use the oils can be de- signed so the oil doesn't spatter all over Supervisors should remind workers to the place." check warts and moles periodically for changes in size, color, shape or Require the workers wear protective thickness, and to watch for new moles clothing so tars and oils can't touch and growths. Skin cancer, especially in their skin. Also, make sure that the early stages, also may appear as a clothing is laundered on site, "to re- discolored spot on the skin, the AAD duce the exposure of one's family to says. A physician should examine any these toxic contaminants," Orris says. suspicious spot immediately.

5 The Signpost Landing a Ranger Job by Ken Miller

Here are some of my thoughts on it. Sometimes you may need to argue you'd go home for the day, but you'd getting a ranger job that I gave in a with the persons in personnel that you better be real creative for the interview. presentation for an interpretation class. do in fact meet the required qualifi- I hope that the information is both cations. Now comes the fun part. You Time to wait again. Hopefully you'll helpful and humorous for new job wait. Waiting is a recurring theme get invited to the hiring interview. seekers and for people already settled throughout the process. You'll get to wear uncomfortable in their jobs. clothes and convince the panel that you If you meet the qualifications you will can not only walk on water but can do First of all a person needs to get their get to take a written test. Oftentimes it it on your hands as well. foot in the door. Everyone has expe- will be long, detailed, and have rience. The key is to convince the questions that you don't think apply to More waiting. There are always budget agency that your experience is what the job. problems and sometimes other people they are looking for. get hired before you. Keep waiting and Now you get to wait again. After a make phone calls to let them know that You need to find the personnel office. while hopefully you'll get called back you are still interested. Every agency has one. Get a job infor- for a ranking interview. This is where mation flyer and be sure to apply the fun really starts. There will be sce- Finally your big day arrives. Congrat- before the deadline. READ the flyer. It nario questions that you just can't win ulations on your first day at the new is amazing how later in an interview at. You are the only person on duty in a job. I bet that it goes well but I also bet you'll be asked a question that you 3 Million acre park and have a mass that it is different from what you were could answer if only you'd paid more casualty accident in one corner, a com- expecting. attention to the flyer. Be sure to apply. plaint about the quality of the vendors All that it takes is a little time and the ice cream in another corner, a guided cost of a stamp. You are guaranteed not walk to lead, a major wildfire, and the to get a position if you do not apply for Mayor parking in a red zone. In reality 28 Secrets to Happiness

Live beneath your means and within your seams. Be even kinder to unkind people.

Return everything you borrow. Let someone cut ahead of you in line.

Donate blood. Take time to be alone. Stop blaming other people. Reread a favorite book.

Admit it when you make a mistake. Cultivate good manners.

Give away all clothes you haven't worn in the last three years Be humble. to charity. Understand and accept that life isn't always fair. Everyday take a 30 minute walk in your neighborhood. Know when to say something. Skip two meals a week and give the money to the homeless. Know when to keep your mouth shut. Strive for excellence, not perfection. Don't criticize anyone for 24 hours. Be on time. Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the Don't make excused. moment.

Don't argue. Don't sweat the small stuff. Be kind to people.

The Signpost 6 Safety First by Pam Helmke

Safety is something we should be thinking about all the time. We have officer safety issues for law enforcement, tool safety issues in resource management and maintenance and of course we should all be using universal precautions when rendering first aid.

But we sometimes forget about being safe when over- whelmed by a situation. The desire to act often gets ahead of the need to act safely. Wildland fire suppression is often one of those situations. Most ranger agencies have at least some responsibility for initial attack. Many do more, such as pre- scription burning and supplementing their local fire department during extended attacks. In my area I have seen a number of major safety issues that deal with fire. One nearby agency has been doing prescribed bum and fire suppression without providing fire shelters or neck shrouds for their rangers. Another only provides enough protective gear for about half the on-duty staff, and it's in the "one size fits none" style. Other agencies do not train their staff, they just give them equipment and send them out with the in- struction "put the wet stuff on the red stuff."

Why do rangers put themselves in such dangerous sit- uations? Safety should never be compromised to stop a tree or some shrubs from burning. This year's wildland fire sea- son has taken a severe toll on fire crews already. Almost 20 professional firefighters have died. I know of a t least one local ranger injured in a fire training exercise and we have not even reached the worst of the season yet. Be aware of safety issues. If your agency can not or will not provide the correct safety equipment and training then PLEASE don't fight fire, don't become one of the statistics.

7 The Signpost PARK RANGERS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA Board Officcn 1994 President PLEA Liaison Bob Donohue Don Watstein (916) 895-4972 (805) 388-0693 Fax (916) 342-6921 Fax (805) 526-7648

Region 1 Director Past President Bill Trunick Chris George (707) 433-1625 (714) 254-5226 FAX (714) 254-5223 Region 2 Director Ken Miller "The Signpost" & (415) 965-3264 "Cal Ranger" Editor David Brooks Region 3 Director (408) 336-2948 Dave Lydick FAX (By Arrangement) (916) 366-2072 Scholarship Region 4 Director Bill Hendricks Kelly Byrne (503) 346-5431 ((213) 665-5188 Fax (503) 346-2841 FAX (805) 526-7648 Office Manager Region 5 Director Doug Bryce Ron Slimm Office (800) 994-2530 (714) 858-9366 Local (916) 558-3734 Fax (916) 387-1179

Membership Appliccation

BULK RATE name Park Rangers Association of California P. O. Box292010 U.S. POSTAGE address Sacramento, CA95829-2010 PAID PERMIT NUMBER city state zip 12 Elk Grove, CA Phone ~------~------Ihome work

Employer or School -t

Job Classification or Major 1

Voting Membership Regular $35 I Non-voting Membership Agency: (1-10 persons-2 mailings) $45 -----i (11-50 persons-5 mailings) $70 __ ~ (50+ persons- 10 mailings) $90 -----i Student $10 __ ~ Associate $15 __ ~ Supporting $50 -----i

Park Rangers Association of California POBox 292010 Sacramento, CA 95829-2010 (800) 994-2530 FAX (916) 387-1179