California Forest Stewardship Program WINTER 2010 Forestland Steward Working Together for Healthy Forests

Tools of the Trade Photo courtesy Suppliers, Inc. 580031

Photo courtesy Bailey’s

Photo courtesy Bailey’s

Photo © Danielle Banchio

Inside You need to be a jack-of-all-trades to with the best quality and at the best price. manage a forest: , fire fighter, laborer, Where to start? 4 New Machines biologist, bookkeeper, logger, engineer, No, we’re not going to cover all the of are Gentler to hydrologist… And each of these trades has its the forestry trade in this issue, but we will show the Forest own set of tools and equipment. you some intriguing ones and discuss others. 6 Portable There are tools for planting, tools for And, of course, give you links to information trimming, tools for measuring and quantifying, on as many tools as you can wish for. In 7 fire tools, weed tools, mechanical tools, hand addition to the tools, we also remind you Lessons tools, big tools, little tools…and, of course, that following good safety and maintenance your computer and the internet. practices will keep your tools functioning 8 Safety First! Just as forest management runs the gamut better and help prevent injury. 9 Jill Butler: FAS from simple to complex, so the tools include a Note that nothing in this issue is an Extraordinaire myriad of forms and functions. endorsement of any specific product. You want to use the best for the job, 2 W winter 2010 Lots of widgets, gadgets, and machines for forest management Checklists are always fun. Which of these tools do you use? Which are on your wish list? If you don’t recognize some of these, go to the Photo courtesy Bailey’s Washington State University Extension Basic Hand & Power Forestry Tools website at http://ext.nrs.wsu.edu/handtools/objectivies/index. Forestland htm. There you’ll find information on most of the equipment below, as Steward well as approximate price range and vendor information. Forestland Steward is a joint project of the Multi-purpose Tools Location Tools Thinning Tools CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), GPS/GIS Flagging tape Placer County Resource Chainsaw Google Earth Marking paint Conservation District, UC Cooperative Extension, Hand lens Log Movers Paint guns and USDA Forest Service Waterproof kraft paper to provide information on Safety Tools ATV arch the stewardship of private Tree Felling Tools forestlands in California. Fire extinguisher Cable California Forest First aid kit Cable tongs Felling lever Stewardship Program Protective clothing Cant Felling wedges P.O. Box 944246 Boots Chokers Hang-up strap Sacramento, CA 94244 (916) 653-8286 Ear protection Hand arch Wedge pouch Fax (916) 653-8957 Eye protection Hand tongs ceres.ca.gov/foreststeward Gloves Hookeroon Fire Tools Editorial Committee Back pack fire pump Jeff Calvert, CAL FIRE Hard hat Log jack Rich Gresham, Placer RCD- chaps Mini- Drip torch Jane La Boa, SAF Peavey Fire flap Yana Valachovic, UC Measuring Tools McLeod rake Editor axe Laurie Litman, InfoWright Snatch block Governor Timber carrier Weed Management Tools Arnold Schwarzenegger Clinometer Tractor-mounted winch Brush axe Secretary for Resources Compass Tractor-mounted processor Natural Resources Agency Cruiser vest Hypo Mike Chrisman Cruising prism Planting Tools CAL FIRE Director Sprayers Del Walters Densiometer Broadcast seeder: Hand, ATV, Tractor ATV This newsletter was produced under a grant Jacob (Jake) staff Dibble Back pack from USDA Forest Service Hand level Hoedad Tree injector In accordance with Federal Measuring tapes: D-tape, Planting bag Weed wrench law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this Logger’s tape, Reel tape Planting bar Big Machines institution is prohibited Woodland, Biltmore, or Power auger Masticator from discriminating on Cruiser stick Protection tube the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age Protective mulch or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Wire flag Pruning Tools Hand pruner Hand saw Placer Co. RCD Lopper Pole saw Telescoping power pruner Photo courtesy Photo courtesy Tom Ness, Weed Wrench Forestry Suppliers, Inc. 580031 Two-hand saw

Forestland Steward Winter 2010 3 Old classics and other tools

While fancy hi-tech equipment is increasingly your field vest or on the ground, can interfere available, many of the forest measurements you with your compass reading. need to do can be accomplished with simple —this is a steel or cloth tape inexpensive tools. The following are some of the used to measure tree circumference at 4.5 feet basic tools of the trade, many of which are old (diameter at breast height, or DBH) from the classics. Some are simple to use, others require ground. training. This collection stretches the definition of “tools” to include tables, maps, and even Hip —an alternative to pacing for pacing—all of which are important to forest measuring long distances, the hip chain consists

management activities. of a small box with a spool of fine, strong thread Steele © D. Photo See page 10 for a table showing ease of use wound around a wheel. The thread is tied to a and precision of many of these tools. beginning point and as you walk the wheel turns Global Positioning a distance-recording dial. System (GPS)—this Abney Hand Level—this level measures vertical sophisticated angles. You can use it to find ground slope, road Increment Borer/Increment Hammer—the technology involves grade, and tree height. increment borer is a hand drill with a hollow bit satellite broadcasts used to extract a wood core from the tree stem. Angle Gauge—there are several types of gauges that are picked This core can be used to determine tree growth, used to select trees during variable plot sampling. up by hand-held age, and general health. An increment hammer The most common angle gauge is a , receivers like the has a hollow bit that extracts a short core sample. a precisely ground glass wedge calibrated in one shown above to It is used to measure tree age or growth during a basal area factors (BAF). You need different BAF determine location. certain period such as the last 10 years. prisms for different diameter classes of timber. GPS units plot Special training is needed for this device. Log Volume/Tree Volume Table—volume points and help tables provide log or tree volumes for specific log with calculations Biltmore, or Cruiser, Stick—this ingenious tool lengths, tree heights, etc. Tables are available in that can be used was developed on the Biltmore Estate in the late board-foot and cubic-foot measurements. for mapping, and 1800s. It can give simple (but crude) estimates of to locate property tree diameter, total tree height, and merchantable Logger’s Tape—this is a retractable steel tape boundaries, tree height. While there are more accurate tools used to measure linear distance. It is available acreages, roads, to choose from, like clinometers or diameter with a diameter tape on the reverse side. elevations, tape, the is a good way to get a Pacing—a method commonly substituted for structures, etc. quick estimate of tree size. And you can make tools to get a rough estimate of distance. One Make sure you get it yourself. Other related sticks that serve the pace equals two steps. The best way to determine the right features for same purposes include the tree scale stick and your pace is to count your steps as you walk an your needs. Some woodland stick. accurately measured distance, and you need important points Clinometer—this rugged hand-held instrument to practice to develop a consistent pace. A to consider are is used for measuring vertical angles such as pedometer can help keep count of your paces. discussed at http:// ground slope, road grade, and tree height. There Topographic Map—these maps use contour forestry.about.com/ are various models, the most useful is one with lines to show elevation and terrain features such od/mappinggis/p/ degree and percent scales. When using the as ridges, draws, and flat areas. Widely spaced GPS_essentials. degree scale at a distance of 100 feet from the contour lines indicate flat or gentle ground, htm. tree, heights can be measured directly and slope closely spaced lines indicate steep ground. is an easy calculation. Tarif Access Tables—these tables list the tarif Compass—this instrument measures angles number for individual tree species based on total from north. It is used to find points on a map, tree height and diameter at breast height. identify locations, and give directions to or from a location. It is also used to establish plots for —most of this information is from Tools for timber measurements or cruise estimates, and to Measuring your Forest http://extension. determine boundary or property lines. Place the oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ec1129.pdf and compass on a solid, nonmetal surface for precise Measuring your Forests http://extension.umd. readings. Note that metal items, such as those in edu/publications/PDFs/FS629.pdf

Forestland Steward 4 W winter 2010 Cut-to-length systems: A case study New methods lessen environmental impact

Christy Daugherty, CAL FIRE Forester Management Unit (LTBMU) introduced a The Lake Tahoe Region provides a classic logging system on Federal lands that allowed When compared illustration of wildland urban interface (WUI; them to conduct fuel reduction work within the the area where human development and context of this highly regulated, and still quite to full tree wildlands meet) issues as they relate to fuel skeptical, atmosphere. This system is the cut-to- harvesting, the reduction projects. length system, which uses low-impact equipment As with much of the state, the fire hazard to harvest timber and biomass. cut-to-length in the Tahoe Region is exceptional due to tree The cut-to-length method uses harvesters mortality from insects and disease, the lack and . The harvester is a highly system has a of low intensity fires, and overstocked stand maneuverable, low ground pressure machine. lighter footprint conditions. Near the lake, the area is heavily It has a boom with a head that grabs the tree, developed with thousands of residential homes cuts it at the base, limbs it, and cuts it into the and requires less built in subdivisions consisting of urban lots desired length. The cutting head can be attached averaging approximately 1/3 acre in size. These to different types of harvesters, including both wood handling. subdivisions/communities are within, adjacent tracked and rubber-tired models. to, and at times surround wild forest stands. In The log sections are piled in the forest, ready for transport. Limbs are left behind and can be treated by means such as mastication, chipping, piling and burning, or lopping and scattering. When working in sensitive areas, the slash can be used to create a mat in front of the equipment, further reducing potential soil impacts. The forwarder is also a highly maneuverable, low ground pressure machine with a boom and a grapple that enables it to move through the forest and load the logs left by the harvester. The forwarder can transport the logs relatively long distances with minimal soil impacts and then load the logs directly onto the log truck. These attributes reduce the need for haul roads and large landings. When compared to full tree harvesting, the cut-to-length system has a lighter footprint and requires less wood handling. Photo © Danielle Banchio © Danielle Photo This past summer, this method was used The harvester is a some areas, as many as 80 percent of the homes on State-owned California Tahoe Conservancy highly maneuverable, low ground pressure are second homes whose owners generally reside property adjacent to a residential subdivision machine with a boom in urbanized areas of California. in the South Lake Tahoe Area. The property and head that grabs Prior to the Angora Fire, which burned 3,100 consists of approximately 80 gently sloping acres the tree, cuts it at the acres and destroyed 254 homes, much of the of Jeffrey pine dominated mixed conifer forest. base, limbs it, and fuel reduction work was accomplished using The northern project boundary was immediately cuts it into the desired hand crews. There existed a general wariness adjacent to homes and residential roads. The length. These machines and lack of understanding of modern logging eastern portion of the project was bisected by a are generally limited to methods by the public and government agency major road artery. There were no usable roads 40–50% slopes. personnel. This lack of understanding and trust or previous landing sites within the project area. also manifested itself within the strict regulatory There were also some historic cultural resource system governing the Tahoe Region. and recreational considerations. Several years prior to the Angora Fire, A rubber-tired harvester and forwarder the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin followed by a masticator were used. Only one

Forestland Steward Winter 2010 5

landing was needed, eliminating the need to build landings in the “backyards” of residential homes. The operator was able to forward logs across the major road to the landing, eliminating the need for a landing on the east side of the project. Due to the ability of the forwarder to transport logs long distances over the ground, no new haul roads were needed. The operator was able to harvest even small diameter trees, which reduced the amount of masticated material on the ground. Immediately upon completion, the final product had a clean, “almost as if nothing had happened” appearance. Because there was no need to build or reconstruct roads, the project was able to proceed under a CAL FIRE Notice Photo © Danielle Banchio © Danielle Photo of Exemption (Forest Fires Prevention) rather Trees down to approximately 2 inches in diameter were cut and removed. than an expensive and time-consuming timber harvesting plan. markets in the area. The cut-to-length equipment requires a The cut-to-length logging method has Immediately substantial capital investment, so it is important gained wide acceptance in the Tahoe Region. upon for those considering such a purchase to feel It is a clean, environmentally friendly, and very confident that they will receive enough work efficient logging method that works superbly in completion, the to make it worth their while. Tahoe has been high profile wildland urban interface situations fortunate to have received adequate funding or areas of high environmental sensitivity. In final product to attract these types of operators, especially some cases, it is the only mechanical alternative had a clean, when there are no sawtimber or reliable biomass to hand crew use in the Tahoe area. “almost as if nothing had happened” appearance.

The northern project boundary was immediately adjacent to homes.

The final product after treatment. Photos © L. Litman

Forestland Steward 6 W winter 2010 One RPF’s Opinion on Portable Sawmills

Jeff Calvert, Registered Professional Forester Today’s portable sawmills vary from those Top photo: first cut into In 1987 I needed to build a house. I had that can be carried on a mule or in the back of a small Douglas fir log. lots of trees but not much money. I couldn’t get a pickup to large diesel-powered contraptions Below: house that the a construction loan but I could get a “trailer” that need a heavy duty truck to move. Different author built with his loan so I bought a new LT30 (Wood-mizerTM). I types of sawmills vary greatly in their production portable . capabilities, the product finish, and the logs to which they are best suited. Chainsaw mills (aka “Alaskan mills”) use a chainsaw to rip logs into slabs. The chainsaw rides along a guide via an attachment as it makes each cut the length of the log. As a rule, this requires powerful saw-heads, long bars (at least longer than the log is wide), and special ripping chains (for best results). Advantages: very portable, can produce very wide slabs (only limited to bar length), relatively inexpensive. Disadvantages: rough finish on product, large kerf equals more waste, slowest production, requires the most skill, may need an additional person to help cut. Circular mills have a frame with power head with one or more circular blades. The log is placed on the frame (or the frame is placed over the log). As the power head travels along the log Photos © Karen Calvert © Karen Photos it cuts a board. Advantages: many different sizes selected a bandsaw because of the and styles available, produces a board with each type of material I wanted to produce, cut, log size only limited by capacity of frame, portability (only weighs 1800#), and can be of moderate cost, one-person operation. cost. It was so easy to operate even a Disadvantages: rough finish on product, size of forester could do it! We have used it board limited to size of blade radius, larger kerf, to build three homes, some garages, some styles can be very heavy. and numerous out-buildings on the ranch. I made Bandsaw mills have a frame on which rides Search “Portable the payments by doing custom milling jobs. a power head with band blade. The log is placed on the frame (or the frame is placed over the Sawmills” in Considerations when log). As the power head travels along the log the Google and band-blade cuts a slab. In order to get a board the choosing a sawmill slabs must be turned 90°. Advantages: generally you’ll bring up smoother finish, can produce wider slabs than the • What will you cut? circular mill, smallest kerf, one-person operation. about 150,000 Know the log size and final product you Disadvantages: lower production per pass, size of want to cut. results. A site I log limited to the size of the throat on the band, • What size is your operation? relatively expensive. recommend is Total mill production should be a major I have friends who have circular and factor in your choice of sawmill. they are very happy with them. One who does a http://forestry. • Do you need hydraulics? lot of custom milling has all three types because about.com/cs/ Hydraulics may speed up sawing but can each has its advantages. add thousands of dollars to the price. I urge readers to engage in some extensive portamills/a/ • What accessories are necessary? research before buying a or port_mill_buy. Accessories can add greatly to the cost so hiring someone to mill your trees. One of the get only what you need. websites I recommend is http://forestry.about. htm com/cs/portamills/a/port_mill_buy.htm.

Forestland Steward Winter 2010 7

Chainsaws: indispensable but dangerous The following If you place your hands on a chain saw, you articles are a good must keep in mind that it is like grabbing a hand place to learn grenade without a pin in it. It is very likely to go off about chainsaw in your face. From the moment that you take it out use and safety of storage to the time that it goes back to the same place, you can be hurt by either it, or by whatever Chain Saw Safety— you will be cutting. Advice from an —Carl Smith, chainsaw safety expert Expert http://forestry. are the most basic piece of about.com/cs/ equipment used in forest management. They chainsaws/a/carl_ are also the most dangerous. Tens of thousands smith_saw1.htm of accidents occur each year, most of which are How to Fell a Tree preventable. http://forestry. Treat your chainsaw with respect and learn about.com/od/ to use it properly. There are numerous ways to chainsaws/ss/fell_ get training. Look for classes on chainsaw use tree.htm and safety, and also books and videos (including online videos). One of the very best ways to learn Work Safely with a is to train under an experienced chainsaw user. Chainsaw—Manage Do your homework before purchasing a Your Backyard chainsaw. A good dealer will be able to give you Forest http:// advice suited to your needs. The size you choose forestry.about.com/ should be based on the work you are planning to od/forestryhelp/ss/ do. Be sure to mention if you are left-handed. byw_saw.htm Take safety precautions seriously. Wearing Beginner Chainsaw proper protective clothing is one of the best ways eCourse http:// to reduce the possibility of serious injury. Always forestry.about. wear a hard hat, protective leg chaps, gloves, eye Photo © L. Litman com/c/ec/9.htm protection, hearing protection, and "above the every third hand filing, sharpen the chain on a ankle" leather boots. grinder. Store your chainsaw properly to extend Work Safely with You should also carry the following tools its life. Drain the gas mixture from the tank and a Chainsaw, USFS and supplies: wedges, ax, large hatchet or maul, protect the chain with a chain and bar cover or http://www. properly mixed fuel, bar oil, bar wrench, chain guard. arborday.org/ file with protective handle, small screwdriver Your chainsaw should last many years if you graphics/backyard- with magnetic head, minor maintenance tools, take care of it. woods/guide/ and a first aid kit. —Much of the information here comes from chapter2.pdf Proper maintenance is critical. Keep the chain articles at http://forestry.about.com. See also sharp at all times and avoid dirt, rocks, etc. After Safety First on page 8.

The most important safety rules: A short quiz • Know your chainsaw and how to a. What percentage of all woods accidents are typically the result of a operate it before you use it. chainsaw cut? b. How fast does a chainsaw blade move at full throttle? • Take time to prepare for the job. c. Which age group is at the greatest risk for injury? • Practice! d. How many chainsaw accidents could be prevented?

• Never work alone!! them of all almost d. operators; younger c. mph; 45 b. 30%; a.

Forestland Steward 8 W winter 2010 Safety First!

Did you know that chainsaws can produce a These include: level of noise that can affect your ears after only • protective shoes—sturdy boots with non-slip 15 minutes? Other common forestry equipment, soles, steel toes, and high tops. The solutions to such as power brush-cutters, sawmills, and • safety helmet/hard hat—an approved safety and loaders can also cause severe hard hat that is properly fitted. many of these hearing damage. • gloves—based on the work, suitable gloves Forestry is not for the faint-of-heart. Many should consider the need for protection from problems are forestry activities routinely expose you to health chainsaw cuts, thorny material, and cold/wet obvious: good and safety risks. These include natural risks conditions. They should be sturdy and non-slip. (e.g., steep and broken terrain, exposure to the • safety chaps/trousers—chaps made for chainsaw safety practices, elements and climate extremes of both hot and use can help prevent injury cold, wildlife and insects, poison oak, hazard • ear protectors—ear muffs or ear plugs to protect training, and trees) as well as occupational hazards (e.g., your hearing common sense. accidents from equipment and falling trees; long- • safety glasses—non-fogging, vented face screen term damage to hearing; neck, shoulder, and or safety goggles to prevent injury from flying back strain; vibration and other physical stress; chips or a chain and repetitive stress injury). • visors The solutions to many of these dangers are In addition, wear snug-fitting clothing that obvious: good safety practices, training, and allows for freedom of movement. Avoid any common sense. loose material such as sleeve cuffs, cuffed pants, scarves, loose long hair, jewelry, or a skirt. Good Safety Practices According to the Occupational Safety and Training Health Administration (OSHA), more people are You need to develop the skills to use killed while felling trees than during any other equipment, such as chainsaws, safely. That takes logging activity. One of the first steps to protect time and commitment. You can: yourself is to use safety equipment at all times. • take a professional training course • work with someone who is highly experienced • read books or watch videos to learn the basics • practice on easy jobs until your skills improve A few more safety tips for chainsaw users Common Sense • Make sure that the chain is not in contact with anything before In the common sense category, you should starting the engine. first of all be aware of your physical and mental • Do not let the saw rest on your leg or knee while you start the engine. state, and know your limitations. Are you clear- headed and alert, have you eaten well, and • Do not drop start the chainsaw. are you well-hydrated? Your physical/mental • Always maintain control by standing securely, holding the saw firmly, condition can make the difference between quick and taking your and off the trigger between cuts. wits to avoid an accident and an unnecessary • Keep the handles dry and clean. injury. You need to be prepared and able to react correctly in the case of an emergency or • Be sure your body is clear of the natural path the saw will follow unexpected occurrence. when the cut goes through. In addition, be aware of your surroundings, • Never straddle a log to make a cut. including weather conditions (especially wind), • Always shut off the engine before setting the chain down, even when terrain, wildlife, buildings, vehicles, power lines, retreating from a falling tree. livestock, and other people. Never work alone when felling trees. In case • Make sure the saw is off and the chain stopped before making any of an accident you need someone to help or who adjustments or repairs. can summon help. • Do not run the saw indoors. Know your limitations. If the job is too much for your abilities, hire a professional.

Forestland Steward Winter 2010 9

Meet the Specialists An interview with Jill Butler, FAS extraordinaire After more than 16 years with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Jill Butler has what she believes is “the best job in the department.” She is one of a handful of Forestry Assistant Specialists (FAS; plural pronounced “fazzez”), and her job is to help small forest landowners. Jill Butler is friendly and lively, and extremely knowledgeable. She will expand any preconceived ideas you might have of what a forester does. “We are a source of local information. We know the local species, where to get trees, who to hire, and can give general guidance on work to do.” Jill Butler (far left) Want information on funding for forest guidance to achieve those goals. was one of the Forest projects? Ask Jill. “When I started there was a Jill’s work in the field is limited to one day a Practice Award lot of State funding for projects, now it’s mostly week (“my basic job is a boring desk job”) but recipients in 2001. Federal funds.” CAL FIRE focuses mainly on that is the day she loves best. “The magical thing firesafe projects, but other projects can be is what landowners do on their property and I’m funded through Fish and Game grants, Resource privileged to get a glimpse of it.” Conservation Districts, and Federal programs. In addition to her time with landowners, Jill The Forest Service is another huge partner. is enthusiastic about all of the other resources Just about every county in California has a available to forest landowners, the “excellent FAS or Forest Advisor. While cost-share funding package of technical support that landowners “The magical is sparse these days, technical support from FASs should know about.” is still available. However, even they are stretched That package includes the Forestland thing is what thin. Jill Butler’s area of responsibility includes 16 Steward newsletter you are reading and the landowners counties: Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Lake, Forest Steward website (http://ceres.ca.gov/ Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San foreststeward). On the website there are Tree do on their Joaquin (West), San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Notes (http://ceres.ca.gov/foreststeward/html/ Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus (West), and treenotes.html), which include dozens of fact property and I’m Yolo. sheets on forestry issues to help landowners privileged to get Most people initiate contact with their local with their management activities. There is also FAS by a phone call or email; some just drop the California Stewardship Helpline (1-800- a glimpse of it.” by. Most are looking for answers to specific 738-TREE; [email protected]) staffed by Jane questions, for example, “I think I have Sudden LaBoa, a forester with a statewide perspective Oak Death on my property. What should I do?” and expertise from a long career with the Forest Jill has a library of fact sheets and other valuable Service. information for common questions. Sometimes What does the future hold for small forest she does site visits. landowners? Jill predicts, “I see small landowners When asked what she looks for on a property as an increasingly important source of timber. visit, Jill replies without hesitation, “I look at Sustainably managed forestland is where wood what they want to show me. The priority is to will come from.” help the landowner identify their objectives.” Find the Forestry Assistant Specialist/Forest Landowner objectives are the key to Advisor for your county at http://www.fire.ca.gov/ successful forest management. When a resource_mgt/downloads/ForestAdvisorList.pdf. landowner defines his or her personal goals and In addition, see page 10 for a list of specialists from objectives for their property, the FAS can offer several agencies that are available to assist you.

Forestland Steward 10 W winter 2010 Resources Convenience and precision of measuring tools

Basic Hand and Power Forestry Tools from Washington State University Extension http://ext.nrs.wsu. edu/handtools/ objectivies/index.htm

Tools for Measuring your Forest from Oregon State University Extension Service.http:// extension.oregonstate. edu/catalog/pdf/ec/ ec1129.pdf

Measuring your Forests from Maryland Cooperative Extension http://extension.umd. edu/publications/ PDFs/FS629.pdf —from Maryland Cooperative Extension http://extension.umd. edu/publications/PDFs/FS629.pdf

Technical California Stewardship Helpline California Association of RCDs 1-800-738-TREE; [email protected] 916-447-7237; [email protected] Assistance California Dept of Forestry & Fire Protection California Dept of Fish & Game Forest Landowner Assistance Programs Tina Bartlett Many agencies Jeffrey Calvert 916-653-9834; [email protected] 916-653-8286; [email protected] U.C. Cooperative Extension Advisors/Specialists are available to Forestry Assistance Specialists Mike DeLasaux, Plumas-Sierra counties Guy Anderson (Mariposa/Madera/Merced) 530-283-6125; [email protected] provide technical 209-966-3622 x218 Greg Giusti, Mendocino-Lake counties assistance, Jan Bray (Amador) 530-647-5212 707-463-4495; [email protected] Herb Bunt (Redding) 530-528-5108 Susie Kocher, referrals, Jill Butler (Santa Rosa) 707-576-2935 530-542-2571; [email protected] Ed Crans (Placer/Yuba/Nevada) 530-889-0111 x128 Gary Nakamura, Natural Resources Advisor information, 530-224-4902; [email protected] Brook Darley (Tehama/Glenn) 530-528-5199 education, land Mary Huggins (S. Lake Tahoe) 530-541-1989 Bill Stewart Patrick McDaniel (El Dorado) 530-647-5288 510-643-3130, [email protected] management Dale Meese (Plumas) 530-283-1792 Yana Valachovic, Humboldt-Del Norte counties plan assistance, Jonathan Pangburn (San Benito/Monterey) 707-445-7351; [email protected] 909-881-6900 USDA Forest Service and advice. Alan Peters (San Luis Obispo) 805-543-4244 Vickie Stoll Jim Robbins (Fortuna) 707-726-1258 707-562-9167; [email protected] Tom Sandelin (Fresno/King) 559-243-4136

Forestland Steward Winter 2010 11

Calendar Conference: Pre- and Post-Wildfire Forest Management for Ecological Restoration and January 29–30, 2010 NorCal SAF winter meeting: Communicating the Fire Resiliency Need for Sustainable Forest Management Location: Sacramento Dates: February 9-11, 2010 Contact: Jane LaBoa, 800-738-TREE, ncsaf@mcn. Location: McClellan Park Lecture Theater, Sacramento, California org Sponsors: USDA Forest Service and the University of California Website: http://norcalsaf.org/temparticles/ Cost: $100 after January 11, 2010 winter2010_flyer.pdf Information: http://ucanr.org/wildfire2010/ February 2-3 This conference will bring scientists, forest managers, California Board of Forestry meeting environmental organizations and interested members of the general Location: TBD Contact: 916 653-8007 public together to present and discuss information relevant to the Website: http://www.bof.fire.ca.gov/ management of forested land before and after wildfire. The focus will be on the conifer forest types common to the Sierra February 9–11, 2010 Nevada and Trinity-Klamath Region of California, but the information Pre- and Post-Wildfire Forest Management presented will have application to similar forest types in other regions. for Ecological Restoration and Fire Resiliency See article on this page for more information. For the complete agenda and on-line registration, please go to the conference website: http://ucanr.org/wildfire2010/. February 27, 2010; 10:00 to noon Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Program: Richard Mill Creek Watershed planning meeting Harris, [email protected], UC Cooperative Extension, 707- Location: Old Felta School, Healdsburg 678-3504; Mike Chapel, [email protected], USDA Forest Service, Mill Creek Watershed planning meeting 916-498-5323; Logistics: Sherry Cooper, [email protected], UC Contact: Sierra Cantor, 569-1448 x107; scantor@ sotoyomercd.org Cooperative Extension, 530-224-4902 Website: http://www.sotoyomercd.org Notes: See page 12 for discussion. March 2-3 California Board of Forestry meeting How can Forestland Steward newsletter serve you? Location: Resources Building, Sacramento Contact: 916 653-8007 I’d like to see more information on______Website: http://www.bof.fire.ca.gov/ ______

March 25, 2010 My suggestions are______Woody Biomass Utilization workshop Location: UC Cooperative Extension office, Eureka ______Sponsors: UCCE, USFS Contacts: Gareth Mayhead, gmayhead@berkeley. q Add me to the mailing list / q Change my address: edu, or Yana Valachovic, [email protected] Notes: This workshop will look at various woody Name______biomass to energy conversion technologies to help Organization______understand opportunities for the North Coast. There will be an afternoon field tour to area facilities Address______and an optional session on Densified Wood Fuels. Website: Details to be posted at http://groups.ucanr. City, Zip______Phone______org/WoodyBiomass/Workshops/ e-mail______The e-version of this newsletter goes out q To save on printing costs and paper, we encourage you to get the internet ver- about a month before the printed copy. Get sion of Forestland Steward. Check here for an email copy of each issue instead an early peek at Forestland Steward (with live of a hard copy. links). Simply send a note to llitman@pacbell. Fill out this box and send it to CAL FIRE, Forestry Assistance, P.O. Box 944246, Sacra- net and specify whether you want to receive mento, CA 94244-2460. Fax: (916) 653-8957; email: [email protected] the e-version instead of or in addition to the For address changes, please send this box or contact Jeff Calvert via e-mail, standard hardcopy version. mail, or fax…be sure to reference Forestland Steward newsletter.

Forestland Steward CAL FIRE & Placer County RCD Presorted Forest Stewardship Program Standard c/o P.O. Box 162644 U.S. Postage Sacramento, CA 95816 PAID NMS ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Partnership to work with landowners in the Russian River area

Sierra Cantor, Sotoyome Resource Conservation District Just as the Mediterranean climate of the Russian River Coho salmon populations have declined precipitously in the watershed can place pressures on waterways during the dry Russian River watershed. season, it can provide opportunities In response, the Russian River to ameliorate those pressures during Coho Water Resources Partnership the rainy winter. Using a suite of (Partnership) is working to improve tools ranging from innovative streamflow and water supply reliability conservation strategies to increased in five Russian River tributaries critical storage opportunities during critical to the recovery of endangered coho flow periods, the Partnership’s multi- salmon. The project is funded by the disciplinary team is committed to National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. address complex issues related to “Over 95 percent of the target salmonid recovery and provide well- watersheds are held in private developed solutions for communities ownership,” said Kara Heckert, and the environment. Executive Director of the Sotoyome Photo courtesy Brock Dolman The long-term goals of the Resource Conservation District Partnership are to 1) restore a more (RCD). “The guiding principal of this project is that water for natural flow regime for spring, summer, and fall; 2) increase both human uses and coho salmon can be secured through viability, and ultimately numbers, of coho salmon in the Russian careful planning and water supply management.” River watershed; 3) increase water reliability for water users in Initial efforts will focus in five top-priority streams: Dutch each watershed; 4) develop governance mechanisms to carry Bill, Grape, Green Valley, Mark West, and Mill creeks. To meet out these efforts; and 5) develop a template for others to follow. the needs of the landowners, the regulatory agencies, and the The Partnership includes the Center for Ecosystem resources, the Partnership will work with landowners to identify Management and Restoration, Gold Ridge RCD, Occidental the areas with the greatest potential for using alternative water Arts and Ecology Center WATER Institute, Sotoyome RCD, management strategies, and to identify, study, permit, and Trout Unlimited, University of California (UC) Research and finance solutions to improve conditions for coho salmon. Extension Center Hopland GIS Lab, and UC Cooperative The first year of the program will focus on collecting Extension. information to lay a scientific foundation to develop streamflow For more information, please visit www.cohopartnership. and water use management plans for each watershed, and work org or contact your local RCD. For Dutch Bill and Green Valley with landowners and water users to identify tools and solutions creeks contact John Green, 874-2097, john@goldridgercd. to improve water reliability and flows. Projects identified for org and for Mark West, Mill, and Grape creeks contact Sierra implementation in future years will include water storage (e.g., Cantor, 569-1448 x107, [email protected]. residential roof catchment systems), agricultural reservoirs, and The Sotoyome RCD will be holding a Mill Creek Watershed agricultural conservation practices, such as alternatives to frost planning meeting to highlight the Partnership’s efforts on protection and summer irrigation (e.g., micro-sprinklers and Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 10:00 to noon at the Old Felta fans). School in Healdsburg. Please visit www.sotoyomercd.org or contact Sierra Cantor for more information.