Sourdough Notes U.S

SourDough Notes U.S. Forest Service Alaska Region Summer 2011 ON THE COVER: INSIDE: Iditarod Trail to Classroom...... 16 The Juneau Ranger District Ken Zogas Awarded...... 2 Quiz: From the Archives...... 17 and SAGA trail crews work on Trek to Nugget Falls...... 3 Federal Subsistence Program...... 18 elevated walkway to Nugget Colossal Bridge on Titan Trail...... 4 Chugach Relay for Life...... 19 Falls. Story begins on page 3. Meet Kruzof...... 5 Yakutat Tern Festival...... 20 Forest Management Study...... 6 Ben VanAlen Awarded...... 21 Photo by Teresa Haugh. We CAN Do It...... 7 Welcome Ted Schenck...... 21 Celebration, Reconnection...... 8 Ahead in the Safety Journey...... 22 SourDough Notes Search and Rescue Training...... 10 Recreation: A Few Simple Steps....23 Paul Hennon Awarded...... 11 Int’l Youth Eco Forum...... 24 Rocky Bay Fish Ladder...... 12 Girl Scout Encampment...... 25 Quarterly news magazine Rendezvous in the Rockies...... 13 Classrooms for Climate Change....26 for the POW Island Road...... 14 Celebrating IYOF...... 27 U.S. Forest Service Changing the Mind-set...... 15 IYOF Poster...... 28 Alaska Region P. O. Box 21628 Juneau, AK 99802-1628 http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 Ken Zogas Recognized for Aviation Safety Summer 2011 ames Hubbard, Produced by: deputy chief, State Regional Public Affairs Office and Private Forestry, Teresa Haugh, Editor J announced this past April that Ken Zogas, Submissions: SourDough Notes is written Biological Technician, for people interested in Alaska Region, was the the Alaska Region. recipient of the 2011 Your suggestions, articles, and Forest Health Protec- photographs are welcome. tion Aviation Safety Please contact: Award. This award commemorates con- Public Affairs Office tributions made by the U.S. Forest Service fallen aerial survey crew Department of Agriculture of N30266—Rodney P. O. Box 21628 Juneau, AK 99802 Whiteman, Dan Snider, (907) 586-9337 and Patrick Jessup— [email protected] by annually recognizing excellence in forest Acceptance of articles does not health aviation activities. guarantee publication. Deputy Chief Hub- The editorial staff reserves bard’s announcement Ken Zogas displays his 2011 Forest Health the right to edit all articles for read, “Mr. Zogas rou- Protection Aviation Safety Award. Photo by Steve journalistic standards and space tinely achieves the high- Swenson. consideration. Articles will be est levels of performance edited to Associated Press style with consideration of and accomplishment in each of the criteria evaluated: promote a positive GPO guidelines. aviation safety culture; conduct forest health aviation activities to directly benefit the resource; and build efficiency and effectiveness among federal The USDA Is an equal opportunity and state partners in forest health aviation safety. He has been involved in employer and provider. FHP aviation for 30 years in Alaska where he continues to excel.” Congratulations, Ken.

2 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService “A strong person and a waterfall Trek to Nugget Falls always channel their own path.” No Longer a Hop, Skip, and a Jump Author unknown By Ed Grossman, Recreation Program Manager, Juneau Ranger District

here is a lot of truth in the saying, “If you build it they will come.” I would Tfurther submit if you build it at their request, they will thank you, as well. The long anticipated completion of the Tongass’ newest pedestrian attraction, Nugget Falls Trail, is being realized. Over the years, Forest Service managers have observed that visitors are irresistibly attracted to this magnifi- cent waterfall located near Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier. The visitors have used an unimproved, “hop, skip, and jump” route to this destination, especially as summer snow melt raises the level of Mendenhall Lake. As a result, the public over the years has repeatedly requested that we construct an improved access route to the falls. Visitors bushwhack through the alders along Mendenhall Lake’s The planning and construction of this route flooded shore on their way to the irresistible Nugget Falls. Photo was primarily funded through two Alaska Trails by Hans vonRekowski. Initiative grants (totaling almost $200K) adminis- returned to the Forest Service for en- Special thanks to: tered by the State of Alaska Division of State Parks. hancement projects like this, were also Guide/Outfitter permit fee dollars (about $80K), applied to this effort. Juneau Ranger District Trail Crew Nugget Falls Trail’s popularity • Peter Cross with locals and visitors is already • Matt Adams established. With nearly a half a Trail Crew Assistants million visitors to the Mendenhall • Josh Blechman Glacier Visitor’s Center each year, • Sarah Harwell it is safe to assume the number • Adam Kackstetter of Nugget Falls Trail users will • Dale McFarlin • Sarah Roop be measured in hundreds of thou- • Collin Wigfield-Gorka sands. The trail may also provide approximately 0.8 miles of additional Sitka Ranger District Employees fully accessible pathway for guided • Steve Pauli hiking operations working in the • Nate Vreeland vicinity of the visitor center in the • Tripp Henderson future. • Kyle Hert • Kurt Prond So, the next time you are through Alaska’s Capital City, consider al- State of Alaska lowing time for this leisurely stroll • Steve Neel • Bill Luck amongst glacial erratics, post-glacial vegetative succession, and dunes of Last But Not Least glacial till. Just follow the roar while • Matt Philips (former soaking in the scenery, and eventu- landscape architect) ally you will have the option of step- • Regional Office • Southeast Alaska ping into the mist of what is left of Guidance Association the previous winter’s snow. • Tongass Forest Supervisor’s Office Visitors at the terminus of Nugget Falls. Photo by Ed Grossman. SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 3 Colossal Bridge for the Titan Trail By Eleanor Oman, ETS Civil Engineer and Rod Dell’Andrea, RO Structural Engineer

growth forest and open avalanche slopes. Hikers are able to reach the alpine ridge marking the border between Alaska and British Co- lumbia. Along the way, hikers can see fabulous elevated views of the Salmon River Valley, with glimpses of the ice cap and glaciers. The new bridge provides improved trail access by eliminating a deep water crossing on Fish Creek within the first quarter mile of the trail. The Fish Creek Wildlife Ob- servation Site, also managed by the district, and just ¼ mile from the trailhead, draws as many as 40,000 visitors annually for world-class bear viewing opportunities. District employees believe that a good per- The Titan Trail Bridge awaits foot traffic. Photos by Eleanor Oman. centage of these visitors will likely take advantage of the enhanced hik- hat’s in a name, you monitor construction progress and ing opportunity the new footbridge ask? The short answer— provide timely technical assistance. offers. Wabsolutely everything, at The result of Brand’s foresight Paul Larkin, district forestry least to Karen Brand, Recreation/ and the ETS effort is the addition technician, said, “It’s a splendid Wilderness/Lands Staff Officer for of the new Titan Trail Bridge. Its addition to the local infrastructure. the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger grand size and strong design will The Hyder Community is very District. When Brand found an op- reflect the attributes of the trail pleased with this project.” portunity to use American Recovery from which it draws its name for The new bridge is 90 feet long and Reinvestment Act funding for many years to come. The bridge is and 5 feet wide. It is a single span, a trail project located on her dis- destined to become a very popular glued-laminated, tied-arch super- trict, she quickly identified all of the subject with photographers and art- structure built on timber sills. Its superior benefits the project would ists as it gracefully crosses a beauti- design is uniquely Alaskan, and create for visitors and local area hik- ful reach of salmon stream along was originally developed for two ers. Her vision was to create some- the Titan Trail. installations on the Trail of Blue thing colossal, befitting of a trail The Titan Trailhead parking Ice near Girdwood. The design was that had been given the name Titan. area is located just off the Salmon chosen for the Titan Trail because Using ARRA funds, Brand River Road approximately three it provides substantial clearance enlisted the aid of a Forest Service miles from Hyder, Alaska (pop. above stream flows by placing most enterprise team, Enterprise Techni- 100). Hyder is accessible from the of the bridge superstructure compo- cal Services, to manage the project Canadian highway system through nents above the walking surface of to completion. ETS served as the Stewart, B.C., and by float plane the deck. The bridge deck and floor project manager and the contracting and ship from Ketchikan, Alaska. beam system are suspended from officer’s representative, working to The 4.8 mile trail, managed by the each arch rib with six steel tension create the development drawings, Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger rod and hanger assemblies. In this specifications and cost estimate for District, permits hikers to climb a configuration, the arch ribs always the contract solicitation package. nicely-graded tread with switch- remain in compression. To pre- ETS conducted several site visits to backs up the mountain through old vent the ends of the two ribs from 4 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService “kicking” outward under load, the ends of each rib are “tied” with a glued-laminated beam that always remains in tension. The pedestrian barrier railing is constructed entirely of Alaska Yellow Cedar, taking advantage of the natural durability and decay-resis- tance of the species, and minimizing the amount of preservative- treated wood over the stream. The general contractor was Korpela Construction, a local Hyder firm owned by Nick and Jackie Korpela. Both Korpela’s worked as seasonal employees for the district trails, cabin and wilderness crews before starting their own construction firm. The project work included designing, fabricating, transporting and installing the bridge. Additional work included the installation of approach steps, 127 feet of elevated boardwalk, construction of 72 feet of new trail and the reconstruction of 700 feet of trail from the trailhead parking lot to the new bridge crossing.

Bridge Team: • Eleanor Oman, Project Manager and Contracting Officer • Clark Simpson, Forest Service Inspector • Karen Brand, District Recreation Staff Officer • Western Wood Structures, Inc., Tualatin, Ore. The Titan Trail Bridge spans Fish Creek. Meet Kruzof By Jacqueline Foss, Soil Scientist, Tongass National Forest i! I’m Kruzof, the newest soil on the Tongass National Forest. I’m classified as an Alic Haplocryand— the first of my kind ever described in Southeast Alaska. I developed in the deep ash and pumice deposits Hof Mount Edgecumbe on Kruzof Island. I am in the subal- pine and alpine areas on Mount Edgecumbe and Crater Mountain. “But wait,” you may ask, “aren’t there a bunch of soils developed in the Mount Edgecumbe ash already described and classified?” Well, there are several other soils developed in ash in the Sitka area. These are spodosols. This is thanks to the 100-plus inches of rainfall moving through the soil, forming zones of depletion and zones of accumulation. I don’t have either of those zones. I am in a landscape position where the snow cover limits my development or under constant disturbance. The “and” at the end of Haplocryand stands for Andisol—a soil developed in volcanic ash. The other parts of my taxonomy describe the climate I am in. “Cry” in the Cryand is for Cryic. My temperature does not range more than 8 degrees Celsius from summer to winter. “Haplo” means common. I am just a regular, old Cryand. Alic refers to the type of ash I developed from. The ash from Mount Edgecumbe 1 has high rates of aluminum. I have more than 2.0cmol(+)/kg Al3+ in my sediments. This differentiates me from all the Haplocryands that have a lot of glass (Vitric) or are poorly drained (Aquic). If I were formed in anything but volcanic ash, I would be classified as an Entisol or Inceptisol or, yes, even a spodosols. I am a unique member of the Tongass soil family and look forward to join- ing my brethren. Next time you’re out hiking the Mount Edgecumbe Newly unearthed soil, classified as an Alic Haplocryand, near Mt. Edgecumbe. Photo by trail, be sure to say, “Hello.” I’m just under the heather. Barth Hamberg. 1 two centimoles of aluminum per kilogram of soil SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 5 Forest Management Weight to Scale Study By Bob Vermillion, Forest Products, Regional Office

Toward that end, Ken Dinsmore, Regional Measurements Specialist, initiated a study in the Ocean Boulevard Project Area to determine the relationship of weight to scaled volume in commercial-sized sawlogs being harvested. Commercial-sized sawlogs are defined by regional merchantability specifications; a minimum of nine inches in diameter at breast height (DBH), at least 12 feet long, to a six-inch top diameter. Determining the weight of biomass material is also an objective. For the purpose of this study, biomass is essentially the portion of the tree that is not merchantable; tops less than six inches in diameter, limbs, Regional Measurements Specialist Ken Dinsmore studies the relationship of and needles. There is a lot of local weight to scaled volume in commercial-sized sawlogs. Photo by Bob Vermillion. interest in biomass as a potentially marketable product and source of he Ocean Boulevard Recovery managers to monitor and evaluate renewable energy. With that interest Wildlife Restoration Project is the effectiveness of such treatments in mind, Dinsmore is beginning to Tan active vegetation manage- over time, and to gather additional develop a process for quantifying the ment contract on the Sitka Ranger information needed for future man- biomass component on treated sites District, Tongass National Forest. agement of young-growth stands. and developing conversion factors The primary objective of this project is to improve wildlife habitat, specifically winter forage for Sitka black-tailed deer. The project occurs in young-growth stands of timber located near False Island along Peril Strait. Treatments include uniform thinning to a 25-foot spacing and gap-thinning to create small open- ings in the canopy. Both thinning schemes are designed to increase forage production and improve travel for deer through otherwise dense stand conditions. These stands regenerated to Sitka spruce, western hemlock and red alder following clearcut harvesting during the late 1960s. The Ocean Boulevard project represents one of the first treatments of commercial-sized young-growth timber on the Tongass. The project Ken Dinsmore and Tyler Miller limbing, topping, and hooking choker cable for provides an opportunity for resource lifting trees. Photo by Bob Vermillion. 6 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService between scaled sawlog volume and the merchantable weight of com- forest-wide weight-to-scale conver- total weight of young-growth timber. mercial-sized sawtimber. Dinsmore sion factors for young-growth saw- Equipped with a digital scale obtains cubic log scale in the process. timber and help prepare the region (three-ton capacity) mounted on The biomass component is the limbed for opportunities to market biomass. an excavator, Dinsmore works and topped portion of the tree. The The weight to scale work is one with contractor Todd Miller of TM study will yield weight in pounds per part of an ongoing effort by the Construction out of Sitka. The goal cubic foot for commercial young- Regional Forest Management group is to obtain weight and scale data growth species in the project area. It to develop efficient and economical by sampling each tree species and will also begin providing more reli- options for recovering and valuing diameter class represented in the able estimates of tonnage per acre for marketable products from young- project area. Whole trees are first biomass. Dinsmore will increase the growth treatments. Additional work yarded to the Ocean Boulevard confidence of data through sampling in progress includes finalizing and road, positioned and lifted to obtain in other young-growth treatment proj- calibrating cost models for harvest total weight. Trees are then limbed, ect areas on the Tongass. Ultimately, and removal of young-growth and topped and weighed again to obtain the study will lead to development of biomass material.

We CAN Do It Feds, Farmers and Friends Feed Families in Sitka By Michelle Putz, Writer/Editor, Tongass National Forest orest Service employees in to the Salvation Army which hosts offices like Sitka to participate. As Sitka are once again par- one of Sitka’s local food banks. Sitka employees brought in their Fticipating in the government- With a little effort, we will ramp donations, we encouraged them to wide Feds, Farmers and Friends up our donations each month. add to the free-form “sculpture” Feed Families summer-long food In 2010, we collected over 180 we were building. While we did drive. We started in June and have pounds of food, including not only not win a prize for our sculpting made our first 10-pound donation non-perishable items, but fruits, skills, it was a great way to visu- vegetables, and ally remind people that we needed meats as well. their donation to make the sculpture Across the bigger. country, govern- The food drive runs through ment employees, the end of August, so there is still cooperators and time for employees to get involved. friends donated Bring non-perishable food to your one million office if your office is collecting pounds of food food, drop some food by the Sitka to our nation’s office if you are coming through, or emergency food sign up and get your office involved assistance agen- at www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov. cies. This year, Starting a food drive is relatively the goal is two easy. Begin by contacting your million. local food bank or other human In 2010, services providers to find out their USDA spon- needs. Recruit your fellow employ- sored a food ees to join you in bringing food, sculpture contest then weigh and deliver the food as in Washington, often as needed. Feel free to contact D.C., and en- me at [email protected] if you Michelle Putz begins a “sculpture” of canned goods couraged field have questions or just need a little donated by employees for the local food bank in Sitka. Photo inspiration. by Perry Edwards. SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 7 Celebration, Reconnection, and Drum Beats By Rachel Myron, Bert Adams Sr., and Melinda Hernandez

unter is L’uknax.ádi (coho Cannery Creek in 1909. The territo- year, hand in hand, Khwáan members clan), Gunaxoo Khwáan, and rial governor at that time, John Brady, and agency archeologists identified the Hat age three, he was among issued a decree that, following a final village of Guseix on the Akwe River the youngest of about 125 people potlatch in Sitka in 1904, potlatches and several other sites on the Akwe gathered to dance and beat his drum were to be henceforth banned. The and in Dry Bay. The Gunaxoo Khwáan at Gunaxoo, the heartland of his stated purpose of the policy was to fa- and the Park Service continued the traditional homeland. Like Hunt- cilitate the assimilation of Alaska Na- partnership in 1998, 2000, 2002, and er, most who attended a celebration tives into western culture. Eventually, 2005, conducting fieldwork that fo- at Dry Bay May 21-23 are deeply children from throughout the region cused on NPS managed lands and con- tied to the area through their Tlin- were required to get an education. A ducting workshops to document oral git lineage. Through the event, par- mission was established in Yakutat, histories and place names. In 2007, ticipants were able to connect with 60 miles away from Dry Bay. The Gu- 2009 and 2010 Forest Service archeol- place and history through ceremony, naxoo people resisted; although they ogists rejoined the effort participating storytelling, dancing, and excur- went to Yakutat in the fall so that chil- in short field trips on the Akwe. sions to culturally important places. dren could attend school, they returned Over time, two additional The celebration was the brainchild to Dry Bay annually in early spring houses were tentatively identified of Bert Adams, Sr. whose Tlingit to fish and hunt for their traditional at Guseix. A detailed site map has names are Kadashan and Naatskeek. foods. This seasonal pattern continued been sketched and two charcoal His goal was to share the success of a until the United States got involved in samples have been collected. Trees long-standing partnership among the World War II, when, for security rea- in this area are about 400 years old Gunaxoo Khwáan, the National Park sons, people were forbidden to return and the radiocarbon samples yielded Service, and the Forest Service in to their lands and had to make their dates of approximately 200 years. relocating village sites which Tlingit permanent homes in Yakutat. Importantly, by piecing the arche- people were forced to leave beginning The collaborative work among the ology and oral histories together, in the early 1900s. Gunaxoo Khwáan and the Park Ser- Adams has identified each of the The last potlatch in the Dry Bay vice began in 1996. In 1997, the Forest houses by name at Guseix. The area was held in the Frog House at Service was invited to participate. That house names are: • Mountain House (Shaa Hít) • Whale House (Yáay Hít) • Frog House (Xíxch’i Hít) • Boulder House (Eech Hít) • Sleepy House (Ta Hít) • Sea Lion House (Taan Hít) • Far-Out-House (Diginaa Hít). Adam’s dream for 2011 was to bring clan members and descen- dents to Dry Bay to commemorate the lives of the ancestors, celebrate the discovery of the remnants of tribal houses and to bring the beat of drums to the ancestral land of the Gunaxoo once again. Among others, members of the L’uknax. ádi clan (Raven, Coho), Lukaax.ádi (Raven, Sockeye) and Shangukeidí (Eagle, Thunderbird) clans came Hunter Jacobson, Esther Brooks and Helen John beat their drums during a performance in Dry Bay. Photo by Cathy Wassillie. 8 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService from as far away as Seattle to attend the event. The celebration was sponsored and supported by Yakutat Tlingit Tribe, the Park Service, the Forest Service, the Alaska Humanities Forum, Sealaska Corporation and local organizations. Three film crews documented the occasion. There were feasts with traditional foods such as king and sockeye salmon, seal, and herring roe. In full regalia, the Mt. St. Elias Dancers performed the songs that connect all the Gunaxoo Khwáan to Dry Bay, arguably one of the most dramati- cally beautiful and remote settings in Alaska.

“I’m happy the drums Small groups visited Guseix, the site of the Frog House on Stihinuk Heeni are beating again” (Cannery Creek) and K›uxáach Héeni, known today as Williams Creek. Hunter Jacobson, age 3 Photo by Daryl James. Over time, the Alsek River has It was called Diginaa Hít (Far-Out- Small groups visited Guseix, radically eroded the Dry Bay shore- House) because it was the first tribal the site of the Frog House on line, particularly at K›uxáach Héen. house and because Raven pulled it Stihinuk Heeni (Cannery Creek) and Lorraine’s’ grandfather’s house is to shore. When it got too small for K’uxáach Héeni, known today as long gone, but with the help of the people to live in, other houses were Williams Creek. A group of 45 peo- collaborative effort and grant funds built. Now all seven houses are ac- ple visited a Shungukeidí legend site which made this event possible, she counted for and documented in the known to commemorate the legend was able to stand at the creek edge village of Guseix for future genera- of the Man and his Dog Who Turned and share her memories with her tions. Those who went on this trip to Stone. Every field trip generated family, including her grandnephew came from some of these houses. its own story—at some there were Hunter and his five-year-old cousin, The celebration was exhilarating tears of mixed joy and sadness. Helen. Following her storytelling, for all, and life changing for some. Elder Lorraine Adams was among Lorraine’s niece and nephew sang Lorraine DeAsis said, “We learned the group that visited K›uxáach two beautiful Tlingit songs to the ac- family Tlingit names and connec- Héeni (Williams Creek). Her grand- companiment of a traditional drum tions that we thought were gone from father, K›uxáach (John Williams), held in the family for generations. our grasp forever.” Many reported was born and raised there and had On another field trip 15 people that they were determined to keep built an elaborate house. Though went to the Akwe River to visit the those connections alive by teaching her family spent their time closer to village of Guseix. Here, seven tribal their children, nephew and nieces, Stikinuk Héeni Creek down the bay, houses have been identified—one of and grandchildren. she remembers the joy of visiting her the major reasons for this celebration. In Tlingit belief, once the sound grandfather in his “big” house located It is here where Raven, after he had of the drum has ceased on the land, in a field of strawberries at the mouth completed all his creations in this those people have died off and be- of K›uxáach Héeni. Her grandfather area, pulled in the large canoe from come extinct. The Gunaxoo Kwáan and all others who lived in Dry Bay the ocean and let out the animals, has brought the drum back and is moved to Yakutat at the beginning of fishes, birds and wildlife onto the determined to keep the beat alive in WWII. K›uxáach died shortly after land. The story is told about how he Gunaxoo—for Hunter’s and Helen’s the forced move. It was decades be- took the large house off the canoe and generation, and for all of us. fore Lorraine was able to return. placed it half way up the Akwe River. Gunalchéesh (Thank you).

SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 9 Search and Rescue Training Exercise By Robert MacDonald, Assistant Budget and Program Manager, Regional Office

here are many different to have the groups work together made to 911 from a concerned citi- types of activities occur- to combine assets in an effective zen near the Eaglecrest Ski Resort ring on U.S. Forest rescue operation. This exercise was reporting a loud reverberating bang T very successful and prepared all for and screams. Service lands. Recently, a unique activity took place on working together in the future. In preparation for the event, the Tongass National Forest. The Joint SAREX scenario coordination meetings were held at On March 26-27, 2011, the involved a helicopter making an TEMSCO Helicopters and a training various search and rescue groups emergency landing on the side of session covering helicopter opera- located in Juneau performed a a ridge in the upper Kowee Creek tions (safety, sling loads, basket op- Joint Search and Rescue Training drainage, causing a small avalanche erations, loading/unloading, direct- Exercise (Joint SAREX) in the vi- toward the helicopter and a group of ing from the ground, landing zone cinity of the Dan Moller cabin on backcountry skiers. In addition, the training), communications, EMS/ Douglas Island. FAA “received” a MAYDAY call AST information (hypothermia, Usually, these groups train from the helicopter, the U.S. Coast transporting victims, documenting inde- pendently to keep proficient Guard and the Air Force received the scene), and technologies (FLIR, in search and rescue techniques. a 406 MHz ELT alert from the avalanche transceivers, ELT, GPS, However, this exercise was designed downed helicopter, and a call was snowmobile safety).

Saturday, March 26 A skills day was held at the training area near the Dan Moller cabin and included snowmobile transport, communications, helicopter airlift and sling load operations, practice with avalanche transceivers, avalanche safety, digging-out procedures, and a search dogs demonstration. All ground crew members involved gained great field experience.

Sunday March 27, 8:05 a.m. The formal training mission took place. The Civ- il Air Patrol’s Juneau Squadron received a call from the Incident Commander (Alaska State Trooper Jeff Landvatter) that a simulated helicopter crash oc- curred up in the mountains on Douglas Island and the Civil Air Patrol was asked to perform an aerial search to locate the crash site. Trooper Landvatter A SAR ground team member observing USCG helicopter opera- then began notifying and activating the other emer- tions on the Tongass National Forest. Photo: U.S. Coast Guard. gency response teams. After relaying the location to the incident commander using A Civil Air Patrol aircrew was put together and a pre-assigned air-to-ground radio frequency, Trooper Landvat- they had a Cessna 206 in the air in less than 30 min- ter proceeded to organize the ground crews to head up to the utes. This aircraft was piloted by the USFS Region- simulated accident site. al Office’s Robert MacDonald, a CAP Search and Rescue Mission Pilot. MacDonald and his aircrew 9:45 a.m. began an ELT search using Direction Finding gear The SEADOGS crew had found the first victim, had medi- and tracked in to the simulated downed aircraft. cal teams inbound to their location and MacDonald continued The aircrew pinpointed the signal in the Dan Moller to circle overhead providing air cover in the Civil Air Patrol’s cabin area on the Tongass National Forest. Cessna 206.

10 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService 10:43 a.m. The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka’s MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter arrived on the scene and began performing basket operations with a dummy in the predetermined landing zone.

11:00 a.m. We completed the goals of the exercise and Incident Commander Landvatter cleared us all to leave the scene. After the mission there was a debriefing held at TEMSCO Helicopters. All involved were very pleased with how the mission went and on how beneficial the training was. For more information go to the following NBC link where you’ll see a short article and a two-minute video segment covering the training: U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka’s MH-60T Jayhawk performing http://www.kath.tv/?page=news&story=155. basket operations near the Dan Moller Cabin. Photo: U.S.Coast Guard Participants: • Alaska State Troopers • Juneau Snowmobile Club’s Emergency Response Team • City/Borough of Juneau Emergency Management • Kensington Gold Mine • City and Borough of Juneau Fire Department • SEADOGS (Southeast Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground • Civil Air Patrol’s Juneau Composite Squadron Search) • Douglas Mountain Rescue • TEMSCO Helicopters • Eaglecrest Ski Patrol • U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka • Juneau Mountain Rescue • U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau • Juneau Police Department • U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement

Paul Hennon Receives Prestigious National Award ames Hubbard, deputy chief, State and Private Forestry, announced this past April that Paul JE. Hennon from the Alaska Region and Pacific Northwest Research Station was selected to receive the David F. Thomas award for excellence in customer service. The award, named in memory of David F. Thomas—a career employee of the Forest Service with an outstanding service record of achieve- ment in the field of customer service—is given to a member of a Forest Health Protection staff who has demonstrated significant contributions in: fur- thering the Forest Health Protection mission; sus- taining internal and external customer service; and, helping build a team environment for their unit. Hennon was recognized for his numerous achieve- ments, especially those pertaining to his work on Alaska yellow cedar and how it is being impacted by the effects of climate change.

Left to right: Research Plant Pathologist Paul Hennon greets PNW Asst. Director for Program Development Paul Brewster at a Forest Service event at Auke Recreation Area. Photo by Pamela Finney. SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 11 Rocky Bay Fish Ladder Repaired By Ken Hodges, Fisheries Biologist, Cordova Ranger District

hat does it take to repair a fish ladder? Well, this past WJune, this is what it took to repair Rocky Bay fish ladder in a remote part of Prince William Sound: • 25 - helicopter sling loads • 5 - six-hour boats trips • 12,000 pounds of concrete • An ocean of sweat! But, after 28 years of service, you’d expect the structure to need a little touching up, and maybe we didn’t have it as bad as the 1983 crew. The original concrete walls from 1983 and the aluminum fish ladder itself were still in good shape. Newly hired Fisheries Biologist Jeff Jackson (in the center trench) wires the rebar However, the rock-filled wire in the forms before the concrete gets poured. Photo by Luca Adelfio. gabion baskets that supported one side of the ladder were rusting and activity enjoyed by both the 2011 we were finished. The sacks were losing rocks. The Cordova Ranger and 1983 crews. This year, one loaded onto the big work boat with District fish crew and two Student anonymous SCA volunteer figured some being taken down into the Conservation Association volun- that he had carried every sack of hold. After that, they were taken off teers had the task of removing the concrete at least once and prob- the boat, into an inflatable raft, out old gabions and replacing them ably two or three times by the time of the raft, and up the beach well with longer lasting concrete walls. In 1983, Tom Cappiello was a 20-year-old volunteer straight from California, and he was in charge of filling those gabions. “I’d never been to Alaska before. I landed in Cordova and two days later I was out at Rocky Bay filling gabions with rock by hand,” Cappiello recalled in a recent inter- view. “I remember days of filling those baskets by myself and developing the gabion corollary: the bigger the rock, the faster the gabion gets filled.” As the 2011 fish crew can attest, Cappiello wasn’t exaggerating. As we dismantled the gabions, there were huge boulders we could barely lift in every basket. And we had to remove every last one of them. The crew completes the finishing touches on the forms for the concrete wall. The Hauling hundreds of 60-lb sacks wall will help support the fish ladder and keep it from shifting during high flows. of concrete was another delightful Photo by Luca Adelfio.

12 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService goat trail down the canyon. I just remember it being extremely hard work. Everybody else had been there several days earlier and were carrying two sacks at a time to reduce the number of trips. I could get one sack on my shoulder, but I just couldn’t get the second one up there.” Again, Cappiello wasn’t exaggerating. The creek is just a pile of slimy algae-covered rocks, and if you slip on the two-foot wide goat trail, you’ll fall down a 15- foot cliff with boulders at the bottom. Despite all of the pain and sweat, the project work was completed successfully, and coho salmon will spawn and rear in the watershed upstream for another 28 years or so. And without gabion baskets to rust out, we may not need to haul sacks of concrete again for even A helicopter transports bags of concrete to the work site. longer. Cappiello’s summer of ’83, despite the labor, is still above the tide line where the helicopter would then his favorite. “Those were the good days. Those were take the bags to the work site. the best. I showed up in Alaska with a fly rod; that’s Cappiello had it worse in 1983. Instead of drop- all I had. We’d work hard all day, but after work I’d go ping the concrete right next to the construction zone, fishing and catch resident cutthroat trout until midnight. their helicopter set the concrete along the edge of the Tons of them.” lake above the fish ladder site. “It wasn’t all that far, but you had to cross the creek Tom Cappiello now works for the Alaska Department at the outlet of the lake and then you had to take this of Fish and Game in Anchorage.

he 2012 Forest Service FOREST SERVICE REUNION Reunion, Rendezvous in the The site? Vail Mountain Marriott in Vail, Colorado Rockies, promises to, “Enrich Tand sustain the culture, traditions, The date? September 17-21, 2012 and history of the United States More Info? http://fsreunion2012.com Forest Service, and provide all attendees with a memorable opportunity to reconnect and celebrate!” Service activities, attend historical spectacular country, lasting friend- Mark your calendar and make presentations, and meet with cur- ships, and wonderful memories. sure to talk to others about at- rent Forest Service leadership. More specific information will be tending this event. The location is The next reunion is being made available as the program and outstanding and the facility is won- planned by a group of inspired events are framed up. derful. Vail is centrally located in Forest Service Retirees. Tom Visit the reunion website: http:// the Rocky Mountains, and is easily Thompson chairs the Planning fsreunion2012.com to sign up for accessible by train, plane, and auto- Committee and has pulled together the current news. mobile. U.S. Forest Service retirees, a hard working team. These folks current employees, partners and are working to deliver a wonderful For more information, contact: vendors are invited and we expect program, exciting field trips and Steve Ambrose a good mix to attend. There will be other special events. The location, 970-377-9696 plenty to do at the reunion: renew timing and content will combine [email protected] friendships, get updates on Forest to ensure that all participants enjoy SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 13 Prince of Wales Island Road Improvements By Marie Messing, Region Transportation Engineer

n March 30, 2011, Forest Service engineers met on OPrince of Wales Island with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) to perform a Plan-in- Hand review of the North Prince of Wales (NPOW) Island Road Improvement project plans and specifications. The project being designed by Dowl Engineers, Inc., begins at the FH 44 Coffman Cove Junction and extends to just past the Sarkar Bridge. Once completed, the project will provide a safe, easily maintained two- lane, 24-foot-wide, paved road. Stream crossings will be upgrad- ed to provide fish crossings. The Forest Service Engineers Jack Oien and Quentin Smith participate in the FH43 design will include upgrades to NPOW Island Road Improvement Project Plan in Hand Review. Photo by Brad meet current safety standards and Melocik, Dowl Engineers, Inc. improve the transportation opportunities for rural communities the designers and other participants the design work with Forest Highway and access to forest resources. an opportunity to verify data and program funds. Since this section This route is the primary trans- check the design as developed in of the NPOW Island road is identi- portation connection from Lab Bay, the office against the field condi- fied as a Regional Highway System Whale Pass and Naukati to the rest tions. This will help them iden- in the 2004 ADOT&PF Southeast of the communities on Prince of tify any discrepancies and mini- Alaska Transportation Plan, the State Wales, as well as to the Interisland mize conflicts and changes during of Alaska has agreed to provide the Ferry Authority for access off the construction. Forest Service with the construction island and access to education and The NPOW Island road is iden- funding for the project. The project health care. The reconstruction tified as a Forest Highway 43 by is expected to cost over $40 million will improve mobility by reducing the “Tri-Agency,” an organization for construction and contract admin- travel times, cost in fuel, vehicle consisting of the Forest Service, istration. The ADOT&PF will own maintenance costs and improve Federal Highway Administration and maintain the road as part of the the reliability of road maintenance. and the Alaska Department of State highway system after the con- The roadway accesses the world Transportation. The Tri-Agency struction is complete. This is a great class caves at El Capitan and a administers the Forest Highway benefit to the communities since state subdivision near Naukati. program established in the Safe, Forest Service maintenance funds Costs of goods for local residents Accountable, Flexible, Efficient are not sufficient to keep the existing will improve as transport costs Transportation Equity Act: A gravel road in a condition suitable decrease. The reconstruction will Legacy for Users (Public Law 109- for passenger vehicle comfort. Also, also improve the administration, 59; SAFETEA-LU) also known as the Forest Service does not provide restoration and protection of forest “the highway bill.” The bill expired funding for snow removal on roads, resources as well as the transport of on September 2009 and Congress is so in the past the communities have forest resources to market. presently working on a new bill. had to maintain this road for their The Plan-in-Hand review gives The Forest Service contracted for winter access.

14 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService The North Prince of Wales/El Sept. 17, 2003. A Supplemental June 10, 2011, and the project solici- Capitan Road Improvements Project Information Report for the project tation for construction is expected to Decision Notice and Finding of was signed July 7, 2010. be released in FedBizOpps July 20, No Significant Impact was signed The design was completed on 2011. Changing the Mind-set of a Newbie By Shelly Berna, Information Receptionist, Sitka Ranger District o Green. Zero Waste. Carbon Footprint. GSustainable Living. These modern-day buzz words usually conjure up images of blue recycling bins and green twisting arrows. For me, and I suspect many others too, this type of lifestyle to “save the planet” had become an after- thought. That is until I moved to Sitka and joined the Forest Service. The most you could expect out of me was a lame attempt at recycling soda cans. When I was recycling cans, I was on a rampage to make sure my household (actually, just my husband) was recycling cans too. Many types of materials are collected at the Sitka Ranger District recycling room. My sustainable stamina wasn’t ex- actly at peak performance and soon The Forest Service’s background technology? Is it still easier to pass I stopped gathering aluminum. I also in sustainable operations and recre- a law than it is to change a person’s stopped hounding my household ation is remarkable. However, the perception, especially when you are (husband) too. Forest Service’s origins are even fighting against convenience? I hope When we moved to Sitka, I saw a more spectacular. We started dur- not. As a newly minted member of community fully embracing the sus- ing the Gilded Age, at a time when the Forest Service, I’ve seen my tainable movement. And instead of mass industrialization, mass produc- coworkers partaking in the basics of guilt for not doing my part all these tion with little regard to humankind sustainable operations and recre- years, I actually felt my sustainable and the environment ruled the day. ation. We take part in sustainability soul revive after hibernation. The I mean, at one point Whitetail deer simply by the work we do. recycling center, located across from were almost completely wiped out! Focus on making a sustainable the Alaska State Troopers Academy, If you are originally from Down lifestyle a change in lifestyle, much houses multiple “bins” for recy- South you know how hard that is to like eating more vegetables, and not cling newspaper, cardboard, plastic, imagine. simply a change of habit. Follow the mixed paper, glass and, of course, But a few insightful people began model of the Forest Service and buy aluminum cans. Every day I witness to realize that a change was needed from green companies, reduce your Sitka’s citizens engaging in the sus- to sustain the land for future genera- consumption of energy and mate- tainable lifestyle by utilizing this re- tions. To change the mind set of the rial things (in Southeast Alaska this cycling facility. I wanted to change Gilded Age citizen, one that consist- should be very easy to accomplish), my lifestyle, I wanted to change ed of mass giveaway of government walk or bike instead of driving, my wasteful ways, and I wanted to land to populate the United States repurpose items in creative ways do my part for this massive rock and rabid abuse of that land, laws instead of adding to the trash pile, we live on. This change of attitude had to be introduced. and take part in community efforts solidified when I started working for So what is our excuse now dur- to promote a sustainable lifestyle. the Forest Service. ing the age of information and Reduce, reuse and recycle! SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 15 iTREC! Iditarod Trail to Every Classroom By Annette Heckart, Interpretive and Conservation Education Specialist, Chugach National Forest

Fourteen of 17 teachers from Seward to Nome who participated in the 2010-2011 season of iTREC!

ow would you celebrate the entire length of the 2,400-mile quality and raising awareness of the turning 100? Well, if you trail network were brought together trail in their communities through Hwere the Iditarod National to gain new expertise, ideas and public service announcements and Historic Trail (INHT), you would resources for developing curriculum community surveys. This focused round up some of the most enthusi- and teaching practices that foster investment in these teachers dur- astic teachers that you could find and students’ understanding of their ing the first year of this program, immerse them in a yearlong adven- local landscape and community, and promises to engage some 1,000 ture in place-based education and inspire them to get involved in long- students in sustained place-based service learning. That’s the premise term stewardship of the natural and service learning along the Iditarod behind iTREC!—the Iditarod Trail cultural resources of the INHT. At and throughout Alaska. to Every Classroom. iTREC! is the heart of this program is the belief Determining the effectiveness of comprised of three teacher-training that students who are immersed in the iTREC! program over the long workshops aimed at providing the the study of their own “place” are term is a key goal of the program. inspiration, knowledge and skills to more eager to be involved in the Evaluation techniques and tools are transform classroom teaching into stewardship of their communities being employed that will not only effective and exciting placed-based and public lands. monitor the effectiveness of the education and service learning. The teachers—ranging from program itself, but also allow the Launched as part of the cen- grades K to 12, and integrating such results to feed in to a national look at tennial celebration of the his- subject areas as ecology, journalism, similar programs. The initial feed- toric Iditarod Trail, the Iditarod civics, art, and physical education— back gathered from teachers to date Historic Trail Alliance, Chugach worked on a variety of curriculum has been extremely positive. National Forest, Bureau of Land ideas that connect their students One teacher said, “This workshop Management, National Park Service to the trail. Examples include: was a huge energizer for me. I was and Alaska Geographic modeled researching and writing books, very excited to share ideas and to iTREC! after the highly successful visitor guides, interpretive signs and solve problems together. There was Trail to Every Classroom on the brochures on the INHT; assisting an amazing amount of synergistic Appalachian National Scenic Trail. trail managers in trail maintenance energy that came from this gather- During the pilot year of iTREC!, 17 and management issues associated ing. I learned a lot and am excited to teachers from communities spanning with the trail; monitoring water forge ahead on my trek.”

16 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService Another teacher said, “The time and resources that were committed to this program really made me feel valued as a teacher. It was obvious that many partners were personally invested in the project and that really motivated me to be successful. I feel really well supported and that a lot of people are wanting me to succeed and willing to help me.” The Chugach National Forest and its partners continue to of- fer high-quality professional development opportunities promoting place-based education and service-learning through iTREC!. As a result, the teachers and community partners who attended iTREC! are developing opportunities to help build lifelong stewards of Alaska’s public lands, natural resources and cultural heritage along the Iditarod National Historic Trail. For more information, contact iTREC! Coordinator Annette Heckart, Chugach National Forest (907) 743-9502 or email at [email protected].

Providing hands-on outdoor learning opportunities on the Iditarod National Historic Trail is an essential element of the iTREC! program.

Quiz: From the Archives By Teresa Haugh, Editor

ops...this quiz appears to have been too difficult! I asked you to identify the three Ogentlemen in the 1944 photo on the left, and it seems no one had the correct answer. However, Paul McIntosh gave it a good try, and Henry Hays correctly identified Chief Lyle F. Watts. The answer, from left to right: Chief Lyle F. Watts, Asst. Chief C.M. Granger and head of the CCC in Alaska, Charles Burdick. Let’s make the next quiz easier. Please identify the two gentlemen in the bottom photo (several decades Photo by H. Sperling. newer). Helpful hint: One person is still working, and one is now retired. And speaking of retired, don’t miss the announcement about the 2012 reunion, Rendezvous in the Rock- ies, on page 13. To answer the quiz, please send an e-mail to [email protected], or a note to the address below. Thanks for participating…it’s always nice to know you’re reading. U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Office P. O. Box 21628 Juneau, AK 99802

SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 17 Federal Subsistence Program e Part 1 By Steve Kessler, Regional Subsistence Program Leader

ost Alaskans and community life of have heard about rural Alaskans. As well, Mthe Federal the lack of roads in Alaska Subsistence Program. They means many rural people are familiar with its mis- have no access to grocery sion to provide a harvest stores, and even if they did, preference by rural us- those foods are likely to be ers of fish and wildlife and unaffordable. other resources on feder- Prior to late 1989, the al public lands and wa- State of Alaska had man- ters consistent with Title agement authority over VIII of ANILCA. But subsistence, sport, and com- does everyone know what mercial uses of Alaska’s the Federal Subsistence wildlife and fish resources. Program really entails? Eligibility for subsistence That the regional forester use under State of Alaska is delegated to act as the management, based on the Secretary of Agriculture concept of rural prefer- on the Subsistence Board, Regional Forest Beth Pendleton presents out-going Federal ence, was consistent with and that district rang- Subsistence Board Chairman Mike Fleagle with the traditional the federal requirement ers have authority to re- Alaska gold pan, recognizing the Chairman’s four years of in Title VIII of ANILCA. strict hunting and fishing service to rural Alaskans. In 1989, the Alaska State mid-season, or that the Supreme Court ruled that program provides 50+ non-Fed- livelihood and a way of life for many the rural priority for subsistence use eral jobs in rural communities? Alaskan rural residents, and is pro- violated the Alaska State Constitution This article is the first of a se- tected by the 1980 Alaska National which calls for “equal access to fish ries called “Subsistence 101.” We Interest Lands Conservation Act & wildlife resources by all Alaskans.” will explore what subsistence is all (ANILCA). Federal jurisdiction Pending the state’s resolution of its about; learn the “bottom-up” rule- over subsistence hunting and fishing constitutional conflict, the federal making process; understand the role extends to over 60 percent of Alaska, government assumed the administra- of regional advisory councils; and including the Tongass and Chugach tion of the rural subsistence priority explain in-season actions, permitting National Forests. In ANILCA, for fish and wildlife resources, but and enforcement. We will highlight Congress found that continuation only on federal lands and waters. the fisheries resource monitoring of the subsistence way of life by The Agriculture and the Interior program and unique issues such as rural Alaskans was essential to their Secretaries are responsible for pro- determining who is rural, describing physical, economic, traditional, cul- viding the rural subsistence priority customary trade, and the designated tural and social existence. Hunting under the provisions of ANILCA. The hunter allowance. If you have ques- and fishing reflect vital relationships regional forester has been delegated tions that you would like addressed of people and land that are woven authority to act for the Secretary of in subsequent articles, please send into the history, cultural identity, Agriculture for all program functions them to Steve Kessler at skessler@ fs.fed.us. SUBSISTENCE: The customary and traditional uses by rural Alaska residents of wild renewable resources for direct personal or family Subsistence 101 consumption as food, shelter, fuel, clothing, tools, or transportation; for the Customary and traditional hunt- making and selling of handicraft articles out of non-edible by-products of fish ing, fishing and gathering—also and wildlife resources taken for personal or family consumption; for barter, or known as subsistence—is both the sharing for personal or family consumption; and for customary trade.

18 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService related to subsistence management. The Federal Subsistence Board, made Subsistence up of Alaska agency heads of the Fish fishing and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and an appointed chair, establishes all subsistence hunting and fishing regulations. The Board is generally required to follow the recommendations of 10 regional advisory councils in decisions concerning the taking of fish and wildlife. The councils are distributed throughout Alaska and are made up of citizen representatives appointed by the Secretaries. The Southeast Council covers the Tongass National Forest is largely confined to habitat manage- enforcing regulations on National and the Southcentral Council includes ment, with the states being respon- Forest System lands. the Chugach National Forest. sible for population management. In For more information on the The Alaska Region Subsistence Alaska, the Forest Service has a sub- Federal Subsistence Program: http:// Program represents a unique Forest stantial role and workload in devel- alaska.fws.gov/asm/index.cfml or Service role in wildlife and fisheries oping harvest regulations for subsis- contact Steve Kessler, skessler@ management. Normally, the Forest tence wildlife and fish on all federal fs.fed.us, 743-9461 or any of the Service role in wildlife management lands and waters within the State and Region’s subsistence staff.

Chugach National Forest Relay for Life By William Claar, ISO Radio Lead, Alaska Region ver the weekend of May 23 -24, 2011, a group of motivated employees from the Chugach National Forest Supervisor’s OOffice in Anchorage took the opportunity to do their part in the ongoing fight against cancer. They participated in the annual Relay for Life of Chugiak-Eagle River over a 20-hour period. I was proud to be this year’s team captain of the Forest Service team which we named “The Smokin’ Bears.” Like myself, everyone involved with the team has been affected by cancer in some way, either personally or because of a loved one, friend or coworker. Our team raised over $600, with a grand total of $70,000 raised during this year’s Relay for Life. Chugach Budget Officer Kathy Schimmel served as co-captain. She took the first “survivor’s lap” around the oval track at Gruening Middle School. A big thank you goes out to all of the employees at the Super- visor’s Office in Anchorage, with a special thanks to the following for their participation and support in making this a memorable event. • Sally Gregory • Mona Spargo • Linda Kelly • Richard Turcic • Paula Smith • Rick Lesslie • Sharon Randall • Rachel Lesslie

SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 19 First Annual Yakutat Tern Festival By Teresa Hunt, Supervisory Resources Assistant, Yakutat Ranger District

the Ankau River, Ocean show. High school students wrote Cape, Harlequin Lake, and the script, which was an entertain- Strawberry Point to see a ing comedy about Aleutian terns and variety of shore birds and arctic terns. Elementary students song birds. constructed the puppets and per- There were many other formed the puppet show. activities including art The Alaska Native Brotherhood shows, kids’ events, and and Alaska Native Sisterhood hosted photo contests. Native cul- a dinner on Saturday night at the ture was a key component ANB hall. Forest Service biologist of the festival. The Mount Nate Catterson spoke about the Ya- Saint Elias Dancers, led kutat area terns and current Yakutat- by Director Sheri Nelson, based research efforts. Dr. Brad wore beautifully construct- Andres, coauthor of The Birds of Ya- ed regalia with intricate kutat, gave the keynote speech. He beading and weaving. talked about the migration aspects of They danced during the Yakutat’s birds which link them to Friday evening dinner. the rest of the world. The youth were taught Tlingit artist Preston Singletary Tlingit stories and songs, spoke about his career. He brought and even a few words in seven pieces of blown glass art work Tlingit. that were on display in the commons Representatives from area at school. Amy Gulick, an Mount St. Elias Dancer. USFS photo. two raptor centers were award-winning nature photographer available to answer ques- and writer, talked about her latest he Yakutat Ranger District, tions and give presentations. The book, Salmon in the Trees. Gulick’s Yakutat Chamber of Com- Juneau Raptor Center brought a photographs lined the school walls Tmerce, the National Park barn owl and a gyrfalcon. The during the festival. Other talented Service, and many community Alaska Raptor Center, based in artists were on hand as well. Fred members worked together to plan Sitka, brought a peregrine falcon Bemis brought his traditional, life- and organize the first annual Ya- and a red-tailed hawk. Both cen- sized canoe as well as bentwood kutat Tern Festival June 2-5, 2011. ters held the attention of adults and boxes. Lilly Johnson displayed her This festival was wonderfully suc- youth alike. Spectators were able to Tlingit artwork on conks and dried cessful with over 200 participants, experience all the intricate details of tree mushrooms, and fabric paint- including 60 from out of town and viewing raptors up close. ings she made on jackets, hooded over 50 kids aged 18 and under Anne Sutton, with the Alaska De- sweatshirts, and T-shirts. Rhonda in the kids’ education program. partment of Fish and Game, taught Coston displayed jewelry made from Yakutat is a world class birding youth about bird beak types and fresh water pearls, semi-precious destination; its incredible habitat how beaks have adapted for differ- stones, and sterling silver. Author diversity translates into opportuni- ent food sources. Stephanie Lat- Bert Adams, Sr. brought his books ties for birders to view over 200 zel taught kids how oil makes bird about Yakutat and Tlingit culture. species of birds, including over 100 feathers lose their insulation quali- Penney James is credited for nesting varieties and many rarities. ties. The kids built birdhouses and successfully organizing the exhib- Early June is a prime time to see made puppets. its, photo contest, and logo contest. terns up close and personal. Partici- The Yakutat High Class of 2015, All the photographs were exquisite. pants at the festival had the opportu- aided by Jared Funderburk, hosted Mike Denaga and Sarah Newland nity to attend field trips to areas like a fundraiser breakfast and puppet were named winners of the publicly juried photo contest. 20 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService Ben VanAlen Receives “Rise to the Future” Award By Wendy Zirngibl, Public Affairs Specialist, Tongass National Forest

en VanAlen, Subsistence Fisheries Biologist on the BJuneau and Yakutat Ranger Districts and Admiralty National Monument, has been nationally recognized this year for his outstanding work in Fisheries, Hydrology, and Soils. VanAlen received the “Rise to the Future” award for professional excellence in fisheries management, traveling to Washington, D.C., to ac- cept the award from Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop. The award, which cites VanAlen’s “sustained high performance fostering technically sound management of the subsistence fisheries program in Alaska,” highlights the supreme importance of fisheries health on the Tongass National Forest while recognizing Ben VanAlen, subsistence fisheries biologist on the Juneau and Yakutat Ben’s skill at navigating the com- Ranger Districts and Admiralty National Monument, is presented with the plex cultural dynamic inherent in national “Rise to the Future” award by Deputy Chief Joel Holtrop. Alaska’s subsistence way of life.

Welcome Back, Ted Schenck By Susan Howle, Forest Planner, Tongass National Forest n June, the Tongass National wildlife ecologist planner in the “NWTF has grown to be a nation- Forest welcomed Ted Schenck Eastern Region and a wildlife plan- al leader in helping the field staff of Ias the new staff officer for the ner and appeals coordinator in the the Forest Service envision, establish Planning, Wildlife and Subsistence Rocky Mountain Region. and implement projects using stew- Staff Group. Schenck previously Schenck said, “My tour as the ardship agreements,” said Schenck. worked for the Supervisor’s Office Forest Service liaison with the Schenck particularly enjoyed in Sitka as a wildlife biologist. He NWTF has been a career highlight working with the motivated and en- returned to Alaska from the South- for a wildlife biologist. During that thusiastic members and staff of the ern Region where he served for five assignment, the Forest Service and NWTF to plan and host conservation years as the national Making Tracks NWTF partnership grew from doing education and outreach activities Coordinator. Making Tracks is a For- small habitat projects to planning for youth, women and handicapped est Service partnership program with and accomplishing landscape scale sportsmen. He said, “Seeing the the National Wild Turkey Federation ecosystem restoration projects us- smiles on the faces of successful (NWTF), state wildlife agencies, ing expanded partnerships, exten- first-time outdoor recreationists is conservation groups and individuals. sive collaboration, and large scale very rewarding to me.” Its goal is to emphasize wild turkey planning.” During Schenck’s tour, Schenck and his wife Paulette are management on national forests. the number of cooperatively-funded looking forward to renewing old Schenck has also worked as a biologists grew from four to 10. friendships in Ketchikan.

SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 21 We’re Way Ahead in the Safety Journey By William Moulton, Safety Officer, Tongass National Forest

ssociate Chief Mary Wagner asked the National Leadership Council in Aa June 3 letter to, “Train employees—and especially supervisors—in the prin- ciples of Human Performance Improvement.” Human Performance Improvement (HPI) is the fourth in a series of strategic investments for safety the NLC intends to make as part of our Safety Journey. But, here in R10, we are already way ahead of the rest of the Forest Service! Several units on the Tongass and the RO hosted “Human Performance Improvement Fundamentals” facilitated by Forest Service employees Ivan Pupulidy and Ben Iverson. The Tongass National Forest Leadership Team hosted an HPI course during a leadership team meeting in October 2010. As a result of this ses- Ben Iverson, Human Performance Specialist, find time to enjoy the sion, Ivan and Ben were invited back to introduce outdoors during his trip to Alaska. Photo by Kim Saner. the concepts of the course to all Tongass personnel. The Human Performance Team presented hindsight bias by people outside the tunnel (Dekker, 2006)) are HPI, from May 2-10, at the Juneau Ranger Dis- those who are expected to take the most risks by the organiza- trict, Ketchikan, Petersburg Ranger District Of- tion. It is now widely recognized that the people doing the fices (Wrangell employees boated over to join the work actively create safety, it is not a latent property of any festivities) and at the Regional Office. Despite system. Yet when there is a “failure” it is these people who are significant pressures to complete project work made into the scapegoats and punished as examples for their and budget planning, personnel were receptive to undesired behavior. Sometimes it seems like we design our sys- the program. Associate Chief Wagner says “Peo- tems and procedures, just so people will “fail.” ple’s thinking about safety is being challenged This course pointed out that: and they are genuinely excited about the possibil- • We are humans interacting in a complex world, with limitless ity of radically improved safety outcomes.” variability. This course strove to develop accident pre- • There is no perfection in our lives, our work, or our interac- vention through learning and to improve our or- tions with others. ganizational response to events. They addressed • We all “miss the mark” on occasion but have good intentions the concept of “bad apples” in the world of hu- when it comes to safety. man error. Do they truly exist? Can anyone look • How people actively create safety every day. back on the past 24 hours and honestly believe Several participants pointed out that these sessions were a that they performed every task perfectly, fol- good opportunity to “increase dialogue between management lowed every thought to completion, been vigilant and field” hence “increasing trust in the field workers.” every moment of the day, or made every decision Ivan Pupulidy is a Human Performance Specialist for the to arrive at the best outcome? It is progressively Forest Service. Starting in 1984 Ivan worked as a mine geolo- becoming clear to social science, that the people gist and exploration geophysicist, then joined the Coast Guard who make the most “errors” (a judgment with and earned his wings as a naval aviator in 1987. Following a successful 10-year career with the Coast Guard, “...thinking about safety is Ivan traded water for fire and became a Lead Plane Pilot for the U.S. Forest Service. Flying low-level over forest fires across the being challenged... ” United States, Ivan was drawn to aviation safety as a regional Associate Chief Mary Wagner aviation safety manager.

22 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService Ben Iverson is currently detailed to the table. Working for three his current position Ben was a Fire as a Human Performance special- different federal land manage- Engine Captain on the Modoc Na- ist to the U.S. Forest Service Risk ment agencies has exposed Ben to tional Forest. Management and Human Factors a variety of missions, leadership Ben also volunteers as a fire- Group. Ben brings 13 years of on styles, philosophies, policies and fighter and EMT in his local com- the ground firefighting experience procedures. Before detailing into munity. Recreation: A Few Simple Steps to Play By Kim Kiml, Information Specialist, Cordova Ranger District o matter how you define or explain how you choose to “re-create” your- Nself, the truth of the matter is most of us do find something that we enjoy and pur- sue in our non-work hours. What has changed over the past 20-plus years is the mode or way in which we accomplish this “re-creation.” I believe the definition of recreation is some- what determined on when you were born. If you were born before 1994 your idea of recreational time may be more associated to physical exercise; tennis, golfing, biking, hiking, walking, jogging, backpacking, canoeing, picnicking—all activities requiring physical effort (or at least getting up and getting out of the house). If you were born after 1994, your idea of recreation maybe more docile in Girls enjoy fishing in the great outdoors. Photo by Winter Wolf. nature: computers and related activities, interactive computer games, instant messaging, e-mail corre- activity), and camping out in my grandmother’s back yard. I spondence, surfing the web, none of which require can remember being beckoned by my parents and grandmoth- much physical effort. ers, “It’s time to come inside and go to bed.” We replied, “Just From an early age I looked at recreation as five more minutes, please; we want to see the lightning bugs something you did outdoors. We built snow forts first.” It was experiencing nature on simple terms, no grand in the back yard, went on picnics both summer and adventures, no distant places, just playing, watching, and being, winter, went on bike rides for hours , picked ber- outside, recreating our spirits, ourselves, even our imagina- ries, swam at the lake, made tents with sheets and tions. blankets in the backyard, and occasionally even Recreation and connections to nature can be simple and going to a summer camp. Unless it was raining I meaningful and inexpensive. But there has to be a desire to have no memory of wanting to stay indoors during take that first step and go outside. I’m not sure how or why real the summer months. It’s not that we didn’t have experiences became dull or passé. There is no substitution for hobbies or activities indoors, but they seemed to be walking barefoot in the grass or smelling wildflowers or seeing more of how to fill your time when you couldn’t be and hearing eagles soaring over head; you just have to be there outside. and witness these joys, these opportunities that nature presents. Getting the younger generation outdoors seems to be the real challenge today as they see no Recreation: A recreating; refreshment of strength and spirits reason or desire to be outside. There seems to be after toil; diversion or a mode of diversion; play. a generation with little or no connection to the out Webster, 1961 of doors or nature. It’s not that I had great far off The expenditure of time in a manner designed for therapeu- adventures growing up,but we had year round ac- tic refreshment of one’s body or mind. While leisure is more tivities outdoors. Winter picnics at local state parks, likely a form of entertainment or sleep, recreation is active skating on a neighbor’s pond, swimming along the for the participant but in a refreshing and diverting manner. shores of Lake Erie (when it wasn’t a controversial Wikipedia, 2011 SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 23 International Youth Eco Forum 2011 By Gerhard Sells, Alaska Delegate, International Youth Forum

limate change can be, and tour of parts of Prince is, a very real and pressing William Sound and learn Cissue for countries world- more about Alaska’s wide. One way to slow the cur- local ecosystems and rent escalating process of global environment. warming is to educate the world’s On the way to youth to be environmentally Whittier, the class vis- aware and conservation minded. ited the Begich, Bogg’s In May 2011, Alaska was host to a Visitor Center where climate awareness program known as they had the chance to the International Youth Eco Forum. meet with members of The YEF program was organized the Forest Service who in cooperation with the Chugach discussed the uses of the National Forest, Alaska Geographic Chugach National Forest and the University of Alaska as well as the effects of Anchorage. It was also staffed and climate change within coordinated by several members from Alaska and the Chugach. the Alaska Youth for Environmental During the cruise, Action. much time was de- This forum has taken place in voted to teaching the a different country in the northern class about the Exxon hemisphere each year for the past 10 Valdez Oil Spill disaster years. The program promotes greater of 1989. Some 32,000 collaboration among youth, improves people were directly af- Gerhard Sells helps control weeds on Spencer Bench youth civic engagement and moves fected by the oil spill and Trail. Photo by U.S. Forest Service. them to environmental action. The around six times as many forum offers opportunities for young indirectly. About 11 million gallons especially during the symposium, the adults to learn about climate change of oil was spilled into the Sound,1 YEF had the opportunity to meet with and the environment and to interact killing or affecting countless plants well known politicians, government with youth from other countries. and animals. The issue of very poor workers and environmental activists. The 2011 YEF included stu- oil cleanup methods, insufficient oil The YEF was able to talk with dents from different regions in extraction tools, and overall misman- Chugach Forest Supervisor Terri China, Russia, Canada, and Alaska. agement of the spill was also ad- Marceron, who explained to the Activities included: classes and dressed during the tour. class the purpose of the Chugach lectures hosted by the local govern- From May 4-7, the forum was Children’s Forest. The Children’s ment and environmental organiza- part of a UAA scientific symposium Forest is a program formed to help tions; presentations given by students “Classrooms for Climate” where par- expose and educate Alaska’s young on environmental, economical and ticipating institutions and agencies, generations in environmental matters cultural issues in their countries; and related to and affected by climate and open doors to new internships participating in field trips. change, were able to come together and other opportunities within the During the forum, held near the to discuss and make plans for these Park Service and Forest Service. UAA campus, the class learned about environmental changes. (For more During the symposium, students Alaska’s unique role as an interna- on the symposium, visit www.uaa. attended a lecture at UAA with tional center for the study of climate alaska.edu). Majora Carter, an economic consul- change. On May 3, students took part Over the course of the week and tant and environmental justice advo- in a field trip to Whittier, where they 1 cate from New York City. Carter is in- had the opportunity to take a boat http://www.evostc.state.ak.us/facts/ volved in the development of “green” qanda.cfm 24 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService house buildings, an environmentally a united group of people who have serve the unique beauty of Alaska for savvy home/public building construc- faced environmental disasters such as future generations to come. tion plan involving the installation the ‘89 oil spill, play in the preven- The International Youth Eco Fo- of garden roofs on public and private tion of climate change. From the rum is one of a number of programs dwellings and promoting the use of inspection of oil tankers, their cargo, that allow for young men and women recyclable materials in housing con- and other means of oil transportation from many different countries to struction and general. to insure their safe conduct to areas come together and learn about the Residents from community orga- of need, to protecting native plants finely woven fabric of our biosphere. nizations in Prince William Sound and animals, these native corpora- This is a wonderful program and I am talked about the part that they, as tions and organizations try to pre- proud to have been a part of it. Girl Scout Encampment 2011 By Gerhard Sells, Alaska Delegate, International Youth Forum une 3-4, 2011, sev- To help familiarize eral employees the girls with several of Jfrom the U.S. Forest Alaska’s more common in- Service, National Park vasive species, we adopted Service, and U.S. Fish invasive weed nicknames & Wildlife Service at- like “Bull-thistle,” “Bird tended the 2011 Girl Vetch,” and the very unbe- Scout Encampment. coming “Garlic Mustard.” The encampment We took turns describ- takes place biannually at ing and explaining to the the state fairgrounds in classes the kinds of non- Palmer and gives local native plants and animals Girl Scouts a chance to they might find (and soon) meet and interact with in Alaska. We described the other scouts from across effects that invasive plants Alaska. They also have Gerhard Sells with Bonnie Million, National Park Service can have on our ecosystems the opportunity to par- and Denny Lassuy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the methods that the ticipate in fun activities and infor- structure between local species, we federal government utilizes to re- mative hands-on work shops in- had a few games for them to play. move them. We loved talking with cluding rock climbing, races, patch One, titled the “Web of Life,” in- the scouts about it all and had fun and badge courses,craft exchanges, volving several girls impersonating describing our own personal recol- and much more. some native Alaskan species and a lections and ordeals that we expe- Our coalition was formed to run a ball of string, gave a good impres- rienced while working in Alaska’s workshop booth at the event entitled sion of what can happen to an eco- parks and forests. “Invading Alaska.” The workshop system structure after infiltration. All those who worked at focused on educating the scouts Another game showed beauti- Encampment 2011 had a great time about the infiltration of non-native fully how certain plant species (i.e., being a part of our workshop and and invasive species into our local Purple Loose Strife and Reed Canary the event. The girls enjoyed them- ecosystems. Much emphasis was put Grass) can choke up waterways selves and left the event more aware on describing biodiversity, ecosys- and prevent fish from swimming up of our state’s environmental stand- tem structures and how easily they river, where bears were waiting to ing, with an arsenal of non-native can be ruptured and destroyed by consume them. The games were very species names ( I know this to be a the introduction of new species. effective at bringing home to the fact due to many of them calling me To help give the scouts an idea scouts the reasons why we should be “Garlic Mustard” for the rest of the of how these invasions of nonnative concerned about non-native species event), and a better understanding species can affect the collaboration “invading Alaska.” of biodiversity and ecosystems.

SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 25 Classrooms for Climate By Sara Boario, Public Affairs & Partnerships Staff Officer, Chugach National Forest Photos courtesy of University of Alaska Anchorage

from Alaska’s indigenous popula- tions and current-day examples of how everyday people are taking on these challenges and crafting solutions. A critical perspective on everyday action was provided by keynote speaker Majora Carter, who drew a large public audience to learn more about her experience as the founder of Sustainable South Bronx and host of the environmental-themed public radio series, The Promised Land. Several youth events were developed in coordination with the conference including a Green Jobs Forum for local youth, and the 10th Keynote Speaker Majora Carter educated and inspired symposium attendees. annual Youth Eco-Forum, which assembled approximately 50 youth his past May, over 250 par- economies through the examples from across the circumpolar north ticipants gathered in An- of climate effects on communities, to explore research and questions Tchorage to attend Class- recreation, and human health. concerning climate change and rooms for Climate: A Symposium Participants also explored op- forested landscapes. At the end of on the Changing Chugach, North- tions to adapt to changes in both their week, the youth presented a ern Ecosystems, and the Impli- ecosystems and human systems declaration for action to leaders cations for Science & Society. through historical perspectives from the Forest and University. The conference, co-hosted by the University of Alaska Anchor- age and Chugach National For- est, was a first-step in bringing together partners in climate in- quiry, education and management from across Southcentral Alaska. Covering everything from the role of glaciers in sea level rise to the migration of tree species as a result of a warming climate, scien- tists gave participants a thorough understanding of climate science and ecology as well as data and tools for monitoring and model- ing changes. Researchers also discussed the connections between healthy ecosystems and healthy Youth attending Classroom for Climate Change present a youth declaration they developed during the event.

26 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService Outgoing UAA Chancellor Fran Ulmer and Chugach Forest Youth Eco-Forum Delegation from the Sakhar Republic, Supervisor Terri Marceron open the Symposium Russia, pose in traditional clothing.

The conference, a signature event for the Interna- North, Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, and the tional Year of Forests, was made possible by a number Northern Forum. Audio from featured speakers as well of committed partners, including the Alaska Coastal as the Youth Declaration can be found on the Chugach Rainforest Center, Alaska Geographic, Institute of the website at http://fs.usda.gov/goto/chugach/climate.

Celebrating International Year of Forests By Wendy Zirngibl, Public Affairs Specialist, Tongass National Forest id-July marks the release Inspiration. Unique to the Alaska and Chugach national forests have of the final International Region, all of the posters are avail- happily carried them as souvenirs MYear of Forests poster (see able at Forest Service offices only in across the world to homes thousands back cover). Fourth in a collectible Alaska. But the popularity of the de- of miles away. Now all four post- series, the design in rich, earthy sign is not limited to the region: by ers are available, free of charge, greens and browns is anchored by request, staffers have mailed these to those who call Alaska’s forests a man peering through binoculars posters across the country, while home as well as the many and varied and conveys the theme, Find Your international visitors to the Tongass guests to our beautiful backyard.

SourDough Notes  Summer 2011 27 28 SourDough Notes at http://www.fs.usda.gov/r10 @AKForestService