SourDough Notes U.S. Forest Service Alaska Region Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 2 Fall 2007 SourDough Notes f Fall 2007 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/ ON THE COVER: INSIDE : Internships for Alaska Natives .........14 Connecting Kids to the Woods ..........2 Oliver Shephard, son of S&PF A Week by the Lake .........................16 Wild at Heart ......................................3 Ecologist Michael Shephard, joins Tricia Wurtz, SPF Ecologist .............17 in the fun at the “Wild at Heart” Trail River “Walk Through Time” ........4 Restoring and Preserving History ....18 centennial celebration event for Childs Glacier Ribbon Cutting ..........5 Pulling Together on POW ................19 the Chugach National Forest. Celebrating with Purpose ..................5 Kids Hike & Fish Day .......................20 Photo by Julie Speegle. Kuwóot yas.éin .................................6 Notes from the Underground ...........21 Reflections .........................................7 Tongass Centennial .........................22 Whistlestop! .......................................7 Adventures in Yreka ........................23 Searching for Solitude .......................8 The Ultimate Power Tool .................24 SourDough Notes Invasive Plant Control........................9 An Ace in the Hole ...........................25 Dusky Canada Geese .....................10 Forest Tales .....................................25 Intern Walks 100 Miles ....................11 Hoeschens Receive Award ..............26 Quarterly newsletter for the Archaeology Teams Looking Up ......12 Is This an Island? ............................27 U.S. Forest Service Ecotourism In Russian Far East ......13 Alaska’s Poet Laureate ...................28 Alaska Region P. O. Box 21628 Juneau, AK 99802-1628 http://www.fs.fed.us/r10 Connecting Kids to the Woods olunteer Salena Wolf, age Fall 2007 13, helped to re-vegetate VResurrection Creek by planting trees. Her pride in the suc- Produced by: cess of each tree is evident in her Regional Public Affairs Office one word description, “Awesome!” Teresa Haugh, Editor The tree is the photo is six years old. It was donated along with 350 Submissions: other birch trees for this restora- SourDough Notes is written tion project. The collective effort by for people interested in the Alaska Region. many volunteers on such projects as Your suggestions, articles, and this helps reconnect our youth to the photographs are welcome. outdoors. Please contact: Teresa Haugh Public Affairs Office USDA Forest Service P. O. Box 21628 Juneau, AK 99802 (907) 586-9337 [email protected] We’re On the Web Articles should be no more than ook for the companion version of SourDough Notes on the web. The 800 words and may be edited. stories will change throughout the quarter. You will find additional full Submitted articles may not all be color photos and links for more information on some subjects. printed. Submitted digital L In the near future, SourDough Notes for the Web will become more inter- photos should be sent as high active, inviting your comments and participation. Stay tuned! resolution TIF or JPG. Please Visit us at http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/. You will be able to print your favor- contact the Public Affairs ite articles, or send a link to your family and friends. Office if you have questions. 2 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/ SourDough Notes Fall 2007 Celebrating 100 Years of the Chugach National Forest! Editor’s Note: On July 23, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt issued a proclamation establishing the Chugach National Forest for the conservation of fish and wildlife resources. The 5.4 million acre forest stretches from the Copper River on the east, to the border of the Kenai Penisula on the west, and inland to the Chugach Mountains. This summer, Chugach employees, residents, and visitors took part in several events to commemorate a century of service. Following are some of their stories and photos so SourDough Notes readers can join in the celebration. Wild at Heart By Julie Speegle, Public Affairs Specialist, Regional Office ne of Forest Service Chief methods, how to build a Gail Kimbell’s new focus survival shelter, fire safe- Oareas is connecting kids ty, moose awareness and with nature. The Chugach Nation- camping basics. They also al Forest delivered on that goal and played outdoor games, and more at the Chugach Centennial met a Merlin Falcon—all “Wild at Heart” Celebration, held under the watchful eye of July 19 near Anchorage. a giant Smokey Bear bal- The gala, a Chugach National loon. Forest birthday party for Anchorage- Some of the youth had area residents, was divided into two so much fun during the events—sponsored by the Chugach day, they brought their Dylan Evan, 8, uses binoculars to look for wildlife National Forest and Anchorage Mu- parents back to Hilltop at the Wild at Heart event. Photo by Julie Speegle. nicipal Parks and Recreation. for the evening event. From 11 a.m.-4 p.m., more than Smokey Bear led the opening 300 children participated in outdoor ceremony with a s’more-shaped Family activities included a kay- activities designed and managed by birthday cake, followed by remarks ak pool, a climbing wall, and face Forest Service employees to be not by Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich painting. Some folks cooled their only fun, but educational as well. and Chugach Forest Supervisor Joe heels listening to live music in the The 7 to 13-year-olds—many of Meade. stage area, which included perfor- whom had never experienced nature “The Chugach National Forest is mances by local artists Abe & Jake, firsthand—learned Leave No Trace part of our wild backyard,” said Be- the Anchorage Concert Chorus, the gich. “It is part of what makes bluegrass band Well Strung, and the Anchorage and south central nationally renowned Fiddlin’ For- Alaska such a great place to esters. live and why people from all A highlight of the evening for over the world come to visit.” many attendees—some of whom “Our centennial celebra- had never had a s’more—was the tion is not just about the for- opportunity to roast marshmallows est,” said Meade. It’s about over a campfire, smoosh it between the people who make the chocolate and graham crackers, and Chugach special: the com- then eat the tasty treat. It was just munities that surround and one more way the Chugach connect- reside within the boundar- ed not only kids, but adults, with ies, the people who work and nature—making everyone “Wild at play here, and those who love Heart” one s’more at a time. to visit. We hope you will be- Chris Mack, of the Bird Treatment and Learning come advocates and stewards Center in Anchorage, tells participants about for the forest for the next 100 Rhiannon, a 9-year old female Merlin Falcon years.” with a broken wing. Photo by Julie Speegle. SourDough Notes f Fall 2007 SourDough Notes on the web: http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/ 3 Trail River “Walk Through Time” A Chugach Centennial Event By Bobbie Jo Skibo, Russian River Interagency Coordinator, Chugach National Forest around the camp- fire. Our enter- taining “Walk through Time,” narrated by “Helen the Trap- per” was creat- ed to give people a better under- standing and ap- preciation of the 5.4 million acres that make up the The Fiddlin’ Foresters celebrate the Chugach Centennial. Chugach Nation- Photo by Eileen Eavis. al Forest. The he Seward Ranger District performance included oral history, enjoyed an incredible sum- drumming, and dancing from Sa- mer packed full of commu- sha Lindgren and the Kenaitze In- T dian Tribe; mining and trapping sto- nity events which were organized or participated in by district staff ries from the Cooper Landing His- to commemorate 100 years of the torical Society’s Mona Painter; and Chugach National Forest. the Port City Player’s Alaska Nellie Over the course of the summer, monologue, “Into Alaska a Woman notable highlights included a birch Came, The Alaska Nellie Story.” In bark basket class which was so suc- addition, we all enjoyed live mu- cessful that we had to hold a second sic by the Forest Service’s Fiddlin’ one; the creation of a native plant Foresters, educational displays, and Centennial garden and interpretative an appearance from Smokey Bear. display which now welcomes visi- We took the “Walk through tors to our Seward office, and numer- Time” and ended the performance ous successful events showcasing the with a celebratory ribbon cutting natural and cultural wonders of the of the new Trail River Campground Chugach to both local Alaskans and area. The Trail River Campground visitors from across the nation. has recently been enlarged and ren- Top: “Alaska Nellie” tells her story. As our biggest celebration, the ovated to become the largest Forest Bottom: Kenaitze dancers share their cul- district held the Trail River “Walk Service developed recreation site in ture at Trail River. Photos by Eileen Eavis. through Time” event on Friday, Alaska. This was one of the facil- July 20, 2007, at the newly renovat- ities that was built during the ear- While looking to the future, the dis- ed Trail River Campground at mile- ly recreation boom and needed up- trict sees a horizon which holds anoth- post 24.2, Seward Highway. With grades such as accessible restrooms, er 100 years of world class recreation close to 300 people attending, the campsites, and tables. Over the past and tourism opportunities; wild water- event was a huge success! few months, the renovation project sheds and wildlife; and a high qual- The event started out with a com- was completed and the facility now ity of life for its residents. We were munity barbecue with tasty salmon contains 87 campsites, a lake front thrilled to have the opportunity to cel- hot off the grill, fresh salads, and day use area, and an amazing group ebrate and to showcase what we are so yummy desserts, including s’mores site where the event was held.