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California forest stewardship program
Fores t l and S t e w a r d
CDF & UC Cooperative ExtensionForest Stewardship Programc/o P.O. Box 162644Sacramento, CA 95816
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Presort StandardU.S. Postage
PAIDCOLOR TECH
Working TogeTher for healThy foresTs
summer 2005
Inside4 Wetlands&
WestNileVirus
6 EvacuationChecklist
8 WhatisUCCoopExtension?
(continued page 3)
Constructionanddesignconsiderationstohelpprotectyourhome
Steve Quarles demonstrates the burning characteristics of common building materials.
IntheSanDiegofiresof2003,approximately14%ofthehomesintheburnareawerelost.However,only4%ofnewerhomesbuiltunderthehigher2001buildingcodestandardswerelostinthesamearea.Constructionanddesigncanmakeadifference. Whatarethefactorsthatcanprotectyourhomefromwildfire?Inaseriesofworkshopsaroundthestate,UCCooperativeExtensionAdvisorSteveQuarlesprovidesbackgroundinformationandconcretesuggestionstohelppeopleimprovetheoddsoftheirhomesurvivingawildfire.
It’smorethanthehouse Thechancesofyourhouseburningdependonmorethanitsconstruction;firebehavioralsoplaysamajorpart.Firebehaviorisbasedonanumberoffactorsincludingavailablefuel,weather,topography,fireintensity,rateofspread,brand/embergeneration,andmore.Someoftheseyoucancontrol,othersyoucan’t. Thelandscapearoundyourhousemakesadifference.Afireresistantlandscapehasplantsthatarelessflammable,lowgrowing,andlessabletothrowoutembers.However,thespeciesofplantsinthelandscapeareoftenlessimportantthantheirmoisturecontentandhealth.You’llwanttokeepplantswellwatered,pruned,andclearoutdebris.
Whatcanyoudo? It’seasiertodesignanewhometobefireresistant.Whatyoucandoforanexistinghomeislargelyafunctionofyourpocket-book.Besuretousefire/ignitionresistantmaterialswheneveryoudoanyremodeling. Themostvulnerablepartsofahometowildfireare:1)theroofcovering;2)vents,eaves,andwindows;and3)attacheddecks.
Sneakyembers Thebiggestdangertohomescomesfromembers.Emberscanhideineaves,attics,underdecks,andonroofs.Theseemberscanenteratticspacesthroughvents,andigniteaccumulatedcombustibledebrisunderdecksandonroofs.Evenafterthefirestormhas
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Forestland Steward is a joint project of the
CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection,
UC Cooperative Extension, and USDA Forest Service
to provide information on the stewardship of private forestlands in California.
California Forest Stewardship Program
P.O. Box 944246Sacramento, CA 94244
(916) 653-8286Fax (916) 653-8957 http://ceres.ca.gov/
foreststeward
editorial CommitteeJeff Calvert, CDF
Richard Harris, UCHeather Morrison, SAFGary Nakamura, UC
editorLaurie Litman, InfoWright
governorArnold Schwarzenegger
secretary of resourcesthe resources agency
Mike Chrisman
directorCalif dept of forestry &
fire protectionDale Geldert
This newsletter was pro-duced under a grant from the USDA Forest Service.
In accordance with Fed-eral law and U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited
from discriminating on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohib-
ited basesapply to all programs.)
Fores tl and S t e w a r d
Firesafeinformationcanbefun FiresafetyinformationhasevolvedtoawholenewlevelontheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestry&FireProtection(CDF)website.Now,inadditiontothearticlesandflyerstraditionallyfoundthere,you’llseeresourcesthattakeadvantageofthecreativepossibilitiesoftheweb. Twopresentations,inparticular,arefuntouseandfilledwithvaluableinformation:theHomeowner’sInteractiveChecklist(http://www.fire.ca.gov/php/education_checklist.php#checklist)and“ControllingNature’sWrath,”aCaliforniaLiving–FireSafeVideoPresentation(http://www.fire.ca.gov/php/education_video.php).
Homeowner’sInteractiveChecklist Thisflashpresentationstartswiththewell-knownillustrationofahomewithnumbersatcriticalareasofthehouse.Clickonanumberandanicecomprehensivelistofthingsyoucandocomesup.Butit’stheaudioslideshow(thelittlespeakersymbolyouprobablywon’tnoticeunlessyou’relookingforit)thatmakesthischecklistunique.Theaudio/slideshowportiongoesfarbeyondthechecklistwithphotosandvaluableinformation. Forexample,thechecklistsaystopostyouraddressatthebeginningofyourdriveway.Theaudioaddsthatthenumbersshouldbeaminimumof4"highwithacontrastingbackgroundandthesignshouldbeofnon-combustiblematerial. Lookaroundthehouse,insideandout,forexcellenttipsandevenfindadisasterpreparednesssection.Thisisagoodplacetostartwhenyouworkonyourfamily’sevacuationplan(seepage6).
CaliforniaLiving–FireSafeVideo “ControllingNature’sWrath”isaprofessionalvideoproducedbyCDF,OES,
FireSafeCouncils,FEMA,andPG&E.Itcoversmanyaspectsoffiresafetyincludingtheimportanceofpre-fireplanning,firesafeconstruction,landscaping,evacuationplans,
prefireengineering,firesafecouncils,andmore.Itispresentedinshortsectionsthatareeasytowatchontheweb.Thenarrators,CraigMillerandVickiLiviakis,wholostherhomeintheOaklandfire,introducethevideosaying“theeffortyouinvestnowwillpayoffevenifyoudon’teverexperienceafire.”Thenarratorsthentravelaroundthestatetointerview
landownersandprofessionalswhoillustratefiresafeissues. ThevideotakesviewerstoahomeinGlendoratolearnwhatittakestodoalandscapemakeoverforfiresafety.Discussionsofdefensiblespace,fire-resistantplants,andplacementprovidebackgroundtohelplandownersmakelandscapedecisionsfortheirownproperty. Anothersegmentintroducestheviewertofiresafeconstruction(seearticlepage1).Ittalksaboutroofmaterialsthatresistfireandembers,aswellasmaterialanddesignconsiderationsforeaves,vents,windows,anddecks. ACDFofficerdiscusseswhyandhowtodevelopafamilyevacuationplan(seepage6formore),howtoprepareforafire,andwhattobringwithyouifafireoccurs. Atthecommunitylevel,welearnaboutfiresafecouncilsthatareworkingwithCDFtoidentifyareasmostatriskoffire.Manyofthesegroupsareworkingonwaystodecreasethatrisk.Neighborhoodchippingprogramsandshadedfuelbreaksaretwoactivitiesthathavebeensuccessfulinsomecommunities.Findafiresafecouncilnearyouorstartyourown;moreinformationathttp://www.firesafecouncil.org/.
The Homeowner’s Interactive Checklist is much more than a checklist; it’s entertainment for the whole family.
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Each structure was ignited with a B brand. In this test structure, fire burned through the material.
passedandthehomeappearstobesafe,hiddenemberscanigniteaccumulateddebrisornearbyvegetation,resultinginlossofthehome. Theroofisthetoppriorityforprotection.Alargehorizontalsurface,itcanreceiveburningembersfromamileormoreaway.Thelongertheroofcanwithstandtheassault,thebetteryourhome’schanceofsurvival. Roofsarerated.ThebestfireprotectioncomesfromaClassAroofcovering.Butbeaware—theClassAratingcanbebasedonlyonthecovering(thepartoftheroofyousee)oronthecoveringplusunderlyingfireresistantmaterials.Withassembly-ratedcoveringsyouneedtofollowthemanufacturersinstallationinstructionsexactly,includingallmaterials. Youwanttodowhateveryoucantokeepfirefromenteringyourhouse.Dualpanewindowswithtemperedglassperformbestinawildfire.Shuttersorplywoodcoveringsinstalledbeforethefirereachesyourhomewillalsohelpyourhomesurvive.Ifyouhaveacombustiblesiding,selectalapjointpatternthatprovidesmoreprotection.Forexample,shiplapjointsprovidemoreprotectionthanplainbeveljoints. Otherareasofthehomearealsovulnerable.Eaves,joints,vents,materialintheattic,walls,fences,decks…allcancausesignificantproblemswhenawildfireoccurs.Therearevarioustechniquesandmaterialsdesignedtoprotecttheseareas.Currentresearchislookingforbettersolutions.
Moistureorfire? AsQuarlespointsout,“wecanguaranteeahousewillberainedon,butwecan’tguaranteeitwillseefire.” Therearetrade-offsinmakingahomefireresistant.Awideoverhangonaroofincreases
Surviving a wildfire depends on many factors: the right design, correct installation, the materials or product, proper maintenance, and luck.
vulnerabilitytofire,however,it’stheretoprotectthesideofthehousefromrain.Ventsarecriticaltohomestotoallowairtocirculateandremoveexcessmoisture,buttheyalsoletinflamesandembers.Asahomeowner,youneedtothinkabouthowtobalancetherisksoffireononehandwithmoisturedamageonetheother.Theabilityofyourhometolastdependsonprotectingitfrombothofthesethreats.
Maintenancematters Justusingfireresistantmaterialisn’tenough—you’llhavetodosomeworktokeepyourhomefireresistant.Itwon’tmatterthatyouhaveaClassAroofifflammablematerialiscoveringit.Ifignited,needlesandothercombustibledebrisonyourClassAroofmayignitelessdurablecomponentsnearby.Damagedroofingshouldbereplacedorrepaired.Gutterprotectiondevicescanhelpkeepguttersclearbutmaintenanceisstillnecessary.
Goodchoicesandluck Ahome’sabilitytosurviveawildfiredependsonmanyfactors:therightdesign,correctinstallation,thematerialsorproduct,propermaintenance,and,ofcourse,goodluck.
Resources•SanDiegoCountystrengthenedtheircodesoneaveconstructionandventingrestrictions.www.co.san-diego.ca.us/dplu/docs/DPLU%20664.pdf.•StateFireMarshall:http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/UWIBS.html Formoreinformation,ortofindoutaboutfutureworkshops,contactSteveQuarles,(510)665-3580;[email protected].
Studies are performed on various materials to determine performance. The brands (above) help to standardize the experiments.
(continued from page 1)
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West nile Virus
Well-functioningwetlandsarethebestdefenseagainstWestNilevirus
Contrary to widespread belief, intact wetlands provide the best mosquito control.© Marc Hoshovsky
“Don’tfightwithyourspouseorbossandavoidlong-termphysicalstress…atleastuntilNovember.”ThisadvicefromDr.ThomasScott,NaturalResourceandWildlifeSpecialistforUCCooperativeExtention,canhelpyouavoidaseriouscaseofWestNilevirus.
Takecareofyourhealth Whilemostpeoplewhocontractthediseasegetlittlemorethanmildflu-likesymptoms,asmallnumberdevelopbrainencepalitis,whichcanleadtoseriousneurologicalproblemsandevendeath.Thosewithaweakenedimmunesystem—duetoage,illness,orstress—areinthegreatestdanger. WestNilevirusistransmittedbymosquitoes,whichcanpassthevirustootherspecies.Oneofthemostremarkablethingsaboutthisvirusisjusthowfarandwideitseffectsgo. AccordingtoScott,WestNilevirus“defiessuperlatives:ithasbeenthelargest,fastestnaturally-disperseddiseaseoutbreaktoeveroccurinNorthAmerica.IthaskilledthewidestrangeandgreatestnumberofwildlifespecieseverrecordedinNorthAmericarangingfromcold-bloodedbullfrogstohigh-metabolismhummingbirds,frombatstoelephants.”JustabouteveryvertebratespeciesinNorthAmericaisvulnerable.Luckily,thevirusisnottransmittedbetweenhumans. WestNilevirushasonlybeeninCalifornia
since2003,butbythesummerof2004thevirushadspreadtoallthecountiesofthestate.Littleisknownaboutthelong-termbehaviorandimpactofthevirusinCalifornia.However,evenintheshortperiodoftimeithasbeenhere,ithasalreadydevastatedmanyspeciesofbirds,mostnotablythoseinthecrowfamily,andhashada“remarkableimpactonwoodlandwildlife.”Thelargerecologicalconsequencesofthediseaseareyettobeseen.
Knowledgeispower UnderstandinghowWestNilevirusworkscanhelpyoucomeupwitharealisticprotectionstrategy. Mosquitolarvaemustliveinstillwaterforfiveormoredaysbeforeturningintoadultscapableoftransmittingthedisease.Itdoesn’ttakemuchwatertosupporttheselarva.Asinglediscardedtirecanproduce500mosquitoes. WestNilevirusinfectsamosquitowhenittakesabloodmealfromaninfectedanimal.Itcanthentransmitthediseasetoitsnextbloodmeal.Sincethevirusmovesfasterthroughthepopulationathighertemperatures,outbreakstendtooccurwhentemperaturesaregreaterthan90ºforaweekormore.Theriskdecreaseswhentheweatherturnscoldatnight. Thereareanumberofcommonsensestepsthatcanbetakentoreducehabitatformosquitoesandprotectyourselffromthedisease(see text box next page).Themostimportantaretogetridofanystandingwateraroundyourhousewheremosquitoesarelikelytobreedandavoidgettingbitten. Althoughanumberofinsecticidesareusedtocontrolmosquitoes,pesticidesarenotalong-termsolutiontoWestNilevirus.Allpesticideshavedisadvantages,includingtoxicitytonon-targetspecies(includinghumansandmosquitopredators),ecologicalconsequences,cost,insectresistance,andotherissues. Intheshort-term,itmaybenecessarytoapplyapesticidetoadiscreetareaofinfestation—ahorsetroughorotherbreedingareasnearthehome.Butbestrategic.Itisnoteconomicallyfeasibletotreatlargeareaslikeforests.Itisbesttolookforlong-termsolutionsthataresafeandnatural.
Wetlands—part of the problem or part of the cure?
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WhatyoucandoLookaroundyourhomeforwaystopreventmosquitoesfrombreeding:•Cleanoutoldtires,tincans,buckets,flowerpots,drums,bottles,
oranyobjectthatholdswater.•Fillinordrainanylowplacessuchaspuddles,ruts,etc.•Keepdrains,ditches,andculvertsfreeofweedsandtrashso
waterwilldrainproperly.•Keeproofguttersfreeofleavesandotherdebris.•Covertrashcontainerstokeepoutrainwater.•Repairleakypipesandoutsidefaucets.•Emptyplasticwadingpoolsatleastonceaweekandstore
indoorswhennotinuse•Unusedswimingpoolsshouldbedrainedandkeptdryduring
themosquitoseason.•Fillinordraintreerotholesandhollowstumps.•Changethewaterinhorsetroughs,birdbaths,andplantpotsor
driptraysatleastonceeachweek.•Encouragehabitatforswallows,dragonflies,andbatsthateat
adultmosquitoes.•Storeboatscoveredorupsidedown,orremoverainwaterweekly.•Practicebalancedpondecologyusingfrogs,minnows,
ornamentalkoi,orgoldfishthatdevourmosquitolarvae.•Repairwindowscreenstokeepmosquitoesout.
Protectyourselfandyourfamily:•Limitactivitiesatdawnandduskwhenbitingmosquitoesare
mostlikelytobeactive.•Usemosquitorepellantswhenyouareoutofdoorsattimeswhen
mosquitoesarebiting.•Wearlongsleeves,longpants,andsockstoprotectarmsand
legs.•Dowhatyoucantokeepyourimmunesystemstrong.
Otherthingsyoucando:•Reportdeadbirdsat1-877-WNV-BIRD.•Forinformationaboutthediseaseinyourcommunity,contact
yourlocaldepartmentofhealth.•ChecktheCaliforniaStateWestNileViruswebsiteathttp://
www.westnile.ca.govforup-to-dateinformationonstatewidemonitoringandcontrol.
•CallyourlocalUCCooperativeExtensionadvisorforinformationonwetlandprotectionandrestoration.
Keepyourwetlandshealthy Onthelandscapescale,ahealthyecosystemisthebestdefenseagainstmosquitooutbreak. Mosquitoesareanaturalpartofahealthywetlandecosystem.Theyhaveanimportantroletoplaywheretheyserveasfoodforanumberofspecies.Fish,birds,bats,amphibians,andotherinsectsalleatmosquitolarvaand/oradults.Thisgenerallykeepsthemosquitopopulationundercontrol. However,whenwetlandsaremanipulatedanddisturbedthepredatorsareoftenimpactedfirst.Whilemosquitoesdowellindisturbedenvironments,thespeciesthateatthemdonot.Lossofthepredatorsthatkeepthemosquitopopulationincheckcanresultinoutbreaks. Thisisagoodtimetocheckthestateofanywetlandsonyourpropertyandcomeupwithamanagementplanforthosehabitats.Youcanusebestmanagementpracticestokeepthehabitathealthy.Ahealthywetlandwillhaveadiversefaunaofthenaturalenemiesofmosquitoesincludingdragonflies,damselflies,waterstriders,predaciousdivingbeetles,andotherinsects,fish,birds,andamphibians. Someofthestepsyoumaywanttotakeinclude:•Keeplivestockoutofwetlands.•Fixareaswhereyourroadscrosswetlands.•Getridofnon-nativevegetationinwetlands.•Allowcompromisedwetlandstorecoverby
themselves,ifpossible,oractivelyrestorewetlandstobecomeself-sustaining.
AsDr.Scottremindsus,“Nothingworkslikeasystemthattakescareofitself.”
Playing the odds. While most mosquito bites are basically a harmless nuisance, a certain percentage can carry a number of diseases, including West Nile virus.
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seasonal stewardship
Evacuation:Createaplanandpractice
EvacuationChecklistMakeupachecklistofitemsthatareessentialtoyouandplacetheminthecarorprotectaheadoftime.Thelistmayinclude:
✔Importantdocuments(bank,IRS,trust,investment,insurancepolicy,birthcertificates,medicalrecords)
✔CreditandATMcards
✔Medicationsandprescriptionglasses
✔Driver’slicense
✔Passport
✔Computerbackupfiles
✔Inventoryofhomecontents(videotapeorphotographthecontentsandexterior/landscapeifthere’stime)
✔Addressbook
✔Cellphoneandcharger
✔Personaltoiletries
✔Changeofclothing,toiletries,etc.
✔Familyphotoalbumsandvideos
✔Familyheirlooms
✔ Flashlight
✔ Portableradio
Somethings,likewillsandevacuationplans,aren’tpleasanttothinkabout,butyou’llsleepbetteratnightknowingyouhavetheminplace. Emergencieshappen.Ifyouliveinawildlandareayouknowthatfireisaconstantdangerandthatyoumayneedtoevacuatequicklyoneday.Ifthathappens,whatshouldyoudo?Whatdoyoutakewithyou?Howcanmembersofyourfamilyfindoneanother?Thesearen’tquestionsyouwanttoanswerwhenafireisuponyou.
Createaplan Meetwithyourfamilyanddiscusstheneedforanevacuationplan.Comeupwithaplantogether.Planhowtoworkasateam.
•PrepareanEvacuationChecklisttoorganizethethingsyouwillneed(see sample below).
• Picktwoplacestomeet:1)rightoutsideyourhome,and2)outsideyourneighborhoodincaseyoucan’tcomeback.
•Askanout-of-statefriendtobeyourfamilycontact.Otherfamilymembersshouldcallthispersontoreporttheirlocation.Everyonemustknowthecontact’sphonenumber.
•Makesureyourneighborshaveyourcontactnumbersifyou’reawayduringtheemergency.
• Includeplansforneighborswhomayneedhelp,suchasseniorsorsomeonewithadisability.
Practiceandmaintainyourplan•Quizyourkidseverysixmonthssothey
rememberwhattodo.Everyonemustknowtheirphonenumberandaddress.
•Conductfireandemergencyevacuationdrills.Drivetheevacuationroutes.
•Replacestoredwatereverythreemonthsandstoredfoodeverysixmonths.
•Testandrechargeyourfireextinguishersaccordingtomanufacturer’sinstruction.
•Testyoursmokedetectorsmonthlyandchangebatteriesatleastonceayear.
Ifevacuationbecomesapossibility•LocateyourEvacuationChecklistand
assembletheitemsonit.Placetheminyourvehicle.
• Parkyourvehiclefacingoutwardandcarryyourcarkeyswithyou.Rollupthewindows.
Closethegaragedoorbutleaveitunlocked.Ifapplicable,disconnecttheelectricgaragedooropenersothatthedoorcanbeopenedmanually.
•Locatepetsandkeepthemnearby.
•Preparelivestockfortransport.
• Ifpossible,evacuateallfamilymembersnotessentialtopreparingthehouseforwildfire.Besuretodesignateasafemeetingplaceandcontactperson
•Coverup.Wearlongpants,longsleeveshirt,heavyshoes/boots,cap,gloves,drybandannatocoveryourface,gogglesorglasses.100%cottonorwoolclothingispreferable.
•Keepaflashlightandportableradiowithyouatalltimes.
•Tuneintoalocalradiostationandlistenforinstructions.
Emergencies happen. If you live in a wildland area you know that you may need to evacuate quickly one day.
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InsidetheHouse:•Closeallinteriordoors
•Leavewindowsclosedwiththeairconditioningoff.
•Leavealightonineachroom
•Leavethedoorunlocked.
•Removelightweight,nonfire-resistantcurtainsandothercombustiblematerialsfromaroundwindows
•Closefire-resistantdrapes,shutters,andvenetianblinds
•Turnoffallpilotlights
•Moveoverstuffedfurniture,suchascouchesandeasychairs,tothecenteroftheroom
Outside:• Placecombustiblepatiofurnitureinthe
houseorgarage
• Shutoffpropaneatthetankornaturalgasatthemeter
•MovepropaneBBQappliancesawayfromstructures.
•Closeallexteriorventsifpossible
•Propaladderagainstthehousetoprovidefirefighterswitheasyaccesstotheroof
Remember, nothing you own is worth your life! Evacuate immediately when asked by fire fighters and law enforcement officials.
Planningaheadcanincreasethechanceofyourpetsandlivestocksurvivingawildlandfireaswell. Forbothpetsandlivestock,puttogetheraDisasterPreparednessKitthatcontainsvaccinationandmedicalrecords,registrationpapers,proofofownership,andacurrentphotoofyouranimals.Youwillalsowanttoincludefoodandwater,firstaiditems,medications,leashes,collars,harnesses,andallotheritemsnecessaryforaweekortwoaway.
Livestock. Knowwhereyoucantakeyouranimals.Contactvets,friends,fairgrounds,stockyards,etc.abouttheirabilitytotakeyourlivestockinanemergency.Planyourevacuationroutes.Ifyoudon’thaveyourowntrailers,
•Makesurethatallgardenhosesareconnectedtofaucetsandattachnozzlesseton“spray”
•Closeallexteriordoorsandwindows
•Leaveexteriordoorsunlocked
•Turnonoutsidelights
•Coverwindows,atticopenings,andventswithplywoodatleastone-halfinchthick
•Wetdownwoodshakeorshingleroofs
• Filltrashcansandbucketswithwaterandplacewherefirefighterscanfindthem
• Ifyouhaveanemergencywatersource(pool,pond,etc.)and/orportablepump,clearlymarkitsavailabilitysoitcanbeseenfromthestreet
•Assemblefirefightingtoolsnearanoutsidedoor(shovel,rake,hoe,etc.).
Planforyouranimals
Ifthereistimebeforeyouleave…
makearrangementswithlocalcompanies
orneighborsbeforedisasterstrikes.
Cleardefensiblespacearoundyourbarnsandpasturesjust
asyoudoyourhome.Ifyoumustleaveyouranimals,leavetheminapreselected,clearedareawithfoodandwater.
Pets. Sincepetsmaynotbeallowedinsidepublicemergencysheltersyoushouldmakearrangementsaheadoftime.Talkwithanimalsheltersorvetsforinformation.Findaneighborwhowillcheckonortransportyourpetsincaseyouarenotathome.Makessurethatneighborhascontactnumbersandakey.
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CEadvisorsbringexpertisefromthecampustothecommunity UCCooperativeExtensionadvisorsprovideagreatservice…theyarethetranslatorsbetweenacademiaandtherealworld.Whiletheadvisorsbringnewideas,research,andtechnologytothepublic,theyalsotakebackcurrentproblemsandissuesforresearcherstoworkon.
Alittlehistory CooperativeExtension(CE)hasalonganddistinguishedhistory.Anationalprogram,itcameoutoftheLandGrantsystemwheremoneywasgiventothestatesin1887todevelopeducationalinstitutionsthatwouldservetheworkingclass.InCalifornia,theUniversityofCaliforniaistherecipientofland-grantmonies.Assuchtheyhaveanobligationtoassisttheagriculturalindustry,includingforestry. CooperativeExtensionisfundedthroughacooperativerelationshipthatincludesstatemoney(throughtheUCsystem),federaldollars,andthecountiesprovidingofficespace,administrativeassistance,andtravel.
Abravenewworld MuchhaschangedsincetheearlyyearswhenthejobofCooperativeExtensionadvisorswastohelpfarmersmaximizeproduction.Todaytheworldismorecomplex.Theneednowistobalanceagriculturalproductivitywith
pressingenvironmentalconcerns,suchaswaterquality,wildlife,regulatory,economic,andotherissues.Today,agreatdealoftheworkofCEadvisorsandspecialistsinvolvesprovidinginformationandappliedresearchaboutcontrollingtheimpactsofagriculture/forestryontheenvironment.Asanexample,roadworkshopshavebeenheldonforestproperties,vineyards,andranchlandstodiscusswaystominimizewaterqualityimpactsfromroads.Theselargerissuesdonothavesimpleanswersandrequirethoughtfulproblem-solvingskills.
ExtensionForestry CooperativeExtensionForestrycomprisesasmallgroupinCalifornia,buttheycoveralotofterritory.RichardHarrisandGaryNakamuraworkonstatewideissues.GregGiusti(Mendocino-Lake),MikeDeLasaux(Plumas-Sierra),andYanaValachovic(Humboldt-DelNorte)workonthecountylevel.Eachhasbroadexpertiseandcanhelpprovidesolutionstoarangeofforestry-relatedproblems.Inaddition,allcountyCEadvisorsinforestedcommunitieshavesomeexpertiseinforestissuesandwillconsultwithstatewideadvisorswhennecessary.Otherforestry-relatedadvisorsincludeSteveQuarles(WoodDurability)andJohnShelly(ForestProducts). Informationmaybeprovidedthroughanumberofeducationalvehiclesincludingone-on-oneconsultations,meetings,conferences,workshops,courses,demonstrations,fielddays,videos,software,manuals,appliedresearch,curriculum,websites,etc.Thisnewsletter,forexample,issponsoredbyUCCooperativeExtensioninpartnershipwithCDFandtheUSDAForestService. Theadvisorsaretheretohelponalllevels.Theycanprovideinformationonstraightforwardquestionslike“howdoIfindmypropertyboundaries”tocomplexquestionslike“whataremystewardshipgoals?”or“whyaremytreesdying?” Clientsincludejustabouteveryoneinvolvedinforestryincludinglandowners,agencypersonnel,foresters,andotherprofessionalswhoworkwithlandowners.Allconsultationsareconfidentialandatnocharge.And,of
Much has changed since the early years when Coop Extension advisors helped farmers maximize production.
SomepublicationsfromCooperativeExtensionForestry:
Recovering From Wildfire, A Guide for California’s Landowners.AvailablethroughmostUCCEoffices(http://ucanr.org/direct.shtml)orGaryNakamura(530-224-4902).$5.
Southern California Forest Primer. Thispublicationfortheforesthomeownerinterestedinmaintainingtheirforestinahealthycondition.Discussestreestress,mortality,andfirehazard.http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/5098/11501.pdf
Illustrated Field Guide to Selected Rare Plants of Northern California. AvailablethroughmostCEoffices(http://ucanr.org/direct.shtml)orGaryNakamura’soffice.$36.
Who are we?
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Landowner-orientedworkshops/shortcoursesonfire,foreststewardship,andbiomassareplannedoverthenextfewmonthssponsoredbyCoopExtensioninpartnershipwithotherorganizations.Somehavelimitedenrollment,sobesuretoregisterbeforetheworkshop.(Seepage11fordetailsandregistrationinformation.)
September 17, 2005 Cloverdale, CAWildfireandYourHome:defensiblespaceandconstructionconsiderationsforfiresafehomes
September 30–October 1, 2005 Amador CountyForestStewardshipCourse
October 5–November 2, 2005 Humboldt CountyForestStewardshipCourse
October 12–13, 2005, Redding, CABiomassThinningforFuelReductionandForestRestoration:technicalfieldtour
March 24–April 28, 2005 Plumas-Sierra CountiesForestStewardshipCourse
Don’tmisstheseupcomingcourses
Roads are a significant cause of water quality problems. Roads workshops sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension teach ways to recognize and reduce these problems (Extension Advisor Mike De Lasaux at right).
Extension Advisor Yana Valachovic observes the fire-resistant properties of various building materials during a workshop (see article p. 1).
Research focuses on finding fuels treatment that are economically feasible for small landowners (go to http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/fuelreduction).
CoRRECTIon! The last issue of Forestland Steward
contained an article on “Mechanical Fuel
Reduction Around the Home” by Mike
Delasaux of UC Cooperative Extension.
Unfortunately, the website address was
hopelessly mangled by the editor. To learn
more about this worthy project, go to
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/fuelreduction/.
course,therearenodumbquestions. ExtensionForestryisatremendousresourcetoCaliforniaforestlandowners,throughbothitspublicationsandin-houseknowledge.Besuretotakeadvantageofit. TofindyourlocalCooperativeExtensionoffice,lookinthephonebookorgototheirwebsiteathttp://ucanr.org/index.shtml.
California Stewardship Helpline 1-800-738-TREE; [email protected]
California Dept of Forestry & Fire Protection ForestLandownerAssistancePrograms JeffreyCalvert 916-653-8286;[email protected]
Forestry Assistance Specialists
JillButler(SantaRosa)707-576-2935
ScottBullock559-243-4126
EdCranz(Placer)530-889-0111x128
MaryHuggins(S.LakeTahoe)530-541-1989
PatrickMcDaniel(Ama/ElDorad)530-647-5288
DaleMeese(Butte)530-283-1792
AlanPeters(Calav/Tuol)209-754-2709
KevinWhitlock(Yuba/Nevada)530-265-2661
JimRobbins(Fortuna)707-726-1258
AdamWyman(RedBluff)530-528-5116
California Association of RCDs 916-447-7237 [email protected]
Many agencies
are available to
provide technical
assistance, referrals,
information,
education, land
management plan
assistance, and
advice.
TechnicalAssistance
10 summer 2005
California Dept of Fish & Game MartyBerbach 916-327-8839;[email protected]
California Resources Agency:CaliforniaEnvironmentalResourcesEvaluationSystem(CERES) DeanneDiPietro 916-653-8614;[email protected]
Farm Service Agency LarryPlumb 530-792-5520
Natural Resources Conservation Service JerryReioux 530-792-5655;[email protected]
U.C. Cooperative Extension Forestry RichardHarris 510-642-2360;[email protected]
GaryNakamura 530-224-4902;[email protected]
USDA Forest Service SandraStone 707-562-8918;[email protected]
resources Makeyourforestlandmorehospitabletobirds Ifoneofyourobjectivesforyourforestlandincludesenhancinghabitatforwildlife,youwillbeinterestedinaseriesofBirdConservationPlansdevelopedbyCaliforniaPartnersInFlight. Todate,sixhabitatandbioregion-basedBirdConservationPlanshavebeencompletedforRiparian,OakWoodlands,CoastalScrubandChaparral,Grasslands,ConiferousForests,andtheSierraNevadaBioregion. Theconservationplansgiveagoodbackgroundonthefeaturedhabitatandthethreatsfacingit.Theyalsoprovidespecies-specificrecommendationsandoverallobjectives.Thesearedynamicdocuments;recommendationswillbeupdatedasnewinformationbecomesavailable. Althoughfocusedonbirds,manyoftheconservationrecommendationsintheplansbenefitotherspeciesaswell. Thekeyconceptsregardingbirdconservationare:•Reproductivesuccessmaybethemost
importantfactorinfluencingpopulationhealth.•Nestinghabitatrequirementsvaryamong
species.•Thebreedingseasonisashortbutvitalperiod
inbirds’lives.
Acorn woodpecker
•Understory(theweedy,shrubbygrowthunderneathtrees)iscrucialtobirds.
•Nativeplantsareimportanttobirds.•Naturalpredator-preyrelationshipsarein
balance,buthumandisturbancemaycreateanimbalancedsystem.
•Naturalprocesses,suchasfloodandfire,areintegraltoahealthyecosystem.
Formoreinformationandtodownloadthebirdconservationplans,gotohttp://www.prbo.org/calpif/plans.html.
Phot
o: ©
200
4 To
m G
reer
Natural processes, such as flood and fire, are integral to a healthy ecosystem.
Forestland S teward
For more information
on these events call
the number provided
or the Forest
Stewardship Helpline,
1-800-738-TREE.
To submit an event,
contact Sherry
Cooper, 530-224-
4902; slcooper@
nature.
berkeley.edu. Find a
more comprehensive
calendar at the Forest
Stewardship website
http://ceres.ca.gov/
foreststeward
summer 2005 11
Calendar
September13–15,2005Board of ForestryLocation:LakeTahoe,CASponsor:BoardofForestryContact:DawnLaFranco916-653-8007http://www.fire.ca.gov
September17,2005Wildfire and Your Home: defensible space and construction considerations for fire safe homesLocation:Cloverdale,CASponsor:UCCooperativeExtensionContact:KathyPerry;[email protected]@ucdavis.eduCost:$10before9/10/05
September30–October1,2005Forest Stewardship CourseLocation:AmadorCountySponsors:UCCooperativeExtension&UCCenterforForestryContact:ScottOneto209-223-6482;[email protected]:TBAhttp://groups.ucanr.org/forest/
October5–November2,2005Forest Stewardship CourseLocation:HumboldtCountySponsors:HumboldtCoUCCooperativeExtension&UCCenterforForestryContact:YanaValachovic707-445-7351;[email protected]:$50Notes:7sessionsand2fieldtrips;limitedto30;callforflyer
October6–8,2005California Invasive Plant Council SymposiaLocation:Chico,CASponsor:CaliforniaInvasivePlantCouncilCost:TBAhttp://groups.ucanr.org/ceppc/Symposia/
October6–7,2005Hinkle Creek Watershed Study—Tracking the Environmental Effects of ContemporaryForest PracticesLocation:Roseburg,ORSponsor:OregonStateUniversityContact:541-737-2329;[email protected]:TBAhttp://outreach.cof.orst.edu/advgis/index.htm
October11–13,2005Board of ForestryLocation:Sacramento,CA
Sponsor:BoardofForestryContact:DawnLaFranco916-653-8007http://www.fire.ca.gov
October12–13,2005Biomass Thinning For Fuel Reduction and Forest Restoration—Technical Field TourLocation:Redding,CASponsors:N.Cal.SocietyofAmericanForestersandUCCooperativeExtensionContact:SherryCooper530-224-4902;[email protected]:$100SAFmembers;$125non-members;$25latefeeNotes:Pre-registrationrequired—onlineat:http://groups.ucanr.org/forest/
October28,2005CLFA Fall WorkshopLocation:Redding,CASponsor:CaliforniaLicensedForestersAssn.Contact:HazelJackson209-293-7323;[email protected]:TBAhttp://www.clfa.org/
November15–16,2005CFPC Annual MeetingLocation:Woodland,CASponsor:CaliforniaForestPestCouncilContact:SusanFrankel510-559-6472;[email protected]:TBAhttp://www.caforestpestcouncil.org/
November15–17,2005Board of ForestryLocation:Sacramento,CASponsor:BoardofForestryContact:DawnLaFranco916-653-8007Notes:www.fire.ca.gov
November17–18,2005Science and Management of Headwater Streams in the Pacific NorthwestLocation:Corvallis,ORSponsor:OregonHeadwatersResearchCoopContact:LizDent503-945-7371;[email protected];BobDanehy541-741-5219;[email protected]://www.headwatersresearch.org/
December13–15,2005Board of ForestryLocation:Sacramento,CASponsor:BoardofForestryContact:DawnLaFranco916-653-8007Notes:www.fire.ca.gov
Forestland S teward
ForestStewardshipCoursesWouldyouliketobetterunder-standyourforest,developgoalsforitsprotectionandimprovement,andproduceaman-agementplantoachievethosegoalsinanecologicallyandeconomicallysustainableman-ner?Ifso,registernowforoneoftheworkshop/fieldtripseriesdesignedtoassistfamilyforestlandownerslikeyou.Classsizeslimited.Call530-224-4902forinfo.
How can the Forestland Steward newsletter serve you?
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Send to CDF, Forestry Assistance, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460. Phone: (916) 653-8286; Fax: (916) 653-8957; email: [email protected]
12 summer 2005
fire safetyQuailBotanicalGardens QuailBotanicalGardenscollectsanddisplaysplantsfromregionsoftheworldwithaclimatesimilartoSouthernCalifornia’s.Thefire
safegardendemonstratesthetypeandarrangementofornamentalplantsanddetailsofhouseconstructiontomitigatetheriskofwildfire.
230QuailGardensDrive,Encinitas,CA92024Contact:GardenManager,(760)436-3036Sponsor:QuailBotanicalGardensFoundation
Opendaily,9a.m.–5p.m.$5/adults,$4/seniors,$2/children;under5freeWheelchairaccessible
CityofSantaBarbaraFirescapeDemonstrationGarden TheFirescapeDemonstrationGardenshowshowlandscapedesigncansignificantlyreduceorpreventwildfiredamagetohomeandproperty.Thegardenisfiresafe,waterefficient,andbeautifulallinonedesign. Thegardenlieswithinafireproneoakwoodlandenvironment.Itfeatures1.7acresof
waterefficient,native,andnon-nativeplants.Itisdesignedasaself-guidedtourandisdividedintofourzonesthathelpreducethespreadofwildfiretoyourhome.
Location:MissionRidgeRoadandStanwoodDrive,acrossfrom2411StanwoodDr.Contact:AnnMarieMarx,SantaBarbaraFireDepartment,[email protected];(805)965-5254Sponsor:CityofSantaBarbaraOpendaily,8a.m.–sunset;FreeNotwheelchairaccessible
UCBerkeleyFireSafeGarden TheBerkeleyFireSafeGardenwasdesignedtobelowmaintenance,aestheticallypleasing,realistic,andinteractive.IncludedarelandscapecomponentscommonlyfoundinCaliforniahomes,suchasfences,raisedbeds,seatingareas,andwalkways(andcomplieswithhandicappedaccessibility).Allofthespeciesarelistedas“fireresistant”infourcategories:native,drought-resistant,ornamental,andedible/herb. A15’x20’structureinthegardenrepresentsabuildingatriskwithexamplesofbothfiresafeandhazardousmaterials,andconstructiontechniques.Otherfeaturesshowdetailsrelatedtodeteriorationprotectionfromfungiandtermites,seismicandwindhold-downs,andthermalinsulation.Formoreinformation,includingthegardenplantlist,gotohttp://nature.berkeley.edu/~fbeall/FireMit/garden.html.
Location:AcrossthestreetfromtheUCForestProductsLaboratory(UCFPL),1301S.46thStreet,Bldg.478,Richmond,CaliforniaSponsor:UCFPLandtheRichmondFieldStation,UCBerkeleyWheelchairAccessible
ElfinForestFireSafeGardenLocation:BehindtheElfinForestFireDepartmentat20223ElfinForestRd.,Escondido,California92029Contact:FrankTwohy,760/744-2186Sponsor:FireSafeSanDiegoOpendaily(self-tour),dawntodusk;FreeWheelchairaccessible
FirescapeGarden TheFirescapeGardenwasdesignedin1993attheLosJilquerosPreserveonMissionRoadinFallbrook,CA.Itislocatedona44-acregreenspaceandis1/2acreinsize.Opendaily.
Location:NorthofhighschoolonMissionRd.Contact:RogerBoddard,760/728-4297
Firesafedemonstrationgardens
California poppies are a native plant found on the plant list used for the UC Berkeley Fire Safe Garden.© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary’s College of California