WILDFIRE WORK NEVER ENDS FOR WESTERN
SHASTA COUNTY RCD

In the midst of one of the worst wildfire seasons on record in California, Western Shasta County Resource Conservation District (RCD) continues working on fire reduction and fire prevention through fuel breaks and preparing communities for wildfires and how to prevent them.


The RCD was working on installing a fuel break near French Gulch when the Carr Fire broke out in late July, cutting off access to the area and delaying the project.

“We really need to educate our landowners, and not only the landowners, but the public,” Forester Lois Kaufman said. “I don’t know that the public realizes that as you’re standing in the forest, that’s the silent workforce that’s giving you clean air and clean water and recreational opportunities. It shouldn’t be so difficult to manage that workforce, and doing nothing is not management.” Read more>>>


DISTRICT PLANTS INAUGURAL TREE ALONG MEMORIAL TRAIL

Pennsylvania’s Erie County Conservation District (PECCD) teamed up with an Eagle Scout candidate to establish a new trail that will combine forest education with honoring community loved ones.


In June, the district kicked off the Memorial Tree Trail project, planting the first tree in honor of the late Phil Fatica, a conservation district advocate. More trees will be planted this fall, and the district hopes to expand the project in conjunction with its spring seedling sale.

When a memorial tree is purchased, the donor may choose a native Pennsylvania tree from a predetermined list as well as include a quote or saying, some written memento, to have inscribed on a plaque to accompany the tree. Plaques have a leaf print to represent the name of the tree, species and genus. The Memorial Tree Trail project may one day link with the park trail system, but for now, the district’s goal is to provide an educational opportunity in conjunction with recreation outside of the woods, District Manager Tom McClure said. Read more >>>


NACD SIGNS COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) during the organization’s conservation forum and tour in Williamsburg, Va.


The MOU between NACD and NWTF establishes an agreement to enhance the productivity of wild turkey and other wildlife habitats on private lands. Additionally, the agreement signifies the commitment both organizations share to collaborate on future engagements and events. Activities include wild turkey and habitat conservation projects, delivering education materials, habitat restoration, and developing habitat enhancement techniques.

“You can’t have a healthy turkey population without healthy forests,” NACD President Brent Van Dyke said. “Today’s signed agreement demonstrates the commitment both NACD and NWTF share in enhancing our natural resources, particularly through increasing forest health. This agreement provides both entities with the unique ability to promote and implement conservation practices at the local level.” Read more>>>


JFT TOURS PARTNERSHIP SITES NEAR DENVER

The national Joint Forestry Team (JFT) met in Denver, Colo., in August to discuss team strategies, goals, accomplishments and tour project sites throughout the Upper South Platte Partnership. It was the first time in the JFT’s 11-year existence the group organized a field tour during its annual meeting.


The tour was led by staff from the Colorado State Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, Jefferson Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Organized in 2015, the nine members of the Upper South Platte Partnership work towards sustainable and resilient landscapes, healthy forests, proactive and engaged fire-adapted communities, with efficient fire response and management.

“The projects we saw, and the efforts of the Upper South Platte Partnership, are part of a new and rapidly expanding movement on the Colorado Front Range, and in other parts of the West,” Garrett Stephens, Jefferson Conservation District forester and staff supervisor, said. “The projects implement large-scale, ecology-based forest treatments designed to mitigate future wildfire behavior and restore forest diversity on private lands, as well as public.” Read more>>>


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