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Products from thinning treatments await a buyer at the mill in Hayfork
© Wendy Fulks |
Vision and Strategy
Successfully restoring fire-dependent ecosystems at meaningful scales requires an integrated approach that considers social, economic and ecological factors. It requires balancing ecological objectives, such as protecting habitat for endangered species and ensuring the long-term resiliency of forest systems, with the socio-economic need to provide living-wage jobs from the stewardship of those forests. Long-term restoration plans must also take into account the imperatives of human health and safety through community wildfire protection strategies.
Ultimately, the solution lies in striking a balance that can be sustained as social values, budgets and climates all change. Developing and implementing this solution is our goal.
Through the Watershed Research and Training Center, the Hayfork Basin FLN landscape will demonstrate an integrated model for addressing this complex set of variables. Our approach focuses on:
- Establishing a robust local ecosystem workforce through training, capacity building, and developing a consistent and high-quality program of work;
- Bridging social and ideological gaps by collaborating with diverse stakeholders and forging common-ground solutions; and
- Improving the economics of fuels reduction and forest restoration through innovative harvesting and utilization strategies.
In 2007 we will work with partners to develop an Integrated Fire Management Plan for Hayfork Basin. Much of the plan will draw from existing related plans, such as our community wildfire protection plan. We are also partnering with the USFS on two stewardship contracts and agreements affecting almost 340 acres, and working toward securing a 10-year contract. Finally, we will test a pilot plantation thinning protocol at the Big Creek Watershed and continue our work with the Trinity Forest Restoration Collaborative.
Watershed Research and Training Center
The Watershed Research and Training Center is a community-based, nonprofit organization started in 1993 to promote healthy communities and sustainable forests through research, education, training, and economic development. The Watershed Center has more than a decade of experience in collaborating with communities, forest workers, federal and state agencies, and national partners to advance sustainable forest management and restoration. Particularly valuable experience has been gained from piloting stewardship contracting projects, participating in the regional and national multi-party monitoring effort, and helping to spearhead the Trinity County Fire Safe planning effort.
Resources:
Leaders: Lynn Jungwirth and Nick Goulette
Workshop 1 / Weaverville, CA / 31 October - 1 November 2006
Objectives:
- Introduce partners to Trinity Basin and U.S. Fire Learning Network;
- Provide ecological and cultural context for fire and fire use in the Trinity Basin;
- Allow partners from land management agencies and implementing organizations to share their perspectives on prescribed fire use, including strategies, impediments, planning requirements, planning tools, technical approaches, burning experience, planned burns, monitoring and reporting protocols and resource needs;
- Establish contacts and strengthen relationships among partners; and
- Develop strategies for sharing resources, monitoring, and sharing lessons learned.
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