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?

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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;steve.quarles@nature.berkeley.edu.

Studies are performed on various materials to determine performance. The brands (above) help to standardize the experiments.

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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; ncsaf@mcn.org

California Dept of Forestry & Fire Protection ForestLandownerAssistancePrograms JeffreyCalvert 916-653-8286;jeff.calvert@fire.ca.gov

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 staff@carcd.org

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;mberbach@dfg.ca.gov

California Resources Agency:CaliforniaEnvironmentalResourcesEvaluationSystem(CERES) DeanneDiPietro 916-653-8614;deanne@ceres.ca.gov

Farm Service Agency LarryPlumb 530-792-5520

Natural Resources Conservation Service JerryReioux 530-792-5655;jerry.reioux@ca.usda.gov

U.C. Cooperative Extension Forestry RichardHarris 510-642-2360;rrharris@nature.berkeley.edu

GaryNakamura 530-224-4902;gmnakamura@ucdavis.edu

USDA Forest Service SandraStone 707-562-8918;sstone01@fs.fed.us

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;ksperry@ucdavis.eduorDavidLewis707-565-2621djllewis@ucdavis.eduCost:$10before9/10/05

September30–October1,2005Forest Stewardship CourseLocation:AmadorCountySponsors:UCCooperativeExtension&UCCenterforForestryContact:ScottOneto209-223-6482;sroneto@ucdavis.eduCost:TBAhttp://groups.ucanr.org/forest/

October5–November2,2005Forest Stewardship CourseLocation:HumboldtCountySponsors:HumboldtCoUCCooperativeExtension&UCCenterforForestryContact:YanaValachovic707-445-7351;yvala@ucdavis.eduCost:$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;forestry.outreach.education@oregonstate.eduCost: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;slcooper@nature.berkeley.eduCost:$100SAFmembers;$125non-members;$25latefeeNotes:Pre-registrationrequired—onlineat:http://groups.ucanr.org/forest/

October28,2005CLFA Fall WorkshopLocation:Redding,CASponsor:CaliforniaLicensedForestersAssn.Contact:HazelJackson209-293-7323;clfa@volcano.netCost:TBAhttp://www.clfa.org/

November15–16,2005CFPC Annual MeetingLocation:Woodland,CASponsor:CaliforniaForestPestCouncilContact:SusanFrankel510-559-6472;sfrankel@fs.fed.usCost: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;ldent@odf.state.or.us;BobDanehy541-741-5219;Bob.Danehy@weyerhaeuser.comhttp://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?

I’d like to see more information on _____________________________

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q Add me to the mailing list / q Change my address:

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q To save on printing costs and paper, we encourage you to get the internet version of Forestland Steward. Check here for an email copy of each issue instead of a hard copy.

Send to CDF, Forestry Assistance, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244-2460. Phone: (916) 653-8286; Fax: (916) 653-8957; email: jeff.calvert@fire.ca.gov

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,amarx@ci.santa-barbara.ca.us;(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