The Sierra Forest Voice
Web Edition
Vol. 2, No. 1, January 23, 2008
Forest Conservation Update: Forest Service Releases Final MIS Plan
On December 14th, 2007 Region 5 of the U.S Forest Service released the Record of Decision regarding their proposed Sierra Nevada Management Indicator (MIS) Species Amendment. This decision minimizes the Forest Service’s forest monitoring requirements by significantly reducing the management indicator species lists that are tracked across all Sierra Nevada National Forests. The 2001 and 2004 Framework required the Forest Service to monitor impacts that Forest Service projects have on the long-term viability of these species and the long-term health of the habitats that they depend upon for survival. Learn more about this decision and how to appeal by February 4th here...
Community Forestry Update: Local Communities Successfully Adopt Firewise
2007 came and went with many accomplishments for the Sierra Forest Legacy Firewise Program. The year started out with a new hire, David Jaramillo, a forester who had many people to meet and many things to learn about the fire mitigation world. As a result of our hard work, by the end of 2007 four newly certified and nationally recognized Firewise Communities emerged in the Sierra Nevada. Our efforts and the efforts of the communities doubled the Firewise participation in the Sierra Nevada. Grizzly Flat and Volcanoville (El Dorado County), Alpine Meadows (Placer County) and Lake Wildwood (Nevada County) all earned Firewise status. These communities are all unique and have worked hard to help lessen their wildfire risks. Read more about the growth of the Firewise program in the Sierra here...
An Activist's Guide to NEPA
One of the most important needs that the forests of the Sierra Nevada have are dedicated and engaged activists who will monitor projects proposed by the Forest Service and actively work to get community support against plans that are detrimental to their ecological health. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to prepare a detailed environmental impact statement for any major federal action significantly affecting the environment. An important component of monitoring the activities of the Forest Service is to understand what the NEPA process is and what role individuals can play in ensuring that plans and projects that are proposed by federal agencies are not in violation of NEPA. Read more about the NEPA process and how you can become an activist on your local forest here...
Seasonal Firewise Practices: Important Steps to Take This Winter
During each of the four seasons of the year, David Jaramillo, our Professional Forester will be writing an article coinciding with each quarterly release of our newsletter highlighting what you can do as a homeowner in the Sierra to better prepare your home and property for the coming fire season. There are simple steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood of your home igniting during a wildfire event. Taking a little time to perform some easy and essential corrective measures can go a long way in making your home fire safe and allowing you rest easy during the height of fire season ion the Sierra. Read Dave's tips on seasonal Firewise practices here...
Upcoming Forest Service Projects Report
Every three months each national forest within the U.S. Forest Service releases it Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA). These quarterly SOPA reports are what we use to identify projects which are especially detrimental to the ecological health of Sierra Nevada forests. Tracking these projects through the NEPA process allows our scientific and legal experts to engage the forest service throughout the planning process and submit substantive comments explaining our opposition to proposals which either violate NEPA or threaten the forests and wildlife species of the Sierra. Read more about the projects that Sierra Forest Legacy has decided to monitor this winter here...and Learn more about what role you can play in monitoring your local forest here...
New and Improved Sierra Forest Legacy Website Launches
Our website has undergone a complete redesign and remodel and has now launched in its new and vastly improved state. This new and improved website better reflects our new mission and expanded program focus in the areas of Community Forestry and Forestry Conservation. The site includes a great resources center which will serve as a clearinghouse of important legal cases, the latest scientific research, media and outreach tools, activist guides and handbooks, updates on the latest projects and exciting programs, and extensive information on all of the exciting work that we are doing on behalf of Sierra Nevada forests and communities. We encourage you to explore our new website to access all of these useful resources.
Community Leader Profile: Stewart McMorrow
Stewart McMorrow, of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District dedicates his life to environmental conservation. As the Forest Fuels Project Manager for the North Lake Tahoe Fire Department and an independent certified arborist Stewart utilizes his vast knowledge of forest ecology, community fire protection, and public outreach and education, as well as an expertise in using chainsaws, drip torches and chippers to help him accomplish the important conservation and community protection goals that make his work so fulfilling and important. Read more about Stewart's important work here...
Species Profile: Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) is the largest woodpecker in North America. Its core habitat is made up of mature forests and logging activities which remove nesting, roosting, and feeding sites have significantly impacted the viability of this keystone species. It is known as a keystone species because many other species depend upon the Pileated woodpecker for their own survival. The cavities which the Pileated woodpecker creates in dead and dying trees are utilized by other bird species, amphibians and some small mammals.
Read more about the Pileated Woodpecker here...