CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE
TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA
February 9, 2022, 5:30 PM
Zoom.com Video Teleconference
Crosby Swartz called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm. A Quorum was established by attendance of CDC directors Crosby and Laura Swartz, Julie Jorgenson and Christine Heinrichs. Harry Farmer, Cambria CSD liaison attended. Community members attending included Valerie Eastman, Mary Webb, Elizabeth Bettenhausen, Sheri Kosh, former Cal Fire forester Alan Peters from his current home in West Virginia, Neil Havlik and Melissa Mooney of California Native Plant Society, Cal Fire Forestry Assistant Jon Gee, Robert and Ann Cichowski, Holy Sletteland, Ted Key, and Rancho Marino Reserve Director Keith Seydel, for a total of 19 attendees.
Los Padres ForestWatch Conservation Director Bryant Baker gave a PowerPoint presentation, followed by Q&A and Discussion. Video of the presentation is posted on the Forest Committee’s website, here, Passcode: #z&5pvJA.
Bryant holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Environmental, Soil and Water Science. At LPFW, he analyzes ways to improve the effectiveness of forest health and fire prevention projects, and reduce potential adverse effects, based on the latest science.
Los Padres Forest Watch is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to protecting wildlife, wilderness, water, and sustainable access throughout the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. For more information about LPFW, check their website.
Forests perform an important role by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and reducing global warming. The widespread fire agency practice of cutting trees down to reduce fire danger can have the unwanted effect of producing hotter, dryer, and windier conditions that create more dangerous wildfire conditions. For example, the Cambria Forest Committee is concerned about the long-term effects of the ongoing Covell Ranch Fuel Reduction Project.
The regular business portion of the meeting was deferred to the regular March meeting to allow time for Mr. Baker to respond to many questions from the attendees.
Next Meeting March 9, 2022
