CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE
TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA
Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2022, 10:00 AM
Zoom.com Video Teleconference
Crosby Swartz called the meeting to order at 10:09 am. A Quorum was established by attendance of directors Crosby and Laura Swartz, Julie Jorgenson, Greenspace representative Bob Fountain, and Christine Heinrichs. FFRP Executive Director Kitty Connolly, Cambria CSD liaison Harry Farmer and Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve Director Keith Seydel also attended.
Minutes of February and March Meetings were approved unanimously as amended.
Treasurer’s Report: Laura Swartz reported no change in account totals: $366.15, plus $30 in petty cash. She is working on the income tax returns, which are due in May. CPA Lynn Singer will review.
Sub-Committee Reports
Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations
Earth Day Events April 22 and 23. Greenspace will hold an event Friday April 22 at the Creekside Reserve. Fiscalini Ranch Preserve invites the Forest Committee to join them at the table Kitty Connolly will set up at the South end of the Bluff Trail at Windsor, 9 am-1 pm.
Webinar Video “Understanding The Science, Forest and Fire Management” Understanding the Science, Ep. 2: Are Current Fire Management Practices the Contemporary Sisyphus?
And this paper explaining why some widely accepted forest management treatments are ineffective or even counter-productive.
Website updates: Christine asked directors to review the website and offer suggestions for improvements.
Forest Management
Covell Ranch Project Updates: No work is currently being done. Melissa Mooney of CNPS requested a follow-up site visit. No response to date.
Report from Fire Safe Focus Group:
Cal Fire has suspended burning the remaining 350 of 500 burn piles, subsequent to the March 7 fire which rekindled during the night. Fire Safe Council Business Manager Dan Turner reported that they have acquired an infrared detecting device to avoid future episodes. When broom is removed before seeds set, the vegetation can be chipped. Broom piles are burned because viable seeds have been allowed to develop. Burning piles near trees can scorch them, and the trees may die later. Better timing of broom removal would eliminate the need to burn, with its attendant problems, and do a better job of reducing broom.
Friends of Fiscalini Ranch Preserve has applied for a fire prevention grant. Response expected in May or June.
Wildfire Prevention Day will be May 7
New Business
Discussion of CCSD Fire Hazard Fuel Reduction Program: Cambria CSD started its annual program at the April 14 meeting. Crosby and Laura will write to the fire department listing the lots protected by conservation easements for less extreme weed abatement.
Discussion About Changing CFC Meeting Date and Time:
All in attendance preferred daytime meetings.
Unfinished Business
Discussion of USLT Resource Conservation District Role as Forest Manager:
USLTRCD has followed Cal Fire recommendations in the Covell Ranch project, despite comments from the Forest Committee and others directing them to research that shows extreme vegetation removal does not promote forest health or fire safety and may allow the forest to get hotter and drier.
Keith Seydel, Rancho Marino director, said that the ranch is a research forest and will include experimental treatment plots to test for regrowth. Dr. Sarah Bisbing, formerly of Cal Poly and now at University of Nevada Reno, will lead the forest management and treatment plan. Biological survey personnel from Ascent Environmental, https://www.ascentenvironmental.com/, in Sacramento will visit the ranch. Keith will give a report at the May meeting.
Harry Farmer spoke with arborist Blair McCormick recently about the forest. Crosby suggested inviting Blair to do an assessment of the forest.
Public and Director Comments
Bob Fountain reported on the recent Greenspace acquisition of a large forested parcel adjacent to the Strawberry Canyon Preserve. He also reported on presentations at the middle and high schools by Rick Hawley and Bob Cichowski.
Future Agenda Items and Speakers
Michigan State Forest Carbon and Climate Program https://www.canr.msu.edu/fccp/
Society of American Foresters Videos https://learn.eforester.org
The meeting was Adjourned at noon.
Next Meeting Friday May 13, 2022 10 am
