CAMBRIA FOREST COMMITTEE
TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE THE NATIVE FOREST OF CAMBRIA
March 9, 2022, 5:30 PM
Zoom.com Video Teleconference
The meeting was Called to Order at 5:45 and a Quorum established by attendance of Crosby and Laura Swartz, Bob Fountain, Julie Jorgenson, and Christine Heinrichs. Harry Farmer, Cambria Community Services District Board liaison, and Jim Townsend also attended.
Public and Director Comments:
Directors expressed concern about the vegetation pile burned by Cal Fire on Cambria Pines Road, March 7. The firefighters left the fire as extinguished, but it rekindled and burst into flame around 11 pm. A neighbor called the fire department and posted video on Nextdoor.
Harry said that a Cal Fire representative reported at the Fire Safe Focus Group meeting that it had burned only an area 25’ x 40’, although the video clearly shows a larger area, around ¾ acre. Cambria Fire Department stayed on site about 4 hours to put the fire out.
Laura said that around 500 piles, with around 350 remaining still to be burned. Burning piles can also singe nearby Monterey Pine trees that will later die. She reported that Fire Safe Council business manager Dan Turner claims that sending crews of convicts over from Atascadero to cut the broom when it’s too hot to work there is an economic way to control the broom. Crosby said that the need to burn the vegetation to kill the broom seeds would be eliminated if the broom were cut before it produces viable seeds.
Jim Townsend said that leaving piles of brush on the ground can create wildlife habitat that then can’t be removed.
All agreed other methods of disposing of cleared vegetation are preferable to burning, especially under this year’s exceptionally dry conditions. Cambria has not had rain since December.
Approve Minutes of January and February Meetings:
Christine will provide Minutes of the February meeting, at which Bryant Baker spoke. No business meeting was conducted.
January Minutes were approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Laura reported that all the grant money was spent. She and Crosby donated some amount to cover all costs. After paying the Post Office box rental of $182, the remaining balance is $366.15.
Sub-Committee Reports
Education/Planting/Mitigation/Operations
Report from Online Forest Carbon and Climate Course: Crosby and Laura took the course and enjoyed it. Crosby shared the informational handouts with other directors. They are posted on the website.
Forest Management
Covell Ranch Project Updates: Crosby reported that Dan Turner has not responded to Neil Havlik’s request on behalf of CNPS for a follow-up site visit.
Old Growth Forest Network: Fiscalini Ranch Preserve was inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network. The group is seeking to identify a forest in every county in the country.
Report from Fire Safe Focus Group:
Rancho Marino will be the next area treated by Cal Fire crews. The USLTRCD is recruiting property owners with five or more acres of forest.
Wildfire Preparedness Day will be held May 7, both in person and on YouTube. FSFG is implementing a new alert system. Evacuation studies remain unfinished.
New Business
Discussion of USLT Resource Conservation District Role as Forest Manager
USLTRCD generally follows Cal Fire’s recommendations on forest management. Cal Fire relies on the state Vegetation Treatment Program. Projects in the Coastal Zone need review, hearing and approval from the Coastal Commission. Crosby will determine who Coastal Commission sent to inspect the work. The Forest Committee will discuss requesting another inspection before the Covell Ranch project is done and ask for special consideration for the Monterey Pine forest.
Unfinished Business
Update Camp Ocean Pines Tree Planting Project
All tree seedlings from Greenspace and equipment were delivered as promised. Camp Ocean Pines first class of campers have gone through the tree planting program, supervised by Outdoor Education Director Channing Kaiser. Photos have been sent to Cambria Community Council, which provided funding, and posted to the Forest Committee website. Bob Fountain will suggest that the camp coordinate with Greenspace’s middle school education program.
Bob reported that Greenspace has provided 1,000 Monterey Pine seedlings to State Parks in the past two years, some of which are 3 ½ feet tall. They are planted in the Parks area north of Washburn State Campground. State Parks has requested another 1,000 seedlings.
Public and Director Comments
Crosby suggested considering another meeting time, as CNPS meets at the same time, to allow members to attend both meetings. Friday morning is a possible alternative meeting time.
Future Agenda Items and Speakers
Michigan State Forest Carbon and Climate Program
Society of American Foresters Videos
The Mother Tree Project, inspired by the book, Finding the Mother Tree by Susanne Simard.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:45 pm
Next Meeting April 15, 2022
