It’s interesting how the practices and technologies of reforesting were cool and important in the 80’s and may be coming back into vogue. The 80’s were the time of Andy, Bob Z., Jim Z and I all being involved in one or another angle of cone collection, nurseries and reforestation. As I posted earlier this week, we were supported by reforestation specialists and cooperative research including the Fundamental FIR program Anyway, here we go with a CBS News story on reforestation and genetics on the Fremont-Winema.
My thoughts about the coverage.. again, the Forest Service seems to take a back seat as reported. Bryan Reatini, the geneticist, is definitely Forest Service, but when asked about the big picture, the interviewer speaks to American Forests. The folks from AF are authorized to use FS vehicles, and I wonder whether the FS runs the risk of losing FS identity, which could be problematic in the long run, with both communities and Congress. Also, I wouldn’t call Collins a “logging company”; I’d call it a wood products company. Note that Collins’ Lakeview Forest is FSC-certified.
Generally, it seems that using partners will probably yield better-paid workers and less-poorly-treated workers than the directly contracted lowest-bidder approach. I’m looking forward to cone-drones, though.
Here is a fun video from the viewpoint of a seed, from Cal Fire, formerly known as CDF , and currently the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, in case you’re wondering why fire folks are collecting cones.
I saw it last night and thought it was a pretty good presentation. My only thought was “where the hell have you been this past 35 years?” Even as late as 2017, when I walked out that door, reforestation was about as popular as an ice storm! We had ladies garden clubs collecting pennies in Phoenix for reforestation of the Wallow Fire, and they probably done more for that fire than the FS.
All that infrastructure in forest genetics and seed/seedlings, FS and contractors who knew how to plant and the experience to make an actual program was/is lost.
It’s about danged time; too many “ecological fixes” or natural regen, with colossally disastrous results!