Hope Comes in the Color Green

On Dec. 16th, the public is invited to attend an open house where stakeholders will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide valuable feedback on the draft version of the STF Rim Fire Recovery Reforestation Plan. Meanwhile, more information about reforestation is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/stanislaus/home/?cid=stelprd3821706

Aside from the aesthetic connection many local residents have with the Stanislaus, trees provide a valuable ecological function. They cast shading over streams which helps temperature sensitive organisms to survive. Dropped tree limbs and other woody material stabilize meadows and slow water runoff. In streams, the debris creates habitat for fish. Wildlife of all sorts use trees for roosting, nesting and foraging. From a human perspective, trees along with other forms of vegetation stabilize hillsides which is very important function in severely burned watersheds.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture nursery in Placerville, CA grew 3.2 million seedlings to help reforest areas affected by high severity wildland fires. Saplings from this nursery will be used to reforest some of the footprint of the Rim Fire.

“Regrowing our nation’s forests following wildfires, like the Rim Fire is truly one of the greatest joys of my job,” says Sara Wilson, a Forestry Technician at the nursery. “At the nursery,” she adds, “success happens one seedling at a time.”

Community groups can also contact the STF to schedule a presentation on reforestation by calling the Rim Fire Public Affairs staff at (209)-532-3671, ext. 259.