Taking the Future by the Horns

Mount Hough District Ranger Mike Donald and Mount Hough Fire Ecologist Dave Kinateder presenting to landowners in Butterfly Valley

With wildfire severities increasing every year, more and more environmental groups are taking a step back from litigating forest activities to look at the big picture issues that surround forest management, its history, and the consequences of human intervention into the fire regime that is natural to the Sierra Nevada’s. People from all walks of life are coming to realize that we need to act to preserve our green forest lands, and work proactively rather than sit back and let unnaturally devastating fires plot their own course.  This reflection on the consequences of past management is drawing together some seemingly unlikely groups of people to begin talking together, and building projects together to save our forests. 

Collaboratives around the country are coming together to actively help each other, setting their differences aside for the good of the land.  Collaboration comes in so many forms, whether it is a seasoned firefighter presence at a tribal grass burning ceremony, or simply homeowners discussing concerns about their lands.  The first steps to the formation of any collaborative is the realization for the need of a group effort, and the crucial element of any successful collaborative group is the people who form it.  Everyone has valuable insight and when we can set down our barriers, we as individuals are better for it, and the land benefits.

While the new Plumas collaborative effort is still drawing local folks in, people around the county are already practicing collaboration in action.  A prime example is the Butterfly Valley area, where homeowners with the help of local NRCS are working on their lands, gaining positive attention from the Forest Service, and now a complementary project is being planned on the neighboring National Forest land. As we get details on the time and location of this field trip, I will be posting the event on the calendar under the resources tab.  I highly encourage interested people to come see these projects, as hands on learning often sparks great ideas and conversation.

This localized example of landowners in action is an encouraging success, showing that Plumas County is ready to come together to take action. I am delighted with the overarching philosophy that Plumas County residents have been maintaining; that our lands need to be treated at a larger pace and scale, with the aim of taking proactive steps to creating long term fire resilient forests.  It is a hope of mine to encompass solutions from people of all backgrounds in our decisions, and the potential of this effort immeasurable. While our group is in its initial stages of gaining committed partnerships, I look forward to the new connections we will be creating within our community, for the betterment of our forests, Plumas County, and all its residents.