Join Cascade Forest Conservancy on October 18th-20th in the ponderosa pine forests on the south side of Mount Adams preparing areas for prescribed burning. This is a partnership with Mount Adams Resource Stewards and is a long-term effort to protect the majestic, old-growth ponderosa pines and Douglas-firs in this unique part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Volunteers will be working with CFC staff and using hard rakes and shovels to pull back the thick needle layers and ladder fuels that have built up over the past century due to fire suppression. Without fire suppression, these layers would not be present because regular fires would have swept through these areas on a 10- to 30-year cycle, burning at low to moderate severity, removing young grand firs and new layers of duff, and creating relative open spaces for the old ponderosa pines and Douglas-firs to thrive. Currently, these trees are not only threatened by high-intensity fires but are also experiencing negative impacts from drought and disease due to competition for water and nutrients.
Whether you are able to join for all three days (Oct 18,19, and 20) or just one day, your help is critical for this project. We have just put the trip on our website, so go check it out and sign on our website to reserve your spot: https://cascadeforest.org/trip-signup/
This trip will involve walking on uneven ground and over downed logs. The work will be physical, but volunteers are able to work at a pace that is most comfortable for them.
Trip difficulty rating: 4 out of 5
Time: Fri 10 a.m. – Sun 3 p.m., ~1.5 hours from PDX/Vancouver; can join for 1, 2, or 3 days
Additional info: Camping near Trout Lake