Lynne and Teal have been seized by a fit of publishing mania. I've not been able to escape its effect since there is a blank spot on the front page of the newsletter. The following was something I wrote for a publication here in the East Kootenay and offer it in the hope, regional perspective aside, that it might be of interest to section members besides those in BC. In any case, given the time available, this is what you get!
If you have an affinity for grasslands, "Grasslands and Sustainable
Ranching," which aired on the Knowledge Network might be of interest. Plan ahead; it
will run again, same network, on July 19, 1:30 p.m. MST. In BC where the economic and
social order tends to be informed by the idea of trees, grasslands more often than not,
"don't get no respect." This film described the plight of, and prospects for,
BC's grasslands. The underlying theme was that healthy and abundant grasslands are
important to everyone. Wherever dry, open, forests and grasslands exist in BC they are,
with few exceptions, being lost. Two reasons for this stand out, both rooted in the
aspirations of us humans:
(1) Recreational and residential encroachment and
(2) Forest encroachment and ingrowth
As someone said, for those who feel, life is a tragedy; for those who think, it's a
comedy. Regarding (1), it may be either sad or hilarious that on one hand it's easy to
make a case for the value of grasslands. On the other hand, society appears bent on seeing
their demise. Such behavior in an individual would be called stupid. In the film, a Nicola
Valley rancher spoke about how the expectation of "growth" drives society.
Unlike the land itself, which has a finite ability to produce products and benefits, the
growth of human activities that threaten grasslands is apparently perceived as having a
limitless horizon. Therefore if a grassland heritage beyond remnant examples is to be
available for future generations, then society (that's us) will need to address some
incongruous behavior.
As for the tree issue, when the government policy of putting out all fires was hatched, heavy thinkers of the time were unable to see the difference between destructive and beneficial fire. Proving that change happens, fire is back in fashion here in the Trench. Weather cooperating, 3000 hectares will be torched this spring. Getting to this scale took 40 years of work. This "Restoration Program," supported by government and citizenry together, involves killing trees and setting fires; it has its fun moments. I suspect, though, that it gives the willies to the more traditional thinkers in government. This is good. If you haven't changed or at least reconsidered a major belief in the last year, check your pulse, you may be dead.
Clint Albertson, Lakeview OR
Alan V. Bahn, Baker City OR
Martin Bales, Wallowa OR
Tim Ballard, Aldergrove BC
David K. Billingsley, Palisades, WA
Ann Browder, Seattle WA
Darren R. Bruhjell, Kamloops BC
Michael Carpinelli, Burns OR
Vanelle Carrithers, Mulino OR
Debbi Chapman, Mackenzie BC
Martin M. Espil, La Grande OR
Kennon Fellows, Corvallis OR
Mark Victor Goertel, Medford OR
Daniel Gonzalez, Burns OR
Heather Gordon, Lillooet BC
Rex Harder, Sprague WA
Terry W. Johnson, Pendleton OR
Randy Kelley, Okanogan WA
Runinda McCormack, Prineville OR
Jeff McCormack, Prineville OR
Allen Meyer, Long Creek OR
Allen J. Miller, Mansfield WA
Kristine Miller, Corvallis OR
Travis Miller, Corvallis OR
Valerie Miller, Nelson BC
Kendra Peterson-Morgan, Salem OR
Nancy Phelps, Lake Oswego OR
Arne Raven, Pritchard BC
Karen Raven, Pritchard BC
Robert W. Rock, Prineville OR
Justin Rodgers, Corvallis OR
Donald Sargent, Redmond OR
Deanna Schafer, Odessa, WA
Keith R. Schafer, Odessa, WA
Lynn Schuk, 150 Mile House BC
Candice Smith, Oroville CA
Jonalee Snowstar Squeochs, Pullman WA
Jan Stiver, Long Creek OR
Gerard C. Taillieu, Loomis WA
Joseph Wagner, Alturas CA
Michele Wanner, Salem OR
Jess J. Wenick, Burns OR
Michael Weldon, Bend OR
Amanda L. Wright, Albany OR
Craig Bienz, Klamath Falls OR
Cici Brooks, from CO to Fox OR
Mitchel A. Bulthuis, from NV to Baker City OR
James P. Dobrowolski, from UT to Pullman WA
Mary Fortier, from WY to Portland OR
Brenda McGirr, to Lewiston ID
Chris Schauer, to Riley OR
Joli L. Thum, from WY to Seattle WA
Janet Valley, from ID to Butte Falls OR
Bryan D. Vogt, to Shedd OR
Grant M. Casady, to Grand Forks ND
Angela Freeman, to ID
Thomas C. Griggs, to Utah
Paul Krause,to Lava Hot Springs ID
Richard R. Lindenmuth,to Fairfax VA
Paul Meinan,to Boise ID
Lucas Phillips,to Ely NV
Charles Quimby,to Littleton CO
Jennifer Rowe, to CO
Corey Thomas Cartwright, to Salt Lake City UT
Brian Waldron,to Rawlins WY
Jeanmarie Ederer Wheeler, to Meridian ID
We miss you already! Please renew today!
Here's how: On-line at
http://srm.org/application.html
or contact Aaron Barr at (303)986?3309.
Please, please, please call, e-mail or write the editors if you are moving. This saves the Section 60 cents per address change. It adds up quickly!
John Tanaka, thank you for your continued assistance with the newsletter, from address labels to membership lists to the web page. We couldn't do it without you. -- The Editors
Need a break from the routine? Come to "Oregon's Outback" for a few days of fun and great interaction with old and new friends. Our theme is, "Balancing Multiple Use Management in the Semi-Arid West: Challenges for the 21st Century." Explore how sage grouse, wildlife, livestock, feral horses, prescribed fire, wild fire, rehabilitation, and invasive species can all be managed in balance.
Wednesday, October 10
· Lee Eddleman (OSU) will tie multiple uses into the ecology of eastern Oregon.
· Mike Gregg (Hart Mountain Refuge) will share 12 years of sage grouse research.
· John Tanaka (OSU) will present the study, "Who are these Public Land
Ranchers?"
· Old Time Fiddlers, Cowboy Poet Leon Flick, social hour and BBQ.
Thursday, October 11
· Continental breakfast
· Beaty Butte Field Workshop: See the impacts of prescribed burning, wildfires and
rehabilitation on sagebrush, and on sage grouse. Watch for feral horses, antelope and big
horn sheep. Discuss management of feral horses, livestock and wildlife in the sagebrush
ecosystem.
· Social hour and banquet, followed by keynote speaker George Taylor.
· George Taylor (Oregon State Climatologist) will present, "Weather and Climate
Trends in 'America's Outback,' " to remind us of climate's large role as we balance
multiple uses in the semi-arid west.
· The Auction!! Remember to bring an item to donate, and money to spend! This supports
the Section Endowment Fund and helps students travel to international meetings.
Friday, October 12
· The all important Pacific Northwest Section Annual Meeting.
Kudos to Jim Brunner, who wrote to every southern Oregon SRMer and got that Chapter so energized it is hosting our Fall Meeting.
Editors' Note:
What do PNW members do in their free-time? Some take busmen's holidays. Send us your story
for an upcoming issue.
"You won't heal Nicaragua, Nicaragua will heal you." These words of wisdom from one of my seasoned teammates rang true for me this journey in January 2001 and last journey in November of 1999.
The beauty of Nicaragua lies not only in the countryside and natural resources but also in her gracious people. Landscapes include coastal benches, massive lakes, productive valleys and majestic mountains. These landscapes have been changed over the years by volcanic activity and catastrophic flood events, which rearranged the landscapes and lives of the people forever. Hurricane Mitch of 1998 was one such event. It sent torrents of flood waters down the many canyons in the northern mountainous regions of Nicaragua. Families told us of running up mountainsides to reach safety and watching helplessly as their homes, crops, livestock, and dreams were washed away.
I worked with CEPAD, a non-denominational Christian outreach organization in operation in Nicaragua since the Iran Contra days. This organization empowers Nicaraguans to plan, build and restore their communities, natural resources and economy. With outreach to and assistance from outside entities, groups such as my team travel to the far reaches of Nicaragua to live with, learn from and work with the people in remote villages to reforest, build homes, install water systems and instill hope.
Our team worked in a large agricultural area. The families grow rice, beans, sorghum, corn, coffee, plantain, tomatoes, potatoes and much more. They are a barter society in which trade and sustenance living is the mainstay for the community. The locals also raise ranch cattle, dairy cattle, pigs and poultry. Many families leave their homes periodically to follow crop harvests in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Honduras. Families do this to send their children to high school and college, hoping that one day their children will have a better life.
Many country schools dot the hillsides and are staffed by teachers with two-year degrees. Students go to school until the 6th grade only if they have the money for a uniform, black dress shoes and school supplies.
I took the opportunity to learn new plants and make field drawings. Village children were eager to help me identify plants and even knew the food or medicinal purpose. I found that one thing is pretty universal: most people don't know their grasses and just call them grass. The plant communities were very diverse and changed rapidly in the mountainous environment. There wasn't enough time to catalogue everything, but the time spent with the children was the most rewarding, fun-filled and educational of all.
Team members who are "Habitat for Humanity" carpenters were in awe of how the carpenters in Nicaragua "make do with what they have." No power tools or planed lumber was available. All cutting, planing, drilling and nailing were done by hand. Cement mixing, foundation laying and building were all done by hand, bucket and wheelbarrow. I have great plans for a terrific workout video!
The families of Macueliso lived in temporary wood, sheet metal and plastic shelters for two years. The designs for the new homes, funded by the UN, included the use of the sheet meal and wood posts. One of my teammates remarked how interesting it was that "it is necessary to tear down the old in order to build the new." This statement was so true to my own journey to spiritual healing.
Not only did we live, eat, work and play with the people in the community, but we also worshiped with them, laughed with them and became friends for life. The president of the community commented, "It gives us great joy and hope to know that you cared enough about us to leave your comfortable homes and families to live and work with us on a project which will restore our lives."
We were a 30-minute hike to the village I worked in November 1999. When we arrived in the village, the people came out to greet us. My Casa Blanca kids even remembered my name! It was hard to leave them again, but so good to see their lives were on track. They were healthy and happy. We didn't fix them, they fixed themselves and I received a great gift of healing in the process. The people of Nicaragua are a part of my heart and soul. I'll be making the journey again, most likely in 2002.
Andrea, a past PNW Section president, has been with NRCS since custom round-baling
hay to earn her way through college.
The Watershed & Environmental Sustainability Techniques (WEST) program is the
Oregon Cattlemen's Association's (OCA) education tool for its members. WEST enables
neighbors within a local watershed to learn about and properly manage their properties and
their watershed.
Editors' Note: Donna Reed, Wa GLCI, referenced the WEST program in the last newsletter.
So, here it is!
Because "ecosystems" are so widely divergent, a watershed vision is used. Scale
becomes a function of practicality, and at any chosen level a boundary can be drawn, from
ridge-top to ridge-top, to define the area in question. We want the landowner to
understand the importance of "Capture, Store, and Safe Release of Precipitation"
within their watershed. Using a watershed context, girded with social, economic, and
environmental realities as a foundation, landowners can create achievable goals and
objectives.
Since all watersheds have some level of human interaction within them, it makes sense
to manage holistically with people as part of the equation. Therefore, the goals and
objectives of human beings must play into the management equation as heavily as do
ecological realities. Only economically secure people can afford a land ethic. Time and
again history has demonstrated that impoverished people are forced to make desperate
decisions.
WEST began in 1993 in response to Oregon Senate Bill 400 which would have regulated
grazing on private property. The bill died in committee, but it caught the attention of
land managers. WEST was "born" out of the discussion. Each year, 5-10 new groups
come together.
Without a solid ecological foundation, stemming from an understanding of soil and climatic factors upon which vegetation expression is based, realistic environmental expectations cannot be made. It is foolish to expect to return to a pre-settlement vegetation sere under circumstances where numerous alien species have been introduced and site potentials may have been dramatically altered. To attempt to achieve the unachievable only begs for failure.
Using grant money provided by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the OCA conducts watershed management workshops across the state. Runinda McCormack coordinates the initial WEST workshop and John Buckhouse of Oregon State University teaches the technical portion with the help of OSU County Extension Agents. How does WEST funchtion?
· At the initial meeting, participants are shown how to organize, to learn and to influence their own destiny.
· Participants are watershed neighbors whose actions impact the others as well as the environment upon which they all depend.
· All responsible family members participate, so that effective decisions are made by the total "management team." Husband/wife and inter-generational teams are crucial to a grassroots success.
· The Extension Service starts by defining the boundaries of a local watershed, then teaches that the social, economic and ecological ramifications of actions must be considered.
· "Ownership" of follow-up meetings belongs to the group, to explore themes of their choosing: Goal setting, fisheries habitat, "how do environmentalists think?" plant physiology, legal ramifications of water issues, an others. Neighbors learn together about issues that affect them, and develop understanding, cooperation and ownership.
"Nin" and her husband Jeff McCormack belong to a "ranch management team" which includes three generations and two brothers. WEST Questions? Call Nin at (541) 576-2158.
In our last newsletter, Andrea Mann requested names of people willing to serve as mentors for students considering careers in range management. Already twelve people (private landowners, state and federal agency employees, and university professors) have volunteered to provide hands-on learning opportunities. Interested? Please contact Andrea at (509) 664-0244, E-mail Andrea.Mann@wa.usda.gov, or 102 S. Wilson St., Wenatchee WA 98801.
What is the difference between American and English and Canadian? The American Language removes the "eh?s" from Canadian, and pronounces "about" like "out," not "ooot." The English Language? Well, you have to keep a stiff upper lip to pronounce the words right. Is there a real difference? I can only quote Winston Churchill when he said that "England and the United States are two nations divided by a common language." Oh, yes - Americans take necessary letters out of humour, colour, and put them in the wrong order in such words as caliber (calibre).
President Maurice Hansen 250/247-5200
1st Vice President Michael Borman 541/737-1614
2nd Vice President Tim Ross 250/427-3419
Past President John Breese 541/447-6762
Secretary Mike Malmberg 250/426-1535
Treasurer Craig Obermiller 541/923-2777
Directors Andrea Sissons 250/828-4096
Dick Cosgriffe 541/447-6715
Will Keller 509/422-2750
Mike McInnis 541/962-1812
Kendall Derby 541/987-2108
Craig Madsen 509/725-4181
Members Michael Fisher 541/923-6955
Students Andrea Mann 509/663-6670
Awards John Buckhouse 541/737-1629
Editors Lynne Breese 541/447-6762
E-mail jlbreese@pacifier.com
Teal Purrington 541/923-6924
(as we know them; keep us posted, please!)
British Columbia Don Blumenauer
Central Oregon Michael Fisher
Lakeview Oregon Les Boothe
Okanagan Washington Richard Fleenor
Panorama Washington Ellen Picard
Today Register today for the PNW SRM Summer Field Workshop!
May 22-25 Klamath Basin Fish & Water Management Symposium, Arcata, CA. Information:
klamcoord@mckinleyville.net.
June 4-7 Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration Symposium, Boise, ID. Information:
mike_pellant@blm.gov.
June 21-23 PNW SRM Summer Field Workshop, Vernon, BC.
October 10-12 PNW SRM Annual Meeting and Field Workshop, Lakeview, OR.
Winter 2002 SRM Annual Meeting, Kansas City, MO.
Winter 2003 SRM Annual Meeting, Casper, WY.
Want to alert members to an upcoming event? Tell us who your Chapter president is? Give us your new address? Brag about another member's contribution to range management? Tell us a story? Call, write, or E-mail the Newsletter Editors! Our mailing address is at the bottom right corner of this page, and our phone numbers and E-mail are listed under PNW Section Officers on page 6.