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Groundtruthing 101

Bark’s groundtruthing program has been a core piece of our defense work since Bark’s founding in 1999. Every field season, Bark staff and volunteers survey areas on Mt Hood National Forest where Forest Service projects are proposed, from timber sales, to road maintenance, to prescribed fire, and more. The data we collect enables Bark and the public to assess how accurately the agency’s project documents describe the forest and impacts. By providing more transparent and accessible information, groundtruthers help the public to better understand and engage in decisions about public lands management. Groundtruthers can and have found discrepancies in agency information and located rare or threatened plants and animal species, leading to the alteration or cancellation of projects.

This training will go over what Bark surveys for and how we use this information to shape and influence the decision-making on Mt Hood National Forest. Learn how to understand US Forest Service project documents, navigate off trail with maps, measure tree diameter, canopy cover, slope, and how to be a stronger advocate for your local National Forest. No experience required!

Groundtruthing 101 will be a classroom-style training hosted at Bark HQ and taught by Jordan Latter, Bark’s Forest Watch Program Manager. Bring a pen and paper or laptop if you wish to take notes.

Bark HQ is located at 351 NE 18th Avenue in Portland, OR. It is a wheelchair-accessible space with gender neutral restrooms.

Stay tuned for Groundtruthing 201 – a hands-on groundtruthing training in the field!