37 days in: Updates from the field
It’s been 37 days since the new administration took office and its impacts on Bark’s work began to come into focus on February 14th, when we learned of the mass layoffs in the Forest Service. Jordan will share more info on what we’ve learned so far, but suffice it to say, it ain’t good.
As always, reach out with any questions, suggestions, or opportunities to collaborate. It’s community or bust in these dark times.
Notes from the Field
Forest Watch
Here’s what I’ve been able to learn about the impact of the Forest Service firings on Mt. Hood. On Friday, February 14th, 7 Forest Service employees on the Mt Hood National Forest were terminated without warning. By Tuesday the 18th, that number was 11. They were “probationary” employees, which simply meant that they were in their first year of a new position, whether because of being newly hired, or newly promoted or transferred. Many of these people were hired to implement the Mt Hood’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aimed to address wildfire risk and improve community preparedness. Funding for this program has also been frozen.
On the Gifford-Pinchot, 15 people were fired. 8 of them worked on the Volcanic Monument, 40% of the total staff. All 15 people fired were Schedule A, a hiring classification reserved for people with documented disabilities.
Across all of Region 6, which is Oregon and Washington, 260 people were fired. We’ve also learned that NEPA is already under threat.
As our supporters know, Bark has a long and at times contentious history with the Forest Service. We’ve fought them over individual timber sales and policy implementation. We’ve pushed back in forest collaborative groups, comment and letter writing campaigns, at protests, and in the court room. But landscapes need stewards. And make no mistake: this reduction in Forest Service workforce will have sweeping impacts on local ecosystems and economies.
We’re working on a concerted response from Bark but here are a few things you can do now:
- Call or write your representatives (the overwhelm can go both ways; if they’re inundated with calls and letters from their constituents, they won’t be able to ignore us for long)
- Participate in the economic blackout tomorrow, February 28th
- Show up to this protest in Portland on March 4th organized by 50501
- Keep up with the administration’s policy changes, and the challenges to these order
Stay tuned, folks, and remember that your voice does matter.
Restoration
All month long I’ve been preparing for PIELC (the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference), and this weekend, it’s finally happening! The conference starts tomorrow, Feb. 28th and runs through Sunday, March 2nd. I’ll be moderating the Beaver Believers panel on Sunday from 10:45-12:15. My Beaver Believers panel will focus on beaver legislation in the PNW and nationwide, including Senate bills, House bills, state wildlife plans, and ways to get involved in protecting our Oregon state animal and our favorite ecosystem engineers. Besides myself, my panel of experts includes Amanda Keasberry, Science & Stewardship Manager at Cascade Forest Conservancy; Sristi Kamal, Deputy Director of the Western Environmental Law Center; and Joe Weirich, Restoration Coordinator and GIS Specialist at Methow Beaver Project. Check out the full conference schedule here.
The PNW Forest Climate Alliance will also be hosting a benefit party during PIELC on Friday, Feb. 28th from 6-10 pm at Oregon Wine Lab (488 Lincoln Street, Eugene). There will be live music by Moon Mountain String Band and Borialis, forest-climate trivia, and a raffle with prizes. Hope to see some of you there!
When I’m back, I’ll be holding two Parrott Creek Restoration Days on 3/16 and 3/24 (more about which, read on!). Check out the Bark website to register for upcoming Restoration events and follow @CulturalEco on Instagram to learn more about the Parrott Creek Cultural Ecology Project.
Education
This month was filled with successes! We started out with a chilly but clear plant walk at Powell Butte where we worked on our plant ID. Pacific madrone, Western redcedar, Oregon grape, sword fern, licorice fern, and many others were spotted and discussed. It can be so dismal in these dark months, but you can find joy in the early growth of nettle and the snow drops bowing their heads to the ground. Here is a good place to start!
Our pika training taught folks how to identify pika and input that data into a national database. Pikapatrol encourages you to register any pika you see on their app! Found here.
Our Inner Bark was all about using Holly in a useful way and learning some basic whittling technique. We created wands, hair pins, chopsticks, walking sticks, and even talked spoons! Join us this month for a workshop on using invasive flowers.
What plant or skill do you want to learn about? Do you have an idea for a themed hike you’d like to lead, or would you like to lead a session of our book club? Email Haley at Haley@bark-out.org!
As always, don’t forget to check out our upcoming events!