The Applegater

Applegater Winter 2021 3 Williams Community Forest Project hires public-lands watchdog BY DIANA COOGLE ■ GROW YOUTH Continued from page 1 Ty a n n a Sm i t h , a Williams resident w i t h a d e g r e e i n e n v i r o n m e n t a l science and biology f r o m P o r t l a n d S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y a n d e x p e r i e n c e i n watershed ecology, has taken a position as the forest watch c o o r d i n a t o r f o r t h e W i l l i a m s Community Forest Project (WCFP). "I'm excited to get this project started," Tyanna said, "and to be in a position to help the forest." Tyanna's job is to look at proposed treatment areas on lands within the Williams watershed m a n a g e d b y t h e B u r e a u o f L a n d Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, US Forest Service, and other agencies, and, essentially, make sure they are following their own guidelines and the laws governing forestry practices—that they aren't taking trees outside the cutting area, that they aren't encroaching on areas with endangered species, that they marked the right trees for cutting in the first place, and so on. Her first task has been to know the laws—forestry practices laws as well as the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air and Clean Water acts. As the agencies alert the public to forestr y actions in o u r a re a , s h e w i l l first make a base- line study to see if the proposed cut is lawful. en she will move into the field. If she finds a problem, she will document it thoroughly—with photographs, water samples (if there has been spraying close to a water source), and other evidence. W C F P w i l l t h e n notify the agency. If the agency doesn't respond appropriately and litigation seems necessary, WCFP has located a lawyer in Eugene who works on such cases. "I hope people will be excited about this project," Tyanna says about her new job. "Maybe they will be moved to donate to the cause or to volunteer to help with forest monitoring." At this time, the position is donation- based. WCFP is hoping to secure grants for the long term. To d o n a t e t o t h e W i l l i a m s C o m m u n i t y Fo re s t Pro j e c t , g o t o williamscommunityforestproject.org or write a check to Williams Community Forest Project and send it to PO Box 602, Williams, OR 97544. Diana Coogle dicoog@gmail.com Tyanna Smith is the new forest watch coordinator for WCFP. Pacifica Garden is happy to announce that we have hired David Conover as our new executive director. David and his family recently moved to Southern Oregon after spending the past seven years in Kyiv, Ukraine. His wife, Jennifer, is an educator in ree Rivers School District. ey have three children, ages 12, 8, and 5. David has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of nonprofit management, education, and community programming. After graduating from Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, with a degree in Outdoor Education, he worked as a wilderness guide and summer camp director for Longacre Expeditions. Pacifica Garden names new executive director BY PEG PRAG David later directed the outdoor recreation programs at California State University, San Bernardino, and the University of Houston. He also has led several nonprofits, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County in Washington State and 4K for Cancer, an organization that hosted cross-country cycling tours in support of cancer research. At Pacifica, David is focused on expanding the organization's programs and developing closer relationships with our community partners. Peg Prag peg@pacificagarden.org New Pacifica Garden Executive Director David Conover, center right, his wife, Jennifer, at left, and three children in Kyiv, Ukraine. data and photos to compare, analyze, and plan around. "Tree monitoring and planting are just a few of the focus points of the Grow Youth education plan," says Hannah Borgerson. "Water quality testing, salmon observation, trail clearing, soil sampling, and Native American studies are other topics ROCS students will explore." In coming years, the Grow Youth program will bring classes from Applegate School and Medford to the park to help with restoration and monitoring. "ere is so much work to be done!" Hannah says. "e more students we have out there, getting their hands dirty and their minds expanded, the better. We hope that the work the APWC and the students do in the coming weeks will trigger a fever for volunteers. is project will be a work in progress and a showcase for what local funding, community volunteerism, and education can enhance and maintain." Grow Youth's benefits to the local community include access for angling at Local youth are rehabilitating the west bank of the Applegate River in Cantrall Buckley Park as part of the Grow Youth Outdoor Education Program. Here are photos of the site before (left, in mid-September) and after (right, in late October) Grow Youth went to work. one of the few points along the Applegate River open to the public; an improved habitat, through the planting of native species, for animals that live along or use the river; and, through interpretive signs, a better understanding of what visitors see in the park. However, the biggest benefit of this project will be the opportunity for students to get outside and learn about the natural world around them. By giving students ownership of the project through hands-on experience, Grow Youth will empower them to have a direct impact on an important community resource and a vital local ecosystem. Grow Youth is a win for our community park, a win for the river, and most importantly, a win for the students. St a y t u n e d f o r Vo l u n t e e r D a y opportunities to help maintain existing native plants and plant new ones, and our next article about the outdoor laboratory in use. If you would like to become a part of this project, contact APWC at contact@ apwc.info or 541-899-9982. Nathan Gehres, APWC nathan@apwc.info This map shows the area at Cantrall Buckley Park along the Applegate River where riparian restoration will occur.

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