Our Forests Are More Than Just Trees
Go beyond “awareness” all the way to “understanding”! Learn how our vast, wonderful and resilient forests function and our role in maintaining their health and beauty…forever!
Again this summer, an experienced instructor will conduct a free, week long, fast paced seminar on the wonders of our local forests. Each day will include morning classroom discussions supported by colorful multi-media presentations. Attendees will see for themselves how a forest functions on guided tours of some of the most diverse, beautiful and fascinating sites in northern Plumas County.
Though this experience is designed for teachers, who will receive 3 continuing education credits on completion of the course, the general public is encouraged to attend as well. Each day will begin at the wonderful new Collins Pine Company Museum. Here presentations will be given on such important topics as soil: the world beneath our feet, tree and plant identification, forests and the carbon cycle, fire in the forest, natural succession: the changing forest and our resilient ecosystems. Each afternoon will be spent at a variety of fascinating sites in the forest where participants will see that a forest is more than just trees and how its components work together. The role that humans have played, and must play, in keeping our forests healthy and productive will be demonstrated and discussed. The importance of these forests to our human habitat, on a local and global basis, will be made clear as well.
This series is sponsored by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors, Feather River College and the U.S. Forest Service. The principal instructor is Keith Crummer, a professional forester for over 40 years and retired local District Ranger. Keith will be assisted by his wife, Wanda, who taught in Greenville and Chester schools for some 14 years. Her roll will be to help formulate the information given into classroom ready presentations.
The seminar is free and will run from August 10 through 14. Classes will begin at 8:00 AM at the Collins Pine Museum, next to their sawmill, in Chester. Each day will end at 4:30 PM after a field trip to fascinating sites such as the U.S.F.S Locherman Canyon Outdoor Classroom, Collins Pine’s Park 40, the Storrie Fire and beautiful Willow Lake Basin.
In addition to the lectures, a wealth of reference and instructional materials will be made available, especially designed for K-12 teachers and those interested in furthering their understanding of Forest Ecology. An illustrated book The Dynamic Forest, written by Dale Knutsen and Keith Crummer, is available for pre-course reading or for those interested in follow-up study. Participants will find how much more forests are than just a place where trees grow!
For more information or to sign up, contact Keith Crummer at 259-2572.
