A Reforestation Talk: From Seed to Seedling
On a brisk fall evening earlier this month, a small group gathered in the lodge at Tahoe XC to listen to Reforestation Coordinator Maddie Tutton talk about the state of our forests and her day to day work as a Sierra National Forest Reforestation Coordinator for the Sierra Nevada Alliance. The position requires Tutton to work closely with organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service, CalFire, and American Forests among others. In our region especially, where wildfires and other devastating threats are commonplace, people like Tutton are revered and the work of dedicated Foresters like her is recognized as heroic and critically important.
The evening began with some astounding facts such as the compounding challenges of climate change and the need for seeds in a depleted inventory, all which represent the very real state of our nation’s forests. But despite the doom and gloom realities that threaten our forests, Tutton stated, “not all fires are bad and not all trees are good.” Her unique first-hand experience and knowledge of forestry gave the presentation a very hopeful message and left the audience with a palpable sense of relief that organizations and dedicated people like her are out there.
The enthusiasm in Tutton’s voice for all things trees and cones evoked of joy. Tutton is a member of the Cone Corps, a growing group of trained foresters who learn to survey, collect, and save seeds for seedling production–an essential step to restoring forests devastated by wildfire, drought, pests and disease. Tutton demonstrated her tree climbing equipment and tools she uses to survey and collect seeds. She noted a variety of different strategies and nuances of collecting cones from different tree species such as jumping on the far reaching branches of Sugar Pines to loosen the beloved oversized cones, or carrying an olive rake to collect smaller cone varieties like those of Incense Cedars. She went into detail about determining a seed’s viability, the decades it takes for trees to start producing cones, and even the difference in taste. We learned about the amazing innovations of seed nurseries and the efforts to grow seedlings that are both fire and disease resistant.
After a thorough question and answer session, we learned about the plethora of steps and organizations that are involved before even one seedling can be planted in a burn scar. It reminded us that the work of a forester is complicated, deep, cyclical and forever. According to American Forests, a non-profit conservation organization that began in 1875, in the United States alone there are over 148 million acres of former forest suitable for reforestation.
Knowing that one of the greatest resources foresters have is education and support for reforestation, Tutton was encouraged to remind us that there are so many things we can do in our everyday lives to support the efforts of reforestation. Here are a couple of links that you can follow to learn more about our forests and what you can do to help protect them:
- Order and Plant Seedlings: Reforestation Services Program | CAL FIRE
- Citizen Science: a great article about Cone Collecting from the U.S. Forest Service
- American Forests: Newsletter Sign-Up and Cone Camps
- The camp that’s training a new generation of cone collectors-American Forests
- Learn more about the work of Sierra Nevada Alliance
- Tracking projects in California: CalFire’s Fuels Reduction Page
Tahoe XC is always interested in hosting inspiring and educational presenters to enrich our community and connect us to one another. We are especially interested in the wide array of activities that connect us to nature such as adventure, art, science and recreation. If you are interested in giving a talk or presenting your work at Tahoe XC, please email contact(@)tahoexc.org to be considered.
Check out our Calendar to see upcoming events like this one, or our youth programs page to register for educational outdoor programs through TCCSEA like Nordic Naturalists, and the Winter Discovery Center.