MyForest Summit Project Descriptions
Part of the focus of the MyForest Summit is to provide participants with a hands on experience promoting stewardship of our Public Lands. This event coincides with Public Lands Day, a national day when the public is encouraged to get involved with local county, state or national public lands. Students at the MyForest Summit will have an opportunity to participate in projects such as trail building, wildlife habitat enhancement, tree planting and much more. Below are some examples of projects accomplished at previous Summits.
PROJECT
TITLE: Parking
Lot Beautification / Vista Point, HWY 190
Agency
Name/project location: US Army Corps of Engineers, Success
Lake, Fee Booth.
Project
Description: Students will work with a staff member
and assist in the beautification of our look-out on HWY 190.
The Vista Point is in need of painting which will consist of:
curbs, lines, possible weed eating, and trash pick-up.
Project
benefit to our local community: Our local view point
parking area is a place where many visitors have stopped to
watch a sunset, to rest on their way back from the Sequoia’s,
or to park and access the waters edge to fish. Volunteering
students can do a lot to help this area by re-painting lines
so people know where to park and cleaning up trash so it maintains
its quality of a scenic vista.
Group
Size: Project group sizes are anticipated to range
from 10-12 students. The agency will provide necessary tools
and safety equipment for each project. Adults with students
are encouraged for this project and should wear old jeans,
and appropriate shoes.
PROJECT TITLE: Tree propagation at SCICON
Tree Nursery
Agency
Name/project location: SCICON/ SCICON.
Project
Description: Students will collect seeds of native
trees (oaks, cedars, etc) and prepare them for planting. Students
will also transplant existing seedlings into larger containers
to allow for growth and root expansion.
Project
benefit to our local environment: SCICON’s nursery
provides a place where students can experience first hand how
easy it is to collect and plant native seeds. Using native
plants in our yards instead of ornamental plants can result
in substantial water savings because they are adapted to our
local soils and rainfall conditions.
Groups
Size: Group sizes are anticipated to range from 10-12
students per project. The agency will provide necessary tools
and safety equipment for each project. Youth should be instructed
to wear jeans, appropriate shoes and bring water.
PROJECT TITLE: SCICON Trail Improvement Project #3 and #4
Agency
Name/project location: SCICON/ Trail Improvement Projects
4 and 5.
Project
Description: Students will learn to use trail tools
to repair erosion and improve trails for hiking.
Project
benefit to our local environment: Erosion decreases
trail stability and results in accelerated loss of top soil.
When this occurs near creeks or streams sediment can enter
waterways reducing habitat value for native fish, turtles,
and macro-invertebrates.
PROJECT TITLE: Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
Agency
Name/project location: US Forest Service/ Bear
Creek just above SCICON. Travel time from SCICON to work site
approximately 15 minutes.
Project
Description: Students will work with a local biologist
on two small projects to enhance habitat for a variety of wildlife
species. These include constructing western bird boxes and
hanging them along Bear Creek, and constructing several metal
cages around young Alders that are being hedged by livestock.
Project
benefit to our local environment: This project works
to improve western blue bird nesting habitat and to improve
the representation of alders along river habitat.
PROJECT TITLE: Rio Limpio: Tule River Enhancement and Education
Project
Agency
Name/project location: US Forest Service/ Tule River.
Travel time from SCICON to work site approximately 20 minutes.
Project
Description: Volunteers will work with WildPlaces
and Forest Service staff to improve aquatic habitat and
the scenic beauty of Tule River. Work will include painting
out graffiti on rocks and trees and removing litter from the
river corridor.
Project
benefit to our local environment: This project benefits
the Tule River corridor by providing a clean and healthy environment
for wildlife and aquatic species and a scenic place for people
to enjoy the river.