Last week, the crew learned how to do stocking surveys for 4-year-old stands. Both Fred and Stephen helped guide all of us on the basics of data collection for younger stands and soon enough we were all split into pairs to go survey on our own. It’s fun getting to help train a little bit as well since I have been at Starker since February and have done stocking surveys of my own, though those were 10-year stands. I believe everyone is getting their forestry legs under them and we all are making it through the hot days.
On Friday, Tyler took us all out to practice digging a fire line on a stand that we plan to safely burn at some point in the future. We all got to use all of the different tools, and practice being in different parts of the line while making an actual fire break. We used chainsaws, hoes, and pulaskis. It was a hot day with the sun on our backs, and everyone was exhausted from the long day of hard work, but I think all of us are proud of what we were able to accomplish. I know I’m also happy to have gotten some hands-on experience with fire management, so we can all be prepared in case the fire season is bad again this year.
This week we are back on stocking surveys! We are almost done with the 4-years so some pairs have started working on the 2-year stands. Plus, we are switching around partners each day, so I really get to know and become friends with my fellow interns, hooray! It seems we will be doing stocking surveys for the rest of the week, so I’ll be sure to bring lots of sunscreen.
– Nic Haye