San Francisco Bay Area Network, Fire Ecology Annual, Report: Calendar Year 2012; Golden Gate, Pinnacles, Point Reyes
Author unknown. San Francisco Bay Area Network, Fire Ecology Annual, Report: Calendar Year 2012; Golden Gate, Pinnacles, Point Reyes
A summary of fire ecology activities and program information for the Park/network including fire effects plot workload, staffing, management objectives and monitoring results, and planning, fire monitoring, communications, and research. Also included are staff accomplishments/areas of focus, future program direction and other optional information (e.g. data analysis graphics or presentations, annual highlights, publications, program challenges, unique solutions to problems, collaboration, photographs of monitoring/fire activities, and suggestions on FFI). The year 2012 was a year of changes for the San Francisco Area Network (SFAN) Fire Ecology Program. The Fire Ecologist, Alison Forrestel, left to take a promotion. This year was also the last year (for an unknown while at least) that we’ll have a seasonal crew. Two great employees from last year returned, so we went out with a bang. In October, with the start of FY13, the Lead Monitor was moved from a supervisory chain under Resource Management, to working directly for the Fire Management Officer, within the Protection division. Her position title was changed from Biotech (Fire Effects) to Biotech (Forestry). As of this writing (11-30-12), her duties have not yet been presented in the form of a work plan or performance standards, but could be quite changed when she returns from furlough in April. Thus, the fire ecology/effects program, in the words of the FMO, has been “dissolved” in the SFAN network. Monitoring needs, however, continue. When 2012 began, Alison was detailing into the job she later accepted. After finishing her detail she returned to the park on February 24, and then departed for the new job on April 6. The fire effects program misses her greatly, but we wish her the best in her new position as Vegetation Branch Chief at Golden Gate NRA. Kristen Shive was an emergency hire as the fire ecologist for 60 days, from May 20 to July 19. During this time she completed some preliminary data analysis, developed sampling methods for a set of plots, and participated in field work. The Lead Monitor, Wende Rehlaender, returned from furlough in mid-January 2012, and worked through November. Her 2012 work plan differed from other years, in two areas: she did some of the tasks the fire ecologist ordinarily would have, and she participated in a number of rare plant surveys for Point Reyes NS.The seasonal crew, Monica Delmartini and Jenny Cribbs, worked from mid-April until the end of the fiscal year. It was great to have two competent hard-working employees who were already experienced with the methods and the parks.