Summary
The 2004 Western Regional
Conference in Truckee, California was graced with perfect fall weather,
a far cry from the scene a little over a week later when the entire
area lay under a blanket of snow from a strong early-season storm.
The conference opened Friday morning, October 8th, with John Henshaw
serving as emcee for the day's program. John had the pleasure of introducing
an old friend, Truckee District Ranger Joanne Roubique, who gave a warm
welcome to the group. Chairman Keith Argow's opening remarks were followed
by a video, "Once There Were 8,000", professionally done by
Buck Rock Foundation member Matthew Geer. After the traditional self-introductions
by all present, Sierraville District Ranger Sam Wilbanks discussed the
lookouts remaining on his district. Babbitt is an active contract lookout
(open for next year)and Calpine will become a rental. Sardine needs
help, but Sam reassured the group that as long as he is ranger, all
three lookouts will stay! District Archaeologist Mike Baldrica assisted
Sam with a presentation on the restoration of Calpine Lookout.
After lunch, Smiley Tierney of the Sierra NF related details of the
resurrection of Signal Peak Lookout, and how Maureen Comstock received
a National Volunteer Award from the USFS for her efforts. The group
then split into discussion groups for brainstorming on threats to lookouts
and solutions of saving
them, both short- and long-term. After the entire group reconvened,
John Henshaw brought out a common thread from the responses, the need
to build relationships. The building blocks for this are Understanding,
Acceptance, and Support.
After the session at Veteran's Hall adjourned, the group met at the
Truckee Ranger Station to carpool to Martis Peak. Lookout Ric Baender
played "traffic cop" to get more vehicles parked than he believed
would fit on his mountaintop (includingone large CDF fire engine)! As
the sun was setting, CDF Captain Dean Levonian spoke on the history
of Martis and the partnerships that make it the success that it is.
Saturday began with a Board Meeting with eight western chapter directors
present as well as all but one member of the executive board. Chairman
Argow announced a restructuring of National Woodlands magazine which
will result in a lower rate for PLUS membership. He also mentioned potential
new director appointments, and the use of "representatives"
for areas not meeting the membership numbers to qualify as a new chapter.
These representatives would primarily serve as contacts in those areas,
but would not have the duties and responsibilities of directors. It
was announced that we are nearly out of the brochures that were produced
last year. Funding options for reprinting were discussed. Treasurer
Gary Weber will circulate chapter account information and funding options
to chapter directors prior to the January Board Meeting. It was noted
that while some chapters are using their funds, several are developing
surpluses.
The general session began with updates from several areas around the
west, followed by a lookout training video. The Doug Newman Award was
presented to Kathy Ball, in recognition of her exceptional achievement
as exemplified by the works of the late Doug Newman, lookout advocate
and historian. The NHLR certificate for Lake Mountain Lookout (Klamath
NF) was presented to Nancy Hood, the current lookout there.
John Porter, a retired FS facilities engineer, gave a presentation on
lookout safety and lightning protection. His demonstration of cad-welding
to splice copper ground wires drew the crowd's attention! John has contracted
with the Sequoia NF and has brought the lightning protection up to specs
on several of their lookouts.
Awards were given for several categories, including longest and shortest
travel to conference, longest hike-in to lookout, most seasons (Nancy
Hood - 46!), newest member, longest member, most conferences, most first-detections
this year (Vickie Lamoureux, Shasta Bear LO - 72!), most lookouts hiked
to as a visitor, most lookouts rented, and who carried water the furthest
to their lookout!
A presentation was given on the Donner Party and their struggle to head
west. Research studies and artifacts located were also detailed by the
local archaeologist.
After two days of the group of nearly 70 perusing the wide selection
of silent auction items, bidding was stopped, with winners to be announced
at dinner (where the grand total came to over $1000). As a wrap-up for
the session, co-hosts Marie Hall and Kathy Ball were applauded for their
efforts and the announcement was made that the 2005 Western Conference
would be held in McCall, Idaho next September, co-hosted by Jill Osborn,
Gary Weber, and Dave Bula. With that, most hurried out for another lookout
sunset, at Calpine Lookout, before reconvening for dinner a short distance
away at the Sierra Valley Lodge in Calpine.
Details
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