Forestry Corps Collects Data with Purpose

Up. Down. Left. Right. Young adults in the CCC Forestry Corps navigate a maze of toppled trees and knee-high brush within the Castle and Cedar Fire burn scars, surveying the land to identify the best spots for reforestation.  

“At each assigned plot point we have a radius of 11.9 feet. Whatever is in that radius we’ll gather data for,” said Corpsmember David Renovato III. “It’s not just work though; it’s about understanding why you’re doing it and having purpose behind it.” 

“Fire damage reduces the nutrients in the soil and causes mostly shrubs to grow,” said Corpsmember Shaylin Smoljan. “It’s very important for us to survey invasive species like deer brush and white thorn and see where we do or don’t have trees growing. If we want to replant this forest, we need to know where to plant.” 

While in the California Conservation Corps, Shaylin took a silviculture class at Reedley College. Now she is using her knowledge of plant species to identify and catalogue incense cedars, ponderosa pines, and other vegetation growing in the area. Inspired by this project, Shaylin plans to put the scholarship money she earned through the CCC toward a degree in forestry.

An incense cedar sapling sprouts from the earth a few years after wildfire burned through this section of Sequoia National Forest.

Once the project is complete, American Forests will use the data Corpsmembers collect to determine which plots are accessible and which types of seedlings should be planted in Sequoia National Forest. 

“Getting to work with the California Conservation Corps has been an incredible experience,” said American Forests’ reforestation coordinator, Sarah Endelmuth. “It’s very heartening to see other people so caring and so hardworking in the pursuit of reforestation and fighting climate change.”