Blodgett Forest, UC Berkeley Blodgett Forest Research Station, “is managed to improve the understanding and management of mixed conifer forest via research, demonstration, and education. Over 400 publications have come from research in the fields of silviculture, vegetation ecology, wildlife ecology, atmospheric chemistry, fire ecology, entomology, pathology, eco-physiology, soil science, economics, forest harvest methods, hydrology, and more” (Blodget Forest Research Station website: https://forests.berkeley.edu/forests/blodgett). “Blodgett Forest is primarily a productive mixed conifer forest, with smaller proportions of oak forest, and shrubland. Elevation on the main tract ranges from 1,200 m to 1,500 m (3,900’ to 4,800’). Four fish-bearing streams flow through the forest, which contains over 400 species of plants and habitat for 150 species of animals.” Part of Blodgett Forest was burned by last year’s Mosquito Fire. We will be lead by Forest Researchers and learning about how the Forest fared during and after the fire and how different treatments resulted in differential fire effects in the Forest.
Contact: Ginna to participate in this field trip.
Meet: At the Georgetown Library at 9:30 to carpool to the forest.
What to bring: Water, lunch/snacks, insect repellent, sunscreen, camera or smartphone for photos, field guides.
Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on where we will be hiking, and on how far.
