American Legion Youth Environmental Conference
2009 Report
by
Barbara Ross, Coordinator
Member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 84, Auburn Following breakfast at Rio Linda Post 521 on Friday, May 15, 47 high school students and 5 counselors began the 4 day Youth Environmental Conference conducted by 5 U.S. Forest Service cadre members.
A combination of 32 girls and 15 boys heard the orientation from Frank Mosbacher, Public Affairs Officer, Eldorado National Forest (ENF). The other members of the cadre who spent the weekend with us were: Kristi Schroeder, Public Affairs, Recreation, ENF, Dana Walsh, Forester, Sue Durham, Botanist and Jessica Ilse, Biologist,
Counselors were Gene Fanucchi, Legionnaire D13; Julie Potter, Legionnaire D18; Rick Bernard, SAL and science teacher from West Covina, Lynn Ross, D7 Auxiliary, and Coordinator Barbara Ross, D7 Auxiliary.
Students are divided into hat color groups for interactive activities, and ease of head-counting when they gathered for hikes and other functions. Every attempt is made to mix students from various areas of the state so they can accomplish the goal of meeting other students with the same likes and goals, as well as meeting students with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Hats and binders are distributed and we are off!!
Heading up Highway 50 towards Sly Park, the students were asked to read one of the pages in their binder which outlined the theme and goals of the conference, and complete the first exercise “The Environment and You”. The students were also made aware of the changes in foliage and type of trees as we reached higher elevations.
Arriving at Sly Park the students broke into their groups to become better acquainted with those they would be working with throughout the weekend. Each group has a “civilian” counselor, and member of the USFS cadre. Pizza was delivered for lunch and it’s always amazing that the veggie and cheese pizzas go first. Water was available to the students at all times, and Gatorade was also provided.
A short hike through Cedar Park Trail begins the “Introduction to the Forest”.
Students have a lively discussion on how their actions affect the environment: “People-You and Me”. The next interactive exercise is titled “Our Needs and Values”. Seventeen cards are placed in a large circle and the students are asked to gather around the one that reflects the most important value in their life. These include values like Freedom, Mature Love, a Comfortable Life, Self Respect, Social Recognition and A World of Peace. The students then select their second most important value, and then their least important. This is always a fascinating exercise.
Students then get together according to their most important value and make a coat of arms which they then explain to the other students.
Next exercise is learning who runs the forest, how laws are made that affect the forest, and who enforces the law. This is a role-playing exercise which the students enjoy.
Friday evening activities include rock wall climbing, the planetarium (mandatory activities) then a choice of volley ball, basket ball, ping pong, or just shower and bed since many of the students were on the bus at 11:45 Thursday night, or 3:15 Friday morning.
Saturday morning we watch a movie about South Lake Tahoe, then climb aboard the buses for an all day trip to Tahoe. We are met with 3 Forest Service staff from the Tahoe Basin Management Team who talk about the development, recreation and business opportunities in the ENF.
The students hike to the shore of Lake Tahoe and sit for a half hour, reflecting on what they see, hear and feel and making notes. They share these with the other participants and, if they choose to, turn them in to be typed and distributed to everyone. These are also published on the Legion’s website.
Taylor Creek trail leads us to the underwater Stream Chamber which is an aquarium tank built into the rocks. The walls have murals depicting the four seasons. We see bear claws on the trees, deer tracks, and unfortunately, human carvings.
The weather is perfect, and we pass many hikers – elderly as well as young families. They are curious about our group and we have the opportunity to explain our unique program to them.
Lots of information is provided on the Angora Fire; how it started; how large it became; how many fire fighting units responded; how many homes were evacuated, etc. Many of the students live in fire-prone areas and have gone through the experience of being evacuated.
Next stop is the site of the Angora fire, we see the devastation it caused, and see how some of the residents are already rebuilding. We are on the school parking lot, and the fire reached the very edge. We receive an explanation of why all burned trees aren’t removed, what happens when they are removed – lots of decisions to be made on reforestation, protecting the area from mudslides, keeping habitats for critters to start returning.
Saturday night is movie night!! “The Greatest Good” – a Forest Service Centennial movie., then some free time.
Sunday morning is time for another “Reflections” in a forest setting. “Wildlife Roundup” and “Creating a Healthy Forest” activities. Students learn to ID trees, evaluate condition, calculate size, and using marking guidelines, decide which trees need to be trimmed in an assigned plot.
Another hike around Sly Park for general ID of local fauna, National Forest issues, Stakeholders and Fuels.
Later that afternoon Archeologist Krista Deal spoke about fire, obsidian and baskets, explaining how the dates of previous fires are determined and how archeological sites are protected.
Sunday night is time for the students to make some remarks about the program, and thank their sponsors, counselors and USFS personnel. Then – the talent show. Jokes, singing, acrobatics, Smokey Bear dancing. We see it all!! A marshmallow roast caps off the evening events, then it’s free time.
Sunday is the final project – tie it all together with Community Action Project. All students will participate in applying what they have learned in an intense, interactive exercise. Have the students met the goals established for the conference? If they have used their time wisely they will have learned about Forest Service management, partnership and leadership. All groups come together to discuss what they can do for their communities when they return home. What will their project be – goal, budget, timeline, volunteers, funding, etc.
This has been a great group of students. Dates for 2010 are May 14-17.
The cost of the conference, between the Forest Service and The American Legion, is approximately $30,000. This is a unique partnership between the two sponsors and provides our students with a program and experience unlike any others.
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