Leadership - A Lifetime Quest for Excellence

This paper is written for aspiring leaders and managers. Each of us will be asked to lead, manage, and/or follow at various times and in many different situations in our journey of life. This paper is written to assist aspiring leaders and managers discover and develop their leadership and management abilities. The paper is organized per the following outline: Introduction Establishing Credibility Enthusiasm and Desirable Habits of Effective People Leadership and Management Situational Analysis and Leadership Styles Leadership as a Student [discussed in Introduction) Leadership as a Forest Scientist Leadership as a Teacher and Professor Leadership as a Department Head Leadership as a Practicing Forester and Agency Official Leadership as an Advocate Leadership as a Concerned Citizen Family Leadership Case Study: California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Summary, Key Point

Giant Sequoia Insect, Disease, and Ecosystem Interactions

Individual trees of giant sequoia (Sequoia gigantea [Lindl.] Decne.) have demonstrated a capacity to attain both a long life and very large size. It is not uncommon to find old-growth giant sequoia trees in their native range that are 1,500 years old and over 15 feet in diameter at breast height. The ability of individual giant sequoia trees to survive over such long periods of time has often been attributed to the species high resistance to disease, insect, and fire damage. Such a statement, however, is a gross oversimplification, given broader ecosystem and temporal interactions. For example, why isn\u27t there a greater representation of young-growth giant sequoia trees throughout the mixed-conifer belt of the Sierra Nevadas? What other factors, in addition to physical site characteristics, limit giant sequoia to its present range and grove boundaries? How does fire and fire frequency affect disease and insect interrelationships in the giant sequoia/ mixed-conifer ecosystem? Are current forest management strategies (e.g., fire suppression, prescribed burning programs) affecting these interactions? Giant sequoia trees are subject to the same natural forces (e.g., insect and disease organisms) as other tree species. An attempt is made in this paper to discuss some of the more common insect and disease associates of giant sequoia and their significance in relation to the more complex temporal (e.g., succession, aging and other time related events) and ecosystem inter-relationships at work in the giant sequoia/mixed-conifer ecosystem

Structure and Development of Pitch Canker Infected Monterey Pine Stands at Año Nuevo, California

The sustainability of indigenous Monterey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don)at Ano Nuevo stands in the central coast of California was examined. The foremost management objective in these stands is to establish and maintain stand structures that ensure a sustainable presence of the species in terms of uneven-aged management. The major threats are the proliferation of shade-tolerant tree species and the pitch canker ( Fusarium circinatum) disease. The study was based on data from 17 systematically placed sample plots, measured once, in one stand with a very high degree of variation in stand structure and species composition. The results indicated that the sustainability of Monterey pine is not assured by existing stand structures. Monterey pine regeneration is almost completely lacking. Intensive shading and competition from high stand densities of shade-tolerant broadleaf trees are inhibiting regeneration, and growth of seedlings and saplings. Pitch canker is affecting growth, vigor, and competitive status of Monterey pine, but its progress and long-term impact remain unknown. Single tree or group selection cuttings, combined with treatments that enhance regeneration, are urgently required for the promotion of Monterey pine

Decay Resistance in Redwood: (Sequoia Sempervirens) Heartwood as Related To Color and Extractives

Decay resistance and water-soluble and ethanol-soluble extractive contents were determined for redwood heartwood boards having a full range of natural color variation. Decay resistance and ethanol-soluble extractive content were greatest in the darkest boards. Water-soluble extractives varied inconsistently with board color and decay resistance. Correlation analysis showed that as much as 69% of the variation in weight loss could be accounted for by ethanol-soluble extractive concentration

Valuation of Tree Aesthetics on Small Urban-Interface Properties

A model was developed to predict the value contribution of forest condition on small urban-wildland interface properties. Sample data were collected on property transactions in the Lake Tahoe Basin of California between 1990 and 1994. A variant of the stand density index (SDI) and a tree health measure were added to a list of traditional property characteristics (i.e., location, house size, lot size) to express the influence of tree care on property value. These aesthetic characteristics were statistically significant despite the expected dominant influence of the traditional characteristics. Values for the forest density and health characteristics were estimated and reveal a contribution to property value between 5% and 20%

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science into Forestry, Natural Resources, and Environmental Programs

A new minor titled “Indigenous Studies in Natural Resources and the Environment” (INRE) became available to students at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, in the fall of 2013. This minor aims to bring together the principles of both Indigenous ecological knowledge and western science. Instruction in these two approaches provides students with practical knowledge, research, and critical thinking skills to address complex environmental issues and natural resources management problems facing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities around the world today. The INRE minor seeks to prepare students by providing a balanced education in the arts, sciences, and technology, while encouraging interdisciplinary and co-curricular activities. This article reports on the need for the INRE minor, learning outcomes, curriculum, approval process, student interest surveys, and enrolled INRE students\u27 focus group comments. This program may serve as a model for other academic institutions to bridge the gap between western and Indigenous science regarding the environment. Management and Policy Implications: Society of American Foresters members are called to abide by a Code of Ethics10 whose first Principle and Pledge states: “Foresters have a responsibility to manage land for current and future generations. We pledge to practice and advocate management that will maintain the long-term capacity of the land to provide the variety of materials, uses, and values desired by landowners and society.” How can foresters and land managers achieve this pledge? Integration of Indigenous and western science into university curricula and professional disciplines could lead to enhanced collaboration and stewardship of public and tribal lands. Cal Poly\u27s new Indigenous Studies in Natural Resources and the Environment (INRE) minor works to foster communication and collaboration across academic disciplines and programs by helping people better understand and respect the land, natural resources, and ecosystems. By presenting the INRE minor design and its learn-by-doing approach to resolving land, forest, and natural resource conflicts, we hope other academic institutions will use this program as a model to bridge the gap between western science and Indigenous knowledge of the environment, as well as to instill in the next generations of foresters a broader resource and land ethic

Causes of Uprooting and Breakage of Specimen Giant Sequoia Trees

A study of the causes of uprooting and stem failure in old-growth giant sequoia (Sequoia gigantea [Lindl.] Decne) indicated many factors, depending upon the type of failure (by root, stem, or earth). Advanced decay and fire scars were the most frequently associated with failure. In 21 of 33 study trees, one-third or more of the roots were judged too decayed to provide support. Twenty-seven study trees possessed basal fire scars, and 26 fell toward the scarred side. Nine Basidiomycetes, including Fomes annosus, Poria albipellucida, Poria incrassata, and Armillaria mellea, were associated with decayed wood. Carpenter ants were found in or adjacent to the failure zone of nearly half of the study trees. Physical disturbances (e.g., roads, trails, streams) were associated with 22 tree failures, but their role in initiating requires further investigating

Wood of Giant Sequoia: Properties and Unique Characteristics

Wood properties of giant sequoia (Sequoia gigantea [Lindl.] Decne.) were compared with those for other coniferous tree species. Wood properties such as specific gravity, various mechanical properties, extractive content, and decay resistance of young-growth giant sequoia are comparable to or more favorable than those of coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens [D. Don] Endl.). It is recommended that giant sequoia be considered for planting stock in managed production forests to increase future supplies of wood having the characteristics so highly valued in coast redwood and other decay-resistant specie