WNTS Old Growth Conference-Durango CO-2014

[dbhguru]

NTS,

It is the end of January and I'm starting to look toward August 2014 in Durango, CO where WNTS will host our first western old growth forest conference. For those who have not visited southwestern Colorado, the attachment to this post gives a preview of the what visitors can look forward to experiencing. Hopefully, the attachment will open eyes to this remarkable region of the country.

The attachment is the first of two parts. Part II will follow in a couple week or so, and will have the tree information. I will supply approximate GPS coordinates for brother Will, as he psyches himself up to break all our tree height records out there. I have little doubt he will, but there is a lot territory to cover in the San Juans that he's going to need help. Wouldn't want to send him off on a wild goose (tree) chase. Hmmmm. But I'll do my best to convey the whats and wheres. more importantly, I hope to get locals involved who know the whereabouts of exceptional trees and are anxious to share their knowledge.

Here is what we have going to date:

NTS participants from afar include

Don Bertolette (WNTS President, Coordinator of Alaska Champion Tree Program, retired USFS, NPS, BLM)
Will Blozan (NTS President, breaker of all of Bob's tree height records - every freaking one of them)
Dr. Lee Frelich (NTS Vice President, Director of Center for Forest Ecology, University of Minnesota)
Dr. Don Bragg (Editor of Bulletin of the Eastern native Tree Society, USFS research scientist, Editor of SAF Journal of Forestry)
Dr. David Stahle (Director of University of Arkansas Tree-ring Laboratory, Lord of the Rings)
Dr. Bob Van Pelt (Colleague of Dr. Steve Sillett, Redwood canopy researcher, Coordinator of Washington State Champion Tree Program)
Larry Tucei Jr. (Live Oak Larry, also known as Mississippi Big Foot and Slayer of Mississippi Swamp Dinosaurs)
Matt Markworth (Ent Extraordinaire (Matt, we need some pre-conference cartoons))
Mark Rouw (Iowa Big Tree Guy, measurer of largest Rocky Mtn Doug Fir in Colorado)
Bob and Monica Leverett (Your most humble conference organizers)

Other NTS Hopefuls include

Jess Riddle (Boy wonder grown up into a first class forest scientist. Jess, buddy, we need you!)
John Harvey (New Jersey's most outstanding big tree hunter and measurer)
Michael Taylor (WNTS Vice President, discover of world's tallest tree)
Rand Brown (Where are you, Rand ? We need you back in Durango)

Presenters not included in first list

Dr. Tom Swetnam (Director, University of Arizona Tree-ring Laboratory - a presenter)
Fire ecologist (to be named -a presenter)
Local historian on Ancestral Puebloan Culture

There will be people from the local area, who are affiliated with WNTS or friends of Monica's and mine. Here is a partial list of attendees from in or around Durango with significant interest in the conference

Local participants/attendees

Dr. Florence Mason (conference co-planner)
Dick Mason
Dr. Dick White (Mayor of Durango)
Dr. Faye Schrater (Dick's biologist wife)
Lauri Swisher (U.S.F.S. old growth inventory specialist)
Laura Stranski (U.S.F.S., retired)
Kip Stranski (retired Colorado Fish and Game)
Paul and Beverly Dittmar (Great folks
Drs. Sylvester and Donna Allred (retired biologists from Northern Arizona U.)
Dr. Jay Harrison (conference co-planner from Fort Lewis College and Director, Center of Southwestern Studies)
Representative from Great Old Broads for Wilderness

Others

Sheri Shannon (representing American Forests)
Peter and Patty Jenkins (Tree Climbers International, they'll be special guests)
Steve Colburn LTI (Director of Sales for North America)
Katherine Frieberger (Composer and poet) Katy's uncle was David Guion a western composer who is often given credit for composing the modern
version of 'Home On The Range". Some of Katy's music will be performed and poetry read.
Curt Cacioppo (Well known Haverford College composer and pianist and expert on Native American music. Some of Curt's music will
be played by Monica and Curt, himself.)
Representative from Mountain Studies Institute (To be worked out as a possible conference co-sponsor)
Durango Herald coverage

Public

According to Jay harrison, this will be a popular event that could draw from as far aways as Utah and and New Mexico. Public attendance will probably be between 100 and 150 people with very little advertising. It could go considerably higher, if we advertise widely.

All the above is before we really get started. Come one, come all. There'll be dancing bears, sword-swallowing midgets, and the fat lady will sing.

Bob

[Larry Tucei]

Bob- Looking forward to the stellar event you have planned this August in Durango. I hope to help contribute to the discovery of more Old Growth trees for public awareness and the preservation of more areas such as Hermosa Creek. Larry

[Matt Markworth]

Matt Markworth (Ent Extraordinaire (Matt, we need some pre-conference cartoons))

Bob,

Based on the list of speakers/attendees it looks like this is truly shaping up to be a once in a lifetime event. Many thanks to you for all your hard work in making this happen, and also a very big thanks to all of the other NTS folks that are presenting. Can't wait!

As far as cartoons, I think this one may apply:)

Matt

[dbhguru]

Matt

Yes, i believe you are right. We'll take Durango by storm. You can be the Ohio Kid.

Bob

[Rand]

As far as cartoons, I think this one may apply:)

Matt

Have Tree Id book, will travel.

[Will Blozan]

This is going to be a convention of Gymnophiliacs. No known cure so we might as well hang out in our final days...

Will

[John Harvey]

I should be there. I'm looking forward to it.

[Chris]

Bob,

Looks great! I am hoping to make it.

[dbhguru]

Chris,

Sooooper! We're going to have great representation from NTS. Peter and Patty Jenkins from TCI are coming. Just keeps getting better and better.

Bob

[dbhguru]

Hi Folks,

As we proceed with the conference planning for Durango for Aug 4-6, I am aware that some of you may want to camp out. I just talked to the people at the San Juan National Forest and they explained that the way to go about insuring a campsite is to reserve in advance. There are three campgrounds within driving distance: Junction Creek Campground, Lower Hermosa Creek Campground, and Vallecito Reservoir. Junction Creek is the closest, only 4 miles. Lower Hermosa Creek is about 10 miles from Durango, and Vallecito Reservoir is 18 miles east of Durango.

Here is the information you will need. Each person can seek reservations to suits his/her needs.

From the Forest Service

For campground reservations, the best way is to reserve on line at http://www.recreation.gov. They have calendars on the web site that let you know availability on different days. You can also call 877-444-6777.

Bob