Category: Oral History Project Videos

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KzwzUhPvk8&w=560&h=315]

Enjoy! This short video introduces you to a sample of the 41 oral history interviews filmed to date. 13 full interviews are posted at http://norcalsaf.org/centennial/oral-history-project/ or the SAF YouTube Channel with more to come each month! Also, search Facebook @California SAF.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWBa5HnCIWg]

Index to Interview Questions:

00:47 – Tell us about your background and how you got started in forestry and why you chose fire management.

03:32 – Were there any people or events that influenced your forestry career?

09:44 –  Were there personal considerations as you made decisions about your education and forestry career?

12:21 –   Do you think the tumult of social change in the 1950’s and 1960’s influenced forestry?

15;15 –  Tell us more about your early employment and ultimately your career with California Department of Forestry.

19:15 –  Was there a connection between your employment opportunities and your membership in the Society of American Foresters?

21:23 –   What, and where, were some of your early assignments in California?

24:36 –  In 1976 you were promoted to CDF Resource Manager for the entire  Southern Sierra. What were the challenges of implementing the Forest Practice Act and environmental regulations at that time?

27:52 – Tell us about your move from a CDF Resource Management position to coordinating the CDF Conservation Camp program.

28:48 –  What are your memories regarding the political and policy changes within the California Division/Department of Forestry in the early 1980’s and 1990’s?

41:36 – Please expand your discussion of the numerous individuals associated with the California Division of Forestry and state government who influenced forest policy.

46:33 –  What was CDF Director Richard Wilson’s “Grand Accord” and how did it affect forest practices in the state?

54:30 –  What is your experience with collaboration?

56:12 – Tell us about the changes you have seen in the Society of American Foresters.

1:04:14 –   What is the best way to manage California forests?

1:10:24 – In a perfect world, what would be your vision of an ideal forest?

-END-

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqEyWp3-LrM]

Index to Interview Questions”

00:21 – What began your interest in forestry and ultimately led you to a career?

01:54 – What was your first forestry book as a boy about forestry education?

02:29 – Describe yourself as a young man.

03:49 – Please give us a brief chronology of your career path to becoming a Forest Economist.

07:53 – Do you remember any particular circumstances which were challenging and/or rewarding?

12:18 – What caused you to become interested in Forest Economics?

13:48 – Did you have any heroes or mentors?

15:31 – What kind of experience have you had with SAF over 50 years?

17:42 – Was your focus primarily on timber or other facets of natural resources management?

18:32 – What do you think are the biggest issues facing the forestry profession both in the past and today?

21:18 – Do you have any guidance for working with groups having diverse interests?

21:46 – What are your thoughts about the mission of the Society of American Foresters past, present and future?

23:03 – Looking forward, what do you see for the future of forestry and natural resource management, especially in California?

24:49 – Are some current environmental concerns given more attention than warranted?

25:17 – What are your thoughts on climate change and forests?

26:49 – In a perfect world, what would be your vision of an ideal forest?

28:10 – Do you have any advice for people considering forestry as a career?

28:52 – Please talk about changes in timber supply and demand in California over your career.

32:04 – What are some economic implications of the change away from timber companies owning land to REITS (Real Estate Investment Trusts) or TMOs (Timberland Management Organizations)?

34:07 – You were elected “Fellow” for Society of American Foresters. How did that honor come to you?

-END-

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_IGZVZECFA]

Index to Interview Questions:

00:15 –  Please provide some of your background and tell us how you became interested in forestry as a career.

00:54 –  Please describe some of the jobs and experiences that encompass your 42 year career with the US Forest Service.

1:45 –  Please provide a general description of the dynamics leading to the extensive tree mortality in the southern Sierra.

06:08 –  As a silviculturist, do you see any alternatives or mitigation to lessen the impact of the southern Sierra tree mortality?

11:57 –  Is tree mortality much different than at higher elevations,e.g. above 5,000 – 6,000 feet?

14:42 –  If the strategies you mentioned were applied, what kind of effect do you think they would have?

15:54 –  Assuming a successful fire suppression strategy, what elements would be necessary to keep these stressed forests sustainable and diverse?

17:48 –  Did forest research enhance your career? What about technology changes?

22:17 – Provide some insight into budgeting challenges you have faced in the
National Forest System.

27:47 –  What do you see as the greatest challenge for the forestry profession going forward, especially in California?

29:20 –  How has collaboration played a role in your career? Do you have examples of success and failure?

46:44 –  Please explain some of the management techniques you have found useful.

52:36 – What advice would you have for a  young person considering a career in forestry or natural resource management?

53:52 – What do you see as the future of forestry and natural resource management, especially in California?

54:22 – In a perfect world, what would be
your vision of an ideal forest?

54:50 – Tell us why membership in SAF has been important to you. How can SAF stay relevant going forward?

-END-

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hLkEKFhuKY]

Index to Interview Questions:

00:22 – Tell us a little about your background.

01:44 – How did you become interested in forestry as a career?

02:20 – Tell us a little about your education as a forester. Does it differ between Australia and the USA?

03:19 – Why did you choose to pursue the academic side of the forestry profession?

05:58 – What differences did you notice in the landscape when you came to the United States?

07:08 – Do you have any mentors or heroes?

08:18 – Are there any students that stand out in your memory?

09:56 – How was your role as a professor of silviculture unique?

11:06 – Please describe some of your research projects.

12:57 – What is the relationship between UC Berkeley and the Blodgett Forest Research Station?

15:27 – What aspects of your international research and collaboration did you value most? Challenges?

18:14 – Which of your publications have been most effective in informing the practice of forestry?

19:41 – What are your thoughts about climate change ?

21:32 – What kind of challenges will forest managers face relating to climate change?

23:22 – Activities with the US/Canada Committee on Forest Carbon Standards.(2008-2010)

25:42 – Talk about the importance of defining terminology when dealing with international groups.

26:40 – Activities with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative External Review Panel.
(2008-2012)

28:52 – Activities as Chair, Jackson State Advisory Group (2008-2011)

31:10 – Give us an overview of the litigation in connection with Jackson State Demonstration Forest

33:36 – Activities with the California Forest Products Commission (2002-2008)

34:37 – Activities with the Forest Foundation Board (since 2009)

35:55 – Tell us about your role in representing the SAF with congressional testimony and staff briefings.

39:18 – When and why did you join Society of American Foresters?

40:43 – Tell us about some positions you held with SAF.

48:48 – Talk about SAF in the past and how to maintain relevancy.

55:17 – What would you tell a young person who is considering a career in forestry or natural resources?

56:56 – What do you see as the future of forestry and natural resource management?

1:00:38 – In a perfect world, what would be your vision of an ideal forest ?

1:03:11 – What is forestry and what is a forester?

1:04:28 – Thoughts about the Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station.

1:05:14 – How has forestry changed over the past few decades?

1:07:46 – Has the role of the forester expanded in terms of both technical and social aspects?

1:08:15 – How have climate change issues altered the core technical and social skills of the forestry profession ?

1:09:44 – How do you prepare people to handle the issues of change?

1:11:44 – What is needed in the forestry profession to keep up with changes in societal values?

1:15:12 – How have public and professional attitudes regarding the management of public lands changed?

1:18:00 – What is the problem with public land management by litigation rather than professional judgment?

1:21:05 – What are your thoughts about the change in rate of harvest on public lands?

1:30:40 – What are some of the benefits and challenges of a forest land base with diverse ownership?

1:34:37 – Share some general thoughts about SAF, forestry and change.

-END-

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBof7AWuXzg]

Index to Interview Questions

00:21 – Tell us a little about your background and how you became interested in forestry.

03:34 – Tell us about your forestry education and how people and events at UC Berkeley influenced your career.

05:00 – Were you an inspired academic at UC Berkeley, or did you simply aspire not to become an academic?

07:49 – What happened after your college graduation?

09:16 – Were there any non-forestry events occurring at that time which influenced the direction of your career?

11:13 – Tell us about the business you started.

13:19 – What was a typical job in your business?

15:23 – How did you become a forester for Southern California Edison? What were the challenges of  introducing your style of Single Tree Selection to the SCE landscape?

23:47 – Elaborate on how you applied Single Tree Selection in the Southern
Sierra to achieve a variety of ecosystem goals which were broader than the typical timber stand management of the time.

38:00 – Is your style of forest management widely accepted now?

39:27 – What are your thoughts about California catastrophic fire and insect infestations in California as they relate to a national perspective?

46:21 – Please tell us about your experience working with the public. How did you resolve conflicts  with competing interests?

50:50 – What would you tell a young person considering a forestry or natural
resources management career?

54:42 – How did you mentor young people in the forestry profession?

56:50 – How are you engaging in California forestry now and into the future?

59:41 – Why is membership in SAF important?

1:05:56 – How has the culture and membership of SAF changed over the years?

1:11:57 – What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of Society of American Foresters?

1:16:35 – In a perfect world, what would be your vision of an ideal forest?

-END-

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xhg8MM7ls4]

Dr. Bill Libby, Robert (Bob) Solari, Dr. William McKillop, and Dr. John Helms answer questions regarding 1) advice to someone interested in forestry as a career, 2) what they see as the future of forestry and natural resources in California and the world, and 3) their vision of a “perfect forest.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZaybEKXNNA]

Initiated in conjunction with the California Society of American Foresters 2016 Centennial, the Oral History Project conducts video interviews with California SAF Golden Members, and other venerable California Foresters, to capture highlights of their professional careers, insights into social and profession changes over time, and the future of forestry and the role of SAF in their careers. The oral histories will be archived at the Forest History Society to preserve the legacy represented by these collective experiences and will be accessible to the forestry and natural resource communities, and the public.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=417jDbwugOQ]

Index to Interview Questions:

0:59 – Tell us about your background and how you became interested in forestry.

2:12 – Tell us a little about your early career with the Oregon State Board of Forestry and the 1951 Oregon Tillamook Burn.

4:40 – Tell us about the challenges of aerial seeding the Tillamook Burn including pre-seeding surveys in the 1950’s.

8:20 – What prompted you to pursue a career in the private sector?

13:30 – While working at KOGAP, you met your future sawmill partner.  Please tell us about that interaction.

14:56 – Please tell us about the key considerations prompting your departure from KOGAP and a little about your transition to California to build a sawmill in 1966.

21:41 – Tell us about settling into your new life in Terra Bella, CA.

24:57 – What are some of the changes you have seen in the industry over your career?

29:13 – How have current conditions such as drought and the bark beetle infestation impacted your business?

31:43 – How do you see the future of forestry in California?

33:46 – There are far fewer sawmills operating in California. Talk about the impact of this situation.

35:03 – What are your thoughts on climate change and the environment?

36:43 – How has the environmental movement manifested itself in your area over the years?

40:25 – What advice do you have for a young person who is considering forestry or natural resources management as a career?

42:18 – Tell us about the Society of American Foresters and why you have been a member for more than 50 years.

46:03 – Do you have any suggestions how the Society of American Foresters can stay relevant into the future?

48:22 – In a perfect world, what would be your vision of an “ideal” National Forest?

52:38 – You have been involved in the sawmill business a long time. It is also a family business. What makes you most proud?

56:47 – Are you still actively involved in the sawmill operations? What are you doing in your retirement years?

59:05 – What is your perspective on change?

-END-