Time for some good news for a change. This dropped from the sky two days ago but I had grim things I  needed to report on first. It’s Sunday night. Let’s have a nice beaver-bask and read something positive for a change. From Sean Kriletich at the Calaveras Enterprise,

‘Smokey the Beaver’ and the role furry aquatic critters play in preventing wildfire spread

These warm winter days have kept my hands busy in the soil and forest, reducing the amount of time I would ordinarily spend on research. However, this week I did take time to follow the sandhill cranes north and join over 50 people to attend the Scott River Watershed Information Forum in Siskiyou County, Calif. Over the course of three days, this event featured a wealth of information, ranging from site visits to mine tailings restoration projects and shaded fuel breaks, to presentations in the historic and very comfortable Etna Theater. (more…)