Talking Environmental Issues and Solutions with the Novato Rotary Club
By Aidan Tribolet, WELLKIND Forestry Intern
Aidan Tribolet was an intern for WELLKIND Forestry during our summer 2021 session, exploring the Novato Rotary’s conservation efforts and other local environmental initiatives.
As an intern for WELLIND Forestry, I recently had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the Novato Rotary. The Novato chapter is one of over 35,000 clubs around the world that work together for the common good. Catriona Macgregor Glazebrook, WELLKIND’s Executive Director, was invited to speak at the Novato branch’s meeting at College of Marin’s Indian Valley Campus. She brought us interns along with her.
At the meeting, fire safety and preparedness, drought information, and techniques to aid plants and wildlife were the focus of discussion. It was excellent to see by a show of hands that many club members had bags ready to go in the event of a wildfire. This is essential, as wildfires can now move up to 60 miles an hour, says Catriona. Drier, hotter conditions and greater frequency of extreme weather events such as lightning storms and high winds make fire preparations a must.
Catriona explained that contrary to what many may believe, higher density forests can actually slow the spread of wildfires (see, for example, Bradley, Hanson, & DellaSalla, 2016). Greater moisture, lower surface winds, and greener vegetation all can work together to prevent fires from escalating.
Glazebrook led club members around the meeting hall to discuss ways to help the adjacent trees and measures to make the area more fire-safe. Ensuring that there is a clear and accessible exit to cars is more important than ever, given our rapidly moving fires. In our own homes, measures such as flame-resistant shingles and the removal of highly flammable plants and fallen leaves will make for more fire-resistant properties. With a lengthier fire season than ever and extreme levels of drought preparation, this will be essential throughout our communities.
Glazebrook also presented on ways to help local wildlife and trees. The meeting hall was surrounded by old oaks, and it was sad to see the conditions many of them are facing under this drought. The coast live oak, so common around Marin, may need supplemental water and nutrients given the drought and the decreases in wildlife populations.
To most effectively deliver water, it is best to look at the critical root zone, the area roughly below the three-fourths point as you measure from the trunk to the outermost leaves. Drip systems are ideal for irrigation, but you can also use a hose or watering can.
In addition to lacking water, many of our native trees are in need of nutrients. Chicken manure is the answer to this problem. Historically, great amounts of birds traveled the land and their droppings were essential fertilizer to the trees. According to a recent study, one in four birds have died in just the past 50 years, and not just endangered species but common favorites (Rosenberg et al., 2019). Bird die-offs have resulted in lower levels of nutrients in forests; no longer are forests getting enough of the nitrogen-rich droppings. Composted and aged chicken manure can be applied in a several foot radius from the tree's trunk, and should preferably be done in the winter, so the rain can slowly carry the nutrients into the soil.
Additionally, Rotary members presented techniques to help people save water during the drought. According to the Marin Municipal Water District, reservoirs are at 40.8 percent capacity as of August 1, 2021, which is only 55.1 percent of average for the date. Using drip systems instead of a garden hose saves water, as does saving the water used while the shower heats up. Bigger projects such as purchasing a rain cistern and thoughtful landscape design can deliver even greater results.
The practices and advice discussed at the meeting are available to the general public and are often easy enough to undertake without any special equipment or hefty price tag. It really is simple enough to go out, even in your own backyard, and take steps to make a positive difference in our climate-changed world.