Join us on May 24th to learn about the forest ecosystems, research, and land management practices of CAL FIRE’s Demonstration State Forests, in the Shasta Trinity Unit, with Registered Professional Forester and LaTour State Demonstration Manager, Jason Poburko.

Our forests are an asset to the surrounding communities, providing jobs, recreation opportunities, and aesthetic value. CAL FIRE’s State Demonstration Forests provide research and demonstration opportunities for a variety of natural resource management objectives including sustainable timber production, public recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, and watershed protection. Learn about current land management practices conducted at the nearby LaTour Demonstration State Forest, and what the findings of this living laboratory means for our forested ecosystems. The presentation will highlight the potential benefits this type of management will  may provide for three newly designated Demonstration State Forests owned by CAL FIRE, with two of them being protected under conservation easement by Shasta Land Trust.

The lecture will be hosted by the Shasta Land Trust at 5170 Bechelli Ln, Redding, CA.

Speaker Bio:

Jason Poburko was raised in British Columbia, and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelors in Forestry (BSF), specializing in Resource Management in 1999. While in school Jason worked on the outer coast of Vancouver Island, the east side of the Johnson Straight, and spent an additional summer working for the Association of BC Forest Professionals. Jason came to California in 1999 starting work for a small family consulting firm in Eureka. In 2001 he starting working for Sierra Pacific Industries, as a District Forester on the Weaverville District, with responsibilities for Timber Harvest Plan preparation, logging administration, regeneration efforts, and spotted owl management. He acquired his RPF license (2769) in 2003. In 2007, Jason became a member of the Board of Directors for the California Licensed Forester’s Association, serving as President in 2011. He was later nominated for and confirmed by the California Board of Forestry(BOF) to the Professional Foresters Examining Committee in 2015, where he continues to serve at the pleasure of the BOF. In 2016 ,Jason accepted the position of the LaTour Demonstration State Forest Manager. In his spare time he skis, mountain bikes, plays with his three grandchildren and has been part of the Trinity County Search and Rescue team, since 2007.

We are so excited to be joined by Koen Breedveld, Entomologist and Aquatic Ecologist with Spring Rivers Ecological Sciences, LLC., who will be speaking to us about the ecological threats and conservation efforts for the endangered native Shasta crayfish. 

Take a deep dive into the world of Shasta crayfish, some of the most imperiled native crustacean species in our local aquatic ecosystems. Learn more with local ecologist, Koen Breedveld, who will provide an overview of the variety of crayfish species of the US, before focusing more closely on the west coast crayfish species, and specifically the endangered Shasta crayfish. Facing a rapid decline over the past 30 years, learn about the threats facing this unique species found only in Shasta County. The presentation will end with highlights from Koen's work in long-term monitoring, conservation, and restoration efforts, followed by an opportunity for questions.

About the Presenter:

Koen G. H. Breedveld
Koen is an entomologist and aquatic ecologist with a Master’s degree in Entomology from Washington State University, Pullman, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from California State University, Chico. Koen came to Burney in 2003 and has been studying the ecology of aquatic species in northeastern California since. Koen’s special focus is studying the demographics of the foothill yellow-legged frog population in the Pit River. His other research interests include other amphibians, aquatic insects, the endangered Shasta crayfish, aquatic and terrestrial molluscs, and medium to large-size carnivores. 

The Shasta Land Trust is excited to be hosting an exclusive book tour lecture by award-winning author Ann Vileisis, who will be speaking about the environmental issues and history of California's treasured and endangered abalone species.

Prized for their iridescent shells and delectable meat, abalone have a long, rich cultural history in California, but with increasing environmental stresses, these unique mollusks are now tragically imperiled. On Wednesday, October 12 join award-winning author Ann Vileisis for a deep dive into the environmental history of abalone, based on her recent book 'Abalone: the remarkable history and uncertain future of California’s iconic shellfish'.

From indigenous artisans, to bohemian writers, California cuisine, the popular sport of skin diving, and Marine biology, this illustrated lecture features historic images and compelling stories that braid together into a tale of epic proportions—ultimately affording an important perspective to help us better understand the challenges faced by all of marine life today.

The lecture will be hosted by the Shasta Land Trust at 5170 Bechelli Ln, Redding, CA. Signed copies of the speaker’s book will be available for sale after the talk.

For more information about author Ann Vileisis and her book Abalone, check out: www.annvileisis.com/abalone

About the Author:

Ann Vileisis is an environmental historian and independent scholar. Her first book 'Discovering the Unknown Landscape, a history of America’s wetlands', won two national history awards from the American Historical Association and the American Society for Environmental History. Her second book, 'Kitchen Literacy', how we lost knowledge of where food comes from and why we need to get it back, was recognized by Real Simple Magazine as one of “50 books that will change your life.”

And her new work, Abalone: the remarkable history and uncertain future of California’s iconic shellfish has been called by Dr. Callum Roberts “a truly marvelous, unexpected joy of a book.”