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Since 1991, scientists, writers and artists have documented their observations and research, environmental musings, poems and illustrations of the natural world in a thoughtful journal published by the Yuba Watershed Institute called Tree Rings.
Now available to members and interested readers, the recently released 23rd issue of the journal gives insight into the plants and animals that live in close proximity to the folks who make their home in the woods of the San Juan Ridge.
“Our emphasis is on thoughtful writing about our watershed through science and deep thinking,” said Liese Greensfelder, science writer and Tree Rings editor.
It's a long way from the early days, when Tree Rings was published on a Xerox copy machine. Greensfelder spent 160 hours on the 23rd edition and like all contributors in the publication's history, donated her time to the project.
“This is a completely volunteer publication. No compensation has ever been paid. It's a labor of love,” Greensfelder said.
In the early days and through the years, Pulitzer Prize winning Poet and San Juan Ridge resident Gary Snyder wrote environmental essays for the journal. Wendell Berry, too, has graced the pages, along with a long list of other botanists, biologists, archaeologists and naturalists.
This year more than ever, the writing found in Tree Rings is steeped in natural history and science, Greensfelder said.
Local artist Randy Griffis designed the cover of Tree Rings. His full page drawing depicts a forest scene typical of the 'Inimim Forest, 2,000 acres of forest lands being managed for old growth values through a cooperative agreement between the Yuba Watershed Institute and the federal Bureau of Land Management.
“I think it makes the start of this magazine elegant and engaging… What he did for this is extraordinary,” Greensfelder.
Five of Griffis' illustrations are found within the journal.
Many of the articles found in Tree Rings spring up organically, based on what's happening in the place where people live. For instance, a found pelt of a Ringtail led Greensfelder and her husband, Bob Erickson to seek the expertise of local falconer Len Bracket.
“It's a mixture of, ‘what are we interested in, what do we want to know about and who can write about it?… We're living up there, we're seeing things around us and we say, ‘what's that?'”
Turning the pages, readers will discover that Red shouldered hawks and Coast Horned Lizards are moving to and finding a safe haven in the Sierra Nevada foothills, that mycoheterotrophic plants can be found underfoot and that plentiful white leaf Manzanita serves the ecosystem well.
A gallery of photographs showcases a startling array of mountain lions, bears and foxes among 1,352 mammals and birds caught by eight cameras hidden on animal trails in the woods as part of YWI's wildlife monitoring project.
Just across the river
Over the years, a central theme threads each edition of Tree Rings. Many of the people who call the San Juan Ridge home have a deep connection with the surrounding woods and wildlife of the Yuba River's watershed.
In the 1970's and 1980's, dozens of pioneering young people moved to the region with the idea of living close to nature, off the grid with little impact. They began what would become decades of restoring a landscape changed by historic logging and mining.
Healthy populations of wildlife now being documented in the area are a direct result of these restorative actions, Greensfelder said.
“That's been a very strong value for people of the San Juan Ridge and that's the source of Tree Rings,”Greensfelder said.
New executive director, Maria Ryan, grew up on the San Juan Ridge, on 70 acres her parents began homesteading in the early 1970's, like many back-to-the-landers of the day, or as Ryan calls them, the “original generation.”
Ryan's writing leads this year's Tree Rings in clear prose. An art and design major, she also contributed a pen-and-ink drawing of Manzanita in bloom.
Early on, she developed an ethic of leaving the land better than when she arrived, and this childhood lesson remains with her still.
“It's genuine. In a way people have this relationship with where they live,” she said.
Ryan sees similar parallels between the homesteading energy of her parents' generation and that of a new breed of enthusiastic farmers moving from urban areas to Nevada County today.
At her new post, Ryan is already looking to branch out to a larger community and younger audience.
“It's my intention to make YWI more widely known as an organization,” beyond the isolated community of the San Juan Ridge, she said. In coming weeks, two events are planned for town.
Next week, YWI will hold a soup night fundraiser and membership drive with copies of Tree Rings for sale in downtown Nevada City and a Wild Mushroom Exposition at the Miner's Foundry is planned for Dec. 11.
It's a natural next step to bridge the two sister communities that share the same resources but sometimes feel worlds apart.
“It's just across the river. It's the same watershed,” Ryan said.
To learn more about the Yuba Watershed Institute visit:
http://www.yubawatershedinstitute.org/
To order a copy of Tree Rings contact Liese Greensfelder at 292-4248 or lieseg@nasw.org
Laura Brown is a freelance writer. Contact her at 401-4877 or laurabrown323@comcast.net.
Now available to members and interested readers, the recently released 23rd issue of the journal gives insight into the plants and animals that live in close proximity to the folks who make their home in the woods of the San Juan Ridge.
“Our emphasis is on thoughtful writing about our watershed through science and deep thinking,” said Liese Greensfelder, science writer and Tree Rings editor.
It's a long way from the early days, when Tree Rings was published on a Xerox copy machine. Greensfelder spent 160 hours on the 23rd edition and like all contributors in the publication's history, donated her time to the project.
“This is a completely volunteer publication. No compensation has ever been paid. It's a labor of love,” Greensfelder said.
In the early days and through the years, Pulitzer Prize winning Poet and San Juan Ridge resident Gary Snyder wrote environmental essays for the journal. Wendell Berry, too, has graced the pages, along with a long list of other botanists, biologists, archaeologists and naturalists.
This year more than ever, the writing found in Tree Rings is steeped in natural history and science, Greensfelder said.
Local artist Randy Griffis designed the cover of Tree Rings. His full page drawing depicts a forest scene typical of the 'Inimim Forest, 2,000 acres of forest lands being managed for old growth values through a cooperative agreement between the Yuba Watershed Institute and the federal Bureau of Land Management.
“I think it makes the start of this magazine elegant and engaging… What he did for this is extraordinary,” Greensfelder.
Five of Griffis' illustrations are found within the journal.
Many of the articles found in Tree Rings spring up organically, based on what's happening in the place where people live. For instance, a found pelt of a Ringtail led Greensfelder and her husband, Bob Erickson to seek the expertise of local falconer Len Bracket.
“It's a mixture of, ‘what are we interested in, what do we want to know about and who can write about it?… We're living up there, we're seeing things around us and we say, ‘what's that?'”
Turning the pages, readers will discover that Red shouldered hawks and Coast Horned Lizards are moving to and finding a safe haven in the Sierra Nevada foothills, that mycoheterotrophic plants can be found underfoot and that plentiful white leaf Manzanita serves the ecosystem well.
A gallery of photographs showcases a startling array of mountain lions, bears and foxes among 1,352 mammals and birds caught by eight cameras hidden on animal trails in the woods as part of YWI's wildlife monitoring project.
Just across the river
Over the years, a central theme threads each edition of Tree Rings. Many of the people who call the San Juan Ridge home have a deep connection with the surrounding woods and wildlife of the Yuba River's watershed.
In the 1970's and 1980's, dozens of pioneering young people moved to the region with the idea of living close to nature, off the grid with little impact. They began what would become decades of restoring a landscape changed by historic logging and mining.
Healthy populations of wildlife now being documented in the area are a direct result of these restorative actions, Greensfelder said.
“That's been a very strong value for people of the San Juan Ridge and that's the source of Tree Rings,”Greensfelder said.
New executive director, Maria Ryan, grew up on the San Juan Ridge, on 70 acres her parents began homesteading in the early 1970's, like many back-to-the-landers of the day, or as Ryan calls them, the “original generation.”
Ryan's writing leads this year's Tree Rings in clear prose. An art and design major, she also contributed a pen-and-ink drawing of Manzanita in bloom.
Early on, she developed an ethic of leaving the land better than when she arrived, and this childhood lesson remains with her still.
“It's genuine. In a way people have this relationship with where they live,” she said.
Ryan sees similar parallels between the homesteading energy of her parents' generation and that of a new breed of enthusiastic farmers moving from urban areas to Nevada County today.
At her new post, Ryan is already looking to branch out to a larger community and younger audience.
“It's my intention to make YWI more widely known as an organization,” beyond the isolated community of the San Juan Ridge, she said. In coming weeks, two events are planned for town.
Next week, YWI will hold a soup night fundraiser and membership drive with copies of Tree Rings for sale in downtown Nevada City and a Wild Mushroom Exposition at the Miner's Foundry is planned for Dec. 11.
It's a natural next step to bridge the two sister communities that share the same resources but sometimes feel worlds apart.
“It's just across the river. It's the same watershed,” Ryan said.
To learn more about the Yuba Watershed Institute visit:
http://www.yubawatershedinstitute.org/
To order a copy of Tree Rings contact Liese Greensfelder at 292-4248 or lieseg@nasw.org
Laura Brown is a freelance writer. Contact her at 401-4877 or laurabrown323@comcast.net.
KNOW & GO
WHAT: The 14th Annual Fungus ForayWHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 Rain or shine
WHERE: North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
COST: $20 general, $18 YWI members, half day: $12, under 18 free
Our traditional Saturday morning wild mushroom hunt and identification will wrap up with an afternoon of displayed discoveries and educational identification workshops. Wild-crafted food concessions and mushroom merchandise will be available for sale. Bring a lunch and be prepared to walk in the woods. Also useful: collection basket, waxed paper bags, knife and a hand lens.
KNOW & GO
WHAT: The First Nevada City Wild Mushroom ExpositionWHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11
WHERE: Miners Foundry Stone Hall, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City
COST: $10 general, $8 for YWI members, $5 for students, under 13 free
YWI is bringing the Foray to down town Nevada City! The Sunday Exploration is packed with presentations, displays, and identification workshops based on our seasonal Sierran mushroom. Wild-crafted food concessions and mushroom merchandise available for sale. This event is concurrent with the Victorian Christmas Street Fair.
