2012 El Dorado Forestry Challenge Learning Objectives

Ecology, Botany, and Plant Identification

Students should be able to:

  1. Understand the fundamental life processes of plants including photosynthesis and transpiration.
  2. Know the basic parts of a tree and their functions.
  3. Understand basic ecological concepts including food webs, succession, competition, adaptation, and symbiosis.
  4. Identify the Mixed Conifer Forest plant community, and know its approximate range in California.
  5. Identify with common names the following tree species without a key, and know their approximate ranges in California:
    • Ponderosa Pine
    • Sugar Pine
    • Incense Cedar
    • White Fir
    • California Black Oak
    • Douglas Fir
  6. Identify specific species of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants through the use of an identification key.

Timber Cruising and Forest Management, and Forest Products

Students should be able to:

  1. Determine tree diameter and number of logs in a tree using only a Biltmore Stick.
  2. Know how to use the following forestry tools: clinometer, diameter tape, wedge prism/angle gauge, and increment borer.
  3. Determine forest species composition using a 1/10 acre square plot.
  4. Interpret maps, including but not limited to township/range/section, ownership, distances/scale, directional headings, and topography.
  5. Interpret volume tables and site index tables using raw data.
  6. Understand how forest management, wildfire, development, and recreation can affect wildlife habitat, water quality, and soil.
  7. Understand how forests are managed to produce timber, and what products are derived from timber.

Forest Pests

Students should be able to:

  1. Identify, understand the life cycles, and know common control techniques for the following forest pests in California:
    • Bark Beetles
    • White Pine Blister Rust
    • Dwarf Mistletoe

2012 Current Issue: Family Tree Farm Management Plan

With the support of a grant from the American Forest Foundation, teams will develop a management plan for a nearby 80 acre family homestead, whose owners will use elements of the teams' plans to become a certified Tree Farm. The management plans will be completed using a template recently developed by the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the US Forest Service.