DNR jobs open: wildland firefighter

Do you want to do something meaningful and rewarding this summer? Do you enjoy physical, sometimes strenuous, labor? DNR is looking for dedicated individuals to help protect Washington’s natural resources from wildfire. Seasonal, temporary firefighting jobs are open statewide for the 2015 fire season. Visit the DNR jobs page to apply.

This is an entry-level position, and previous natural resource and firefighting experience is not required. Training is provided upon hire. The position lasts three to four months, usually from mid-June to mid-September.

When you apply for this position, your application cannot be edited after it is sent, and you can only apply once a year. Therefore, it is important to meet all of the requirements before applying.

Before you apply

• Must be 18 years old when hired (usually mid-June)
• Must have a high school diploma or GED when hired (usually mid-June)
• Must have a valid driver’s license & 2 years of driving experience
• Acceptable driving record with no serious traffic violations:
  • License suspension/revocation due to reckless driving, hit and run, leaving an accident scene, failure to appear, DUI, other vehicle-related felony
  • More than 3 moving violations in the past 12 months
  • More than 4 moving violations in the past 24 months
• Must be able to operate a manual transmission in a fire truck
• Must be able to buy regulation boots for $250 – $270
  • Boots will be reimbursed up to $270 with receipt after purchase

To Apply

• Create an account on careers.wa.gov
• Identify the region you want to work in and apply for that specific region: Northeast, Northwest, Olympic, South Puget Sound, Pacific Cascade, Southeast
• The application consists of basic information, education, past work history, references, and a simple questionnaire at the end

For tips on preparing for an interview, check out http://careers.wa.gov/onlineresources.html

The experience and training gained as a wildland firefighter can form the foundation for a successful career in forestry and other natural resource professions.

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Planting for success

Here are six tips from a DNR urban forester on how to properly care for your trees. Well-cared-for trees provide a lifetime of benefits.

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Volunteers are key players in DNR’s recreation programs

While not “fun” exactly, these volunteers had a good experience creating future fun times by helping DNR maintain recreational trails at Tiger Mountain State Forest near Issasquah. Photo DNR.

As the recently published DNR 2014 Annual Report explains, 2014 was a productive year for our recreation program. DNR installed 5 miles of new motorized off-road vehicle trails and challenge areas, built nearly 9 miles of non-motorized trails, completed the new 4.7 mile Mailbox Peak hiking trail, and opened 3 miles of new mountain bike trails in Tiger Mountain State Forest.

Volunteers were critical in 2014, both to DNR’s major recreation projects as well as to many smaller-but-still-important projects, such as litter removal and trail maintenance. During fiscal year 2014 (which ended June 30, 2014), DNR hosted about 65,000 hours of volunteer efforts and successfully competed for grants to provide more than 40 percent of its recreation funds. These efficiencies aid DNR in enabling more than 11 million diverse recreation visits across 3,400 square miles of state-managed lands, each year.

Got some time this winter? How about doing some good for the DNR-managed lands you love! Check the DNR Volunteer Calendar to find opportunities to give back. http://bit.ly/DNRvolunteer

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$265 million earned for public schools and other trust land beneficiaries

DNR released its 2014 Annual Report, which describes the department’s activities, land management and fiscal results on behalf of state trust beneficiaries.

If you look at what DNR generated from timber harvests, product sales, leases and other activities on state trust lands during Fiscal Year 2014, you’ll find that we earned a tidy $265 million for beneficiaries, such as k-12 public schools. A description of these earnings and much more is in the department’s 2014 Annual Report, released Monday morning.

The amount includes $120 million from trust lands dedicated to funding construction at public schools statewide and $75 million generated from lands that DNR manages for the benefit of 21 ‘timber’ counties. Other trust land beneficiaries receiving funds from DNR’s management of 5.6 million acres of trust and aquatic lands last fiscal year included the University of Washington, Washington State University and other state universities.

Take a look at the DNR 2014 Annual Report.

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Sorry, no Christmas tree cutting on state trust lands, but we know where you can find a tree (cheap)

Sorry, no Christmas trees here. About 8 million of the seedlings—like these Douglas fir—raised last year at DNR’s Webster Forest Nursery (shown here) were used to replant state trust lands after timber harvests. Another 2 million were purchased by private landowners for replanting after harvests. Photo: DNR.

We know that for many of you, going out into the woods to cut your own Christmas tree is a grand tradition. And while there are many lovely trees in state trust forests, DNR does not allow them to be cut down for Christmas trees. We don’t want to be Scrooges, but the trust forests in DNR’s care are intended for sustainably managed habitat, clean water, and revenue to the beneficiaries of state trusts, such as public schools, state universities, and public services, such as libraries and emergency medical services, in many counties.

When we hold timber auctions, we seek the highest return to fund these many trust beneficiaries, which means waiting until the trees reach maturity.

Fortunately, there are many places on federal lands where you can legally cut your own Christmas tree for a small fee. Contact your local US Forest Service Office, or support your local private tree farm:

National Forests

• Colville National Forest
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest
• Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
• Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
• Olympic National Forest

Private tree farms

• Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association

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8 reasons DNR is thankful for volunteers

Volunteers help keep DNR-managed recreation sites clean, safe, and healthy. Photo: DNR.

Each year, volunteers of all ages put in thousands of hours helping DNR.

Their dedicated efforts and skills help us maintain and improve recreational sites, trails, natural areas, and other outdoor volunteer opportunities on the state trust lands we manage.

Some volunteers devote time every month; others pitch in a few hours here and there. Either way, we’re happy to get the help.

At DNR, we’re thankful to all of those who:

1. Spent countless hours battling blackberries and scotch broom to keep these invasive plants from overtaking trails and natural areas.
2. Volunteered for the Forest Watch Program.
3. Provided information and nature interpretation to school children and other forest visitors.
4. Trekked out in the field to collect data or monitor plant species — providing valuable information to staff scientists.
5. Helped us maintain and build recreational trails.
6. Organized volunteer work parties.
7. Helped DNR keep campgrounds open to the public by becoming a volunteer camp host.
8. …. and the many, many other activities that rely on the efforts of volunteers.

Rain or shine, DNR’s volunteers are always happy to show up and lend a hand. Photo by: DNR

To all of you, our sincere thanks! And a Happy Thanksgiving.

Got some time this winter? Plan to do some good for the DNR-managed lands you love! Check the DNR Volunteer Calendar to find opportunities to give back. http://bit.ly/DNRvolunteer

Storms are here. How to protect your trees

Wind with drenching rains can damage or topple some trees. Photo: DNR

The storm that moved into western Washington last night is bringing plenty of moisture and wind. The combination of soggy ground and strong winds can spell bad news for some trees–weak branches can snap, dead limbs may fall and, in extreme cases, shallow-rooted trees can topple, but let’s not panic. The good news is that most trees are well-adapted to the conditions and will weather this storm.

Proper pruning–we recommend arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)–in advance of storms increases the resilience of your trees but what can you do after the storm?  Check out our tree tips  

Controlled burn at Camas Meadows planned for October 1

Firefighters keep a close eye on prescribed burns. Photo: Kent Romney

If wind and weather conditions are favorable, DNR may conduct a controlled burn at Camas Meadows Natural Area Preserve on Wednesday, October 1. The project may be moved to later in the week or later this fall if weather conditions do not allow for safe burning on October 1.

Why burn? Fire helped develop the arid forests and meadows in the east Cascade Mountains and using it through planned burns promotes the growth of native plant species. Controlled burns are a safe and cost-effective way to restore natural conditions and remove encroaching shrubs, trees, and other growth that can lead to uncontrolled wildfires.

Will firefighters be present during the burn? Yes, DNR firefighters and fire engines will be present during the burn to prevent it from spreading.

What about the burn ban? DNR lifted the statewide burn last week. The prescribed burn at Camas Meadows will be conducted in compliance with prescribed burning regulations and closely monitored.

Where will the prescribed burn take place? Camas Meadows Natural Area Preserve is 12 miles southeast of Leavenworth, off Camas Creek Road, and protects the largest remaining populations of two rare plant species — the Wenatchee Mountain checker-mallow and the Wenatchee larkspur — that occur only in the Wenatchee Mountains of central Washington.

DNR-managed natural areas protect native ecosystems and the plant and animal species that depend on them.

Do you have other questions or concerns about controlled burning? Email David Wilderman, natural areas program ecologist for DNR’s Natural Areas Program, which is a statewide system of natural resources conservation areas and natural area preserves totaling more than 155,000 acres.

Napa earthquake a reminder of risks in Washington state; New map shows risk levels

Relative risk for earthquake damage in Washington and Oregon shown in red, orange and yellow. Image: USGS.

A few weeks before Sunday’s 6.0 magnitude earthquake in northern California, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released an updated earthquake risk map for the lower 48 states. The maps, used for building codes and insurance purposes, calculate how much shaking a building might experience during its lifetime from the biggest earthquake likely in the area. As the maps show, Washington state — from the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean — is at high risk from damaging earthquakes. In fact, we face a triple threat:

• Shallow or crustal earthquakes, such as those that can be caused by the Seattle Fault
• Deep intraslab earthquakes, such as the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually earthquake of 2001
• Mega-thrust earthquakes, such as the 9.0 magnitude Cascadia earthquake of 1700

A magnitude 9.0 earthquake on the Cascadia subduction, which lies just off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, northern California, and British Columbia, would be one thousand times more powerful than the Nisqually earthquake of 2001. The impacts on coastal communities could be similar to the effects of earthquakes that struck Japan in March 2011 and Chile in February 2010.

Emergency managers and preparedness experts agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” can help reduce injuries and deaths during earthquakes.

• DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
• Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
• HOLD ON to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.

You cannot tell from the initial shaking if an earthquake will suddenly become intense… so always Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately.

Find information about preparing for — and surviving — an earthquake on the Washington State Emergency Management Division website.

Visit the Washington State Seismic Hazards Catalog to see interactive graphic representations of how a major earthquake might affect your area of the state.

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Take a trip to visit a mystic mounded prairie

Looking for something kid-friendly to do on DNR-managed conservation lands? Let their imaginations run wild on 637 acres of grassland mounds at the DNR Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve (NAP).

Camas blooms at the unique Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve managed by DNR. Photo: DNR/Birdie Davenport

Located next to Capitol State Forest near Olympia, Washington, Mima Mounds NAP protects the mounded Puget prairie landscape. Scientists differ on how the mounds formed; ice age flood deposits, earthquakes — even gophers — are among the formation theories offered.

Unique topography is one of the features of DNR’s Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve south of Olympia. Photo: DNR.

Rising to landmark status
In 1966, the National Park Service designated Mima Mounds a National Natural Landmark for its outstanding condition, illustrative value of a landform, rarity, and value to science and education. The site is one of 17 National Natural Landmarks in Washington state.

The NAP, established in 1976, includes native grasslands, a small Garry oak woodland, savannah (widely spaced oak trees with grass understory), Douglas-fir forest, and habitat for prairie-dependent butterflies and birds.

Unearthing site information and education

Mima Mounds NAP has a lot of informational material for visitors to read while they’re there. DNR photo

Visitors to the site can stop at its interpretive center before stepping onto the trail that skirts around the mounds. The center provides historical and educational information about the site.

For those looking to get a better view of the area, a short set of stairs to the rooftop of the interpretive center provides a look from above.

Discover Pass required
Don’t forget to grab your Discover Pass before heading out on this prairie
adventure. The Discover Pass is required to park a car at Mima Mounds NAP or anywhere in Capitol State Forest. This $30 annual access pass (or $10 day pass) is your ticket to Washington state great outdoors. All proceeds directly support state-managed outdoor recreation.

Adventure on!
Learn more about Mima Mounds NAP and other DNR adventures on our website at www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation.

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