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Buffer Marked with Straight, Precise Lines

Jul 31, 2024 | Summer Intern Blog

This week at Starker Forests was yet another thrilling one, brimming with new activities.

Monday and Tuesday, Daniel, Jace and I conducted stocking surveys in the Corvallis area. These survey areas coincided with some of the outdoor labs we had previously experienced in our classes at OSU, adding a special touch to our work. We were also fortunate enough to encounter some fascinating wildlife during our workday.

Jamie Gassner

Over these two days, we had some long hikes through steep units, with one notable unit featuring expansive poison oak patches measuring up to nearly 30 feet wide. This unit also stood out to me for its diverse array of tree species, encompassing noble fir, Douglas-fir, western white pine, Ponderosa pine and incense cedar. Witnessing the early stages of what promises to blossom into a strikingly heterogeneous stand was very interesting. Some of these stands were situated at significant elevations, offering beautiful views that even allowed me to spot the city of Corvallis from my vantage point.

View of Corvallis from significant elevation.

Wednesday brought a change of scenery as Daniel, Jace, Wyatt and I joined Reece and his trusty companion Sage for a coastal adventure to learn the art of stream surveys. Our task involved tracing the mapped streams on our property, surveying them for flowing water to ensure precise placement of stream buffers.

Jace and I teamed up to survey a particularly brushy stream, where dense vegetation made it so thick that we were a mere 6 feet apart yet barely visible to each other amidst the tangle of downed wood and foliage. In that moment, I couldn’t help but envy Sage’s agility and maneuverability.

Sage watching Reece talk about stream buffers.

Upon wrapping up our stream surveys for the day, Reece extended the opportunity for us to delve deeper into his daily routine, teaching us the fundamentals of harvest unit layouts. Given the presence of a fish stream in the stand we were working in, we measured out a 110-foot buffer from the stream into the stand to uphold regulatory standards and guide loggers on where cutting was prohibited. I found this process particularly gratifying, as I took pleasure in delineating the boundary using flagging and ensuring that my lines were both straight and precise. Finally, Wednesday ended with all of us saying goodbye to Kathy, as it was her last day here at Starker. We all wish her the best, and hope she finds great enjoyment in her new journey!

Thursday brought yet another exciting opportunity my way, as Wyatt and I ventured out to the Kings Valley area to engage in timber cruising on a recently commercially thinned stand. Alternating between running the plot stick and measuring tree heights, we honed our skills through practice. By lunchtime, we had successfully completed 14 plots and then proceeded to assist Daniel and Jace, who were working in a larger unit adjacent to ours.

Friday saw Caroline and me teaming up once again to resume our exploration of stream surveys. Covering three distinct units along Highway 20, spanning from Philomath to Eddyville, we encountered a delightful surprise at one of our stops. Amidst the lush landscape, we were treated to the sight of beautiful wildflowers in a large grass field, providing a welcome contrast to the towering blackberries that we are used to.

Friday night ended in an enjoyable evening as the Starker crew gathered to watch the Corvallis Knights face off against the Portland Pickles at Goss Stadium in Corvallis.

We were treated to a special viewing experience from the Omaha room, complete with complimentary food and snacks. Given my limited knowledge of baseball, I made sure to seat myself next to Caroline, who graciously guided me through the rules of the game. The night was a resounding success, the Knights won, and we all had a fantastic time!

Jamie and Caroline

As the week draws to a close, I must admit that I feel a tinge of disappointment that stocking surveys have come to an end for the summer, as they have undoubtedly been my favorite activity thus far. However, the excitement continues into the next week as all the Starker interns gear up for a full week of stream surveys.

Stay tuned for more adventures ahead!

— Jamie Gassner

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