Hello Students!  Here are a few notes about technology for the Championship Forestry Challenge. 

  • Each team should bring one laptop to use for presentation prep.  PCs are preferred. NO CHROMEBOOKS PLEASE. More than one per team is allowed but not necessary.
  • Your laptop must have:
    • At least 1 USB 2.0 Type A port
    • Powerpoint software – No Internet-dependent programs (Prezi, Google Slides, etc.) Here is an introductory course on how to use PowerPoint.
  • IF YOU BRING A MAC, you must be able to save your file as a power point presentation (.PPTX) OR have an HDMI adapter to connect to a projector, and you must bring your own dongles for USB-A interfacing.
  • If you need a laptop, there are a few available for loan, but please let us know in advance if you want to check one out. 
  • You will receive a flash drive with focus topic related materials to use in your presentation.  You can also bring any background information about the focus topic that you think will help you in your presentation.
  • Camp Sylvester now has limited Wi-Fi with restricted access. Cell service is strong with Verizon and spotty with AT&T. If you are able to hotspot, you are allowed to do so. If not, we will have a few computers made available for you to do online research.
  • A camera or phone that can hard-wire transfer photos to your laptop is highly recommended.

If you have any questions about technology at the Championship Forestry Challenge, please email Diane.  (dianedealeyneill@gmail.com)

What to Bring

Minor Release
Form

Adult (18+ student)
Release Form

Mill Tour
Release Form

Forestry Challenge Championship Learning Objectives

Ecology, Botany, and Plant Identification

      1. Know the basic parts of a tree and their functions.
      2. Understand concepts associated with forests, including stand composition, stand density, and crown classification.
      3. Be familiar with the four most common forest plant communities in California, and know their approximate ranges.
      4. Identify with common names the following tree species without a key, and know their approximate ranges in California:
      5. Identify specific species of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants through the use of a dichotomous identification key.  Be familiar with basic terminology related to leaf morphology.

Timber Cruising and Forest Products

  1. Know how to pace a chain.
  2. Know how to use the following forestry tools: Biltmore Stick (diameter and height), clinometer, compass, diameter tape, angle gauge, densitometer, and increment borer.
  3. Interpret volume tables and limiting distance tables using raw data.
  4. Determine forest species composition using a square chain plot.
  5. Interpret maps, including but not limited to township/range/section, ownership, distances/scale, directional headings, and topography.
  6. Understand how forests are managed to produce timber, and what products are derived from timber.
  7. Know how to read and use a Site Class Table and a Stocking Table.

Championship Focus Topic – Fuel Break Maintenance

  1. Be familiar with the Stanislaus Landscape Project
  2. Look at the Stanslaus Landscape Map, noting the location of Camp Sylvester in Pinecrest, and understand the various completed and upcoming treatments
  3. Read the notice from Chief Randy Moore, head of the Forest Service, about his new MOU on Fuel Breaks across multiple ownerships
  4. Be familiar with Shaded Fuelbreaks
  5. Watch this video on Prescribed Fire from the Forest Service, and this video from Half as Interesting explaining The Logistics of Prescribed Fire
  6. Be familiar with the Mitchell Mine Fuelbreak Demonstration and understand the 6 treatment options tested