2021-08-05 Forest Advisory Board Agenda Packet Published

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In early July, the Anacortes Street Department’s sign shop helped me replace the stolen “curvy road ahead” sign at the summit of Mount Erie. In early July, Alli and I trimmed vegetation on the SHIP trail. We also trimmed vegetation on the “Goat Trail”, a green corridor passing parallel to 18 th and 19th streets, and later removed brush piles from the site. I collaborated with Parks staff to plant 8 Arborvitae trees at the Pickleball courts. Sk y and Braydn helped dig a trench using our mini-excavator, dispose of the rocky fill, and import higher-quality soil as a planting substrate. Since projects need a title, this one was dubbed the “Fertile Rectangle” as a callback to the Cradle of Civilization. Gabe and Alli helped plant and mulch the trees, and I will continue to water them regularly. Reports of ACFL black bear sightings and sign have been coming in since early July. No photos of bears have emerged yet, but a pair of photos showing droppings and a clawed cedar seem compelling! This is an exciting reminder that our Forestlands serve as valuable wildlife sanctuary as well as a recreational outlet for humans. On July 22 I cleaned out the 32nd Street beaver deceiver, which it needed. I also watered the remaining alders at this location (planted winter 2019), which I will continue to do until rainy season. It seems like they still need it. Later the same day I visited Cap Sante to extinguish two remaining smoldering embers from the brush fire that had occurred there the previous evening. On two occasions in July, as time allowed, I cut and treated holly in off-trail locations near Cranberry Lake and Whistle Lake. July 2021 Parks and ACFL Operations Administrative Report The heat wave that rolled through the region at the end of June tested a lot of us in many ways. It also tested Whistle Lake’s capacity for humans. We never did do an actual vehicle count on any of those four days, but Spradley Road was almost booked solid. There was the usual disregard for our alcohol and smoking prohibitions, but there were also many people just looking to cool down a few degrees. Along with ACFL Steve and his seasonal staff, Director Lunsford, Parks Manager Johnston and I spent a fair amount of time directing traffic and trying to keep activity at the lake somewhat reasonable. Steve and the team, along with an APD Officer that we have been able to schedule in the forest lands, continue to do a terrific job of working daily for the health of the woods and the safety of its visitors.