1. ZOOM videos are only available for 2-3 weeks.
2. Permanent alternate (YouTube) video HERE.
3. Previous APPLESEED (March 04), contains speaker's bio.
4. View some of the speaker's PowerPoint slides below.

Paul was introduced by Britt Dudek.  Paul has worked with the US Forest Service for the last 4 decades studying Northwest wild fires and insect ecology and how they interact.  He discussed how our forests have changed over recent decades, illustrated by comparative photos of, a few of which appear below.

He addressed why it matters that there has been tremendous change in western forests since the 1930s.  Forests have become much more dense due to forest management, resulting in 100-1000 times more trees since the 1850s.  But we are losing millions of acres yearly now due to increases in severe-fire events, which also have increased negative impacts on human population and related increased insurance costs.  These impacts can be reduced by better forest management such as prescribed thinning and burning.

Fires are inevitable, but we can choose the severity, requiring communities to "choose your smoke", i.e. prescribed minor fires, or severe wildfires. Controlled fires generate 10-50% of the smoke.  Good question from several members are answered.

THIS WAS A GREAT PROGRAM!  WATCH THE VIDEO.

• Hybrid meeting survey.  If you missed it in the last Appleseed, here is your final chance to complete the survey. More input is needed on interest in lunch.
• Girl Scout cookies.    Contact Jill Leonard HERE.  
• Haiti HANWASH.   Carin Smith requests our attendance at her district ZOOM meeting March 9, at 5:30 PM.  See details below.
• Bethany AlHaidari.   She spoke to us last June 18 and was featured in a front page story March 3 in the Wenatchee World; read it HERE  .   Read our  "week in review" from June Appleseed .  See a short video clip HERE  with intro by Gil Sparks.  Her website -  https://saudijustice.org/  We have a full audio recording of this program, which Bethany asked us to withhold pending her case resolution.
• Raise a Glass to Rescue Glass (on-line event).  Chelan Rotary fundraiser in support of reinstating glass recycling in our valley.  March 26 with Fielding Hills Winery.    Tickets are $100 per Zoom account which includes one bottle of Fielding Hills 2019 Chenin Blanc, one bottle of 2017 Tribute Red Blend, and charcuterie plate for two.  See details HERE.
• District Training opportunities.  See below and sharpen your Rotary skills.
• Open District positions.  If you are anxious to serve in a district role (and why not?), more info coming soon.

 

IMPORTANT DISTRICT TRAINING.   Excellent no-cost Rotary training opportunities are upcoming on ZOOM, especially for new members (but all Rotarians can benefit). View the list and register HERE.   

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT   

      With Karen Francis-McWhite

Karen Francis-McWhite is an advocate for rural community and economic development, working with the Washington State Department of Commerce as the Central Washington Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist. She has lived in and been an advocate for Central Washington residents and communities for eight of the last thirteen years, and has worked for the Department of Commerce since November 2019.

 

Karen joins us to share Commerce’s mission and work, and to learn how our communities and organizations would like to partner with Commerce to strengthen our communities.  

      With Luz Estrada

Focal Point Educational Services   Meliesa Tigard Executive Director (509)662-9121

 

 

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