Meeting Date

May 2, 2023 meeting notes of the Emerald Ash Borer Subcommittee of the Land Use Management Planning (LUMP) committee of the Oregon Country Fair.

Attendance

Kevin Hillery, Steve Wisnovsky, Glenn Johnson, Paxton, Jon Silvermoon, Robert Albano, Anne Rogers, and Dennis Todd; Staff: Site manager Sierra McComas.

Approval of Minutes

We approved Feb, March, April meeting minutes. These are posted to the EAB website.

Announcements:

The ash have started leafing out, the oaks are typically behind and just barely breaking bud. Dennis noted the oaks may be late this year.

Debrief on site walk with the Fixed Assets Committee

Kevin and Jon S. attended the site walk with the FAC. In attendance were Lisa Parker and Sandra Bauer (board members) and other members of the committee including Hilary Anthony (treasurer) and 10-12 folks total. They were focused on getting a feel for the scale of the issue at hand, the site walk was key to their full understanding. They talked about funding, need to scale up to the problem at hand.

Engaging with OCF Board, Other Committees

We discussed how others at OCF concerned with EAB could use more updates from our group. Regular updates and engagement will help folks understand what we’re up to and how they can plug in, etc. -We planned out a couple of site walks: 1) meet at Main Camp at noon on Sunday, June 4, and 2) immediately after the June 25 board meeting. -We discussed doing a “standing verbal report” to the board each meeting, and for now decided to have Kevin do a brief update to the board in June. Paxton and Jon are going to look into whether a standing verbal report will work.

Nursery Development

Kevin brought up the possibility that a commercial nursery might meet our needs better than a homegrown, on-site OCF nursery. It would be ideal to start working with nurseries before everyone else needs trees, especially non-ash trees that might work on site like Garry/Oregon White Oak and Big Leaf Maple. We discussed reaching out to nearby nurseries to develop a relationship and procurement plans. Steve W mentioned “Balance” nursery in the Loraine area might be a good option.

Other EAB Considerations for OCF Organization

• -Jon S. mentioned that EAB will likely change the OCF’s calculations around acquiring more properties, and management of current properties, based on the additional costs and management time that EAB will require. Different cost/benefit ratios as opposed to OCF’s traditional approach to acquisitions.
• -Paxton mentioned we will need to come up with a plan for budget requests for things like nursery procurement, staff support (may need more of Sierra’s time, or additional staff or consultants).
• -Discussed the need to have open communication channel with the ED, in part so they understand the demands on the site manager and other staff that EAB will require.
• -Ann and Paxton may be putting in some •fixed photo points• as a form of monitoring.

Timing

Robert A. said that a pinch point will be the lack of capacity in personnel and equipment to deal with this, if we wait, so better to have planned before hand. Dennis pointed out that there will be several years after EAB arrive before any damage is detectable, and that the first issue will be limbs falling from upper crowns of some trees. Paxton’s recollection from the OSU training was that after EAB initially arrive on site: Year 0-4: little damage or signs Year 5-7: damage apparent Year 8-9: Most timber still salvageable, but after this wood is deteriorating and super dangerous.

Messaging and Education

• Glenn mentioned he got some feedback on the messaging document but still needs work. Will send out asap.
• For this year’s fair, Glenn and Tom are working on a display for StewardShip, also aiming to develop a smaller-sized poster available for printing/distribution around fair.
• At StewardShip there will also be at least one scheduled talk on EAB--from Kevin H. on Friday afternoon. Glenn and Tom also emceeing most of the rest of the weekend, will be weaving EAB info in throughout other scheduled talks, and we’re available to interact with those seeking EAB info.
• The idea for wooden signs with text printed directly on the wood came up as an option for an EAB display. Glenn used these for our bird display at StewardShip. It’s pretty low-key and does not stand out, but it looks good even if a bit subtle.
• Paxton and Ann working on additional EAB-related projects laminates, interpretive signage, etc.

Draft EAB Response Plan

• The work so far on this was helpful for Kevin to refer to in preparation for leading the site walk with the fixed assets committee. He would like input on the plan. Still need to determine at what time scale different responses may be needed, and develop plan accordingly (i.e., nearer-term planning elements completed sooner).
• Need to integrate “preparedness plans” (aka “impact statements”) at the neighborhood/camp level.

Update on LIDAR/Tree Inventory

Kevin said that TreePlotter software/phone app is almost ready to go, did some area inventories via paper data sheets but then later tried with the phone app. Now just waiting for more time to coordinate between Kevin and Rosanna Costello to beta test the integration of the work thus far, using phones, data management, etc.

Homework:

Everyone who can to attend the June site walks, June 4 at noon (Main Camp?) and June 25 post-board meeting (meet at Alice•s fire pit after board meeting). Everyone-circle back during next (post-fair) LUMP meeting to discuss when/how we engage with OCF management re capacity (budget, staff) for dealing with nursery stock procurement and extra staff time that will be required for EAB planning and management over the long term.

• Kevin: Arrange with Rosanna to finalize beta-testing /ground-truthing protocol for integrating TreePlotter with LIDAR layers/tree inventory; Ensure Red Tag crew are aware, coordinate with them on what they can look for, how to help; QM book. FYI Kevin on site June 6 and June 28.
• Ann and Paxton: Checking with Tom Horn, board president, about EAB verbal report to the board (for this month and beyond). Also going to talk to BUMs about ________ (please fill in, may be a mistake).
• Glenn: Send draft EAB messages out for wider review.
• Glenn/Tom: Coordinating with StewardShip crew/venue to help with poster, scheduled presentations, etc.
• Ongoing/hold over from last month:
• Everyone: Review of Draft OCF EAB Response Plan, share feedback via document or directly.

New Business

At next meeting on 6/6, discuss: 1) EAB response/request notebook for QM; 2) EAB educational efforts throughout main camp and fair event (who/what/where); 3) Engagement and coordination with other committees, board, etc.

Next Meeting

Next Meeting will be via Zoom Tuesday June 6th at 6pm.