Wednesday, April 30

Andy Ashcroft On Monday night, Catherine, Kate and I cooked stir fry for the team. I am happy to say that everyone is still feeling well today and I even saw someone go for leftovers at lunch. The 35 oz. jug of cheese balls is almost gone and should be polished off today. Tree counting makes for hungry people. We learned some of the more common species of trees that make up the forest ridge line today. We also saw first-hand the effects of logging on an area of the forest. The amount of waste--which is called slash--is absolutely mind boggling. Well, back out into the field to continue on with our scientific endeavor.

Blair Smith Today we were introduced to some native Maryland trees: hickory, beech, sweetgum, dogwood, ironwood, tulip poplar--they are now all friends of mine.

I’ve seen clear cut in British Columbia, now I’ve seen clear cut in Maryland. No real difference but basically the same impact when you look at numerous stumps in a very small area. For me, it motivates me to learn more…

After an efficient day of measuring what was still standing in the clear cut plots, we enjoyed Earthwatch Field Program Director, Dr. Dan Stover explain “the scientists” evidence of climate change. I recently just finished “a must read” book called The Hot Topic, and Dan reiterated everything in this book.

Karen Abernathy

There are eight grids in this four-year experiment; today’s grid was selected since it was logged. On top of a high ridge, white pipes marked a sunny rectangular area representing x-y coordinates that formed squares of about 10x10 meters. We started on the south end nailing a tag on each tree, recording its location, species, and characteristics, carefully navigating around broken branches, moving north up each column. In wooded areas, teams use about a hundred tags per column; however, our first column today required only 26 tags. The trees left standing are relatively small, many damaged by missing bark and limbs.

Catherine Wiggins

Tuesday brought us our first full day in the field, measuring and recording data on plots that will be monitored over the next four years. We worked in an area that was logged in 2007, a familiar scene for those of us who live in British Columbia. For those trees that are not logged (due to their low lumber value) they begin a struggle for survival without the canopy and protection of the forest. While we learned of the negative impact of logging, we were inspired by the new growth that has taken place in the short time since the plots were logged. Our eyes were soon trained to pick out may apple, tulip poplar, hickory, dogwood and beech--some of the many species that are growing in this area.

Kate McFadden
Today marked the beginning of our field work, which involved locating trees on the grid, then identifying, measuring and categorizing them so that their growth can be tracked over time. We walked through beautifully towering mature woods before arriving at our plots, only to feel our hearts sink as we saw that our plots had been logged. The scientists explained that the land provides a unique opportunity to study the forest’s regeneration, so we tiptoed around the baby tulip poplars that were popping up between all of the stumps and felled trees. We also learned that due to the fact that there was no longer a canopy full of leaves to take in the CO2 and the decaying plant debris left behind gives off CO2, that this section of forest became a carbon source. The scene drove home the deleterious effect that human consumption has on the environment.

Tuesday, April 29

Andy Ashcroft

The plethora of wildlife was my alarm clock this morning at about 5:15 a.m. It may have been early, but the natural alarm clock definitely beats the ear splitting “BEEEP--BEEEEP” of the standard alarm clock at home. Today we learned how not to get Lyme disease--wear light colored clothing and inspect yourself to make sure you have not acquired an unwanted hitchhiker (tick). DEET bug spray will also help to keep the ticks at bay. We took a short walk through the forest and learned of the different types of forest plots here at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. We will continue to get some training on how to accomplish the scientific aspect of our stay this afternoon and evening.

Blair Smith

Spring time is in full effect in Maryland!

The forest has awoken; the many shades of green bring feelings of warmth. The trees will be hugged.

We are here for a reason, to make an impact. This team is committed. Luis and I have made a plan to rise tomorrow at 6 a.m. to record the natural symphony.

A story prior to my arrival at SERC…After approximately 10 inquisitive questions from the border guard at Vancouver Airport about the Climate Champion program, the final question was: “So is this project for fun?” My response: “Actually…no, this project is quite serious…”

Karen Abernathy

In contrast to our rainy welcome yesterday at the airport, today brought bright sunshine and brisk, cool weather--wonderful for walking. Armed with our new knowledge about the science of climate change and forestry basics, we walked into orientation at our “forest office.” Lots of poison ivy, wild onions, holly, and a spring-time plant called May Apple cover the ground; our ceiling is a bright green tree canopy. The acceptable attire here is an orange vest, clipboard and tape measure. We discovered that ecology is very statistical; measurements we took during training had very little deviation. Great precision for a start!

Michele Garcia

Diversity and making a living--terms you may associate with your work group, job or life. They take on new meaning when you are walking through a forest. From newly formed to old, the forest factory is alive and working. Diversity in trees, plant life and organisms--all make a living every day--for themselves and for us. As beautiful as it is to look up and see trees of all shapes and sizes, it is equally important to remember to look around and down at the floor below the leaves. Therein lays the next new forest. Watch where you step!

Luis Clay

In the forest… the birds speak to each other constantly with sweet and predictable calls. Their voices are striking and variable and distinct and intermittent. Some are close by and others far away. Together they form a ragged orchestra, which develops its own score as the day unfolds... an aural advent each morning to herald another peaceful and natural cycle. A big airplane drones overhead and drowns out all but the noisiest callers... gradually the plane recedes and the tide of colorful noise resumes.

More to come, from planet earth, TreeHugger

Leonid Tverskoy

Warm welcome, nice team. Got two safety talks out of three expected. Got first field training measuring width of the trees, etc. First nature walks. First discussion on a common sense behind the whole activity. It was surprisingly meaningful and fruitful. Really impressed by the team. Tomorrow is the first working day in the field.

Lesley Harrigan

We are surrounded by dense, plush, green forests. The beauty that lies within is breathless or more appropriately, full of breaths. Our speaker this morning, SERC Lead Scientist Jess Parker spoke of the measuring of the trees input and outputs in the surrounding area. He stated that the data shows that during the daylight hours of photosynthesis that the trees are actively inhaling carbon and exhaling oxygen and during the evening hours, the trees “breathing” slows down. So as we walked the forest and started our education of the abundance of life embedded within, we were taught to measure the tree’s diameter. So today I wrapped my arms around the tree’s trunk to get a measurement and enthusiastically hugged a tree. I’m officially a “tree hugger” and proud to recognize and care for the life balance within the forest.

Lou Sutton

Awareness is my gift from the forest today--the names and heights of the trees that make up the forest canopy, identification of poison ivy, the various bird calls. On our orientation hike, Dr. Jess Parker reminded us to be aware of where to place our feet to minimize impact on the new growth of spring that begins to blanket the forest ground. Later, we discussed our responsibilities as Climate Champions and I imagine that my awareness will be focused on where to place my feet for the greatest impact. I clearly see that even if I don’t know exactly where the path is leading, awareness is the necessary first step on the journey of climate change.