As forest fires raged across the state a few weeks ago, it was heartbreaking to see thousands of trees consumed by flames. Just last month, the Wallow Fire destroyed more than 530,000 acres of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests making it the largest forest fire in the state’s history. Many residents lost their homes while all of us have lost all that these tranquil forests have to offer.
But it’s not just the beauty or serenity of the forests that we lose. We also lose the environmental benefits the trees have to offer. Here’s a quick snapshot of what is lost when these devastating fires hit our region:
In addition to the above benefits, we should also count the many species of birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles and mammals that utilize trees for their homes and food supply.
It's vital that trees are protected and replaced when fires such as the recent Wallow Fire and the 2002 Rodeo-Chediski Fire destroy hundreds of thousands of acres. That's why we've developed Trees for Change, an SRP EarthWise program for SRP customers.
Since the program began – with help from our customers – more than 155,000 trees have been planted in areas destroyed by the Rodeo-Chediski Fire, which burned more than 460,000 acres. Once the recent damage has been assessed by forest officials, we hope to replant the areas devastated by this year’s fires. Trees for Change is an easy, personal way to effect change. Simply sign up to add $3, $6, $9 or more to your monthly SRP bill.SRP will match every dollar our customers contribute up to $160,000, with 100 percent of the funds used to plant trees in Arizona forests.
Our goal is to help return Arizona land to its original beauty while reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Reforestation of once-forested but currently unproductive areas destroyed by fires is a recognized and proven way to sequester carbon, helping to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in living plant tissue.
SRP has a long and rich history of environmental stewardship and is concerned about the environmental challenges we face today. SRP especially recognizes the importance of the climate-change issue and is committed to implementing balanced solutions to reduce greenhouse gases over time.
For more information about SRP EarthWise Trees for Change, log onto www.srpnet.com/trees or call (602) 236-4425.
Lori Singleton is manager of SRP sustainability initiatives and technologies.
Dale Whiting posted at 8:45 am on Mon, Jul 11, 2011.
Lori,
As these re-forested acres mature, who is going to thin them so that new fires don't repeat the damage. Weren't most of the burned acres re-forested before? Nice to see SRP taking advantage of a disaster with a PR campaign. But let's be responsible, now and into the long term future!
RationalHuman posted at 10:26 am on Mon, Jul 11, 2011.
I have to agree with Dale on this one.
We no longer have the advantage of Old Growth trees to absorb and recover from fire damage - these "new" re-forested areas need to be managed responsibly so as not to repeat the same mistakes that led to the recent fires.
This is about far more than replanting trees; it's about responsible forest management...sadly, we've been treated to quite the lack thereof so far.
Dale Whiting posted at 11:23 am on Mon, Jul 11, 2011.
Lori,
RationalHuman and I have called SRP on the carpet. What is its program to manage re-forested trees after it acts to plant them? If the answer is 'None" then let us know how to contact you. No sense garnishing free PR irresponsibly!
RationalHuman posted at 1:21 pm on Mon, Jul 11, 2011.
SRP - sorry to chime in again, but this is from the wbesite linked to this article:
"This site will include updated information on the projects that we are collecting funds for, as well as reporting on past planting projects."
Which is fine and dandy, but then goes on to say:
"Planting will take place in several areas in Arizona during spring 2010."
Um, Lori? It's Summer 2011 - any planting scheduled for Spring 2010 should have been completed (and paid for) already.
RationalHuman posted at 4:25 pm on Mon, Jul 11, 2011.
SRP website still not updated from "Spring 2010".
But that old information raises some serious questions.
Since SRP admits to planting the trees that were not managed properly last year and contributed to the fire damage this year, will they be charged with negligence and fined for their role in the recent fires?
Time will tell - but Lori evidently won't!
Cerulean posted at 10:26 am on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
I think you gentlemen are being harsh on Lori. The question I have is, ‘how are the trees being planted? Do you just drop a ton of seed, or do you actually plant a sapling in the ground every 25’ or so apart? It seems to me that it makes a difference. If trees are being re-introduced in such a way that thinning is not necessary then I am curious as to why Dale and Rational are complaining.
Lori this seems to be a very helpful thing to do and I, for one, appreciate the effort.
RationalHuman posted at 10:39 am on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
" I am curious as to why Dale and Rational are complaining."
We are complaining because of the forest mismanagement that resulted in record breaking fires here in Arizona...have you not been paying attention to recent events?
"Do you just drop a ton of seed, or do you actually plant a sapling in the ground"
If you had bothered to read the SRP link in the article, you would know already.
Cerulean posted at 11:45 am on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
OK, I read the SRP link, and they are planting saplings every 25’ or so apart! YEA!
Rational, why do you think it is SRP’s responsibility to manage the forest infinitum? They are planting in a responsible way, in a way that does not contribute to overgrowth that requires the need to thin. These trees may someday become the ‘old growth’ forest of the future.
RationalHuman posted at 11:59 am on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
"Rational, why do you think it is SRP’s responsibility to manage the forest infinitum?"
Why do you make stuff up? I never thought that, I never WROTE that.
"They are planting in a responsible way, in a way that does not contribute to overgrowth that requires the need to thin"
And you know this how exactly? From a website that hasn't been updated since Spring 2010? Or do you have another source you're not sharing?
"These trees may someday become the ‘old growth’ forest of the future."
Only with responsible management and accountability...which is my point.
Cerulean posted at 1:55 pm on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
Dale said, “What is its [SRP’s?] program to manage re-forested trees after it [SRP] acts to plant them?”
Rational chimes in, “Since SRP admits to planting the trees that were not managed properly . . . “ Rational goes on to say, “We are complaining because of forest mismanagement . . .”
Lori said, “Since the program began . . . .trees have been planted in areas destroyed by the Rodeo-Chediski fire . . .” For those who do not remember, the Rodeo-Chedisky fires were in 2002 and they burned almost a half a million acres of forest in an area west of this year’s Wallow fire. I presume that the appropriate authority is managing the area where those fires were.
She said, “Once the recent damage [Wallow and Horseshoe] has been assessed . . . we hope to replant the areas devastated by this year’s fire.
Problem solved. [wink]
Cerulean posted at 2:00 pm on Tue, Jul 12, 2011.
Now that there will be millions of acres of open meadow for cows to graze; ranchers will want to take full advantage of ‘managing’ the National Forests.
Dale Whiting posted at 9:58 am on Wed, Jul 13, 2011.
Cerulean,
I just read the SRP link but did not find the source for your assertion that trees are planted every 25 feet or so. I did read about the two planting areas. Dividing the number of trees planted by the number of acres planted, I calculate spacings at 13 to 16 feet.
Do the math. There are 43,560 sq ft in a acre. I used to work around forests and have seen several replantings, none with 25 foot spacings, most with 10 to 15 foot spacings. And with maturity coming in 70 to 250 years, some thinning will be needed. I have yet to hear about a replanting that did not need thinning. The problem stems from having to over plant to incure enough saplings take so that there is uniform coverage. This modest over-planting leads to some extensive thinning. The few deer we have can and do eat the plantings.
Every wonder why Arizona has an elk hunt? Elk forage on open ground, meadows, etc. eating grass. Deer forage on brush and trees in forested areas. Our deer populations are declining and our elk populations are on the rise.