Jared Dahl Aldern

@jdaldern

Co-lead of the Sierra-Sequoia Resource Stewards, a partnership of four California Native American Tribes and other landowners, fire practitioners, and researchers. Co-editor, *Landkeeping: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships*

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Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jul 12

Some raiders took a more southerly route out of California, over Teofulio Summit in San Diego County. Governor Pío Pico granted Rancho Valle de San Felipe (the easternmost Rancho shown here) to Felipe Castillo in 1846, specifically so that Castillo could stem the flow of horses through the area.

Map showing the current boundaries of San Diego County and the historical locations of Mexican Ranchos

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jul 11

Powerful presence on the Fancher Creek Trail in Fresno today

A Datura with several bright white blooms casts a shadow on a trail

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jul 4

So I watched a YouTube video where a shrubland booster claimed that the historical SoCal landscape was completely covered with a closed canopy of old-growth shrubs, and that people and grizzly bears encountered one another only in long tunnels through the shrub-covered landscape. (1/4)

Taxidermy grizzly bear in a museum display, shown as if walking a rocky path among yucca, young shrubs, and grasses. The painted background depicts rocky cliffs. Source: Wikipedia, "California grizzly bear article." The Wikipedia caption reads, "Ursus arctos californicus, Santa Barbara, Natural History Museum, 2019.11.24 (26)"

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jul 2

Dan Piraro cartoon showing Sasquatch sitting on a log in a green forest, typing on a laptop computer. Message on the computer is. ''Dear Humans, it's time for you to start healing. Love, Sasquatch.'' Forest creature looks on from behind a tree. A bird is hanging down from a nearby branch. It looks as though a firecracker or a stick of dynamite with a lit fuse lies beneath a nearby bush.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· May 10

My comment is at the bottom of this FB screenshot.

Screenshot from Western Watersheds
Project post on Facebook. Text at the top reads
“Shifting Baseline Syndrome (SBS): This may seem normal if it's all you've ever known.”
Below this text, AI-generated images show scenes from years:
2020: A nearly treeless landscape with scattered small birds, butterflies, and small mammals
1950: more trees and shrubs, more diverse bird population. deer
1800: dense forest with eagle, bear, deer, fox, many others

My comment at the bottom:
Now do 1491.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· May 9

Muskrats to Moose: “We Are Fire (www.wearefire.ca) shares current and wise practices and related resources on various dimensions of burning and habitat restoration for Indigenous Peoples and wildlife in the kisiskāciwani-sīpiy maskēko askīy (Saskatchewan River Delta).” (1/2)

This images reproduces Fig. 12.2 in *Landkeeping: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships.* The figure’s caption reads: “Muskrats are the gardeners of kisiskāciwani sīpiy maskēko askīy.” The black and white photograph shows a wet-furred muskrat hunched into the left half of the frame, with a bright background. Dark reflections appear underneath the animal.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· May 2

“the Hemish model of fire management reinforces major features and aspirational goals of contemporary fire management, but it does so by respectfully acknowledging the ecological heritage of Indigenous people while demonstrating the multi-century sustainability of these cultural fire practices.” 1/2

This image is a reproduction of Fig. 8.1. in Landkeeping: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships (see https://osupress.oregonstate.edu/book/landkeeping):

The figure’s caption reads: “Map of the Jemez Mountains and the distribution of dry conifer forests (gray areas) in Arizona (AZ) and New Mexico (NM).”

The map indicates the location of Jemez in northern New Mexico and significant areas of dry conifer forest in northern and southwestern New Mexico, as well as in a swath running from west-central New Mexico into central Arizona and then curving northward.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· May 1

“We contrast the settler-colonial use of Fire as a weapon of colonialism—deployed to displace & oppress Indigenous Communities—with its contemporary reclamation by Indigenous Nations as a source of healing, reconnection & resurgence, affirming Fire’s central role in our resilience and renewal.” 1/2

This image is a reproduction of a figure in the book, Landkeeping: Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships.
Fig. 7.1. Indigenous Fire New York: Native Nations (Source: Author created)
The image shows an outline map of the state of “New York” with the locations of the following Native Nations shown with fire icons:
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tuscarora
Tonawanda
Oneida
Onondaga
Cattaraugus
Саyuga
Allegany
Oil Springs
Shinnecock
Unkechaug

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Apr 25

Look what I found on my porch today!

After years of reading our many drafts on my computer screen, I’m holding this book in my hand for the first time: Landkeeping
Restoring Indigenous Fire Stewardship and Ecological Partnerships
Edited by Jared D. Aldern and
Theresa Lynn Gregor

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Apr 17

From the online etymology dictionary, www.etymonline.com/word/chaparral. *Chaparral* means a place populated by a *series of little thickets of shrubs,* not a region-blanketing, solid mega-thicket. To restore chaparral, restore these little thickets and the grass- and forb-filled gaps between them.

Origin and history of chaparral
chaparral (n.)
"dense, low shrub thicket," 1850, American English, from Spanish chaparro
"evergreen oak," perhaps from Basque txapar "little thicket," diminutive of sapar
"heath, thicket."
In Spain, a chaparral is a bush of a species of oak. The termination al signifies a place abounding in; as, chaparral, a place of oak-bushes, almendral, an almond orchard; parral, a vineyard; cafetal, a coffee plantation, etc., etc.
This word, chaparral, has been introduced into the language since our acquisition of Texas and New Mexico, where these bushes abound. It is a series of thickets, of various sizes, from one hundred yards to a mile through, with bushes and briars, all covered with thorns, and so closely entwined together as almost to prevent the passage of any thing larger than a wolf or hare. [John Russell Bartlett, "Dictionary of Americanisms," 1859]

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Apr 5

This week I was honored and grateful for the opportunity to speak at the Pacific Sociological Association conference in Long Beach. Co-editor Theresa Gregor, chapter co-contributor Tony Marks-Block and I discussed our book, Landkeeping, which OSU Press will have ready to ship soon (maybe June?).

Slide from our presentation with the text, “Presidential Plenary: Landkeeping
Restoring Indigenous Fire and Ecological Partnerships-with Jared Aldern, Theresa Gregor, & Tony Marks-Block” alongside an image of the book’s cover, showing the book’s title and
“Edited by Jared D. Aldern and
Theresa Lynn Gregor.”

A group shot with Theresa Gregor at the center. I am to her left and Tony Marks-Block is to my left. Others in the photo are a few of our kind and enthusiastic audience members, including PSA President Michelle Jacob and program chair Kirsten Vinyeta.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Feb 12

I’m learning a few things from this book for young readers by @deborahhopkinson.bsky.social, a book I found in my local Little Free Library. Things like, for example, the story of Abram and Elizabeth Place and how Elizabeth‘s Menominee relatives protected the Places’ farmhouse with 🧵 1/4

Cover image of the book, *The Deadliest Fires Then and Now* by Deborah Hopkinson

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jan 17

The flag of Greenland, like the Sami flag, does not include a Nordic cross. See alt text: “The fact that the Greenland flag does not feature a cross shows clearly that the country has a degree of political freedom as well as a close affinity with the other Inuit peoples around the pole.”

The Greenland flag was designed by Thue Christiansen and adopted on 21 June 1985. It is called Erfalasorput, which means “our flag”. The red colour is called Aappalaartoq (“red”) and is used both in the Greenland flag and the Danish flag (Dannebrog). The red and white symbolise hundreds of years as part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The circle in the middle represents the sun setting on the horizon and the light and warmth that return at midsummer. The fact that the Greenland flag does not feature a cross shows clearly that the country has a degree of political freedom as well as a close affinity with the other Inuit peoples around the pole. Source: https://www.norden.org/en/information/greenland-flag

The Sámi flag was first used in 1986 but not approved as an official flag until 15 August 1992. It is used by the Sámi of the Lapland region, which covers parts of northern Sweden, Norway and Finland as well as a small part of Russia. It was designed by Astrid Båhl.
The red part of the circle symbolises the sun, the blue part the moon. The colours red, blue, green and yellow reflect the Sámi national costume. Green symbolises nature, blue water, red fire and yellow the sun. Source: https://www.norden.org/en/information/sami-flag

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Dec 9

You will be visited by three spirits

ZZ Top in 1975, decked out in western wear. Jackets adorned with syncretic decorations and designs with elements that originated with Native people and immigrants from Mexico, Poland, Russia, and elsewhere.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Nov 6

Burning down to the creek, 2023

Smoke rises from a stand of conifers. A few low flames are visible between the trees. A creek bends through the foreground.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Oct 26

Had a great visit to Teakettle. We can bring it back.

Trees and shrubs, some scorched, others green

Black oak seedlings in the space between two boulders

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Oct 15

Spent a few days in beautiful Tulare County, where I saw, heard, and got to do some amazing things

A group of people gathered in a fuel break adjacent to sequoia trees to discuss fire and sequoia conservation

Yours truly happily helping out at a cultural burn

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Oct 7

Excellent graphic from the Grist article

Images showing various treatments, accompanied by the following text:

How to Burn a Forest (Intentionally)
Prescribed burns are essential to protecting forests from megafires, scientists say.
But you usually have to reduce the flammable fuels first.
THINNING: Cutting down some trees and not others.
Reduces forest density so it can be better managed by prescribed (intentional) fire. Suitable for landscapes with big "saw logs" that can be sold and for dense post-fire forests.
Cost: About $4,000/acre or $15,000/day, depending on equipment.
MASTICATION: A machine chews up vegetation.
Another way of reducing fuel density before broadcast burns, especially with trees that can't be sold. Suitable for brushy landscapes. Costs cannot be recovered.
Cost: $2,000-$3,000/acre.
BROADCAST BURNS:
Intentional fire that burns along the forest floor safely.
Removes fuel to tame future wildfires.
High-risk, because it can escape, and hard to schedule. Highest impact and provides greatest ecological benefit to forests. But often first requires thinning, mastication, or logging.
Cost: $800-$4,000/acre. Also being affected by the current market.
PILE BURNS: People with chainsaws cut down vegetation, pile it, and burn it.
Low-risk and helps remove fuels, but many say it lacks the ecological benefits of broadcast burning.
Cost: $800-$8,000/acre. Demand and a glut of funding have distorted the market.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Oct 4

“Hellexico,” one of my old hangouts 😂

Map of cultural regions of the United States. Source: map porn on Facebook. The area around eastern San Diego county, imperial county, and Yuma is labeled “Hellexico.”

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Sep 1

Watch Duty is reporting a five-acre spot fire near the Patterson Mountain repeater, which I assume is the Comm Facility marked on this CalTopo map. First screenshot includes the fire perimeter only, second one includes satellite heat detection. #GarnetFire

No indication of Watch Duty's reported spot fire on this Cal Topo map.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Aug 30

I attended the #GarnetFire cooperators meeting today and had a chance to talk with the operations chief. He assured me he was going to do everything he could to keep the fire from advancing further into teakettle, but I don’t know if it will be enough. (1/3) @mhurteau.bsky.social

Garnet fire operations map showing the northern fire perimeter along the southern edge of the Teakettle Experimental Area

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Aug 29

The PyreCast model shows continued movement of the #GarnetFire overnight, farther north into the Teakettle Experimental Area. Note Watch Duty’s disclaimer.

Screenshot of Watch Duty’s map of the Garnet Fire with purple and blue areas indicating the PyreCast model’s predicted growth of the fire between 3:19 AM and 7:04 AM this morning.

Watch Duty’s disclaimer: “Models are experimental, use dynamic inputs, and do not factor in suppression activities. Models are produced by the attributed provider. Watch Duty makes no warranties as to their timeliness, completeness, or accuracy.”

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Aug 28

This map shows the Garnet Fire about to enter the Teakettle Experimental Area, where the Sierra-Sequoia Burn Cooperative has been collaboratively planning a prescribed burn that would have mitigated many of this wildfire’s impacts.

Map showing the Garnet Fire area and the boundaries of Sierra National Forest closure.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Aug 28

Late summer in Fresno: Hollyleaf cherries are in full fruit and the valley oaks are starting to drop acorns.

View up into a big holly leaf cherry tree (in SoCal they usually grow as much smaller shrubs!) with lots of bright red fruit

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Aug 28

This is a good map from the Sierra National Forest — I appreciate the superimposition of all these fires on their recreation map. #GarnetFire #HSRDLightningComplex

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Aug 27

Glad to see the efforts to keep the #GarnetFire out of the Teakettle Forest, one of the last old-growth forest areas in the southern Sierra and the site of a planned, collaborative 3800-acre prescribed burn that will include objectives to steward the area’s black oak orchards. @mhurteau.bsky.social

Screenshot of a map of the Garnet Fire perimeter in Fresno County, California

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Aug 14

LOL I googled how to live without AI

Screenshot of Google notice: “An AI Overview is not available for this search”

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jul 16

When you live in Fresno it can be a little difficult to explain to people from out of the area what a relief a 97° day can be in July.

iPhone weather app showing a current temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit, an expected high of 97, and a low of 66.

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jul 7

Went for a good walk above Sequoia Lake today. The NPS has some prescribed fire operations going on in the area, and they’ve posted a pretty interesting burn history map at the Big Stump parking lot.

Map showing areas burned by prescription and wildfires over the past ~70 years near Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park

Jared Dahl Aldern@jdaldern· Jun 21

Good advice for us all, all year long: “stay ready, stay in shape, be available.”