Smithsonian - Perishable Pundit

1IworksI1 11Istations are vital to efforts monitoringthe health of local songbird(Jlimli 1 1 'illiatns, Albuquerque,Neu> Mexico; Forest Service Historycommunity projects to establishNational Scenic Byways; andpopulationsOver his lifetime,Chuck Williams has a personalhas also worked at the HoosierVronian estimates that he hasbanded more than 30.000 birds.connection to two of the ForestService's most recognizable icons.National Forest, where sheteamed with local arts councils toFrom 1968 to1970, Williamsobtain grants from the NationalLinda Wadleigh, Flagstaff,served as technical advisor to theEndowment for the Arts forArizona; ('amp Foodways/television show, Lassie Whenevermulticultural performances. YorkFire Camp/Tree DoctorsI oresi Service rangers and Lassieis a songwriter, performer, andAs the Regional Fire Ecologislwere filmed, the show's producersconductor ot a children's choirinthe Southwest, Linda Wadleighrelied on Williams to help shapeand a cappella women's ensemble1 ''on all the national forestsdialogue and plot. Williams laterin Arizona and New Mexico.created a public service spot.J.P. Zapalla, Santa Ynez,Although wildfires are commonlyassociated with destruction, fireecologists like Wadleigh under-"Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute,"that introduced Woodsy Owl,who has since become America'sCalifornia; Smokejumper BaseJ.P. Zavalla has worked as afirefighter since he graduatedstand the beneficial effect that fireofficial environmental icon.from high school. He has beencan have on a local ecosystem.asmokejumper at several forestsInfact, regular tires are essentialMarta Witt, Wilmington,inthe West, and he spent timeto .1 forest's regenerative cycle.Illinois; Forest Landscapeswith the Los Padres Hotshots.Her husband. John Anhold. isMarta Witt is the Public ServiceZavalla comes from aforestalso a Festival participant.Team Leader at the MidewinService family; both his fatherNational Tallgrass Prairie, whichand his brother work for theLee Webb, Grants Pass,Oregon; Protecting Forestssits on land previously occupiedby the Juliet Army Ammunition1 os Padres National forest.,iii(lWildlife HabitatsPlant, once the Army's largestPete Zavalla, Solvang,Until retiring in2004, Lee Webbwas the Wildlife Biologist at thesupplier ot TNT. Efforts to restorethe natne ecosystem have beenCalifornia; Community StagePete Zavalla is the Iribal I iaisonRogue Rfver-Siskiyou Nationalorest.Webb spent 29 years withcomplicated by the presence ot'contaminants and by the domi-tor the Los Padres NationalForest, helping Native Americanthe forest Service, and helpednance ot non-native plant species.groups obtain specialuse permitsdevelop the Land and ResourceManagement Plan tor theThe Prairie opened its first s.oooacres to the public 111 2003.to interact with the forest intraditional ways. Zavalla becameSiskiyou, which resulted intheinvolved with the Forest Servicecreation ot over 10,000 wildlifeKeith Wolferman, Missoula,in1990, while thinking of wayssites ami [9 botanical areas WebbMontana; Smokejumper Baseto combat high youth unemploy-has always been especially interestedin the Spotted Owl, andKeith Wolferman works assquad leader at the Missoulaament on his Chumash reservationHe subsequently helped initiatediscusses the owl at the FestivalSmokejumper base. When aa work program at the forest forforest tire breaks out. squadteenagers from the reservation..W/7 Weintraub, Williams,leaders like Wolferman plan theArizona; Forest LandscapesNeil Weintraub is the DistrictArchaeologist on the Williams andlus. nan Ranger 1 hstricts 111 theaerial attack against the tire.hey determine |tmip spotsand release points based oncalculations of wind speed andTony Zavalla, Santa Barbara,( California; Fire CampPony /avalla is a tire engine operatorat the Los Padres NationalKaibab National forest, chargeddirection, and are responsibleForest, where his lather andwith protecting, managing, andtor plane and jumper safety.brother also work. Zavalla beganinterpreting a broad range oí1his career as a firefighter andfacts and resources. Many otthePat York,Jonesboro, Illinois;was soon transferred to the Losartifacts he has uncovered near theCommunity Stage/Padres Hotshots. an elite group ot(hand Canyon date back atleastWater, Wooiis, ami Mountainsfirefighters called upon to battle|.,ooo years. Weintraub has alsoAs Recreation Program Managerthe toughest blazesBefore hebeen heavily involved ineffortson the Shawnee National Forest.became a truck operator, Zavallalo discourage once-rampantPat York aims to connect indi-had the opportunityto spendlooting near archaeological sites.viduals and communities toone season on the same smoke-their forestsShe has facilitatedjumping team as his brother.SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL