Peeled Ponderosa Pine Pine Survey Project Details
IMPORTANT!!!! Even though the project is full WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY
TO THE WAITLIST!! People often have to withdraw their applications for a
variety or reasons and we use the waitlist to fill those slots.
PCRG membership is not required to participate; however PCRG members get priority to participate in our field projects. If you are interested in becoming a member please click here https://paleocultural.org/support/.
The southern foothills of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado—especially in the headwaters of the Piedra River—harbor extensive groves of bark-peeled ponderosa pines. Peeled ponderosas, also known as cambium trees, reflect Indigenous American harvesting of forest products for food, medicine, and craft production. PCRG’s 2023 peeled tree documentation project continues work begun in 2018 on the San Juan National Forest.
Fieldwork will begin on Monday, June 26 and continue through Saturday, July 1. Participants should plan to arrive the afternoon of June 25 (or the day prior to their first fieldwork day if choosing to start in the middle of the project) to set up their personal camp and for a project orientation and dinner. PCRG will depart from the project area the morning of July 2.
The crew will be camping at the Turkey Creek Guard Station on the San Juan National Forest and drive to various locations and hike to the project areas. Moderate hiking should be expected, and good, high-ankle hiking boots are required. Participants should plan to have a sturdy daypack with plenty of water for the entire day and room to carry rain gear, lunch, and other personal items. Expect evening lows in the lower 40s, and daytime temperatures to reach into the upper 70s to low 80s.
Health and Safety Protocols:
PCRG has a comprehensive set of safety protocols for field and camp. Please feel free to reach out to us at Chris.Johnston@paleocultural.org or 303-439-4098 if you have specific questions about safety protocols.
All PCRG staff and volunteers are required to have a Covid-19 vaccination in order to participate in projects this season. We also strongly encourage you to get a tetanus booster if it has been more than 9 years since your last.