The Priest Community Forest Connection will be providing services through our educational efforts, effective resource-based research and implementation, and a consistent communication outreach program. PCFC's programs aim at:

• Forest management and restoration education and action.
• Being a resource center for local contractors, workers, and agency personnel who want to be involved in responsible stewardship of our ecosystem which will benefit our environment, our safety and our economic health.
• Being a consulting service for other communities, agency personnel, private landowners and contractors interested in forest stewardship practices.

CURRENT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

The PCFC has set forth four major goals for 2008. These goals include (but are not limited to):

FORESTRY EXPOSITION ~ framed for sixth graders, this program will start the students on an forest environment education program within the classroom. In May 2008, the students will travel to the Priest River Experimental Forest to experience a full day of hands on expositions. The various stations are Forest Health (tree, bush and weed identification, etc.), Fire Ecology and Safety, Outdoor Recreation, Fish and Wildlife (species and track identification, habitat and hydrology), Tree Harvesting demonstration (may include a trip to a local mill), and Weather (observation of the local weather station and equipment, etc.) Included in this will be a short presentation on the extraordinary history of the Experimental Forest and its buildings. PCFC is actively seeking community input and volunteers to best serve our students' needs throughout this learning experience. Participation will be open to any community person.

FORESTRY EDUCATION ~ PCFC will continue supplementing and supporting the highly successful forestry program at Priest River Lamanna High School. Headed by science teacher, Toni Fairchild, students engage in classroom and field studies during both semesters. There are two forestry classes being offered as well as the "honors" advanced forestry class for seniors. The class then participates in the annual Idaho State Forestry Contest in May.

BIOMASS RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIPS ~ PCFC is currently inviting folks experienced with the biomass issues of our region and beyond for roundtable discussions. We are sending members to various conferences to further our knowledge and to network with those most involved with this rising business and concern. One main focus is to see if we can put together a biomass generated heating system for the West Bonner County School District. PCFC will continue to search out and respond to grant possibilities as well.

HIGHWAY 57 CORRIDOR PROJECT ~ For over two years, PCFC has been facilitating talks and plans between the Idaho Transportation Department and the Forest Service. It is imperative that these two agencies work to clear the right-of-way all along Highway 57 between Priest River and Priest Lake, Idaho. The safety issues along this corridor are extreme: dead and dying hazard trees are falling onto the roadway on a daily basis, wildlife is impossible to see until it is on the roadway creating dangerous collisions between travelers and the animals, and due to the highly shadowed situations frost, ice and snow does not melt off as quickly as is desirable. Daylighting the roadway will help with all of these issues. Due to some bureaucratic concerns from the Regional Office of the Forest Service, the project has been delayed. Still, all entities are committed to dealing with the above issues and successfully improving the safety of this important north south travel corridor.

LAKEFACE-LAMB FOREST PROJECT ~ PCFC anticipates that this project will close at the end of 2007. Though this has been a long road, the successes of this project will be felt throughout our forest and communities for years to come. (Please refer to the link to the Lakeface-Lamb project on this website.)

The Priest Community Forest Connection invites you to assist with the tasks of engaging our local communities in achieving a sustainable system of adaptive forest stewardship and restoration practices. It is our goal to bring that system into our local education and economic entities with the purpose of generating broader based learning/training plans, new jobs, and an increased community pride.

The PCFC would like to invite all local citizens to help PCFC carry on the momentum that we have already gathered. The PCFC is grateful for your valuable help and cooperation. A united community will bring pride, success and profitable opportunities.

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