NL-S'18: SLIDESHOW - FIRE TRAINING AT TASSAJARA ZEN CENTER

Spring 2018 Newsletter

SLIDESHOW - FIRE TRAINING AT TASSAJARA ZEN MOUNTAIN CENTER

Compiled by Jay Scherf

In April, Amah Mutsun Land Trust Native Stewards attended the Tassajara Fire Academy for the fourth consecutive year. Three tribal members and our Program Coordinator received Wildland Firefighter Type II certification, and two tribal members returned as Instructors' Assistants. The lively, hands-on course in such a magical setting made for an unforgettable experience. AMLT extends a heartfelt thank you to instructors Eric Moore, Joe Rawitzer, Steve Davis, and Jeff Ryder; to the Central Coast Prescribed Fire Council; and to our generous hosts at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.

The Native Stewards who participated in this introductory training are eager to continue building their wildland fire fighting skills at an in-depth fire training this fall, in collaboration with tribes in the Klamath River Basin. Your donation can help us send four Native Stewards to the Klamath River TREX/fire training program, and help grow the capacity of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to steward their ancestral lands. Please consider donating today.

AMTB Member Chris Sanchez gets ready to practice nozzle techniques. Photo credit Vanessa “Mumulaluk” Sanchez.

AMLT Native Stewards cutting fire line.

Appreciating the view while the brakes cool on the way into the Tassajara Zen center. Photo credit Vanessa “Mumulaluk” Sanchez.

Native Steward Vanessa “Mumulaluk” Sanchez practices nozzle techniques on a burn pile.

The Retreat Hall at Tassajara Zen Center, where the lecture portion of class was held.

Native Steward Ian “OD” Girouard practices ignition using a drip torch.

The rugged, fire-prone Santa Lucia mountains and the creek canyon Tassajara Zen Center is tucked in.

AMLT Native Stewards extinguishing a burn pile.

Participants in the course receiving field instructions.

The bath house at Tassajara Zen Center.

The Class of 2018 Tassajara Fire Academy. Photo courtesy Eric Moore, Central Coast Prescribed Fire Council.