Shale to sagebrush: data, discussion, & fire

Guest post by Clemson student Lauren Lusk

The definition of sustainability is to sustain the present without sacrificing the needs of the future. That definition is acted out in the West through the DNRC and the ranchers. The importance of fire in these ecosystems is to shape them by eliminating fuel and allowing natural processes to occur without the help of mechanical intervention methods like hand crews. Fire ecology is one of the most intricate processes of forest ecology. It allows life to take root or serotinous cones to open, at least in the southeast. The differences in fire ecology in the Southeast and the West are vast, but it essentially boils down to the scale. The scale for a fire in the South is significantly smaller than in the West, which determines many factors in how to control and manage future fires. To thrive, fire needs three things: oxygen, heat, and fuel. Due to the dry environment, much fuel cannot decompose at the same decay rate within the southeast. Due to the dryness and wind, it allows it to spread much faster than the rate of the fires we are used to. The landscape is drastically different, still having shale rock, from when the interior seaway in the West took place. These conditions allow Montana to preserve history and take an individual to a different time and place. This time machine, rooted in the rolling plains of Roundup and the surrounding towns, allowed us to see the Pictograph State Park, which has perfectly preserved cave pictographs in vibrant colors. The conditions of the environment within Montana amongst this picturesque landscape of all types of people, wildlife, and nature show me that this landscape’s picture has multiple parts: labor, loyalty, preservation, and a common goal amongst the community of ensuring that “God’s country” will remain this beautiful place that is still relatively untouched.

Due to growing up in the suburbs of South Carolina, no part of me has any agricultural background, so I was terrified of the vaccinations and these young cattle. However, I did not let that deter me from getting right in the middle of it by guiding the cows that either made it through the Silencer portion of the vaccinations or changing the route of the escapees by herding them back into the pens in an attempt to vaccinate them again. Levon and Terry were excellent together, showing no hesitation in their moves and helping us through why each method of vaccination occurred. To further that, the vet, Becca, was so insightful in answering any questions we had regarding Brucellosis or the tattooing process of the cattle. She even went so far as to explain why these cows need this method of vaccination in order to leave the state of Montana. The way that this trio worked as a team and was so quick with each of their movements was like watching a well-oiled machine operate flawlessly.

DNRC’s Noah and Devon were an absolute treat to learn from. They were passionate about the land and how fire belongs in the landscape, and both were doing their best to ensure it could be sustained. I sat with Noah, so I heard how he acted out each procedure in detail, typically thinning and prescribed burning methods for the areas he worked with within the community, and the process of writing permits and the situations that arise from those permits with bordering landowners. In comparison, hearing the fire management side from Devon, including the courses he teaches, was interesting. Devon and Noah ensure that future generations will be equipped to handle the issues that arise with fire. The one aspect that shocked me was how many people denied help regarding fire prevention techniques, forcibly removed the government from their property, and then apologized after those same officials had to come and help ward off fires from destroying the land. However, that shock quickly turned to joy after hearing how the community came together to be firefighters. Noah even went on to say that he would take his volunteer crews over the notable Cal Fire teams he has worked on in the past.

After examining all the different treatments of plots from Ethan’s experiment: thinned and burned, thinned and unburned, unthinned and burned, and unthinned and unburned, one could see the way succession took place. Through the ruderal traits of the forbs and grasses, the class could see these species take advantage of the open and burned space within the forests. This data also helps to show that cattle can take advantage of the nutritious forbs six to eight months after a fire, rather than the traditional thought that after a fire occurs, they cannot be back on the land for two years.

To answer the question that guided the course and my thoughts throughout these two wonderful weeks, to sustain an ecosystem and the community within it, the answer is simple: there needs to be communication. Many individuals are opposed to talking to each other but want Montana to thrive; even if these organizations look at them through differing lenses, all are equally important. There is no simple answer to getting them to this coexistence point, but communication is an important start. For example, having multiple representatives from separate majors in CAFLS means having different perspectives guided by each one’s background and course load. However, as we discovered after all the hours of giggling in our magic school van, the views were not all that different. I believe Clemson can make a difference by allowing everyone to ask questions to each organization we meet with. The conversations with the RSA, TNC, DNRC, Ranchers, and Researchers allowed our minds to be opened to new ideas, and maybe seeing that conversation amongst the different backgrounds will inspire them to one day do even more than coexist. Maybe a start by using Ethan’s research on the forage in response to fire will guide them to realize that each beautiful plot is home to them and their incredible ecosystem. I am glad to have been part of the questions, conversations, and data collection.