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<\/p>\nDear Students,<\/p>\n
Creating this lesson series about wood has been a challenge. As John Muir said \u201cWhen we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.\u201d\u00a0 Every facet of the forest is connected to more pieces of interesting science and information.\u00a0 It is hard to know where to start and when to stop.<\/p>\n
I grew up here in the outdoors of Colorado and made forestry my career. We had wildfires when I was a child, but they were relatively small and far from homes. There were occasional insect outbreaks that killed parts of the forest but I thought Nature could, and would, take care of itself. How these ideas can change through the years!<\/p>\n
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As an adult I can see that by taking the forest for granted, we have blindly allowed our forests to become dangerously unhealthy. I have also learned the tree rings have a story to tell. By looking back at past tree growth, fire history and climate trends, we discover ways to maximize the forest health of the future.<\/p>\n
Tree ring dating is a fascinating science that takes place around the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Samples of wood from structures, artifacts and even fossils are carefully preserved in archives to provide links in time and place.\u00a0 The age of dwellings at ancient archeological sites, like Mesa Verde, can be determined by small samples of the wood used in tools and buildings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The influence of climate on all living things cannot be overstated. Science continues to move toward understanding the forest and the potential effects of changing climate to develop wise management practices. Here in Colorado, the tree ring data is being used by Colorado State University, Rocky Mountain Research Station and others to describe the forest conditions before settlers took up permanent residence, before there were any records. Using tree rings we can discover visible evidence of the frequency of fire, invasive insect activity, and even speculate on the growing conditions (climate) locally for several centuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trees are a valuable renewable resource in our lives and in our environment. While we take steps to ensure future forest health, researchers are looking for better ways to harvest trees and methods to use every bit of those trees to make products we use every day. A healthy, sustainable forest is a worthy goal in my mind.\u00a0 Understanding tree growth and response to climate change is just the first step. Though we can\u2019t control the climate, we can influence stewardship and responsible management for renewable forests. We all need healthy forests and a reliable supply of wood and wood products for the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hope these lessons are interesting for you all. With today\u2019s internet search options, the information available for more exploration is unlimited.\u00a0 The forests of the future are in your hands.<\/p>\n
Marti Campbell, Forester
Coalition for the Upper South Platte<\/p>\n
Trees Inside and Out<\/strong> Climate\/Tree Rings\u00a0<\/strong> <\/b><\/b><\/b>Forest<\/strong> Harvest\u00a0<\/strong> Wood Products\u00a0<\/strong> Summary<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b>Lesson<\/strong> Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n Video Reference Sheet\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Laboratory for Tree Ring Research, Univ. of AZ. http:\/\/ltrr.arizona.edu\/about\/treerings<\/a><\/p>\n Ultimate Tree Ring Web Pages, Univ. of TN.\u00a0 http:\/\/web.utk.edu\/~grissino\/<\/a><\/p>\n NASA Earth Observatory – Paleoclimatology Spark UCAR NCAR “Build a Tree” Dendrochronology Activity\u00a0 My NASA Data\u00a0http:\/\/mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n ESF – Where did your house grow? http:\/\/www.esf.edu\/pubprog\/house\/default.htm<\/a><\/p>\n Forest Products Laboratory http:\/\/www.fpl.fs.fed.us\/<\/a><\/p>\n National Geographic – Fires of Life\u00a0
Student Reading – Parts of a Tree<\/a>
<\/em>Tree Ring Samples<\/a>
<\/em>Tree Ring Student Worksheet<\/a>
<\/em>Vocabulary – Parts of a Tree<\/a><\/p>\n
Student Reading – Trees Rings Have a Story to Tell
<\/a>Climate Records – 1997 to 2006<\/a>
Climate Student Worksheet<\/a>
Interactive Tree Ring Climate Student Worksheet<\/a>
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<\/a>Tree Habitats Reference<\/a>
<\/b><\/b><\/b>Harvest Background for Student Reading<\/a>
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<\/a>Wood Products – Student Reading<\/a>
Wood Products Worksheet<\/a><\/p>\n
Wood Industry Business Plan<\/a><\/p>\n
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http:\/\/earthobservatory.nasa.gov\/Features\/Paleoclimatology\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/spark.ucar.edu\/tree-ring-interactive<\/a><\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/eye\/wildfires\/phenomena.html<\/a><\/p>\n