Cloverdale Trails Restoration and Ecology Field Trip, February 10, 2024

by David LedgerPosted onField Trips
Brooke and group. D. Ledger.
Brooke Thompson, far left, discussing restoration efforts after fire on the Cloverdale Trails.
Photo taken February 10, 2024, by David Ledger.

On Saturday, February 10, we had the perfect conditions for a great field trip on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands west of Redding, near Igo: cool dry weather, friendly people, and a bit of sunshine! Led by BLM ecologist Brooke Thomson, this field trip attracted 22 people, which is about the maximum attendance that still allows people to hear the leader.

Brooke's introduction. D. Ledger.
Brooke Thompson, far right, introducing the group of field trip attendees to BLM’s restoration efforts on the Cloverdale Trails. Photo taken by David Ledger on February 10, 2024.

Brooke went over the various fire treatment plans that BLM is using on the Cloverdale Trails property—reducing shrubs and dead wood on the ground, while leaving the large logs to provide habitat for small animals and to return nutrients to the soil.

Manzanita field in the making. D. Burk.
The group on the February 10, 2024, field trip on Cloverdale Trails, considering the proliferation of manzanita after clearing. Photo taken by Don Burk.

After this work is done, BLM hopes to do small broadcast burns on occasion to mimic fires that would naturally come through chaparral every 20 to 100 years. Brooke was patient with all of the questions she received, and provided very informative answers.

BLM ecologist Brooke Thompson discussing what fire exclusion does on a landscape. Note her hand-drawn diagram! Photo taken February 10, 2024, on the Cloverdale Trails, by Don Burk.

At the end of the hike, we walked to an overlook at the top of a 300-foot-deep, steep canyon that Clear Creek has dug over thousands of years.

and Spencer Henderson at Clear Creek overlook. D. Ledger.
Joan Richards (left) and Spencer Henderson at a Clear Creek overlook, on the Cloverdale Trails. The creek is visible to the left of Spencer’s leg. Photo taken February 10, 2024, by David Ledger.

At the overlook, Yo Sadohara spotted a silverback fern between the rocks. It is a very uncommon fern in this area and seems to do best near rock outcrops.

Silverback fern close-up. D. Burk.
Close-up of the silverback fern, Pentagramma pallida, that Yo found in the rocks at the overlook on the Cloverdale Trails. Photo taken February 10, 2024, by Don Burk.

From here, part of the group split off to get in a few more trail miles before turning back. We identified various plants on the way with help from Shasta Chapter CNPS Rare Plant specialist Don Burk. ~David Ledger

Hikers in blue oak woodland. D. Burk.
The splinter group, taking off through the blue oak woodland for a little more exercise before heading back to the parking area. Photo by Don Burk, taken February 10, 2024, on the Cloverdale Trails.