The Heat Is On

Despite optimism that a wet spring would prevent another fire season from sabotaging summer adventures in the wilderness, it was disappointing to experience otherwise at the Owl Conservatory last week. It's clear that wildfires have increased over the past 20 years and the situation is not improving.

Once again, the best time to experience the backcountry in the West has vanished in a cloud of smoke. The reasons: climate change, inadequate forest management practices, limited firefighting resources for federal and state agencies and encroaching development near forest lands.

Time and again, we have witnessed many tragic stories about wildfires in communities throughout the West. In the most severe cases, these fires are becoming more intense and more likely to cause damage. The reasons for these trends have created a "perfect storm" for increased wildfires.

No, it's not a figment of your imagination. Wildfires are becoming bigger, more destructive and increasingly life-threatening. Climate change, which has intensified summertime droughts, is a primary reason. Another factor is the fact that increased development has edged closer to natural lands. To add to the dilemma, we're not managing forests nearly as well as we could or should be.

Let's start with global warming. Climate change is turning up the heat, resulting in dryer summers, reduced mountain snowpack, increased lightning strikes and longer fire seasons. Since the 1980s, researchers say, climate change has doubled the area of wildfires in the western U.S.

These trends will not be reversed on their own, of course. Global temperatures have been hotter than the historical average for 40 consecutive years. With the planet heating up, some locations most vulnerable to extreme weather events are becoming exposed to further danger.

As communities grow, more development is edging closer to forests and grasslands in what is known as the wildland-urban interface, resulting in a number of cities and towns at much higher risk of destructive wildfire. This is the "danger zone," where fires might otherwise have petered out on their own.

The sheer remoteness of some of these communities in the wildland-urban interface makes it even more difficult to battle the fires when they do occur. In some cases, firefighters may have difficulty pumping water to fight fire or gaining access because of downed power lines that sparked the blaze.

Finally, as anyone from the Aldo Leopold Society would tell you, the primary strategy for dealing with wildfires has been to prevent or fight them. Worse, insect infestations have decimated forests. But unrelenting and short-sighted fire suppression efforts are not always the best option.

Because of past fire suppression policies and inadequate management practices, forests are now clogged with plant material. Managing forest fuels and controlled burns help make forests more resilient in the long run, allowing a natural process of rebirth and renewal.

Meanwhile, wildfire is merely one of many consequences of the unchecked use of fossil fuels like coal and oil, resulting in trapped greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The top priority should be taking decisive steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.

Scientists indicate that we have just 12 years to complete the overhaul necessary to limit warming to a manageable level and avoid the worst consequences, so there's no time to waste. In the meantime, we need to invest in restoration work that helps forests more resilient to climate change.

Mio Padre

My father, Ralph Cameron Mitchell of Payson, Arizona, passed away at on August 21, 2022 at age 93. After a long career as a high school science instructor teaching chemistry, physics and general science, Ralph had retired to the Oregon coast in Lincoln City and Florence, and Arizona.

Ralph was born in Portland on December 15, 1928 to Cyril William and Ethel Adele Mitchell. His siblings included older sister, Grace Eva Mitchell, younger brother Bruce Allan Mitchell and stepbrother Harold James Barker.

He attended Irvington Elementary School and Grant High School, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Reserves in 1944. He graduated from Grant High School in 1947. Following graduation from high school, he reenlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1949, serving until he was honorably discharged in 1951.

While in the reserves, Ralph attended the University of Oregon in Eugene with an interest in pursuing a degree in architecture, then completed his bachelor's degree in chemistry and physics at the University of Portland in 1953.

Ralph married Charlotte Nitta Cargni in Portland in May, 1952 and they had five children, John, Robert, Richard, Carla and Stephanie. They later divorced. Ralph married Florence Edna Edgar in Portland in June, 1983.

After working for Ortho Chemical and General Electric Company, Ralph obtained his teaching certificate and taught high school science and coached athletics in Ukiah, Forest Grove and Sutherlin, Oregon before he was hired at Evergreen High School in Vancouver.

In 1961, Ralph was hired at the newly opened John Marshall High School in Southeast Portland. He later obtained his master's degree from the University of Portland and also taught night classes and summer school for many years.

Ralph enjoyed the outdoors and joined the Mazamas, a mountain climbing organization based in Portland. He climbed Mt. Hood countless times, along with Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, among other Cascade peaks. He was an avid sailor and explored the San Juan Islands and Canadian Gulf Islands on several occasions.

An avid Duck fan since his days at the University of Oregon, Ralph and Florence had season tickets for Oregon football for many years and were among those early adopters who cheered the "Mighty Ducks" and witnessed the team develop from also-rans into champions. 

Ralph and Florence ventured to many bowl games, including the Cotton Bowl, Independence Bowl, Holiday Bowl, Seattle Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and several Rose Bowls, including a big win over Russell Wilson and the Wisconsin Badgers in 2012 for their first Rose Bowl victory in 95 years.

He is survived by his wife, Florence of Payson, Arizona, children John (Rebecca) of Eugene, Robert (Elaine) of Philadelphia, Penn., Richard (Nancy) of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Carla (Bob) of Portland, and Stephanie of Tigard.

Ralph is also survived by his grandchildren Regina, Jory, Nicole, Sarah, Jessica, Jason and Brandon; and a sister, Grace Eva Mitchell Freeland of Redwood City, California. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bruce and stepbrother Harold, and his granddaughter, Jacy.

Soul Brothers

Editors note: The following is an excerpt taken from Wilderness Strangers: Adventures in Shangri-La, to be published early this fall by Luminare Press.

Now working in the office until June, wilderness ranger Joe Blanco would meet Jan’s friend Carol Winters, who was pulling a stint as the receptionist at Lake Wenatchee Ranger District.

Carol had co-founded a community theater group known as the Plain Players. She asked Joe if he had any interest in joining the group. “Sure, that sounds like fun” said Joe. “I was something of a thespian in high school.”

 

“Excellent,” replied Carol. “One of our members is having a social soon, and you can audition for the group at the cocktail party that will be held in Shugart Flats near Plain.”

 

Carol then suggested that  Joe perform a skit where he would mimic Shirley Temple singing the “Good Ship Lollypop” for his tryout at the upcoming social gathering. 

The cocktail party would be hosted by Georgia Campbell, an upscale New York socialite and theatre aficionado who had relocated to the wilds of the Upper Wenatchee Valley.

 

Providing Joe with a cassette recording of the song so he could practice, Carol promised to supply the costume, wig, and makeup. All Joe would need to do is practice lip syncing the tune. In the evenings after work, he retreated to the Mushroom Haus to practice.

 

When it was time for the summer season to begin, Carol resumed her position as a fire prevention guard when the district ranger hired a new front office receptionist, Carli Townsend. Carli, a music maven, would come to play piano and provide most of the music for the Plain Players.

 

Meanwhile Kerry arrived at the Lake Wenatchee Ranger Station for his summer assignment as a wilderness ranger, and his first task was to find a place to live.

 

By mid-June, most of the better housing options on the compound were already claimed, so Kerry pitched his tent at a campsite in the Dirty Face campground and reported to the office, where he was greeted by Carli.

They hit it off immediately, so Kerry asked Carli if she knew of any rentals available in the area. “You might check with Joe Blanco,” suggested Carli. “He just rented a little cabin (above) down by The Cougar Inn."

"You can’t miss the Mushroom Haus," she added. It has an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme with mushrooms painted on the sides of the structure. It's across the highway from The Cougar Inn (below).”

 

“Thanks, Carli, I will do just that,” replied Kerry.

 

Dancing around the Mushroom Haus mimicking Shirley Temple to a cassette tape of “The Good Ship Lollypop” in preparation for the tryout, Joe suddenly noticed an odd fellow gawking in one of the many windows lining the deck of the cabin. He looked harmless enough, so Joe waved him to come inside.

 

“Are you Joe Blanco?” the blonde, wiry fellow inquired.

 

“Yes,” replied Joe, “and who might you be?”

 

“My name is Kerry Weiss,” he countered. Kerry and Joe learned they would work together as wilderness rangers. Though strangers, soon they would be fast friends.

Into The Wild

Coming this fall to booksellers everywhere: Wilderness Strangers, Adventures in Shangri-La, a story of brotherhood, adventure, love, tragedy, resilience, remorse and hope -- from the highest of highs on mountaintops in the North Cascades to the lowest of lows in the quagmire of depression.

What are the chances? Sight unseen, two college students eventually connect because another person, a mutual friend, said to each of them: "You've gotta meet this guy." Like two magnets drawn together with inexorable force, Kerry and Joe were also complete opposites.

Kerry, of Scandinavian descent, is a country boy from the wilds of North Dakota. Joe, the product of an urban jungle in Portland, Oregon, is Italian-American. In Wilderness Strangers: Adventures in Shangri-La, these two unlikely friends become kindred spirits, alter egos and soul mates.

Yet, much like the poles of a magnet, one is drawn to the yin and the other to the yang in life. In spite of their differences, their abiding friendship, fascination for adventure climbing mountains and paddling rivers, and obsession with literature and the arts will become their legacy.

Effective Listening

Prompted by discussion on PRSA FellowsChat about our favorite college classes, I volunteered one I considered easy credits that turned out to not only be valuable, but invaluable, for my career as a journalist and public relations practitioner. The class focused on effective listening.

I was subsequently asked to provide a presentation on the subject of effective listening to a group of college students who were members of the Public Relations Student Society of America. I titled the presentation: "Effective Listening: The Forgotten Skill in Public Relations."

The art of effective listening became a important part of my job in journalism and public relations because of a variety of reasons, virtually everything from being able to garner a good interview for a story to having the ability to talk to customers and clients who were under duress for whatever reason.

At the utility where I spent most of my career, I would occasionally be required to speak to an irate customer whose services had been shut off due to non-payment. Customer service reps handled most of those calls, but when customers threatened to go to the media, they'd send them to me.

That's when I learned that the class on listening I had taken as a freshman in college, came in handy. I found listening -- really listening -- went a long ways in helping customers feel better about the utility. Sometimes I could help, sometimes not, but the result of listening was impactful.

So I put together the introduction to my presentation, asking questions like: "What does it mean to listen well?" "If listening is important, why do we fail to do it as part of our charge as communicators?" And finally, "what are we missing when we aren't listening?" Then, I launched into my spiel.

The first area of focus was to "be present." Always be in the "here and the now." Avoid multitasking when you're listening. You can't effectively do both. Focus on the person you're talking to with your whole being. Remember, hearing is passive, listening is active.

If you're talking to someone in person. be sure to maintain eye contact -- a basic ingredient of effective communication. Eyes are the window to the soul. Remember to maintain your cool. A person is less likely to connect with someone who is anxious. Adjust your approach as necessary.

Be attentive but relaxed. Once you've established eye contact, relax and focus on what they are saying. Avoid becoming distracted by your own thoughts, feeling and biases. It can be hard, I know, especially when you're being collared by high pressure salespeople or consultants.

Keep an open mind and remain circumspect. Avoid judging; you'll compromise your effectiveness as a listener. Don't jump to conclusions; hear your subject out. Don't be a sentence-grabber. Let them finish their own sentences. Don't minimize their concerns or try to solve their problem immediately.

Listen closely to your subject and visualize what they are trying to say. Try to remember key words and phrases by taking notes. Paint a picture or visual image of the information in your mind to help you with your focus. If your mind starts to wander, re-focus. Paraphrase and confirm.

Do your best to not interrupt the speaker. Wait for them to draw a breath before you try to confirm details. Refrain from suggesting solutions. Remember that we all think at different paces. Adjust to the pace of the speaker. Don't shift the conversation to you and don't jump to conclusions.

Timing is everything. Wait for a pause in the discussion to ask clarifying details, but if you don't understand something, ask for an explanation. Look for the most appropriate moment to ask a question. If you do have a solution, get the speaker's permission before you talk.

Ask questions only to ensure understanding. If you notice your question has led your speaker astray, take responsibility for getting the discussion back on track. Keep the conversation moving along with periodic acknowledgement, like "I see..." Timing will be important here, too.

Try to truly feel what the speaker is feeling. Mirror what the speaker is feeling through facial expressions and words. Remember that empathy is the heart and soul of effective listening. Avoid saying "I know how you feel" unless you truly do know how they feel.

Provide the speaker with regular feedback. Demonstrate you understand where the speaker is coming from by reflecting their feelings. Always restate messages and key points to assure understanding. Sum up their perspective by paraphrasing why they've said.

Pay attention to what isn't said, both visually and in terms of audio. Remember we can learn a great deal of information without saying a word and merely paying attention to tone and inflection. Always restate messages and key points made by the speaker to assure understanding.

In summary, you build trust by listening to people, helping them feel that they're respected and valued. Remember that people are unpredictable. What they know and understand is different than what you know and understand. There's always more to the story than meets the eye.

Finally, a few quotes from individuals from the literature and entertainment world on the art of effective listening. Mark Twain: "Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would rather have talked." Raquel Welch: "You can't fake listening. It shows."

Epictetus: "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." Ernest Hemingway: "I like to listen. I learn a great deal from listening. Most people never listen." Richard Branson: "Lead by listening. To be a good leader, you have to be a great listener."

Rural Electrification

A window for a road trip opened last week in between various and sundry commitments, so I seized the opportunity to venture to the Owl Conservatory. Having weathered the past couple of years -- with lockdowns and restrictions caused by the pandemic -- any road trip would be a welcome change of scenery for the likes of me, without a doubt.

My mission? To meet with an electrician to establish a plan to hardwire the little hut and provide more reliable electricity to Das Tree Haus. The trip also provided a bit of rest and recuperation from eight months of writing and editing my next book, currently with the publisher for review. The book is titled Wilderness Strangers: Adventures in Shangri-La.

Here is a synopsis of the memoir that features the life and times of two wilderness rangers: "Like two magnets drawn together with inexorable force, Kerry and Joe were also complete opposites. Kerry, of Scandinavian descent, is a country boy from the wilds of North Dakota. Joe, the product of an urban jungle in Portland, Oregon, is Italian-American."

 

"In Wilderness Strangers, these two unlikely friends become kindred spirits, alter egos and soul mates. Yet, much like the poles of a magnet, one is drawn to the yin and the other to the yang in life. In spite of their differences, their abiding friendship, fascination for adventure and obsession with literature and the arts will become their legacy."

Publication date is sometime this summer, or perhaps Port Season during the autumnal equinox. Wilderness Strangers will be available on Amazon, IngramSpark and fine bookstores. Meanwhile, if you haven't had the chance, check out my first memoir, Bird of Paradox: The Seasoning of Birdie McInnes, published last October.

Earth Day, 2022

On this 52nd anniversary of the first celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 1970, the future of Mother Earth is literally hanging by a thread. Climate change due to increased carbon emissions in the atmosphere is wreaking havoc on our planet, causing widespread environmental chaos and destruction.

Right now, there is a clear and present risk that the U.S. could see a century's worth of sea-level rise by 2050, compared to the previous 100 years. In other words, the situation will become worse, not better. By 2050, seas lapping against the U.S. will be 10-12 inches higher.

As climate change from increasing temperatures continues to melt the polar ice caps causing rising sea levels, many other impacts are occurring, with bizarre weather patterns precipitating massive flooding, an explosion of wildfires and diminished habitat for both humans and wildlife.

Unfortunately, our feeble attempt to remedy the situation is falling short of noble aspirations to reverse environmental disaster worldwide. The U.N. summit in Glasgow concluded last year with a new climate agreement among 200 countries that drew applause from world leaders.

But world leaders should be embarrassed patting themselves on the back over an agreement that is so inadequate. The summit brought incremental progress, but that in itself is a colossal failure. We need bold and swift action to avert a catastrophic rise in global temperatures.

Humankind won't be able to accomplish a concerted effort without the participation of countries like Russia, China and India. Instead of pursuing nationalistic goals of manifest destiny, we will need to strive for the greater good to save the planet from ecological disaster -- before it's too late.