Thank you for sharing this film, Elliot. As a scientist I have long known of the need for controlled burning in our California forests. Our indigenous people knew this from years of observation, and they were correct. We immigrants did a lot of damage to the forests by not allowing controlled burns, and by clear cutting large patches of the forest. Redwoods - and most of the genus, Sequoias are capable of withstanding and continuing growth after a forest fire. But what we are seeing now, due to the increase of undergrowth accumulation are crown fires which even Sequoias (the genus which includes redwoods) cannot withstand.
While the trumspter's ignorant comment that we should 'sweep' our forest floors displayed his stupidity, he was correct that it is the accumulation of undergrowth that makes the fires more intense, therefor controlled burning, which nature had long provided before Europeans arrived here, is essential if our trees are to survive.
By the way, Bristlecone pines of the White Mountain range east of Bishop, CA are a few thousand years older than the oldest redwoods.
It is indeed sad to see hubris do so much unnecessary damage. If we all listened to one another more, I think we would find many instances in which good solutions to widescale problems exist, they just need to be allowed to flourish. We have done a great disservice to ourselves and our planet by throwing away the old ways.
I happen to love the bristlecone pine as well. It is such a beautiful and unique tree, with such amazing patterns and standing sentinel on the heights were few other plants can flourish.
Thank you, I'm glad to read your comments on the bristlecone, it is an amazing tree, Redwoods are stately and beautiful, but the bristlecone is the symbol of life, it succeeds against all odds. We are fortunate in California to have the tallest (redwood) oldest, (bristlecone) and greatest girth (sequoia) in the world. Redwoods scientific name is Sequolia sempervirens, the sequoia is Sequoia sequoia.
There’s a Forest Service campground on the road up to the Bristlecone pines in the White Mountains. Go during a new (no) moon and go mid-week to avoid a full campground. It’s known as one of the best dark sky campgrounds in the U. S.. You will see every campsite with a full array of some of the nicest and expensive portable (some barely) telescopes imaginable being used by amateur and professional astronomers.
Right Michael, the two times I have visited, the place was pretty much deserted as we (my late husband and I) went in early spring, then late fall. I didn't bring my telescope on either trip but wish I had. The Methusalah tree was unmarked of course to prevent unruly tourists from destroying it, but a park ranger showed me how to find it. I must say, I was in awe of this 5,000 year old tree, but it just looked like other old trees in the same area.
There’s so much beauty and hope in this film/post. With you and others highlighting the restorative and regenerative efforts, there is a brighter time ahead. Thank you, Elliot.
Thank you for this opportunity to learn about the results of the fire. So disheartening, of course, but hopeful as well, seeing the seedlings among the dead giants. Clearly we need to better manage our forests and I hope funding will increase toward that end. Awareness is so important, I hope you will continue to share important environmental issues with us.
Absolutely beautiful video -- can't wait to see more of what you produce. Spent lots of time in those woods... hurts to see it that way, but it's beautiful to see the resiliency. 🙏🏼
Had a tooth pulled yesterday, Ice pack and tylenol are not cutting it. Thank you for the stroll through nature complete with bird’s singing. Always an awe inspiring and hopeful journey.
Such a nice change for a weekend read.but then I like how you change things up. Never to sure what is waiting when I open the email. Sad to see the redwoods the groves are so amazing. Glad to see new life coming out of what was a devastating event.
Such a beautiful message of hope. In Christianity we say, "God is a consuming fire," but this is not a fire that destroys without purpose. It is a refining fire that burns away the litter of lives and brings us into a place of peace and renewal.
This video was insightful and thought-provoking. The balance of fire, water, and good and bad (in a good way). "It's not always doom and gloom" is something I think we forget to think about sometimes. The glass can be half full if we choose to think about it that way and evaluate the positive side of a bad situation. The video provides a reminder of that lesson for all of us.
My heart goes out to those in California that are experiencing hardships due to these natural disasters, so it was so heartwarming to watch this video and see that good will come from it. The baby trees will grow up, and a new generation of the great redwoods will be born. Amazing!
I’ve been reading more about the disappearance of understory in forests leading to their decline and unforeseen environmental impacts. This short film states that case exactly. I can check another box of understanding what’s going on.✔️ Thank you and the regenerative know how of nature.
While not a scientist, nature has always been my 'happy place'--restoring my troubled soul. Thank you Elliot for this piece. It wet my palate enough to go googling more about this topic as I am a very curious person and continue to learn new things everyday. Growing up in PA we would hike on the Appalachian trail frequently and my mom's brother went to school to be a forest ranger as my maternal granddad would take all three children on hikes in the mountains and could name every tree and flora native to where I grew up. Hope does spring eternal and to see nature self-correct itself after catastrophes will always amaze it. Thank you again for telling these kind of stories.
Watching this short video was not only insightful, but a refreshing escape from politics.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this film, Elliot. As a scientist I have long known of the need for controlled burning in our California forests. Our indigenous people knew this from years of observation, and they were correct. We immigrants did a lot of damage to the forests by not allowing controlled burns, and by clear cutting large patches of the forest. Redwoods - and most of the genus, Sequoias are capable of withstanding and continuing growth after a forest fire. But what we are seeing now, due to the increase of undergrowth accumulation are crown fires which even Sequoias (the genus which includes redwoods) cannot withstand.
While the trumspter's ignorant comment that we should 'sweep' our forest floors displayed his stupidity, he was correct that it is the accumulation of undergrowth that makes the fires more intense, therefor controlled burning, which nature had long provided before Europeans arrived here, is essential if our trees are to survive.
By the way, Bristlecone pines of the White Mountain range east of Bishop, CA are a few thousand years older than the oldest redwoods.
It is indeed sad to see hubris do so much unnecessary damage. If we all listened to one another more, I think we would find many instances in which good solutions to widescale problems exist, they just need to be allowed to flourish. We have done a great disservice to ourselves and our planet by throwing away the old ways.
I happen to love the bristlecone pine as well. It is such a beautiful and unique tree, with such amazing patterns and standing sentinel on the heights were few other plants can flourish.
Thank you, I'm glad to read your comments on the bristlecone, it is an amazing tree, Redwoods are stately and beautiful, but the bristlecone is the symbol of life, it succeeds against all odds. We are fortunate in California to have the tallest (redwood) oldest, (bristlecone) and greatest girth (sequoia) in the world. Redwoods scientific name is Sequolia sempervirens, the sequoia is Sequoia sequoia.
There’s a Forest Service campground on the road up to the Bristlecone pines in the White Mountains. Go during a new (no) moon and go mid-week to avoid a full campground. It’s known as one of the best dark sky campgrounds in the U. S.. You will see every campsite with a full array of some of the nicest and expensive portable (some barely) telescopes imaginable being used by amateur and professional astronomers.
Right Michael, the two times I have visited, the place was pretty much deserted as we (my late husband and I) went in early spring, then late fall. I didn't bring my telescope on either trip but wish I had. The Methusalah tree was unmarked of course to prevent unruly tourists from destroying it, but a park ranger showed me how to find it. I must say, I was in awe of this 5,000 year old tree, but it just looked like other old trees in the same area.
There’s so much beauty and hope in this film/post. With you and others highlighting the restorative and regenerative efforts, there is a brighter time ahead. Thank you, Elliot.
Not always doom and gloom!
Our family camped in Big Basin many times. This is a beautiful and sad remembrance of it. Congratulations on this fine presentation.
Thank you for this opportunity to learn about the results of the fire. So disheartening, of course, but hopeful as well, seeing the seedlings among the dead giants. Clearly we need to better manage our forests and I hope funding will increase toward that end. Awareness is so important, I hope you will continue to share important environmental issues with us.
Absolutely beautiful video -- can't wait to see more of what you produce. Spent lots of time in those woods... hurts to see it that way, but it's beautiful to see the resiliency. 🙏🏼
Had a tooth pulled yesterday, Ice pack and tylenol are not cutting it. Thank you for the stroll through nature complete with bird’s singing. Always an awe inspiring and hopeful journey.
Such a nice change for a weekend read.but then I like how you change things up. Never to sure what is waiting when I open the email. Sad to see the redwoods the groves are so amazing. Glad to see new life coming out of what was a devastating event.
Thanks so much for sharing. It is so encouraging to find hope out of heartache!
Such a beautiful message of hope. In Christianity we say, "God is a consuming fire," but this is not a fire that destroys without purpose. It is a refining fire that burns away the litter of lives and brings us into a place of peace and renewal.
This video was insightful and thought-provoking. The balance of fire, water, and good and bad (in a good way). "It's not always doom and gloom" is something I think we forget to think about sometimes. The glass can be half full if we choose to think about it that way and evaluate the positive side of a bad situation. The video provides a reminder of that lesson for all of us.
My heart goes out to those in California that are experiencing hardships due to these natural disasters, so it was so heartwarming to watch this video and see that good will come from it. The baby trees will grow up, and a new generation of the great redwoods will be born. Amazing!
Wonderful, thank you
Fascinating!
I’ve been reading more about the disappearance of understory in forests leading to their decline and unforeseen environmental impacts. This short film states that case exactly. I can check another box of understanding what’s going on.✔️ Thank you and the regenerative know how of nature.
While not a scientist, nature has always been my 'happy place'--restoring my troubled soul. Thank you Elliot for this piece. It wet my palate enough to go googling more about this topic as I am a very curious person and continue to learn new things everyday. Growing up in PA we would hike on the Appalachian trail frequently and my mom's brother went to school to be a forest ranger as my maternal granddad would take all three children on hikes in the mountains and could name every tree and flora native to where I grew up. Hope does spring eternal and to see nature self-correct itself after catastrophes will always amaze it. Thank you again for telling these kind of stories.