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Group Hike: Forest Health on Tiger Mtn.
July 10, 2022 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
FREE Group Hike: Forest health on Tiger Mtn.
Join the Issaquah Alps Trails Club to collect soil samples and learn how to take part in a WSU research project this summer. The leader will be Dr. Joey Hulbert, a researcher at WSU based at the Puyallup Research and Extension Center. He studies tree diseases and leads the Forest Health Watch program. This summer, Joey is partnering with IATC to collect soil samples beneath unhealthy redcedar and hemlock trees throughout the Issaquah Alps. Together, explore the microbes present in the alps and investigate the possible role of microbes in the dieback of redcedar or hemlock.
Research: Many of our native tree species are stressed from recent warmer and hotter summer droughts. Now more than ever, it is critical to understand the roles and possible cumulative effects of factors such as soil pathogens on tree health. Preliminary analyses of the iNaturalist data in the Western Redcedar Dieback Map project have revealed soil type as an important factor and preliminary studies by capstone students have found a handful of oomycete species under redcedar trees. More investigation is needed to understand the possible association between these organisms and the health of our native trees.
Activity: Meet at High Point Trailhead and hike to a known area with severe redcedar dieback. Joey will train participants in methods for collecting soil samples and tree health data, then we will split into small groups to collect samples at 2-3 additional sites. Participants will then be invited to collect samples independently throughout the remainder of the summer. Depending on interest, a second hike may be organized in August. Participants will also be invited to visit or volunteer the laboratory in Puyallup to learn more about isolating microbes from soils.
What to bring: Registered participants are encouraged to wear clothes suitable for walking off-trail and kneeling in vegetation to collect soil samples. Joey will bring 5 hand shovels, scrub brushes and small buckets with soap water for cleaning tools between samples.
Free to participate, REGISTRATION REQUIRED
The person registering must also add one or more hike attendees, including themselves if they will be attending. As all the IATC hikes, this event is free.
