The Klamath Landscape in the Face of Climate Change
With the COP26 Summit happening this week, many news outlets were running stories about our changing climate and the measures that will be necessary to transition countries away from fossil fuels. This sentiment was reflected in the news about the Klamath Basin, as the effects of climate change are distinctly visible on the river.
This year's drought exacerbated disease in fish, bird, and tree species, and intense fire events were experienced throughout the Basin. The good news? The Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of the Tribes in the Klamath Basin offers opportunities for responsible land stewardship that can help us mitigate the effects of climate change.
If you only have the time to read one piece, read Aljazeera's hard-hitting story reflecting on the high tensions in the upper Klamath Basin this summer. And don't miss the short documentary at the bottom - it is a must-see.
News
Redefining fire: Students learn to burn in a prescribed fire training program in Northern California | Jefferson Public Radio
We need more controlled fires in forests. That’s one lesson from a program wrapping up this month in rural Northern California, where participants are learning to manage landscapes with fire.
‘If the fish die, the people die’: Water wars in America’s West | Water | Al Jazeera
Is a conflict over water between farmers and Indigenous tribes exposing festering racial injustices in Oregon?
The Tribe that's Moving Earth (and Water) to Solve the Climate Crisis | How to Save a Planet
The Yurok tribe is reversing centuries of ecological damage to their land and making it more resilient to climate change by marrying two systems that might seem contradictory: indigenous land management practices and modern Western economics.
In this episode we talk to Yurok Tribe Vice-Chairman Frankie Myers about how the Tribe recovered stolen land with the help of a carbon offset program, the creative ways they're bringing the salmon back, and the role beavers play in the ecosystem.
Migrating birds hit hard by California’s drought - CalMatters
As drought dries up California’s wetlands, traveling birds such as ducks, geese and eagles are struggling to survive during long migrations.
Tribes to deploy beavers in bid to save Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge – Oregon Capital Chronicle
They’ll get started next spring on a plan to repopulate the marsh with native plants, beavers to bring water back.
Prescribed fires help adapt Humboldt County – Times-Standard
In an effort to reduce the severity of future wildfires, the Six Rivers National Forest and Redwood National Park interagency fire program burned hundreds of acres of land in several prescribed fires.
The prescribed fires burned on Karuk aboriginal territory, the Bald Hills area in Redwood National and State Parks and Hoopa and Tsnungwe aboriginal peoples land along Waterman Ridge.
U.S. Forest Service struggles to complete prescribed burns - Los Angeles Times
Even as evidence mounts that prescribed burns are effective in reducing wildfire risk, the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies are falling behind.
A Native Attorney Fights for Salmon -- and Her Tribe's Way of Life
Amy Cordalis of the Yurok Tribe is leading efforts to restore the Klamath River amid a water crisis that has killed its fish population.
Judge rejects a Trump-era water contract in a win for tribes in California — High Country News – Know the West
A bid to benefit agribusiness has stalled again, leaving the Hoopa Valley Tribe hopeful that the next contract follows the law.
3 creatures impacted by climate change in California - Los Angeles Times
Many creatures are being impacted by climate change. Here are three examples.
In Case You Missed It...
The grand canyon of the Klamath River | Outdoors | heraldandnews.com
Hans Kuhr calls it the “Grand Canyon of the Klamath River” hike.
Much of the hike to the canyon overlooks was, well, pedestrian. But the views from multiple overlooks, peering down into the Klamath River Canyon, make it well worth the effort.
One Basin, One Community: Reconnect Klamath Launches Klamath Storytelling Project - Reconnect Klamath
Whether you are a fisherman, farmer, tribal member, outfitter, or small business owner, the Klamath Basin is a special place that a wide variety of people call home. United by our love of the land and the waters that flow through, Klamath communities share many values, experiences, and above all, a deep love of this Basin.
Klamath Storytelling Project: Episode 1, Dr. Karl Wenner - YouTube
Whether you are a fisherman, farmer, tribal member, outfitter, or small business owner, the Klamath Basin is a special place that a wide variety of people ca...
On the Klamath, Dam Removal May Come Too Late to Save the Salmon - Yale E360
The planned demolition of dams on the Klamath River was expected to help restore the beleaguered salmon on which Indigenous tribes depend. But after a record drought and wildfire this summer, many are worried the salmon could be all but gone before the dams come down.