Loving Life in the Forest

Dario Davidson, RPF; Lead Instructor for Coalition Workshops

 

How did you get into forestry?

I’ve been a forester all my adult life, starting with working for the U.S. Forest Service while still in college at Berkeley. My major was Forestry. After graduation, I got a job in Grass Valley with Southern Pacific, the timber company. I’ve been here since 1981.

What does a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) do?

We help formulate projects in the forest, such as helping a company get its project through CEQA [the California Environmental Quality Act]. Or we advise on timber harvesting, fuel reduction, forest restoration, anything to do with a forest.

How long have you been involved with Firewise Communities (FWCs) here?

I started volunteering with the Fire Safe Council in 2010 and helped with many of the FWC Risk Assessments. I started my neighborhood’s own FWC (Lower Colfax) in 2016.

How many Risk Assessments have you done?
More than 50, some volunteer, some paid.

But now FWCs have to do their own Risk Assessments.

Yes, and it’s difficult for most groups. You have to understand fire behavior and technical things to get a good Risk Assessment. That’s why I’ll be giving some Coalition workshops to help FWC leaders learn how to create a good one.

Do you enjoy doing Risk Assessments?
I enjoy meeting people and seeing all the different FWCs in our county. I’m pleased with the progress I’m seeing throughout Nevada County in reducing fire risks, compared to other counties.

What is the biggest challenge for Nevada County from a fire prevention standpoint?
Just the scale of what needs to be accomplished. It is a bit daunting, but little by little we can get there.

If you had a magic wand, what would you do?

I would create more money to accomplish our goals. We have plenty of volunteers, we just need more money to get things done. There are lots of people willing to help but you need equipment and expertise to get a lot done.

What else should we know about you?
I met my wife Cindy here, on a ski trip with Nordic Ski Club. She’s a landscape architect and we just celebrated our 38^th wedding anniversary.