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Sikora Forest Consulting Sikora Forestry is a Forest Consulting firm with services available to the general public for a fee. The firm was originally established in 1969 as Wishon Consultants, specializing in forest engineering. We are located in the community of Coarsegold, California. Coarsegold is on the Southern Yosemite Highway (State Route 41) about midway between Fresno and Yosemite National Park Sikora Forestry works with foresters, biologists, geologists, soil scientists, archaeologists, surveyors, engineers, etc., as lead professional or as subcontractor, as needed.
Forests are any wildland setting where native trees are, or have been, growing in sufficient numbers so that their crowns cover 10% of more of the land surface. The trees may be either hardwoods or softwoods. The California Public Resources Code describes this as a forested landscape. Where the wild forested landscape has been developed for residential use, we further define this as "urbanized forest" or "Wildland Urban Interface." Foresters are individuals professionally trained to protect, manage, and evaluate forests. They may be employed by government agencies and industry; some are self-employed and offer professional services, for a fee, to forest landowners, both private and public. Such individuals are called Consulting Foresters.
California is one of a number of states that require licensing of foresters as Registered Professional Foresters. All foresters not employed by the federal government are licensed. Generally federally employed foresters offering services on federal lands are not licensed. The State issues licenses based upon education, experience, and examination. Typical education/experience requirement is a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry from an accredited university plus three years experience under the supervision of a Registered Professional Forester. This qualifies one to take the examination. It is common for an individual to take the examination more than once before earning a passing grade.
The typical consulting forester has many years professional experience before venturing out on his own. Most have worked for government, industry, or other consultants for ten or more years before becoming a principal in a consulting firm. The single national professional organization for forest consultants is the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. with offices in Alexandria, Virginia. Qualification for membership requires demonstrated competence, good character, a commitment to strict ethical standards and continuing education. Full members of the association are entitled to use the initials ACF. New clients often ask us to describe what we, as consulting foresters, can do for them. We've found that our long-time clients also benefit from reviewing the services we provide, as well. Our services are directed towards assisting clients to solve their problems. For the private landowner, we help to: When it comes time to harvest timber, we select
the proper technique to assure a sustained
forest. Different tree species, soil conditions,
stand conditions, etc., suggest the types of
cutting which is desirable. The landowner's
goals for management further suggest the types
of cutting. Combining these assessments
results in the selection of the proper silviculture
to meet the goals of ownership.
In addition to marking the timber according in a
manner meeting the owner's goals and to
comply with state law, we mark the cutting
boundaries (often the property line), layout
roads, protect streams and wet areas, identify
potential endangered species conflicts and
protections, and manage the forest in a manner
which is compatible with native wildlife.
When it's time to harvest, you'll have peace of
mind knowing that we'll advise in hiring the
logging crew. Logging contractors are licensed
as "Licensed Timber Operators" by the California Board of Forestry. We inspect
the logging to assure compliance with your contract, best management practices, the
harvest permit, and compliance with State laws.
We also plan and inspect the construction of
roads and trails to haul out the timber. These
roads can later provide recreational access to
your forest. Most importantly, we will inspect to
be sure the logging is done in such a manner as
to protect your forest investment.
We will guide you through the management
decisions to make your forest a sustainable
source of lumber and wood fiber. We'll also
describe the management tools which can
enhance forest growth, help increase food
sources for the game and wildlife population,
"fire proof' your forest, all the while building on
a valuable investment. | ||