Field trip teaches Columbia College students about Firewise communities
Students in the forestry and natural resources program at Columbia College learned about defensible space clearing on a field trip last month to tour the Sonora Knolls/dragoon Gulch Firewise community.
The April 23 tour was led by Julie Johnson, resident leader of the Sonora Knolls/dragoon Gulch Firewise community. It ended with students completing a community service project for the area, Johnson said.
Students participated as part of Columbia College instructor Lisa Murphy's climate stewardship class, which is offered at the college and through the College and Career Access Pathways program at Summerville High School, Johnson said.
Johnson said students learned about the Firewise USA program under the National Fire Protection Association, which provides a framework and recognition for neighbors to collaborate on projects that reduce the threat of fire, and were shown examples of projects the Sonora Knolls/dragoon Gulch community has completed thus far.
More than 30 properties in the neighborhood completed defensible space clearing projects last year, Johnson said.
After the presentation and tour, the students created defensible space by clearing both sides of Springhill Drive, which is one of two emergency evacuation routes from the Sonora Knolls/ Dragoon Gulch community.
“These projects increase our resilience to drought and fire by creating much needed fuel breaks,” Johnson said. “Many thanks to these students and to Lisa Murphy for donating their time and energy to this project.”