Cone Camp Level 2 - Central

Please Note: This event will officially begin at 9 am on Wednesday, July 10. The event is listed to begin on July 9 to encourage visitors with significant travel time to arrive and setup camp the afternoon/evening of Tuesday, July 9 so as to be ready to begin first thing Wednesday morning.

Additionally, this Cone Camp will officially conclude by noon on Friday, July 12 to allow for camp takedown and travel that afternoon.

About Cone Camp Level 2:

NOTE: While pure beginners won’t be turned away, level 2 is ideal for people who have some silvicultural training or who have previously attended Cone Camp. Previous experience with forest camping with limited access to services and leave no trace protocols is a must.

Arrive a beginner and leave a novice through this immersive 3-day camp experience. After orientation and a review of the basics of cone collection, attendees will work in groups, heading out in small caravans on National Forest lands under the guidance of an experienced coach.

Conducting surveys by day and exchanging learnings at basecamp by evening, Cone Camp level 2 covers everything from route planning, to estimating crop ratings and bushel counts, to data collection and reporting sightings with Survey123 on a tablet or phone, to sampling techniques--all in a learn-by-doing format.

Participants will be equipped with the basic skills needed to effectively survey, monitor and facilitate collections of California native conifer seeds. Cone Camps are organized by CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, and American Forests. Join to learn from regional seed experts and connect with forest managers across California.

Topics covered will include:

CA Seed Shortages

Cone identification

Survey route planning

Safety, tools, and logistics

Monitoring tactics and timing

Reporting crops to public seed bank managers

Facilitating cone collection (administration/contracting and logistics)

Note: This camp requires backcountry camping and driving on unpaved forest roads. 4x4 vehicles recommended but not required. Carpooling strongly encouraged. Do NOT sign up for this event if you do not have experience and are not comfortable with backcountry camping and driving on unpaved forested roads.