Continuing our mini-series, this episode focuses on Philmont's forestry management through time.  Discussing this complicated and diverse topic, John Celley and Zach Seeger join the show. 

This fire series is sponsored by Limmer Boot Company. For over 100 years, Limmer has been known for providing the highest quality boots, built to last for generations with the only true single piece leather upper design. If you are in search of your last pair of hiking boots, owner Chris Sawyer looks forward to sharing how Limmer is different. Check out the reviews online and visit limmerboots.com to learn more!

Zach kicks it off discussing Philmont’s historic fire regime, in conjunction with compounding changes in the Forestry industry throughout time. He also examines Philmont’s first commercial timber harvests and unpacks in detail the forestry practices of resistance, resilience, and transition.

John reminds us of the many people and places involved in the story of Philmont’s Forestry management, and how different universal beliefs and values regarding fire, logging, and wilderness have shaped the story.  He praises the community engagement of the Cimarron Watershed Alliance and advocates for broadened, uninterrupted, more committed forestry at Philmont.

Lastly, both John and Zach reflect on their experiences working with seasonal staff and professional fire crews during the 2018 Ute Park fire, and share the story of the vitally important Forestry Work Crew program, which they spearheaded into origin in 2016.

Since 2003, the Philmont Ranch Committee via the Philmont Forest Management policy became certified through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. This rigorous annual audit ensures that Philmont’s forests are being managed at the highest level of sustainability, with regard to the complexity and variability across Philmont's landscape.

John Celley
1995 - Regular trek participant
1997 - Regular trek participant
1999 - Ranger
2002 - Logistics, Fall - Fire Rehab Crew Member
2003 - Winter - Fire Rehab Crew Member
2003 - Lead Conservationist - Head of Dean, Fall - Fire Rehab Foreman
2004 - Summer - Associate Director of Conservation - Conservationists
2004 - Fall - Fire Rehab Foreman
2005 - Summer - Associate Director of Conservation - Conservationists
2005 - Fall - Fire Rehab Foreman
2006 - Field Manager
2007 - Field Manager
2008 - Director of Conservation
2009 - Director of Conservation
2009 - Fall - GIS Coordinator
2012 - Summer/Fall - Field Manager
2013 - Winter/Summer/Fall - Field Manager
2014 - Winter/Summer/Fall - Recreation Resource Manager
2015 - Started full-time on January 1 - Recreation Resource Manager/Conservation Foreman/Director of Conservation
2018 - Last working day on December 31

Zach Seeger
2004 - Participant
2012 - Summer GIS Staff, Fall Work Crew, Winter GIS
2013 - GIS Coordinator - Summer, Fall, Winter
2014 - Winter GIS
2015 - Summer Field Manager, Fall & Winter GIS
2016 - Summer Forester Work Crew ADC, Fall - became full time
2016 - 2019 - Full Time Forester (First ever)

Notable Mentions:
Mark Anderson
Mike Serio
Daniel Godwin
Mary Stuever
Bob Ricklefs
Kevin & Nancy Stickelman
Doug Palmer
Jacob Davidson
Chris Sawyer
Jay Mitten
Michael Crockett
Kevin Dowling
John McMan
Robert Fudge
Eric Martinez
Nate Lay
The Carson National Forest Team
Paul Mondragone
Jordan Moede
Arnie Freed
Kent Reed
Gus Holmes
Rick Smith
Michael Sudmeier
Randa Celley
Cliff Gyle
CS Ranch, Davis Family
Seth Mangini

Support the show