To live in the foothills on the periphery of the Sierra National Forest is to live with the certainty of summer wildfires. Each year, from April forward, Californians watch the sky and sniff the air for telltale signs of smoke. While fire remains a constant threat, the strategy for combating it has evolved with the understanding of its beneficial role in the forest environment. On Wednesday, October 7th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Miner’s Roadhouse 140 in Mariposa, CA, the Mariposa AAUW (American Association of University Women) is hosting Marcia Penner Freedman as she traces the history of firefighting and fire management from the forest's early years through the policy shifts that began in the 1960s and the measures used today. The event is free and open to the public.
This is an informative program offering the community a chance to hear and talk with local author Marcia Penner Freedman who for fifteen years split her career between writing and teaching psychology and child development at community college. Since her retirement she has devoted herself exclusively to writing, which has allowed her time to devote more energy to her activities as a board member of the Coarsegold Resource Conservation District (CRCD). This project has led to her interest in developing a community fuels reduction program through the CRCD.
Founded in 1881, AAUW is a national organization dedicated to lifelong learning and advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. The Mariposa branch has nearly 100 members who support projects such as Tech Trek, a weeklong science camp for girls, Speech Trek, a thought-provoking speech contest and Dinner with a Scientist, an evening at UC Merced for girls interested in scientific careers. To learn more, visit: aauwmariposa.com.
Read more about the author: Fighting Fire in the Sierra National Forest by Oakhurst Author Marcia Penner Freedman
