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Overall objective:
"To assist the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in collecting important field data to compile a resource inventory in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and the Steese National Conservation Area, north of Fairbanks, Alaska. In addition, other projects of value to the BLM, will be simultaneously undertaken which may include: civil engineering projects, surveying (mapping), descriptions, analyses and comparisons of the flora and fauna, in terms of distribution, density and biodiversity, and a description and analysis of the recent geomorphology and its active processes."
To achieve this objective, the expedition will undertake five or more simultaneous projects, including mapmaking.
The BLM projects:
1. The Beaver Creek National Wild River Corridor
a. A Historical Cabin Inventory
b. An Arctic Grayling Life History and Study
c. A Salmon Habitat Study
2. An Inventory of ecological, soil and geological factors affecting
the impact of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) use on and off trails –
monitoring its use over time.
3. Searching for and recording areas where fire has modified the
landscape and ecology.
4. The Reconnoitre of a trail between Twelvemile Summit and Quartz
Creek to identify a route which balances recreation, conservation
and the wilderness experience.
5. Developing a pre-determined Trail route between Circle Hot Springs
& Chena Hot Springs. (not done in the Science period).
Implementation
Four Fires will be responsible for one of the projects 1 – 4, the fifth Fire will be responsible for other expedition-generated projects. All Fires will be involved in project 3 and with the expedition – generated projects (some more than others). These projects may involve: civil engineering, surveying (mapping), biodiversity, and descriptions and analyses of the recent geomorphology and its active processes evident in the White Mts. NRA.
All projects will involve, wherever possible, a 24 hr continuous study of a changing / moving feature or element. Training and orientation will be necessary, as will Reconnaissance and the establishment of Food caches.
Timescale:
Science and worthwhile project phase – 25 July to 19 August inclusive = 26 days
5 days – training, reconnaissance and food humping
2 days – establishing base camps
19 days – science work – to include up to 4 of the 19 days lost through weather, re-supply and R&R.
Actual time spent on science projects must be as near as possible to 19 days – our undertaking to the BLM. This is possible as tent groups will be simultaneously working, re-supplying, or resting in rotation – planning is everything! All Yes will spend a 24 hr period completely alone. Some Yes will undertake their own academic projects, planned beforehand with the CL / Fire Leaders. NB. Data collection becomes steadily faster and more accurate as a project becomes more familiar.
Conclusion:
All Science work, including any detailed and annotated sketch planes and maps, must be written up by the Fire, in draft form, and handed to the Chief Scientist, before leaving Alaska.