From the County of Humboldt:

If you are interested in advising County of Humboldt’s Public Works Department on the management of the McKay Community Forest, you are encouraged to apply to be part of the McKay Community Forest Advisory Group.

The advisory group will share community perspectives, identify needs and opportunities, provide feedback on proposed actions, and make recommendations related to the McKay Community Forest.

The McKay Community Forest is located southeast of Eureka along the urban-forest interface near Myrtletown, Cutten, and Ridgewood Heights. The community forest is envisioned as a place that enhances quality of life by providing opportunities to experience a diverse, dynamic, and productive forest. The forest will be managed for multiple purposes including public access and recreation, sustainable timber harvest, and watershed and resource conservation. Revenues generated through timber harvest will offset the costs of management and maintenance and fund the development of trails, access points, and other amenities.

The McKay Community Forest Advisory Group will be composed of seven community representatives who will advise Humboldt County Public Works on management of the community forest. The advisory group has three permanent positions reserved for representatives from the Wiyot Tribe, City of Eureka, and Humboldt Trails Council and four voluntary at-large positions.

Applications are currently being accepted for the at-large positions.

Applications are due on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 by 5 p.m. and can be found on the county’s McKay Community Forest web page. Completed applications should be sent by email to mckayforest@co.humboldt.ca.us.

Four at-large members will be selected by the Director of Public Works based on the applicant’s experience related to one or more of the community forest management goals which include forest stewardship, environmental values, working forest, public access and recreation, community involvement, public safety, and education. Community members with experience participating in collaborative frameworks are encouraged to apply, and considerations for ensuring diverse perspectives will be made during the selection process. The term for the at-large positions is one-year, and members can re-apply to serve for more than one year.

Once the McKay Community Forest Advisory Group is established, meetings will be held at the City of Eureka’s Adorni Center Conference Room, located at 1011 Waterfront Drive. Meetings will be open to the public and held on the following dates from 3:30 to 5 p.m.:

• Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023
• Tuesday, April 25, 2023
• Tuesday, July 25, 2023
• Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

For more information on the McKay Community Forest, please visit humboldtgov.org/mckayforest or call (707) 441-7741.