We were talking about the potential partnership
specifically around digitization of collections.
But there's been a concern about the safety of these records
because where the park is situated, wildfires especially in the
past few years have been an annual threat.
And so it was very much on Ward Eldredge's mind,
the long term safekeeping of these records.
And he pointed out that UC Merced
is located is probably in one of the few areas in California
that is outside of a high risk fire zone
and also outside of the risk of earthquake threat.
And it was just no question that we would do whatever we could
to bring them here.
It really was, it was.
The ash and everything yeah, it was falling down.
Hundreds of boxes of collections and also those cabinets of. plant specimens and baskets, so artifacts as well.
And because the residents in the area were also being called to evacuate,
there was just this shortage, he couldn't find a van,
or, you know a truck. So in the course of a day
we managed to make arrangements.
Anyone interested in the history of this very special place,
the history of the sequoia trees.
This is the one place where these trees live.
Understanding what is unique about the environment.
The rangers and the interpreters who want to then provide . that history to the general public.
Also to scholars who want to really investigate, you know,
"What does it mean to manage public lands?"
"What's effective in terms of management practices?"
Well we're going to work wtth the park service
to make sure that they are going to stay safe.
