Trinity Collaborative Recreation Assessment and Forest Contractor and Workforce Assessment

Recreation Assessment - Purpose and Contents  An assessment articulating the current conditions of represented interests, as well as related challenges, and potential opportunities for recreation developments in Trinity County.  A set of surveys of a representative sample of local recreation interest groups, recreation related businesses, and relevant agency interests.  A set of recommendations for recreation subgroup that help identify potential strategies for long-term relationship-building and capacity and development.

Recreation - Methods  The study and methods were developed by a subgroup comprised of collaborative members.  The study consisted of a set of interviews of key sectors related to the recreation industry including nonprofits, agencies, interest groups, and businesses.  The data was gathered and analyzed by the Watershed Center staff.  Recommendations were informed by insights of the Collaborative group that developed throughout the life of project, and through interview questions designed to provide direction to the collaborative group.

Recreation - Findings & Recommendations  Trinity County faces universal economic, infrastructure, and business challenges that need to be considered in project development.  Planning should be informed by sector specific considerations. Key actors, interest groups, and businesses face unique challenges to growth. A working knowledge of the challenges and conditions for these groups is essential to effective project development.  The assessment produced a suite of recommendations for the Recreation Subgroup, including specific projects and strategies to improve the capacity of the group.

Recreation – Moving Forward  Currently the Recreation Group has a limited participation or capacity, though some projects are proceeding  There are not always agency representatives, stakeholders, and corresponding projects that support collective activities among stakeholders – perhaps narrower opportunities  Now is a good time for the larger collaborative group to determine how that would like to address recreation interests

Contractors and Workforce Assessment - Methods  Developed Workforce Assessment protocol and survey with input from SMART Center and Superior California Economic Development District  Built off of 2004 assessment  Design based upon outside examples/expert advice  Developed local contractors list  Primarily Trinity County w/ some from neighboring communities  Survey mailed to 50 contractors  Follow-up phone interviews with key contractors

Contractors and Workforce - Results  15 initial respondents  5 follow up interviews  All respondents desire to work in the woods  Average age of 58  Average crew size – 6  Repeatedly heard that it is hard for contractors to hire and keep skilled workers

Contractors and Workforce - Results  9 contractors had been a primary contractor on a federal contract  Many contractors not qualified to contract with federal government at all  Only a couple of the younger contractors may try to continue the family businesses  Limited equipment and crew capacity throughout the county – especially for mechanical thinning and biomass  Contractors do not have an incentive to purchase/upgrade equipment due to lack of opportunity  Bottom Line – The contractors felt that the most significant barrier to federal contracting in the region is the “Lack of federal contracts”

Contractors and Workforce - Recommendations  Develop contracts that match and potentially help to grow the local capacity  Bring contractors together to discuss their capacity and needs related to timber sale, stewardship, service, and firewood contracts  Use specific projects as opportunities  Could include a collaborative workgroup?  Continue to train local workforce  Tighten connections to private sector needs and opportunity as possible – SMART center, RCD, WRTC  Continue to track forest contractors and the workforce over time