This free guided hike, led by FUSEE volunteers Ash and Sierra, will follow the French Pete Trail through the landscape of the 2018 Terwilliger Fire. Ash and Sierra will facilitate a nature journaling activity during the hike to tap into your creativity and enhance your appreciation of the scenery. We will highlight the capacity for regrowth by visiting a mixed-severity burned forest - the famous French Pete old growth trail to the Three Sisters Wilderness - that is 7 years into its post-fire recovery. Additionally, we will discuss plant adaptations to fire and traditional Indigenous fire stewardship. The hike leader's goal is to broaden the group's connection to fire and demonstrate its value as an ecological catalyst for change and regrowth.
This hike is moderate in difficulty, with mild hazards like uneven/rocky terrain, narrow trail, steep slopes, and pokey plants. The hike is approximately 4.5 miles total distance. Children age 12+ are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Well-behaved dogs welcome.
About Ash: Ashley works for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, supporting the Oregon Conservation Corps and youth programs that strengthen wildfire resilience across the state. With an academic background in psychology and anthropology, Ashley is passionate about connecting ecological knowledge with mental health and healing. Through this fire ecology hike, she hopes to integrate nature journaling, grounding practices, and reflections on the resilience of the land to foster deeper personal and environmental awareness.
About Sierra: Sierra is a nature lover, fire ecology enthusiast, farmer, dog mom, and a forever-learner. Bringing forward her background in environmental anthropology, Sierra is passionate about educating herself and others about pre- and post-colonial ecologies, and integrating environmental care with social justice. She hopes to engage with folks on the rich history between people and fire in the Willamette Valley, and encourage folks today to build their own relationships with fire!
Meeting Time and Location: Attendees will meet at 10am (location provided upon sign up) to carpool approximately 1hr 20min to the trailhead and expect to make it back to the Eugene area around 4:30pm. Details will be sent ahead of the hike date.
Bring: Lots of water, snacks/lunch, journal/pen and paper, close toed shoes (recommended)
Price: FREE! We will happily accept any donation which we will use to continue to fund this vital fire education work.
Register now to reserve your spot, limited to 20 total participants!
