Our recent trip to Preston Falls took us right through the area burned by the massive Rim Fire of 2013. In fact, this area had been closed to all hiking for a while. But now it's open, and slowly recovering from the fire damage.

Along the trail, we were charmed to see some signs erected by "Nerds for Nature" that encouraged us to place our camera in a bracket on side of the sign and take a photo. We were then asked to send that photo via various social media platforms to their attention, and help them track the recovery of the forest.




First of all, we love the name Nerds for Nature. Secondly, we love the idea of using camera phones and social media to monitor the forest. And third of all, we love the fact that these nerds got out into this area and put the signs up to make this all happen.

And yes, we took photos. Now all we have to do is join Twitter, Instagram, or Flicker...hmmm.

Here's the photo, at any rate:



And here's a link to Nerds for Nature:

http://nerdsfornature.org/index.html

Very cool idea!

Stopped at the Highway 120 Rim Fire overlook last summer and was stunned speechless by the extent and intensity of the devastation, the outer reaches being literally beyond view. Satellite images tell the tale but only from an intellectual viewpoint; one really must see it for themselves. Pointed out to my kid that perhaps in her lifetime the zone will at least begin to reach mature forest again. I sure won't see it.



The moron who started it walks among us today, free to go cause another, I suppose.