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BT Metals Proudly Joins the Journey to the Capitol

To usher in the 2021 holiday season, BT Metals is delighted to support the US Capitol Christmas Tree’s journey to Washington DC.

This year’s theme – “Six Rivers, Many Peoples, One Tree” – communicates an experience that bonds a rural community with the state and the nation, and is what attracted BT Metals to join as a partner.

As we emerge from a global pandemic, BT Metals welcomes the unique opportunity to validate our country’s diversity and brilliance by adorning the People’s Tree with ornaments to celebrate the spirit of our country.

BT Metals created 100+ ornaments made from remnant steel material to adorn the tree. The “Emerge from the Woods” ornament, symbolized by the historic Bigfoot figure, recognizes the resiliency of our people and their strength to face the next challenge. The “Strength Through Unity” ornament, symbolized by the eagle’s feather, challenges us all to work together as one nation. The “Discover Your True North” ornament, symbolized by the North Star, represents the very best that each of us can be. These three interlocking themes grace the 2021 People’s Tree and will shimmer proudly in front of the Capitol building to celebrate the holiday season. These special keepsake ornaments are for currently for sale online at Carl Johnson.com

 

Staff also helped fabricate part of the cradle that carries the tree, creating a piece that will be used by forests for many years to come.

BT Metals is a third generation, family-owned metal fabrication/sales business founded by J. Chris Lovfald and Darrel Cunningham after WWII. Today, under the leadership of Lee Cunningham, BT Metals is a woman-owned business leveling the playing field in the construction arena. Lee’s vision is to increase and encourage the nation’s diversity goals in construction.

They are a leading metal distributor supplying mild, structural, and reinforcing steel, as well as aluminum, stainless steel, pipe, rebar, and industrial fasteners to construction contractors across the nation. BT Metals provides a very real, commercially useful and specialized service to the top large and small US construction firms. They are also one of the very few certified HUBZone metal material firms in the US. As a HUBZone WBE SB supplier BT Metals can assist you in meeting three of the federal small business subcontracting and small business participation goals.

BT Metals has provided quality service to the Humboldt County area for over sixty years and the client list now spans the nation, growing in size and scope.

BT METALS WISHES ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON!

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Six Rivers Six Drivers

Six Rivers, Six Drivers – Meet our Fearless Driving Experts!

This year, System Transport by introduction of long-time sponsor Kenworth Truck Company was selected as the truck carrier for the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Over the last several months, System Transport has been integral in working with the Six Rivers National Forest team in ensuring preparations are ready to safely carry and transport the selected 84-foot white fir for three weeks covering 4,000 miles of roads from California to Washington D.C.

These drivers will be divided into pairs and share a portion of the journey driving the new T680 Next Gen – Kenworth’s most aerodynamic truck ever!

Six drivers were chosen with the honor of transporting the People’s Tree. Meet them below:

Bill Brunk
10 years’ experience
Over-the-road driver from Cheney, Washington

Trucking was a natural fit for Bill, who spent his early career in the construction industry. When work slowed during the Great Recession he started driving and has been on the road since.

To Bill, family is the most important part of the Christmas season. He’s looking forward to seeing the U.S. Capitol when the tree arrives in November, but even more than that he’s excited to give his grandkids a chance to see their grandpa do something really cool. Getting together as a family is Bill’s most important Christmas tradition since he “always love(s) to see the excitement in my grandkids’ eyes!”

John Schnell
15 years’ experience
Commercial glass driver, formerly poles, from Kennewick, Washington

John’s calling has always been a life on the road. “I know that I am doing what God has planned for my life.” The opportunity to drive a truck came to John at the best time for him to explore the career, and it’s been a divine fit since.

To John, the U.S. Capitol represents We The People – not just our government, but each of our American Dreams. He is honored to be a part of the team bringing a beautiful tree to celebrate Christmas and to symbolically bring hope to the nation’s capital. “Christmas is a time to see the good in each of us and an opportunity to help our neighbors.” John’s favorite Christmas traditions are enjoying Christmas morning breakfast with his family and attending Christmas Eve services to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Jeremy Bellinger
21 years’ experience
Commercial glass driver, formerly poles, from Spokane, Washington

Jeremy has always been fascinated by the sights on the road.  As a kid, he enjoyed seeing the country during his family’s cross-country road trips.  He enjoyed it so much, he decided to make it his career by getting into trucking – and it’s been “the best decision I’ve ever made!”

Jeremy is excited to be a part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree team as a chance to do something small for our country. Congenital health conditions precluded him from serving in the military, so he welcomed this opportunity for service. It’s also a big plus to be bringing Christmas cheer to the nation’s capital. One of his favorite Christmas traditions was watching his own kids opening their presents on Christmas morning when they were young.

Mike English
23 years’ experience
Over-the-road driver from Alturas, California

Mike spent his younger years mining for gold, in the vein of the prospectors who sought a better life in California in the 19th century. When the gold mine he was working for closed, Mike capitalized on a program offered by the State of California to get his commercial driver’s license and haul critical goods – “and the rest is history!”

Mike is honored to participate in hauling the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. It’s a great opportunity to not only be on the road, but to haul cargo that’s “really cool.” As an over-the-road driver, Mike spends a lot of time away from home, so it comes as no surprise that two of his favorite Christmas traditions are spending time at home with his family, enjoying a holiday feast.

Terry Jefferson
37 years’ experience
Local driver from Spokane, Washington

Since he was a kid, Terry loved big rigs. The traditional style trucks always caught his eye on the road, so when he was old enough, he got his commercial driver’s license and has been piloting rigs that have caught other kids’ eyes for over three decades.

Terry welcomes the challenges that hauling the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will bring. It isn’t every day that drivers’ skills are challenged by hauling a trailer over 100 feet long. Terry also likes the “thought of being involved in something so special and unique.” Terry’s best Christmas memories are the smell of a real tree – which should be in abundance during this year’s tour – and watching his kids open presents.

Robert E. Lee
2 years’ experience
Yard shop manager, former poles driver, from Cheney, Washington

Driving a truck was a natural fit for Robert, who has always liked driving and decided to take his career in a different direction. Robert will bring a unique perspective to the team though, also working as a shop manager he’ll be able to provide support mechanically.

To Robert, “Christmas is the time of year that brings people and families together,” so being a part of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour is special to Robert. He is also looking forward to delivering the tree to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Robert’s favorite Christmas tradition is a hearty Christmas morning breakfast feast.

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Tree Harvest

Update: New Date & Time for Tree Harvest Ceremony


MAD RIVER, Calif., October 22, 2021 – Due to poor weather and out of abundance of caution, the virtual ceremony to harvest the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be held tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 23 at 12 PM, instead of Sunday, Oct. 24. 

Increased rain and elevated wind conditions that could affect the safety of personnel and the crane equipment used to harvest the People’s Tree led to the decision by Forest leadership to shift the ceremony to 24 hours prior. 

The public can still view this significant milestone during a livestream of the ceremony available on the Six Rivers National Forest Facebook page, starting at 12 PM, Saturday, Oct. 23. 

The Facebook Live video will remain on the newsfeed to view at any time.  

Continue to monitor online at @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram, and @USCapitolTree on Twitter for the latest information. 

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Kenworth T680 Next Generation Features Special Design for 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour

 | KIRKLAND, Wash. –  A special Kenworth T680 Next Generation, sporting a newly installed graphics wrap, will transport the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from California to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building for the tree-lighting ceremony in early December.

“Six Rivers, Many Peoples, One Tree” is this year’s tour theme and a logo of that message is prominently displayed on the T680 Next Gen roof. The driver and passenger side both display graphics of the U.S. Capitol Building, U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree decorated with lights, and a background of the sunset over the rolling hills of the Six Rivers National Forest. The words “U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, Six Rivers National Forest, California to Washington D.C., are placed above the images.

This 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree – an 84-foot tall White Fir nicknamed “Sugar Bear” – is scheduled to be harvested October 24 from the Six Rivers National Forest in California.

System Transport is the official designated carrier for the 2021 tour. The company will use its new Kenworth T680 Next Gen equipped with a 76-inch mid-roof sleeper to transport the special tree on its 3,300-mile route. The T680 Next Gen provides drivers with the most aerodynamic Kenworth truck ever, latest Kenworth SmartWheel®, new customizable 15-inch digital display, full forward LED lighting down the road, additional advanced driver assistance systems, and comfortable cab and sleeper. It marks the eighth consecutive year that a Kenworth truck will deliver “The People’s Tree.”

System Transport employees Bill Brunk, Jeremy Bellinger, Mike English, Terry Jefferson, Robert Lee and John Schnell were selected to drive the T680 Next Gen transporting the Tree. The driver team will receive support from System Transport employees Lonnie Epley, Joel Eggert and Sean Magee.
 
The company hauls all types of flatbed freight, primarily throughout the West Coast to the Midwest. System Transport maintains its headquarters in Cheney, Washington, with terminals in Denver and Phoenix; French Camp, Fresno and Bloomington, California; Caldwell, Idaho; Gary, Indiana; Olathe, Kansas; and Ennis, Texas.

Community celebrations are scheduled from Oct. 29 – Nov. 16 throughout California and across the U.S. en route to the U.S. Capitol. Smaller companion trees also will be provided to decorate offices inside of the U.S. Capitol Building and other sites throughout Washington, D.C., along with 15,000 handmade ornaments created by Californians.
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2021 US Capitol Christmas Tree tour

Announcing the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour

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Each year, a different national forest provides a tree to light up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. The Six Rivers National Forest in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors will bring this special gift from California to Washington, D.C. for the 2021 holiday season with a series of special events in communities along the way.

Festivities will be hosted by local communities at parks and plazas, schools, memorials and monuments, stadiums, main streets and even a parade. Well-wishers will have a chance to sign the banners on the sides of the truck, learn more about the Six Rivers National Forest, purchase U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree merchandise and more. Beginning Oct.29, the tree’s journey can be tracked in real time online at capitoltreetracker.com hosted by Spireon, Inc. Festivities are free and open to the public for all to enjoy. The schedule of events includes:

Friday, Oct. 29
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Del Norte Visitor Center (1001 Front Street, Crescent City, CA 95531)
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Eureka Waterfront (Madaket Square Boardwalk, D Street, Eureka, CA 95501)

Saturday, Oct. 30
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Willow Creek Mainstreet (CA Hwy-299, Willow Creek, CA 95573)
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Fortuna River Lodge (1800 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna, CA 955340)

Sunday, Oct. 31 
12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Pear Tree Shopping Center (504 East Perkins St, Ukiah, CA, 95540)

Monday, Nov. 1
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Vallejo Waterfront Ferry Stop (289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, CA 94590)

Tuesday, Nov. 2
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Dixon May Fair (655 South 1st Street, Dixon, CA 95620)

Wednesday, Nov. 3
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. California State Capitol (1010 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814)
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mother Lode Fairgrounds (220 Southgate Rd, Sonora, CA 95370)

Thursday, Nov. 4
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Downtown Mariposa (Hwy 140 between 9th and 10th Street, Mariposa, CA 95338)

Saturday, Nov. 6
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Rose Bowl Stadium (1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103)
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Redlands West Pearl Avenue (between Eureka and Orange Streets Redlands, CA 92374)

Tuesday, Nov. 9
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Petrified Forest National Park (1 Park Road, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028)

Thursday, Nov. 11
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. New Mexico Veteran’s Memorial (1100 Louisiana Blvd SE #5009, Albuquerque, NM 87108)

Saturday, Nov. 13
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Downtown Fayetteville (Northwest Avenue & West Dickson Street, Fayetteville, AR 72701)
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters (1935 S Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO 65807

Tuesday, Nov. 16:
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Williamsport Town Hall, 2 N Conococheague St., Williamsport, MD 21795

Friday, Nov. 19
Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building

*Subject to change. Monitor website at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar for the latest updates.

Safety of tour staff, event attendees and the tree are the top priority. Face coverings are required for all events and social distancing will be maintained. Along the way, we ask the public to be aware of the large truck’s huge blind spots, wide turns, and longer stopping distances on our roads so we can all arrive safely to our destinations.

Follow along online at www.uscapitolchristmastree.com and @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram.

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U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Announces Essay Contest

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EUREKA, Calif., September 13, 2021— For more than 50 years, the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., has asked the USDA Forest Service to provide a tree to adorn the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. This year, the Six Rivers National Forest will proudly provide the tree and select a local 5th grader to be named as the official youth tree lighter in a three-county-wide essay contest.

The youth tree lighter may have the opportunity to participate in the tree harvest ceremony, tree lighting ceremony and other local events. Events may be virtual or in-person, and any in-person events will occur in accordance with CDC guidelines.

The youth will be selected by a panel consisting of personnel from the USDA Forest Service, County Offices of Education and the Board of Supervisors from Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties, and by office of Representative Jared Huffman, based on the criteria below.

The competition is open to 5th grade students in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties. Students are asked to compose an essay about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree with the prompt, “What does the theme ‘Six Rivers, Many Peoples, One Tree’ mean to you?”

In addition to the essay, applicants may choose to include a one-page supporting attachment relating the theme to an aspect of science, technology, engineering, arts, and/or mathematics (STEAM) for an interdisciplinary approach.

Submissions will be evaluated on mechanics of grammar, spelling and construct, content, and STEAM integration. The submission should not exceed a 500-word essay with one additional page of illustration/supporting data – all electronic.

Students should submit their essays electronically to their respective County Office of Education (COE) office by Sept. 24.

Each Office of Education will submit their top five (5) entries to the U.S. Forest Service, and the winning submission will be selected and notified in mid-October.

All submissions must be accompanied by the consent form from a parent or guardian for use of the product as well as consent to appear in media. All participants may be recognized by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Six Rivers, Six Questions: Meet Alyssa

Alyssa is a fire prevention technician at the Lower Trinity Ranger District on the U.S. Forest Service – Six Rivers National Forest as well as the local Events Lead for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project. She comes from a proud U.S. Forest Service family and is expecting her first child this fall.
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Redwood Sciences Lab

Six Rivers, Six Scientists

Behind California’s infamously arduous “Redwood Curtain” lies a research lab…

…on the Preston Forest Research Site, a wooded, 3-acre site on the Humboldt State University campus in Arcata, California. This lab is part of the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station and houses research hydrologists, geologists, wildlife and fisheries biologists, plant ecologists, biometricians, research technicians, and support personnel who are      conducting watershed, wildlife, and fisheries research applicable to the   Pacific Northwest from Alaska to California.

Let’s meet six Redwood Sciences Lab scientists:

Dr. Karen Pope is a Wildlife Biologist.  Her research interests specialize in applied research directed toward the conservation of amphibians and reptiles, especially in mountain environments. However, many of her projects also address key basic concepts in ecology like the role of ecosystem subsidy in supporting wildlife populations and how population dynamics are affected by pathogens.  

Dr. Bret Harvey is a Research Fish Biologist.  His research interests are relationships between stream fishes and habitat features such as depth, cover, sediment conditions, and barriers to fish movement; biotic interactions within stream food webs; and the dependence of these interactions on habitat, and the success and effects of introduced fishes in streams. 

Linda Long is a Wildlife Biologist who conducts her studies out of the Arcata lab.  She assists on station climate change research and localized needs (regional work).  The bulk of her research has been focused on ornithology, including Pacific Seabirds. 

Ted Weller is an Ecologist.  His research interests are developing quantitative methods for assessment of bat populations; mitigating impacts of wind energy development on populations of migratory bats; and seasonal ecology of bats in forests of northwestern California.

Elizabeth Keppeler is a Hydrologist who works primarily out of Fort Bragg, CA where she works on the Casper Creek Experimental Watershed where along with a team of researchers, she conducts studies evaluating the effects of timber management on streamflow, sedimentation, and erosion in the rainfall-dominated forested watersheds of the northern coast of California.

Dr. Joseph Wagenbrenner is a Research Hydrologist.  His research interests are understanding the complexity of hydrologic processes at various spatial and temporal scales; determining the effects that humans have on different components of the hydrologic cycle, understanding the effects of fire and other forest disturbances on hydrologic processes; and identifying the impacts of practices used to mitigate these effects. This work will help provide an understanding of the resiliency, function, and health of natural and human-impacted environments. 

What is Forest Service R&D and Who is PSW?

The USDA Forest Service Research and Development (FS R&D)   is the world’s largest forestry research organization. FS R&D conducts ecological and social science research to understand ecosystems, how humans influence those systems, and how to manage for sustained and     enhanced benefits.

FS R&D operates five Research Stations, the Forest Products Laboratory, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. It employs more than 500 scientists, as well as several hundred technical and support personnel located at 67 sites throughout the United States.

The Pacific Southwest Research Station represents FS R&D in the states of California and Hawaiʻi and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. The region has the lowest, driest desert in the country, the highest elevations within the 48 contiguous States, and the wettest tropical forests. It is home to an abundantly diverse array of native plants and animals and nearly half of the Nation’s threatened and endangered species. PSW scientists conduct a broad array of natural resources research to achieve our mission to “develop and communicate science needed to sustain forest ecosystems and their benefits to society.”

For Further Information, Contact:
Jacey Goddard
Public Affairs Specialist
USDA Forest Service
Pacific Southwest Research Station
Email
www.fs.fed.us/psw

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