Part 2: The Latine Forestry Workforce and Why Solidarity Matters with Manuel Machado (and Guest Host Gaby Eseverri)
About this episode
This episode discusses the challenges faced by the Latine forestry workforce in the Pacific Northwest, including exploitation and systemic risks.
In the second episode of our Latine Forestry Workforce series, guest host Gaby Eseverri speaks with Manuel Machado, who is the Natural Resource Workforce Program Coordinator for the Oregon State University Extension program. This episode was made possible with support from Rivershed SPC. Gaby and Manuel spoke about the Latine forestry workforce in the Pacific Northwest, including the workforce's history, how H-2B and immigrant status contributes to a culture of exploitation rooted in a fear of deportation, as well as the nature of forestry and fire work. Gaby and Manuel also discuss the physical, economic and systemic risks faced by this workforce, and how the model for an increasing demand for forest resilience work—which includes post-fire restoration, thinning/wildfire risk reduction, and other essential forestry tasks—relies heavily on often underpaid and easily-exploited H-2B and immigrant workers.
Sponsors
Rivershed SPC
More episodes of Life with Fire
- Bringing Wildfire Public Information Into the Modern Era with Noah Baker
- Part 1: The Latine Forestry Workforce with Dr. E.J. Davis
- Braiding The Personal with the Ecological, with HOTSHOT Author River Selby
- The Intricacies of Hotshot Culture, with Wildfire Days author Kelly Ramsey
- The Social Contract of Managing Fire with Stephen Pyne
- Community Resilience Series Ep.3: Preparing for and Recovering From Megafires with Butte County Fire Safe Council Executive Director Taylor Nilsson
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