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Jim Purcell, 2001
Jim Purcell, a CAL FIRE Forest Practice Inspector working in Mendocino County, received the award in 2001. Jim was recognized for his remarkable ability to locate unrecorded archaeological sites while inspecting timber harvesting plans, and excellent work with private landowners and RPFs, teaching them the importance of site protection. These efforts led to numerous site discoveries, ensured protection of sites discovered by others, and facilitated archaeological studies on these privately owned lands.
Jim completed five of the CAL FIRE-CLFA Archaeological Training courses and served as the RPF instructor for several additional classes in the late 1980's. He graduated from Penn State University in 1970 with a degree in Forest Science, and after a brief stint in the military, he began his forestry career in 1974 as an entry-level forester for Masonite working on THPs. He also worked for Sierra Reforestation Company supervising planting crews and for Mendocino County as a junior timber appraiser. He began his CAL FIRE career in 1975 as a forestry graduate trainee in Redding. At the end of the 1977 fire season Jim transferred to the Mendocino Unit as a Forest Practice Inspector and has been there ever since, earning his RPF License in 1979 and appointment to Forester II in 1980. That same year, Jim made his first archaeological site discovery - an extensive prehistoric occupation site located on Timber Harvesting Plan he was inspecting off Eureka Hill Road. In 1982, during review of the Buich and Masonite THPs along Jack Smith Creek, Jim's work led to the identification of two significant sites and his recommendations to the RPF led to their protection during logging. Jim's efforts on these plans took place before the existence of any rules or policies that required RPFs or Inspectors to search for archaeological sites. Jim has a keen ability to assist RPFs in accomplishing site protection at a minimum of cost to landowners and an excellent method of explaining to landowners why archaeological site protection is important. Two examples illustrate Jim's terrific work with apprehensive landowners and the significant archaeological discoveries that followed. These are Bob Burger and George Zeni properties near Yorkville.
While reviewing a small Exemption on the Burger Ranch, Jim asked the rancher if he had ever found Indian artifacts. The landowner was probably tempted to say "no" but Jim's professional and friendly style often leads landowners to reveal things and place their trust in CAL FIRE. The rancher disclosed that his wife "picks up stuff down by the creek". When asked if he meant "flakes" the rancher said she doesn't bother with those. He led Jim to a tremendous collection of sandstone bowls and cobble pestles stacked near the porch. He also learned that the rancher's brother had a "sweat house" on his adjacent land, which Jim checked out and discovered right along Highway 128. He obtained permission to bring the CAL FIRE Archaeologist out there and formally recorded both sites.
During a similar encounter with forest landowner George Zeni, Jim was told of a major rock art site located on a ridgetop setting near his ranch. Jim confirmed its location, and again obtained permission to get it recorded. In doing that work, Jim introduced Foster to George Zeni who operates an extensive Christmas Tree farm near Yorkville. Convinced by Jim that he need not worry, Mr. Zeni brought out for inspection one of the most remarkable artifact collections ever seen in the area. The collection contains several hundred projectile points and bifaces including six massive specimens (8-inches-long) thought to be ceremonial knives, and all of these items came from one huge site on his property. Jim's professional manner and salesmanship skills helped persuade Mr. Zeni to lose his fear. With that barrier broken, Jim made arrangements to bring Dan Foster to the property to record the site and view the collections. Mr. Zeni realized how lucky he was to have the opportunity to learn more about the prehistory of his property. Mr. Zeni subsequently allowed Dr. Thomas N. Layton to carry out two summers of extensive archaeological excavations with his students from San Jose State University. The result is an excellent master's thesis by Patricia Dunning, describing the prehistory of the region from the vantage of the Zeni Ranch. This is a fundamental pioneering statement of Coast-Interior archaeological connections, based on prehistoric commerce.
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