COVID-19 has upended many governmental functions and collective efforts, including hands-on forest management to reduce wildfire risks. California’s headwater forests have experienced their own health crisis in recent years, which has left them increasingly vulnerable to major wildfires and droughts that threaten the benefits they provide. Improved management can make these forests more resilient and avoid major wildfire-related disasters. But this will require a substantial lift from an array of private and public entities.
PPIC research associate Henry McCann will outline findings from a new report on the benefits and beneficiaries of healthy headwater forests, and a panel of experts will discuss ways to put this approach into practice.
This research and event were supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture.
⇒ Submit questions for the speakers to: PPICeventquestions@gmail.com
Agenda:
12:00 p.m. Welcome and Presentation
Henry McCann, research associate, PPIC Water Policy Center
12:20 p.m. Panel Discussion
Moderator: Van Butsic, cooperative extension specialist, University of California, Berkeley
Angela Avery, executive officer, Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Carmen Tubbesing, PhD candidate, University of California, Berkeley
Willie Whittlesey, general manager, Yuba Water Agency
12:50 p.m. Audience Q&A
1:00 p.m. Adjourn