PRESENTERS

Terrie Jain, Mike Battaglia, and Russ Graham - USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station

Dry mixed conifer forests of the northwestern United States challenge ecological classification systems because of the diversity and complexity of the landscapes where they occur. Many contain ponderosa pine and a mixture of other highly productive tree species in the overstory and understory. They often mix with drier and wetter forests, creating a mixture of forest types quite unlike the expansive stands of comparatively pure ponderosa pine found elsewhere in the West. Widespread human settlement, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, fire exclusion, disease, and insects have shaped these forests. We will summarize the first four chapters of the synthesis and discuss how this information can be used in describing potential future conditions. Questions for our discussion may include: What are the key elements that need to be considered? Why is diversity of forest structures and compositions important? How do fuel treatments blend in with other disturbances in addition to wildfire?

DISCUSSION & READING

An hour of the webinar will be dedicated to a discussion for everyone to share ideas and ask questions. As a primer, you may be interested in reading chapters 1-4 in A comprehensive Guide to Fuel Management Practices for Dry Mixed Conifer Forests in the Northwestern United States.

REGISTRATION

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/979090600

Webinar Discussion Series- Fuel Management Practices for Dry Mixed Conifer Forests in the Northwestern United States is hosted by the Northern Rockies Fire Science Network and US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. This four-part webinar discussion series provides a forum for managers and scientists to discuss up-to-date information regarding the benefits, challenges, opportunities, and trade-offs among the different strategies and tools related to fuel treatment applications within dry mixed conifer forests of the western United States. Authors of the synthesis, A comprehensive guide to fuel management practices for dry mixed conifer forests in the northwestern United States (Jain et al. 2010), will share and discuss key findings from selected chapters with webinar attendees. It is the hope of the authors that the synthesis and webinar discussions promote dialogue, mentoring, and increased understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and techniques for incorporating fuel treatments that promote resilient dry mixed conifer forests. The webinars are on Wednesdays,10-11:30 am MDT / 9-10:30 am PDT. Registration is open for the March 13 webinar. Notification of registration for the other webinars will be sent one week in advance and posted on the NRFSN events webpage.