Management of forest, fire is topic of conference

A conference covering pre- and post-wildfire forest management for ecological restoration and fire resiliency will take place in Sacramento Feb. 9 to 11.

More than 300 scientists, forest managers, environmental organizations and interested members of the general public will meet to discuss the management of forested land before and after wildfire.

Two U.S. Forest Service representatives from the Sequoia National Forest, Forest Supervisor Tina Terrell and Forest Silviculturist Steve Hanna, are expected to attend.

Presentations will focus on conifer forest types common to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges.

Some of the questions that will be addressed include:

- What forest conditions result when active reforestation efforts are undertaken?

- What happens when no intervention occurs?

- What are the consequences for wildlife, watershed conditions and vegetation?

“Forest management is a controversial subject,” Mike Chapel, USDA Forest Service regional forester’s representative, said. “At the conference, we will review current science and public opinion, then begin a dialogue about future forest management options.”

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 9 and 10, and 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 11.

Participants will meet in the McClellan Park Lecture Theater, 3305 James Way, and the adjacent Lion’s Gate Garden Pavilion, 5640 Dudley Blvd.

The event is being sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension and the USDA Forest Service.

For registration, meeting agenda, directions and other details, visit http://groups.ucanr.org/wildfire2010.

Registration for the three-day conference and poster session is $100 and includes two lunches and conference materials.

For more information, contact Sherry Cooper, (530) 752-1581, or shcooper@ucdavis.edu.