State foresters gathering in Porterville
A tour of Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest and discussions on the health of Giant Sequoia groves are highlights of next month’s Northern California Society of American Foresters meeting Aug. 3 and 4.
The Northern and Southern California Societies of American Foresters are holding a joint summer meeting field trip from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 4. The tour will begin and end in Porterville.
The field trip will provide an overview of the current and proposed management of the Southern Sierra mixed conifer forests, including the giant sequoia component of the forest type. The field trip will cover forest health management on private lands as well as provide an overview of progress being made on management by the U.S. Forest Service on the Sequoia National Monument.
Experts from the University of California and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo will provide results of a 20-year study of giant sequoia management on Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest and the latest information on the management of and for large old giant sequoia trees. Information will also be provided on the need for a healthy local forest industry to support management practices necessary to maintain forest health and resilience to pests and fire.
The field tour will begin at the Porterville Holiday Inn Express parking lot. Vans will be provided. Sack lunches and drinks will be provided for the registered participants.
Space for this field trip will be limited, so people should sign up early. To join the tour, contact Jane LaBoa, NorCal SAF executive director at 1-800-738-TREE (cell 530-906-1844) or ncsaf@mcn.org.
