Forest & Fire Learning Series Part I: Fire & Forests

Photo: Michael Remke

Fire & Forests Learning Series
Part I: The History of Fire & Forest Ecology in the San Juan Mountains

October 23rd, 6-8 pm
Powerhouse Science Center

The series will kick off with a presentation on the foundational concepts and ecology of forest health in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado. Topics will include the historical role and importance of fire in the San Juan Mountains and how science helps direct decisions about forest management today.

Panel

• Dr. Michael Remke: Research Associate, Mountain Studies Institute

• Matt Tuten: Silviculturalist, San Juan National Forest

• Mark Loveall: Supervisory Forester of Forest Planning and Implementation, Colorado State Forest Service

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The Series

As we reflect on the past two years here in the San Juan Mountains, we see a contrast from extreme drought and fire on our doorstep to record snowpack and swollen rivers. While we see two extremes across the years, we must ask the question: where do 2018 and 2019 fit within the context of historic fire regimes, the forest ecology of the San Juan Mountains, and the lens of climate change? Change is happening to the landscape we call home. How do we, as a community, approach those fluctuations using the best available science and knowledge of past change to promote both ecological and community resilience? Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) will be hosting a learning series to engage our community, in conversation, about the changing forests in the San Juan Mountains. The overarching theme to this series will be resilience: ecosystem resilience to fire, the impacts of post-fire conditions on ecosystems and communities, the use of forest management techniques to advance ecosystem and community resilience, and the need to build a culture within our communities of learning to understand the importance of and live with fire. This series will occur over three evenings: October 23rd, October 30th, and November 6th. The evenings will include short presentations and panel discussions with community participation in the discussion.

We invite you to join the conversation and help to inform a community approach to living with fire.