A member of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation keeps a close eye on a recent cultural burn outside the town of Mariposa. Along with the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation will help restore the Mariposa Creek Parkway, which will include Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK). The restoration project is funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy under a Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program regional block grant from the California Department of Conservation. Photography: Sierra Foothill Conservancy.
August 28, 2023 - The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) will host its quarterly Board Meeting Thursday, Sept. 7, in Fairview in Tulare County (between the towns of Kernville and Johnsondale). The day before, Sept. 6, the SNC will host a field tour of wildfire-recovery and community-resilience projects in the area, including a first-hand look at iconic giant sequoias that have been threatened by drought, insect infestation, and wildfires.
View detailed tour and meeting information, including how to submit a public comment.
Third round of critical WIP capacity investments to be presented
At the meeting, the Board will get an update on SNC’s plan to roll out $14.5 million in capacity investments it received in May as a block grant from the Department of Conservation’s Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program (RFFCP) to lead implementation in the Sierra-Cascade region.
The statewide RFFCP was established in March 2019 with the overarching goal to increase California’s capacity to develop, prioritize, and implement wildfire- and forest-resilience projects that restore ecosystem health and protect communities, forests, and other landscapes. Boardmembers and the public will learn about SNC’s initial program design to implement the block grant, which includes support for capacity building, project development, and tribal participation.
The Giant Forest located inside Sequoia National Park in the southwestern Sierra Nevada is one of many groves of iconic giant sequoias facing increased mortality threat due to drought, insect infestation, disease, wildfire, and climate change.
Update on southern Sierra forests, including giant sequoias
The board will also receive an overview from leading scientists and land managers in the region on the status of forest health in the southern Sierra Nevada, focusing on giant sequoias. Among the largest and oldest trees in the world, these iconic giants are endemic to the Sierra Nevada and under serious threat from destructive wildfires. Although the longevity of giant sequoias can be attributed to their significant resilience to pests, disease, and wildfire, recent factors, such as climate change and years of fuel buildup, have increased mortality rates.
Source: Sierra Nevada Conservancy
