Forestry

Creating the "third voice" on forestry and fire-safety issues - a voice that is tied to a broader movement for sustainable forestry in the Sierra.

Students and a regional forester take measurements at a property in Truckee. Sierra Nevada forests, covering millions of acres of federal land and extensive private lots, are high value natural areas, at risk from greater human settlement and catastrophic wildfire. While these risks escalate, a political impasse, ongoing legal fights, and stonewalling hinder the ability to develop a sustainable forest management strategy. Millions of dollars are spent on fire fighting while very little is being spent on restoring the Sierra’s magnificent forests, reducing hazardous fuels, harvesting small diameter trees, and finding more sustainable means of managing this national treasure. Furthermore, rural communities throughout the region are suffering from the rapidly changing timber industry, dozens of mill closures, and thousands of lost jobs. The Sierra Business Council’s forestry program is designed to break through this gridlock to develop effective systems for managing and restoring our region’s forests, reducing their exposure to catastrophic wildfire, preserving our wild and natural landscapes, and sustaining our communities.

Objectives
The forestry program presents positive alternatives that benefit the Sierra region’s ecology, economy, and forest communities. We are working in partnership with a variety of groups and agencies to research and disseminate innovative new trends, technologies, and restoration programs. This collaborative approach will contribute to a stronger “third voice” on forestry and fire safety issues—a voice that is tied to a broader movement for sustainable forestry in the Sierra. This “third voice” will help de-polarize the debate and enable practitioners and the public to understand the positive alternatives to the current gridlock.

For more information email Program Director Christina Prestella or call 530.582.4800 ext.23.