Sierra Nevada Conservancy Presents “Connecting the Dots- Wildfire, Forest Health & Sustainable Rural Economies”

The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is sponsoring a “Webposium”- a region-wide web-based symposium- that gathers local, state, and national experts, policy-makers, environmental, industry and community representatives to discuss how to create cohesive and collaborative working groups and projects.  The focus of these projects will be to improve watershed/forest resiliency and health by reducing the threat of wildfire where sustainably using forest “fuels” to create local jobs and economic resilience.

During the event, speakers will discuss the economic hardships Sierra communities are facing in dealing with mill closures, declines in forest health, increasing wildfire intensity and frequency, and other environmental and economic pressures.  Current projects which show how the environment can be protected while stimulating sustainable economic benefits for surrounding communities will also be showcased.  Policy-makers, researchers, academics and funding experts will discuss what they see today, what we might expect tomorrow, funding opportunities and priorities, and what policies might be needed to successfully protect our resources, reduce fire threat and build resiliency into our environment and local economies.   Each regional group will also be asked to weigh in on all information presented, identify common goals, and participate in a moderated discussion.

For more information, including program information, the agenda, regional locations, and participating panel members, click here.  Moderated webposium locations include:

• Visalia
• Quincy
• Bishop
• Oroville
• Susanville
• Cameron Park
• Sutter Creek
• Grass Valley
• And Oakhurst

SBC’s Steve Frisch will be presenting as a panel member during the morning session, and several other SBC representatives will be present to participate in the discussions at the Quincy and Grass Valley locations.  Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to join leaders in your community and take part in these imperative discussions.