Feather River College hosts Spring Sustainability Series
FRC’s Spring Sustainability Series features a panel discussion Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. at the West End Theatre on “Forest Health in the Northern Sierra: What Does Our Future Hold?” Ryan Tompkins has worked in forest growth and yield research, forest ecology and effects, and as a forester. Photos submitted
”Elemental” is the theme for Feather River College’s Spring Sustainability Series. Fire, water and earth topics will be explored through panel discussions, speakers and film.
A panel will discuss the topic “Forest Health in the Northern Sierra: What Does Our Future Hold?” on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m., at the West End Theatre in Quincy. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and refreshments will be available. The event is free.
All three panelists work for the U.S. Forest Service. Ryan Tompkins is the Plumas National Forest silviculturalist. He has worked in forest growth and yield research, forest ecology and effects, and as a forester.
Kyle Merriam is the province ecologist for the Sierra Cascade Province of the Forest Service, which includes the Lassen, Modoc and Plumas national forests. Her work includes monitoring the effects of wildfires, grazing, prescribed burning, thinning and other Forest Service management actions.
Kyle Merriam has monitored the effects of wildfires, grazing, prescribed burning, thinning and other Forest Service management actions.Danny Cluck is the forest entomologist for the Northeastern California Shared Service Area of the Forest Service. His primary interests are bark beetle ecology, forest stand dynamics, fire ecology and woodboring insects.
With more than 100 million dead trees in the Central and Southern Sierra, forest health is a hot topic. Panelists are collaborating to bring their expertise together in ways that will be interesting and accessible to the public. Audience questions are welcome, according to event organizers.
Tompkins said, “I look forward to talking about the challenges our generation’s forests face and the opportunities for restoring, growing and managing forests for future generations,” while Cluck will talk about bark beetles and give an update on local and statewide tree mortality and discuss the potential for a large scale tree mortality event in the northern Sierra.
The series is presented by the FRC Sustainability Action Team as an effort to promote sustainability, environmental awareness and outdoor education.
The Sustainability Series continues March 15, at 7 p.m., with the topic “Sierra Meadow Restoration: How does it affect you?”
Danny Cluck is the forest entomologist for the Northeastern California Shared Service Area of the Forest Service.Finally, in coordination with Plumas Earth Days Committee, the film “Love Thy Nature” will be shown at the Town Hall Theatre on Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. This free event is sure to inspire, as the film explores our vital connection with the natural world.
For more information about the Spring Sustainability Series, contact Dr. Darla DeRuiter at 283-0202, ext. 262 or [email protected].
