News Stories

“Coast Redwood Forests in a Changing California: A Symposium for Scientists and Managers” will be held June 21-23, 2011, at UC Santa Cruz.

The symposium is open to anyone who is involved in the research, education, management and conservation of coast redwood systems. This includes foresters, landowners and managers, community and conservation groups, land trusts and policymakers.

More than 80 scientific presentations and nearly 50 poster presentations are on the agenda.

In the opening session, local historian Sandy Lydon will give a historical perspective of the impact of humans on the redwood region. Steve Sillett, Humboldt State University forestry professor, will describe ecosystems in the redwood forest canopies. Ruskin Hartley, of Save the Redwoods League, will explain the conservation organization’s plans for redwood restoration. Home Depot Senior Vice President Ron Jarvis will discuss the role of environmental sustainability practices and policies as a part of the home improvement retailer’s business model.

Three field trip options will allow participants to experience different aspects of redwood ecology and management of coast redwoods along California's Central Coast.

Tour #1 will focus on active redwood timber management on corporate ownerships operating under the unique policies that dictate decision-making on the Central Coast, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s forest management and research at its Swanton Pacific Ranch. Tour #2 will traverse the range of redwood forest conditions from the old growth of Henry Cowell State Park and the uncut 120-year-old young growth of Nisene Marks State Park to uneven-aged young growth stands established by individual tree selection harvesting on non-industrial forestlands. Tour #3 will explore redwood management - including fire, safety, tree protection and aesthetics - on the UC Santa Cruz campus.

The symposium is sponsored by UC Berkeley Center for Forestry, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Natural Resources Management Department, Humboldt State University Department of Forestry and Wildland Resources, and UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

For more information about the symposium or to register, visit http://ucanr.org/sites/redwood.