Climate Science Alliance Collaborative Efforts Detailed in New US Forest Service Priority Landscape

Overview
Southern California’s montane forests are “sky islands” of mountain habitat that feature conifers and several oak species. These forests are facing rapidly intensifying stressors and disturbances that are exacerbated by climate change.
The goal of this project is to advance our collective understanding of the vulnerabilities and challenges facing these forests and identify the opportunities and strategies for increasing forest resilience.
This multi-jurisdictional project is a collaborative partnership among the Climate Science Alliance, U.S. Forest Service, Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management at San Diego State University, and the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. Through collaborative planning sessions, guided by stakeholder input, we will develop a scientific assessment and create a conservation strategy for southern California’s montane forests.

Project Objectives

BUILD A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
We will promote partner engagement and collaboration, striving to develop a common understanding among resource and fire managers, policy makers, the science community, Tribal partners, and other stakeholders regarding the threats to southern California’s montane forests and the ecosystem services they provide as well as strategies to minimize those threats.

BUILD A CLIMATE-INFORMED STRATEGY
Our project team will work with this community of practice to:
I. Develop a Forest Conservation Strategy
This climate-informed strategy will serve as a road map for sustainability of montane forests in southern California;
II. Identify Implementation Actions
The strategy will inform planning and management efforts to enhance forest health and resilience;
III. Promote Collaboration
To accomplish the implementation actions identified in the strategy, we will promote ongoing collaborative action and foster the development of partnerships to improve forest resilience.

On the Blog
