Scores of Boulder residents who live in or near forested lands, use trails in open space forests, and are concerned about the chance of wildfire here participated in one or more of the events sponsored by the Center’s Community Collaboration on Forest Health in September 2018.
47 people joined in the September 22 Field Trip to Ponderosa Pine forests in the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks’ lands south of Eldorado Springs to see and experience the difference between untreated forested areas and more open areas created via thinning and prescribed burns. Land managers and researchers explained and showed how these treatments are carried out and their effect on biodiversity, and fire specialists spoke about the value of the open areas in wildfire management.
48 residents and experts gathered for a Workshop at SEEC the evening of September 26 to hear personal experiences from people who have been living in/near forested areas and in some cases have experienced wildfire directly. In small group discussions, they delved into specifics regarding wildfire risks, ecology and history of wildfire, and preparing for wildfires on/near their own homes.
45 people engaged in the September 29 Field Trip to the Aspen, Lodgepole Pine, and Mixed Coniferous forests on Boulder County’s Parks and Open Space Reynolds Ranch, near Nederland. Participants heard about and saw the difference between various forest types, untreated and treated areas, and learned about the reasoning behind management decisions that create a diverse mosaic of forest types and structures on the landscape. The group also discussed implications of these measures for wildlife and wildfire management.
