New Climate-Adapted Conservation Strategy from the Southern Montane Forest Project!

See the following announcement from the Southern Montane Forest Project. This strategy was supported by the SW CASC and is part of the Southern California Montane Forests initiative!

The Southern Montane Forest Project has unveiled its Climate-Adapted Conservation Strategy for Southern California montane forests. This initiative aims to bolster the resilience of montane — or higher-elevation forests — with climate-informed actions. The strategy offers land managers a comprehensive guide to enhancing forest and community health with collaborations across different landscapes.

This conservation strategy has three main components: A customizable decision framework to prioritize forest health, a regional adaptation menu to combat climate stressors, and a post-fire restoration framework to identify and plan restoration projects.

The Southern Montane Forest Project is a collaboration of the U.S. Geological Survey, the USDA Forest Service, San Diego State University, and the Climate Science Alliance. It plays a key role in the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires across the country. Major funding was provided by the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey, along with funding from the Joint Fire Science Program and the USDA Forest Service. Over four years, the group has worked closely with forest managers, stewardship practitioners, Tribal members, and diverse community members to create this new roadmap for forest health.

To read the full strategy and watch a project overview, visit the Southern Montane Forest Project.