Special Presentation: “Forest Management for Wildfire Resilience and Climate Adaptation”

PRESS RELEASE

Special Presentation
“Forest Management for Wildfire Resilience and Climate Adaptation”
Inyo County Office of Education/JKBS Great Room, 166 Grandview Drive
October 7, 2026, 7:00PM  

On October 7, the Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will host a presentation by Dr. Alexandra (Ali) Urza, Forest Health Program Director of the Whitebark Institute, who will discuss “ESCCRP: Landscape-scale forest management for wildfire resilience and climate adaptation.” The event will take place at 7:00PM, at the Inyo County Office of Education/JKBS Great Room, Bldg. D2, 166 Grandview Drive, Bishop.

The primary goal of ESCCRP—the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project—is to return the forests surrounding Mammoth Lakes to their historic densities through ecological thinning, making both the community and surrounding forests more resilient to future fires. Dr. Urza will share the background and scientific basis of the ESCCRP, progress that’s been made, and treatment effectiveness monitoring efforts.

Dr. Urza joined Whitebark in 2025, after spending nearly two decades supporting land stewardship in various roles. As a research ecologist, she led studies on ecosystem responses to wildfire and drought and worked closely with land managers to evaluate treatment effectiveness. She believes the growing threats of fire and climate change can only be tackled through bold action and creative partnerships and is excited to be applying her scientific background to work that directly benefits forests and people across our region.

Please join us to learn more about the status and progress of local efforts to reduce wildfire risk and improve the resilience of Eastern Sierra forests, landscapes, and communities!

The Bristlecone Chapter of CNPS, founded by Mary DeDecker and other native plant enthusiasts in 1982, is named for the most aged of the world’s trees. We are one of 36 statewide chapters working to protect and celebrate California’s native plants. We invite you to get to know us at our meetings, field trips, plant sales, and other fun events!