The mid-elevation type of forest ponderosa pine and mixed conifer used to have about 60 trees per acre in California about 150 years ago. Now, a UC Davis and USDA study says California forests 165 to 170 trees per acre — and that may be a conservative estimate. "That's about a...
California Forests 80%-600% Denser Than 150 Years Ago, UC Researcher Says Biomass Is One of the Answers
The mid-elevation type of forest ponderosa pine and mixed conifer used to have about 60 trees per acre in California about 150 years ago. Now, a UC Davis and USDA study says California forests 165 to 170 trees per acre — and that may be a conservative estimate. "That's about a...
Sierra Club: Bark Beetle, Dead Trees Don’t Fan Wildfires, Problem Is Too Much Fire Suppression
As the Creek Fire continues to ravage the Sierra, the debate about how to prevent this type of fire again leads down divergent paths. Cal Fire points to the 80%-90% tree mortality rate from bark beetle in the Creek Fire's territory as a major contributing factor. But Sierra Club California...
Trump Wants To Amend Endangered Species Act
DENVER — The Trump administration on Thursday proposed ending automatic protections for threatened animal and plant species and limiting habitat safeguards that are meant to shield recovering species from harm. Administration officials said the new rules would advance conservation by simplifying and improving how the landmark Endangered Species Act is...
Grizzly Bears in California? The Dream Lives.
In 2014, an environmental group began a "Bring Back the Bears" petition drive in California that has attracted almost 20,000 signatures. Additionally, research shows that a section along the crest of the Sierra could support between 48 and 108 grizzly bears. State Fish & Wildlife Opposes Grizzly Reintroduction But the California...