Forest Health Grant launches long-term monitoring program at PUC
As part of our recent $5 Million Dollar Forest Health grant awarded by the California Department of Forestry, four Pacific Union College (PUC) conservation biology students, guided by PUC Biology Associate Professor Aimee Wyrick-Brownworth, set up monitoring equipment in the forest on the PUC campus in Angwin. Following protocols designed by UC Davis faculty, several monitoring plots were established to determine impact and effectiveness of various management practices on forest health & wildfire resiliency. The students are monitoring environmental conditions such as air temperature and relative humidity, measuring fuel load and vegetation/tree diversity in each plot, and tracking animal activity through wildlife cameras. The students involved in this launch will become supervisors for other groups later in the school year.
Funding for this project provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Forest Health Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program. Napa’s Howell Mountain Corridor: Forest Ecotone and Fire Resiliency Restoration Project, is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website.
Instructor Scott Butterfield had his Intro conservation tech class out in the forest, and they installed a wildlife camera in the plot. Here is a link that includes pictures of the students and Scott along with wildlife camera pictures from other nearby locations.
