Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force

At the recent convening of the Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force in Santa Cruz, CA, the SCMSN was very present. The Executive Directors of the San Mateo and Santa Cruz Resource Conservation Districts, Kellyx Nelson and Lisa Lurie, respectively, both facilitated panel discussions. Network Manager, Dylan Skybrook and Network members, Chris Spohrer, Santa Cruz District Superintendent for State Parks, Valentin Lopez, Chair of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band all participated on panels. They were joined by Steve Auten, now of Auten Resource Consulting, but formerly a member of the SCMSN when he was at Swanton Pacific Ranch. And, SCMSN members provided sites for field trips on the second day of the convening. Including at San Vicente Redwoods where the image above weas taken during demonstrations on techniques for addressing woody biomass.

Over and over, the conversation on various panels and on the field trips, referenced the need for collaboration and the value that the SCMSN provides in helping collaboration happen in the region.