The importance of fire in many western ecosystems cannot be overstated. On the Kaibab National Forest, fire provides habitat for wildlife, maintains watersheds, and supports forest health and productivity. Fire also influences a wide range of values, resources, and ecosystem services. On the Kaibab, resource specialists have a strong understanding and appreciation for the benefits of fire, and they work closely with the fire staff to ensure that fire management and resource management are one in the same. View the YouTube video here.
December 16, 2015: Impacts of Thinning and Burning in Spotted Owl Habitat
Presenter: Quentin Hays, Eastern New Mexico University On forested lands throughout the Southwest, Mexican spotted owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) are a driver of management activities, as the current Recovery Plan (USFWS 2012) dictates forest treatment guidelines in designated owl habitat. These guidelines often prove restrictive for forest management and restoration programs, which serve to promote resiliency and …
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