The 2022 Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program (WIP) Summit focused on wildfire recovery strategies with input from community leaders, land and water managers, scientists, and elected and government officials.
The Summit highlighted why recovery is critical for the Sierra Nevada and California and took a deep-dive into the strategies we can use to restore our forests, rebuild our communities, and protect vital resources and values.
Agenda
Welcome
- 1:00 p.m. — Angela Avery, Sierra Nevada Conservancy Executive Officer; Terrence O’Brien, Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board Chair
Session 1: What’s at stake following Sierra Nevada megafires?
- 1:15 p.m. — Mr. Dirk Charley, Tribal Liaison, Dunlap Band of Mono Indians
- 1:30 p.m. — Dr. Hugh Safford, Affiliate Faculty at U.C. Davis and Chief Scientist at Vibrant Planet
- 1:45 p.m. — Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency; Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlein, U.S. Forest Service
- 2:00 p.m. — Assemblymember Jim Wood, California 2nd Assembly District
Session 2: Strategies for wildfire recovery
2:20 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. panel discussion and Q&A
- Dr. Christy Brigham, Chief of Resources Management and Science at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Ms. Britta Dyer, Senior Director, California & Pacific Islands at American Forests
- Mr. Andrew Schwarz, State Water Project Climate Action Advisor at the Department of Water Resources
- Dr. Jonathan Kusel, Executive Director at Sierra Institute for Community and Environment
Why wildfire recovery?
In the last two years alone, over 2 million acres in the Sierra Nevada have burned in wildfires of unprecedented size and severity. As we continue to build wildfire resilience throughout the region, we cannot ignore the impacts of recent megafires on local communities and natural resources.
These fires have threatened our water supply, wildlife habitat, carbon stores, Native American sacred sites and biocultural values, and recreation opportunities. Several Sierra Nevada communities are hurting deeply, with homes destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and traditional ways of life further threatened. And some of California’s most precious natural resources—including crucial water sources like the Feather River watershed and beloved symbols like the giant sequoia—have been harmed.
However, we are not powerless in the face of these challenges. With action and investment, we can restore the resilience of our landscapes and protect the myriad values they offer, while also supporting community recovery and a restoration-based economy.
About the Watershed Improvement Program
The Sierra Nevada Watershed Improvement Program (WIP), is a large-scale, holistic effort to restore resilience to the forested landscapes and communities of the Sierra Nevada. With forest health as the foundation, the WIP weaves together four priorities: restoring healthy ecosystems, improving community resilience, promoting sustainable recreation and tourism, and conserving natural and working lands.