UC plays a crucial facilitating role in the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project
The 2004 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment adopted by the U.S. Forest Service called for using adaptive management — management through deliberate experimentation — to carry out treatments to improve forest health and reduce fire severity. The Sierra Nevada Adaptive Mana...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
2015-01-01
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Series: | California Agriculture |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.v069n01p43 |
Summary: | The 2004 Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment adopted by the U.S. Forest Service called
for using adaptive management — management through deliberate experimentation — to
carry out treatments to improve forest health and reduce fire severity. The Sierra
Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP), begun in 2005 and ending this year, has
developed, implemented and evaluated participatory adaptive management processes in
two national forests for applying fuels management treatments based on strategically
placed patterns of tree thinning. SNAMP participants include federal and state agencies,
the University of California and many members of the public. UC Cooperative Extension
staff members have played an important role in facilitating the participation of public
stakeholders. In 2010, a survey showed that stakeholders valued the learning opportunities
of the project, especially appreciating the open discussions, public input and face-to-face
contact with scientists. Despite the institutional limits to sharing decision making,
an environment conducive to the social learning characteristic of collaborative adaptive
management projects was created. The SNAMP process may lead to long-term relationships
and knowledgeable stakeholders who can support the Forest Service's use of the project
findings after UC's role ends. |
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ISSN: | 0008-0845 2160-8091 |