Bishop residents are invited to a special presentation on forest management for wildfire resilience and climate adaptation on October 7, 2026. The Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society will host Dr. Alexandra (Ali) Urza, who serves as the Forest Health Program Director for the Whitebark Institute, at 7:00 PM. The event will take place at the Inyo County Office of Education/JKBS Great Room, located in Building D2 at 166 Grandview Drive in Bishop. Dr. Urza will discuss the Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project, referred to as ESCCRP, which focuses on landscape-scale forest management strategies.
The Eastern Sierra Climate and Communities Resilience Project holds a primary goal of restoring the forests surrounding Mammoth Lakes. This restoration effort aims to return these forest areas to their historic densities through a process of ecological thinning. By implementing these thinning practices, the project seeks to enhance the resilience of both the local communities and the surrounding forests against future wildfire events. During her presentation, Dr. Urza will delve into the comprehensive background of the ESCCRP, detailing its scientific underpinnings. She will also share updates on the progress that has been achieved to date and discuss the ongoing efforts to monitor the effectiveness of the treatments being applied within the project's scope.
Dr. Urza joined the Whitebark Institute in 2025, bringing with her nearly two decades of dedicated experience in supporting land stewardship roles. Her extensive career has included significant time as a research ecologist, during which she led numerous studies investigating ecosystem responses to wildfire and drought conditions. In this capacity, she also collaborated closely with land managers to thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of various ecological treatments. Dr. Urza firmly believes that the escalating threats posed by fire and climate change demand "bold action and creative partnerships" to be effectively addressed. She has expressed enthusiasm for applying her robust scientific background to work that directly benefits both the forests and the diverse communities across the entire Eastern Sierra region.
The Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, which is hosting this informative evening, was established in 1982. The chapter’s founders included Mary DeDecker and a group of other dedicated native plant enthusiasts who shared a common passion for California’s unique flora. The chapter takes its name from the bristlecone pine, recognized as some of the world’s most ancient trees. As one of 36 statewide chapters of the California Native Plant Society, the Bristlecone Chapter is committed to the mission of protecting and celebrating California’s native plants. The chapter regularly invites the public to participate in its various activities, which include general meetings, educational field trips into the local landscape, native plant sales, and other community events designed to engage and inform. Residents are encouraged to attend this upcoming presentation to gain further insight into the status and ongoing progress of local initiatives aimed at reducing wildfire risk and enhancing the overall resilience of the Eastern Sierra's forests, landscapes, and communities.
