Registered Professional Forester (RPF) | Founder & Executive Director | Strategic Business Developer
Interesting read and detailed article by Lisa Krieger in the San Francisco Mercury - To build back burned forests, California needs a lot more seeds - As forests succumb to ever-fiercer wildfires, the state seeks to scale up the growth of new seeds and sprouts. “After decades of forest mismanagement that created an era of megafires, there’s a critical shortage in quality seed stock, trained personnel, storage and growing space for tiny seedlings.” “The state of California once supported three tree nurseries — in Ben Lomond, Magalia and Davis — which produced about 6 million trees per year for landowners all over the state. Now two of these nurseries are gone, casualties of a long-ago state budget crisis.” “Meanwhile, American Forests is collaborating with the state and federal government in the Reforestation Pipeline Partnership to boost seed collection, processing, storage, nursery production and planting.” Sound familiar. Very common challenges for forest managers across North America. Great to see a Not-For-Profit like American Forests collaborating with state and federal agencies. Addressing the increasing demand for forest restoration will require the efforts and collaboration of many not just a few. It will be critical that the appropriate resources are committed, and the necessary incentives are provided to encourage investment in the sector.