Culpepper will discuss forest health issues that contribute to changes in fire ecology, insect outbreaks, community changes due to climate change and increased human interface, and use the San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership as a case study to represent a stakeholder group focused on the restoration and management of warm-dry mixed conifer forests near Pagosa Springs. He will conclude with an overview of monitoring activity conducted by the Mountain Studies Institute and subsequent findings to assess stakeholder-driven management activities.

The presentation is open to all.

Culpepper is an ecologist and project manager with the Mountain Studies Institute who lives in Silverton. He has an academic background in conservation biology and geographic information systems.

For more information, contact John Bregar at [email protected].